Wedding

Next morning in Haveli

The sun had barely risen, yet the haveli was already restless. Servants scurried about, whispering about last night's sindoor scene. The air felt heavy with tension - today, Thakur Ved Pratap Singh was going to bring his bride home properly with rituals no less grand than his authority.

Ved's mother was doing preparations and talking to her mother-in-law and sister in law.

Dadi sat with her rosary, sighing

"Haye Ram... Gaon kya kahega? Ek Thakur ne aise puri panchayat ke saamne ek aam ladki ki maang bhar di? Na jaat ek hai aur na aukat. Aur woh ladki... kya woh hamari parampara nibha payengi? Sambhal payegi Thakurain ka auda, pata nahi ab aage kya hoga?"

(What will the village say? A Thakur putting sindoor like this in front of the whole panchayat?... And that girl... will she be able to handle our rituals? Will she be able to handle the place of Thakurain, don't know what will happen ahead?)

Her worry wasn't hatred but deep fear of broken traditions.

Ved's mother tried to calm her, though her own voice shook

"Maaji, woh apne babuji ka beta hai Jab woh kuch thaan leta hai toh usse koi nahi rok sakta. Par....reh rashta ho woh chin raha hai woh tufaano se bhara hai. Kya Vedita haveli ka bhar utha payengi?"

(Maaji, he is his father's son. When he decides, no one can stop him. Par... this path he chose, it is filled with storms. Will Vedita bear the weight of this haveli?)

Sarla, always quick to sting smirked at them

"Bhar? Woh dabb jayegi iske niche. Ek ladki jo aise tamasha leke aayi hai hamare darwaze pe woh kya izzat degi? Meri baat yaad rakhna aapki yeh bahu iss haveli ko uthal puthal ke rakh degi.."

(Weight? She will crush under it. A girl who brought such scandal to our doorstep, what respect will she give? Mark my words, this 'bahu' of yours will turn this haveli upside down..)

Ved's mother was tensed listening her words

"Aisa kyu kehti ho Sarla? Ved ne kuch toh socha hoga jo itna bada shaadi ka faisla liya.

Kuch toh baat hogi iss ladki mein jo mere bete ne usse chuna"

(Why are you saying like this, Sarla? Ved might have thought something that he took such a big decision like marriage. There must be something in that girl that my son chose her)

But Sarla tried to manipulate her

"Arey jiji Ved toh mard hai, zaroor uss ladki ne hi rijha liya hoga. Aapne suna nahi kya manhoos hai woh, pata nahi ab Ved ke bhavishya ka kya hoga."

(Arey sister in law Ved is a man, that girl must have seduced him. Haven't you listened yet that girl is cursed, don't know what will happen in Ved's future now)

The women's voices created a chorus of doubt, wrapping the haveli in unease.

---

At evening

While Ved was getting ready in his room for his wedding

Arjun barged in without knocking, grinning ear to ear.

"Vedddd... aaj toh hamari 'Vedita bhabhi' aane wali hai. Mujhe khud dhol mangane chahiye ya pure gaon ko nachne ke liye bulau?"

(Vedddd... today my 'Vedita bhabhi' is coming.Should I prepare the dhol myself or call the whole village to dance?)

Ved glared at him trying to stay stern but Arjun didn't stop. He leaned closer, dropping his voice in mock secrecy

"Waise kya mujhe bhabhi ko batana chahiye ki kaise tu unke udthte duppate ko niharta the jab tumhe lagta tha koi nahi dekh raha ya phir kaise tu din-raat unke sapne dekhte tha?"

(By the way, should I tell bhabhi how you used to stare at her dupatta flying in the wind when you thought no one was looking or how you used to dream about her day and night?)

Ved's ears turned red and he tried to push Arjun away.

"Bas, Arjun!"

(Enough,Arjun!)

Arjun laughed, throwing his arm around him.

" Arey bhai, kal tune pura gaon hila diya. Aaj bhabhi ki sundarta ko khud ko hilane mat dena.... Kasam se, main tum dono ko itna chedunga na ki bhabhi toh andar aane se pehle hi sharam se laal ho jayegi."

Arey bhai, yesterday you shook the entire village. Today, just don't let bhabhi's beauty shake you. I swear, I'll tease you both so much that bhabhi will start blushing before she even steps in.)

For the first time since last night, Ved allowed himself a small smile. The weight of family politics, villagers' whispers and the heavy title of Thakur seemed lighter when his brother stood beside him.

----

The courtyard of Vedita's home was lit with oil lamps, banana leaves tied at the entrance and marigold garlands swaying in the evening breeze.

The whole village had gathered, eyes curious, some still whispering about how Ved filled her maang in public. Tonight, though, it would be sealed with the sacred rituals.

Vishal stood at the gate, watching the grand baraat arrive. Dhol and nagada echoed, men danced ahead of Ved's horse and Arjun led the crowd like he himself was getting married.

But Vishal's eyes stayed on his sister who was looking at the barat from her room's window. She was dressed in the deep red lehenga of their mother. Her face lowered under her veil, Vedita's quietness unsettled him.

"Is she ready for this? Will she really find happiness in that haveli?" he wondered with a heavy heart

As the barat reached the doorstep, Ved climbed down from his horse and touched the chokhat (threshold) with his talwar (sword). Meena came to do his aarti. After aarti she pulls his nose, Ved smiles and bows his head slightly.

(The meaning of this ceremony is now you're entering our home, so keep your ego aside and stay humble with our daughter.)

The crowd burst into cheers and it became a light hearted laughing moment.

------

When the Jaimala (Garland Exchange) moment came Vedita trembled slightly as she lifted the garland. The crowd laughed when Ved, tall and imposing, bent down willingly so she could place it around his neck.

Vishal's brows furrowed - a Thakur bowing? But then he saw the way Ved glanced at her, a softness in his eyes that silenced even the gossip.

The wedding was going smoothly and Vishal's restlessness was decreasing looking at Ved's nature during all the rituals.

Now they were sitting in the mandap and it was time for kanyadaan (Giving the Bride)

When the priest called for the brother, Vishal's hands shook. He placed his sister's hand in Ved's, His voice cracking in the mantra. In that moment, Ved's thumb brushed Vedita's hand in reassurance -a small but steady gesture and Vishal noticed it too.

He closed his eyes, whispering to himself

"Bhagwan, bas iski khushi banaye rakhna.

(God, just always maintain her happiness )

Phere (Sacred Rounds) started as the fire crackled, Ved walked behind Vedita, matching her hesitant steps.

At one point, when her anklet caught in her lehenga, Ved gently freed it, holding her hand firmly so she wouldn't stumble.

The crowd gasped softly at the gesture - Thakur Pratap Singh was her protector even in the mandap.

The final moment arrived. As Ved lifted the sindoor, everyone leaned forward. But instead of haste, he paused, locking eyes with her, almost as if asking permission. Last time he filled her hairline without asking her, this time he wanted her permission to make her his.

Vedita looked at him from under the veil, tilted her chin slightly in answer. The sindoor streak blazed bright red in her parted hairline slightly falling on her nose, sealing her fate with him for the rest of the life.

Vishal stepped back, folding his hands. His face was still clouded with doubt but the way Vedita's shoulders eased when Ved held her hand again didn't escape him. A deep sigh left his chest as he prayed silently

"Bas yeh ladka meri behen ka saath nibha de. Uski zindagi mein sukh le aaye."

(May this boy stand by my sister. May he bring happiness into her life.)

---

The wedding fire had died down to glowing embers but the courtyard was alive with tears. Drums had gone silent, replaced by soft cries of women who clutched their dupattas, swaying with emotion.

Vedita, still radiant in her bridal red stood in front of the *doli*. Her veil hid her face but her trembling hands betrayed the storm inside her.

Meena stood in front of her clutching her hand.

"Ab humse door kaise reh payegi, Vedita? Har chhoti baat pe toh tu mujhe bulati thi..." she choked as tears streaked her cheeks.

(Now how will stay away from us,Vedita? You used to call me on every little thing)

Vedita's throat tightened. She leaned forward, hugging her bhabhi fiercely.

"Aap maa se badhkar ho mere liye... aapne mujhe kabhi maa ki kami mehsoos nahi hone di."

(You're more than a mother to me... You never let me miss my mother)

The women around wept louder. Meena stroked her hair, whispering blessings,

"Apna ghar bana baccha... par apne bhai aur bhabhi ko bhool mat jaana."

(Make your home, child..but don't forget your brother and sister in law)

"Kabhi nahi bhabhi, main aapko bhul kaise sakti hu" Vedita cried

(Never bhabhi, how can I forget you?)

When Vishal stepped forward, the crowd grew quiet. He had kept a stoic face through the rituals but now his eyes glistened. He touched his sister's head gently.

"Vedita... maine tujhe hamesha apni beti jaisa rakha. Aaj tujhe kisi aur ke hawaale kar raha hoon... dil ko kaise manau?"

( Vedita... I always kept you as my daughter... Today I'm giving you to someone else.. how can I make this heart understand?)

Vedita clasped his hand,her voice shaking yet firm

"Bhaiya... aapne mujhe raksha di, pyar diya, izzat di. Aaj main aapke saare sapnon ka bojh lekar jaa rahi hoon. Mujhe aashirwad dijiye ki main iss ghar ko bhi aapke ghar jaisa bana paun."

(Brother...you gave me protection, love and respect. Today I'll leaving with the burden of your all dreams. Bless me so that I can make that house as my own home)

Vishal broke then, pulling her into a tight embrace. His tears soaked her veil. For the first time in years, he whispered,

"Tu meri chhoti si gudiya thi... ab kisi ke ghar ki Bahu ban gayi."

(You were my little doll... Now you're daughter in law of someone's home)

Bhaiya.... Vedita burst into loud cries and sobbed in her brother's embrace.

Amidst the flood of emotions, Ved stood tall. His yes never leaving Vedita. When her steps faltered climbing into the palanquin, his hand instinctively reached out steadying her. Their fingers intertwined for just a second, enough for her to look up at him with tear-rimmed eyes that held both grief and new hope.

The crowd noticed-the Thakur's pride was not in power but in the way he held his bride.

When Ved turned Vishal folded his hands in front of him

"Aapse bas ek vinti hai Thakur Shahab, bas meri behen ka khayal rakhna.. Usko apna pyaar aur hakk dena, pehle hi bahut kuch seh chuki hai"

(I have a request with you Thakur Shahab, just take care of my sister. Give her your love and rights, she had already suffered so much)

Ved held his hands and stopped him

"Chinta mat kijiye bhaiya, ab Vedita meri jimmedari hai. Wada karta hu, hamesha saath nibhaunga chahe kuch bhi ho jaye."

(Don't bhaiya, now Vedita is my responsibility. I promise, I will always stand by her side no matter what happens)

Vishal shook his head

As the doli lifted and chants of "Doli chadhte samay roye" folk echoed, Meena collapsed into Vishal's shoulder. He still holding Vedita's scarf corner in his hand, let it slip slowly as the palanquin moved away.

Ved walked beside it, his presence reassuring, as if silently promising Vishal and Meena

"She will never walk alone again."

-------

The heavy doors of the Singh Haveli opened wide, lanterns flickering against the carved wood. Women from the village had gathered in the courtyard, waiting to see the new bride of Thakur Ved Pratap Singh.

The doli halted. Arjun, grinned ear to ear, rushed forward before anyone else.

“Bas bas... dheere! Hamari thakurain ko jhatka na lage!” he announced, dramatically waving his hands at the carriers.

Bending near the doli, he called out, “Bhabhi, sun lo main sabse khaas insaan hu. Aakhir aapki taraf se yeh pagal bhai ko sambhala hai maine. Ab se yeh jimmedari aapki!”

(Bhabhi, listen I'm the most special person. Afterall I have handled my crazy brother from your side. From now on this responsibility is yours.)

Ved raised a brow. “Arjun…” he warned.

But Arjun only chuckled, “Kya karein Ved, itne dino se dekha tha bade chup-chup ke milte the dono. Aaj khule aam sabke saamne doli laaye ho… maan gaye!”

(What to do Ved, I have seen you both meeting secretly from so many days. Today you brought her doli in front of everyone, hats off to you)

Ved muttered, “Bas kar Arjun...” but the faint smile tugging at his lips betrayed his happiness.

Vedita, beneath her veil ,caught every word. Arjun's light-hearted teasing soothed her heavy heart from the bidaai but as she glanced up at the haveli women waiting, her joy dimmed.

Her mother-in-law and dadi stood stiff, their faces grave. Sarla chachi's narrowed eyes scanned her from head to toe. Her lips pressed in disapproval. The festive chants of "Swaagat hai!" rang hollow when compared with those guarded stares.

Her breath hitched. She tightened her hold on the veil, wondering if her every step was being weighed.

Just then, a warm hand touched hers. It was Suman- Sarla's elder bahu. She was dressed in a deep maroon saree.Her face glowed with a welcoming smile under the veil that felt genuine amidst all the coldness.

She leaned close and whispered softly, “Ghabrana mat, devarani ji. Haveli ka asli rang toh tabhi nikhrega jab tum aayogi.”

(Don't be nervous sister in law. Haveli's real colour will bloom when you come inside.)

Those words though hushed were enough to steady Vedita. She gave a tiny nod beneath her veil.

---

The traditional aarti  thali was brought forward. Vedita pushed the kalash gently with her foot, rice spilling across the haveli's threshold as she stepped in. She dipped her feet in alta and left her footprints as she entered inside.

Beside her, Ved walked with silent pride. His hand brushing lightly against hers in reassurance. They took elders blessings by touching their feet as a new couple.

Arjun, standing close, couldn't resist “Ab toh  yeh ghar sirf tera nahi raha... ab ismein do hukumat chalegi.”

(Now this house is not only yours...Now it will be ruled by two)

Laughter rippled from the younger cousins, though Sarla chachi scoffed under her breath.

--------

That's it for today

I wanted to say one thing, what's the problem if you're liking the story then why are you guys not voting?

If it continues like this I'll start setting a target then no matter if it even pass one month I won't update until the target does not get accomplish.

Next will be the first night scene and more wedding rituals ❤️‍🔥