It was Chhaya's haldi ceremony today. The hall was divided by curtains so that the bride and groom do not see each other. Bhavna and Chhaya went to the hall where Chhaya was made sit on a chauki.
The first ritual was Tel Chadai where the elder ladies of the family did some puja and oil was smeared on the bride and groom separately. This took about an hour.
Then was the favourite part. Haldi. Eveyone applied haldi on Chhaya one by one. It was Bhavna's turn now. She sat in front of Chhaya with a naughty smile. Chhaya glared at her and shook her head as a warning but the damage was already done. Bhavna took a lot of haldi in her hands and coloured Chhaya's whole face with haldi.
Advik's condition was no different his friends and sister covered him in haldi completely.
Now, the bride and the groom were to take a bath and change their clothes and again come down for a puja.
Bhavna was moving out of the hall when she bumped into someone and was about to fall from the impact when two arms caught her waist and out of reflex her one hand rested on his shoulder and the other on his neck.
Devesh steadied her asked whether she is alright. Bhavna nodded when someone from the relatives said.
"Agla number inka hai. Dono ne ek dusre ko haldi laga di."
(Its their turn next. See both of them had applied haldi to each other.)
Eveyone shared a laugh when Bhavna noticed that her hand which was on his neck had left a haldi stain. And Devesh also saw the haldi on her waist.
Bhavna lowered her head and smiled shyly whereas Devesh gave a sheepish smile. Both of them excused themselves and went towards their room. They did not talk on their way. She was about to enter her room when Devesh said.
"Umm neeche jo hua pls usse dil par mat lena. Sab masti kar rhe the."
(Please don't take whatever happened down there seriously. They were just having for fun.)
Not able to say anything she just nodded and went inside. She closed the door and slumped against it.
"Ofcourse. Why would he want to marry me. I am just a friend to him"
She muttered and went to change. After an hour later both Chhaya and Bhavna were ready for the puja.
It was a small puja where some holy threads are tied on the hand and leg of the bride and the groom. The puja was done within half an hour.
It was almost evening and everyone was dead tired. They had light snacks and went to their room. Chhaya slept almost immediately. Bhavna was unable to sleep and so she decided to go outside for a small walk. She went out of her room.
She was in the corridor when someone called her from behind. Devesh. He came to her and asked her where was she going.
"Neend nhi aa rhi thi isliye thodi der walk krne jaa rhi hu. Aap kaha jaa rhe hai?"
(I was unable to sleep so just going for a walk. Where are you going?)
"Mai bhi wahi jaa rha tha. Saath chle?"
(I was also going for the same. Shall we go together?)
Bhavna nodded and they went towards the garden. They were walking in silence when Devesh spoke.
"Let's continue our game. What say?"
"Okay. Meri turn thi. Aapko hamesha se business man hi banna tha?"
(It was my turn. You always wanted to become a business man?)
"Haan. Hamesha se papa aur tauji ko kaam krte huye dekha hai. Toh shuru se yahi tha ki ek din unke jaisa banna hai. Tumhe hamesha teacher banna tha?"
(Yes. I have always seen papa and tauji working. So i always wanted to be like them. You always wanted to become a teacher?)
"Haan. I love kids. Toh bas isliye. Whom do you love more your mother or father?"
(Yes. I love kids. That's why.)
"I love my mother more. Papa Dhriti ko hum teeno mai se sabse jyada pyar karte hai. Kehte hai na girls are daddy's princess and boys are mumma's boy. My turn. How many boyfriends have you had?"
(Papa always loved Dhriti more among the three of us. As they say.)
"Zero. How many girlfriends have you had?"
"One. Sixth class mai. Wo bhi meri taraf se usse toh pta bhi nhi tha."
(In sixth class. That too from my side she didn't even know)
Both of them laughed at this.
"Okay my turn. What is the one thing you wish you could do?"
"I wish could live the life of any character from any of the books i wanted. What were you in your college. I mean the popular guy, the nerdy guy, the jock or the bad guy?"
"I was more like the popular nerdy guy. Mai popular bhi tha aur padhaku bhi."
(I was popular and studious both)
"Tum kya thi?"
(What were you?)
"I was neither of these. I mean i was studious but not exactly a nerd. More like a wallflower. Mujhe jyada attention nhi pasand. Isliye i never had many friends."
(I did not like much attention)
"Baaki ka game baadme continue karenge. Its getting late. I still have 14 questions left Mr. Singhania."
(We will continue the rest of the game later.)
Bhavna said playfully.
"Ofcourse Ms. Kapoor."
Devesh said with a naughty glint in his eyes.
They went to their rooms wishing each other goodnight and slept with a smile on their faces.
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