"Please! The marigolds don't go there! " I saw Sagarika shouting.

" Sagarika, what are you upto? " I asked, jogging upto her.

"I'm -"

"Shut up. Weren't you supposed to be resting? "

" I'm fine. This is important. " She adjusted a sleeping Gudu in her arms, holding her against her chest.

" Isn't it uncomfortable? " She looked at me confused.

"What? The baby or the saree? " She asked.

"Both! Carrying the child and adjusting your saree all the time. "

She laughed softly, holding God's head firmly.

"It's actually better. I mean, you are a history student... You should know they had these sarees only earlier. The blouseless ones... So much more easy to -"

I saved my brain from further trauma by calsping my hand on my ears.

"No! I know! You don't need to go into details. " I said, walking away.

Talking to this girl is a disaster.

As I was leaving, I heard her
call, " You're getting married soon AJ! You'll have a wife too! One who will wear one of these! "

I brisk walked away, colliding right into the one person I was too redfaced to meet.

"Carefully Kumar. People will say I made you fall. " She smirked, resting her hand on my chest as if to steady herself.

You know what! Two can play this game.

I snaked an arm around her waist, bending low to her ear, " You've already done that... You made me fall in love with you. What more is left? "

I could feel her hiding a smile into my clothes.

"Ahem." Called a voice and I turned around to see my jijaji.

"AJ, have you seen Sagarika? " He asked, eyes shut.

"I-yes Yudhi, I did. She's near the water fountain. " I muttered, jumping apart.

"Thank you. And it's just one more day. " He answered, walking away.

"One day is too long for me too wait for you my dear. " I heard whispered into my ears as I was watching Yudhishthir leave.

" I understand, but he will tell Saag and Saag cannot hold secrets which bring good news. "

"Ah, good news.... " She answered, walking away.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^

If I have never told you before, hear it, my daughter is one of the most charming babies in the world and I have seen my sister as a baby too.

"Hai! Bhoo! " I was playing peekaboo with her, knowing full well that she couldn't see me, but hey, it's the voice that matters.

" Sagarika! " Yudhishthir called and I looked up to see a frazzled Yudhishthir.

"What is it? "

" Nothing, your mother has arrived. Come down. "

Mata, mother? What would I even call her....

"Uh. Yes. Coming. " I said softly.

"Yes. Well-what's wrong? "

His concern was visible as he sat down on the bed by my side, oulling me into a side hug.

" I don't know what to say to her. She has memories of me as a child, thinking I grew up under her care. I don't even know her name. "

"But does it matter if she loves you? "

"No, but I won't know what to say. "

"Then don't. Just revel in the love you receive. " He said softly, his eyes pools of tranquility themselves.

" Let's go. " I said as we picked Gudu up. Wow we need to have a name.

As we walked into the main hall, a sudden hush fell over the sabha, as all eyes fell on us.

"My daughter! " Was the only whisper that rang through the silence as my eyes seeked the source of that love.

"M-mata." I answered with finality as she rushed across to meet me.

Handing Gudu over to Yudhishthir, I was welcomed with a warm hug and open arms by my mata, who clutched onto me as a vice.

"Oh my dear! You're alive! All this while I waited on a miracle that you'd live! Thank Mahadev you're alive! " She cried, pulling me closer if at all it was possible.

"I'm here now mata. Don't cry. " I said hesitantly, as she pulled back, wiping her tears off, before grabbing hold of my ears and twisting on them.

"Aah! "

"This is for scaring me! "

"Mata! " AJ cried, running into the hall with Devika behind him.

"Oh Mata. I'm so glad you made it here before the wedding. " He said, as he bent to touch her feet in reverence.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. Now I trust the preparations are in order. " She smiled, when her eyes finally landed on Gudu.

" Is-is that your child? " She asked, looking at her in awe.

"Yes, that is our daughter, we haven't yet thought of what to call her. "

"Hey! I thought I told you to call her Gudu! " AJ snarked back.

" I can't introduce her to the world as Gudu now can I? " I sniped back as mata's focus remained unrelenting on her.

"May I hold her? " She asked Yudhishthir who smiled and gave her to my mother.

The way she gently held her in her hands reminded me of how ma held Mini when she was born.... Delicately, like a flower.

"She's beautiful, she has a smile as sweet as honey. " Mata whispered, rocking the child.

"That she does, it's your daughter's smile Mata. " Yudhishthir added.

As Mata enjoyed her time with Gudu, I returned to my earlier work, figuring out things for AJ's wedding.

This night was one where I definitely needed good sleep to be able to function well the next day.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^

I woke up this morning with a start as I realised the day.

"I'm getting married. " I said to myself, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes as I made my way to the bathing chambers.

A few clothes, some scent and a crown was kept nearby.

It took me way longer to get ready than I would assume, mostly because my hands were shaking from the nervousness.

As I finally made my way out, I heard a frantic Saag making her way in.

"AJ! Do you plan on being a Kumbhakaran even on your wedding day! Wake up -oh. You're already dressed. " She said, looking at me surprised .

"It's not that hard... I don't have to -"

"Yes I know. " She said smiling.

"Well, AJ, now you're getting married."

"Oh really? Thanks for telling me, I didn't know. " I replied sarcastically.

She just laughed and pulled me into a hug.

"May you have one of the best lives with her, don't trouble her, don't you dare make my sister suffer or I'll kill you, brother or no. And don't forget, it'll always be you against the world, not against each other. " She smiled.

Then, to my surprise, she tool of a kajal from her eyes to apply it to me.

"Saag, why do I feel you've become a mother too quickly for my taste? "

" Why? Are you scared I'll steal your ps5 at night? " She smiled brightly.

"No, I am sure that if I ever have a cold you'll be caring for me and instead of replying, 'thank you saag', I'll be saying, 'thank you ma'. " I said and I avoided a slap to my arms.

I'd barely managed to heal the black eye... I don't want to look like a blue whale on my wedding.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^

As I made my way to the dias, I saw Saag, Yudhishthir, Mata, Pitashree, Devika's parents all standing in the small mandap. We couldn't invite others for fear of letting the information that Saag and Yudhishthir are alive be public.

"Please stand here. " The pandit ji said as I made my way up, waiting for my beautiful bride to make her way to me.

When I finally made my way there, I waited patiently but to no avail.

"Aa jayegi bhai, kyun itne tension mein hai! " Saag whispered, snickering at me. ( She'll be here soon, why do you worry so much?)

" Shivi Raajkumari Devika padhar rahi hain! " Was announced as she walked into the sabha and in that moment, I felt like the world gave out beneath me.

She walked in, regal and poised like a true princess, majestically beautiful, with the red saree, golden jhumkas, the beautiful ruby studded golden nose ring. Layers of intricately designed necklaces. A translucent red veil covered her face, but I was sure, she was still sporting her characteristic smirk, hiding it behind the personna of a bashful and poised bride.

As she walked up the stairs, my breath faltered, the moment making me feel heady.

"Stop swaying. It's looking as if you're about to faint. " Saag murmured next to me.

"I probably will. " I told her and I could hear an amused huff leave her, but I lost that train of thought as she came up to stand by me.

The most beautiful and alluring scent of jasmine enveloped me as her she finally sat down next to me.

" What is it? You look pale. " She whispered with concern marring her beautiful kajal lined eyes as the pandit ji began chanting his usual mantr.

"I-uh." I stopped as mata's piercing stare warned me off speaking during the rituals.

" Nothing. Just nervous. " I answered.

"Well, you should know... I won't bite you. " She said smiling gracefully as if we weren't teasing each other.

When the varmala was about to take place, I heard sudden mumblings.

"You're her brother in law! Go do it! " I heard Saag order her husband as he sighed, climbing up the dias.

Before I could put the varmala, he lifted her over his shoulders as the sabha errupted in laughter. Each attempt I made was thwarted by him.

I sent a pleading look at him and he replied with the same. Yes, Saag would kill him.

"AJ. The first rule of winning, turn your obstacle into your stepping stone. " Saag whispered.

I stood there wracking my brain for a minute which is when it clicked.

I rushed towards the throne where pitashree 's foot stool was situated, tugging it along to the mandap.

I smirked at my to be bride, taking my shoes off and standing up on the stool go put the mala around her neck.

She reciprocated, laughing as I would bend down each time she aimed higher and stand tall when she aimed lower.

" Ajatshatru, I will refuse to marry if you don't get down this instant. " She said and the court laughed as I made my way down.

When we began to take the saptpadi, I saw that Saag had left immediately after tying the gathbandhan, maybe Gudu was hungry.

The seven vows defined the next seven lives for us, our responsibility to love and respect each other, to trust each other and to be supportive and honest with each other.

Eventually,

"Vivah sampan hua." ( you are now in matrimony.)

We travelled the sabha, taking everyone's blessings.

The time came for Devika to say goodbye to her family. Unusually, as she had been married here rather than in Shivi, it was easier than she thought, yet left with a sinking feeling as they all finally left.

Now, to welcome the new bride, mata ushered us both out of the palace and placed an urn filled with rice.

"Putri, knock the rice over and make your way into our family. " Mata asked her smiling.

As I began to walk in after her, I realised I wasn't wearing my shoes.

"Where are my footwear? " I asked aloud and all of them looked around.

"I've hidden them. " Called a smug Saag as she walked in with Gudu in her hands.

"What? But aren't you supposed to be on my side? " I asked anxiously.

"Oh I am, but I'm also her friend. " The undertone of sister was heard by all those who knew the truth.

" So I've hidden it. Now, take the help of your darling wife and search, otherwise I won't let her enter your room tonight. " She said laughing.

Saag, what do I do with you.....

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

They got married ♥♥♥♥

Tell me how it was in the comments and do vote.

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥