Chapter 18 — The Wedding Preparations Begin

The wedding preparations officially began at the Devraj mansion.

The entire house was filled with happiness, laughter and excitement. Relatives moved in and out of the house, decorations were being arranged, and the sound of traditional music filled the halls.

The Singh family had planned the wedding rituals over four beautiful days.

Day One — Kuldevi Puja and Shagun

The first day began with the Kuldevi Puja.

Ritka dressed traditionally and sat beside her family as the rituals began. Devraj and Rukmini stood beside her, blessing their daughter as the priest performed the puja.

After the prayers, the family began arranging the shagun items.

Sarees, bangles, jewellery, sweets, dry fruits and other traditional gifts were carefully placed and prepared for the wedding ceremonies.

Rukmini looked at Ritika with emotional eyes.

Rukmini: Beta, everything is finally beginning.

Ritika smiled softly.

Ritika: Amma, I still can't believe it.

Rukmini gently touched her head.

Rukmini: You deserve happiness, beta.

Ritika looked down with a small smile.

Day Two — Haldi

The second day was filled with laughter and colour.

The Haldi ceremony began in the morning.

Ritika wore a beautiful traditional yellow outfit and sat in the centre while her family applied haldi to her hands, cheeks and arms.

Rishi was the most excited of all.

Rishi: Mumma!

He carefully applied a tiny amount of haldi to her cheek.

Ritika laughed.

Ritika: Rishi!

Everyone burst into laughter.

Veeresh watched from nearby with a smile.

Veeresh: Careful, champ. Don't put too much.

Rishi: Baba Arnav should see Mumma like this!

Everyone laughed again.

Ritika immediately became shy.

Ritika: Rishi!

Day Three — Mehendi

The third day was dedicated to the Mehendi ceremony.

The courtyard was beautifully decorated with flowers and traditional lamps.

Ritika sat comfortably while the mehendi artist began creating intricate designs on her hands.

Her family gathered around her.

Poornima looked at the design with excitement.

Poornima: Didu, this is so beautiful.

Ritika smiled.

Ritika: I love it.

Veeresh walked over and looked at the mehendi.

Veeresh: Did they hide Arnav's name somewhere?

Ritika immediately looked embarrassed.

Ritika: Veer!

Veeresh laughed.

Veeresh: We have to find it after all.

Day Four — Chooda Ceremony

The fourth day was the emotional Chooda ceremony.

Ritika sat before her family wearing traditional clothes while the red and white chooda was prepared.

Rukmini became emotional as she helped with the ceremony.

Rukmini: May this chooda bring you happiness, prosperity and a beautiful married life.

Ritika's eyes filled with tears.

Devraj stood nearby, quietly watching his daughter.

Devraj: Be happy, beta.

Ritika looked at him.

Ritika: I will try, Papa.

Devraj smiled.

Devraj: Don't try. Just live.

Ritika smiled through her tears.

The family gathered around her, blessing her as the wedding preparations reached their final stage.

Four days had passed.

Four days filled with prayers, laughter, traditions and emotions.

And now, only the wedding remained.

Soon, Ritika would leave the home where she had spent so many years and begin a new chapter with Arnav and Rishi by her side.