Author POV
SHARMA MANSION
The home gym was silent to to expect for the soft rhythm flowing through Ritvik's earphones.
Music was his constant -steady, familiar, grounding. Not the laid kind slipped under the skin and settled there, as the song played, Ritvik lifted the dumbbells with controlled ease, his movements peruse year of restraint, not recklessness.
Sweat traced slow lines down his temple, but his expression remained unreadable.
This was his space. No noise.No expectations, Just iron, behind and music.
The door creaked open behind him.
Ritvik didn't turn.
He already knew who it was.
Rohan leaned against the door frame, arms crossed,eye scanning the room before settling on Ritvik ,A faint smile tugged at his lips half amusement, half resignation.
"Inka entha cepu ikkade untav Anna? " Rohan said.
(How long are you going to stay in here? ")
Ritvik completed his set, placed the dumbbells back gently, and only removed one earphone. "Time undi."
he replied calmly.
( There's still time.)
Rohan scoffe
"Time unda? evala pelli ki vellalani marchipoyava?"
(Time? Did you forget we have to go for wedding today.)
Ritvik straighted, wiping his hand with a towel. The word pelli-marriage-hung in the air longer than necessary. His jaw tightened for a brief second before relaxing again.
"Marchipoledu." Ritvik said evenly.
(I didn't forget.)
"Ayithe ila cool ga weights ethutunnav enti? Thataya adugutunadu ni gurinchi."Rohan said with done face.
(Then why are you lifting weights so calmly? Grandpa is asking about you.)
Ritvik glance at his phone, the song paused mid-verse. Music always helped him stay composed-especiaky on days like this. He don't want to waste time by attending wedding and parties. Also, it's not a close family wedding. But his grandpa forced him to come because he wanted him to get marry. If he comes to the marriage by chance Ritvik like any girl there.
"Okka ganta"He said.
( one hour)
Rohan raised his eyeyebrows. Vere valla ki oka yugam. Ready avvali Anna. Ee roju tappadu. Tataya Chesadu."
(Your one-hour feels like an eternity to others, you can't escape today. Grandpa ordered.)
For a moment, Ritvik said nothing. He picked up his earphones again, fingers tightening slightly around controlled.
"Vastuna "he finally said.
( Iam coming)
Not because he wanted to, only because he can't deny his grandpa words, having no choice. He said OK. Rohan smile, satisfied and above to leave but then he remembered and said "Anna Tanuja Akka inka Anvit kuda vathunaru" Rohan left from there.
As the door closed, Ritvik felt relief by listening to the Rohan words, because he loves to spend time with Anvit (sister's son). Thinking about it and feeling relaxed. He stood there for a moment longer eyes fixed on his reflection in the mirror.
Strong. Silent. Unyielding.
And about to walk into a day that not only charge his schedule but also his life.
.
.
.
.
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Naidu Mansion
The morning light crept softly through the curtains, painting the golden lines across the walls of Rishika's room. The ceiling fan hummed lazily.
"Ammulu , wake up !" said Meenakshi ( mother of Rishika) from the hallway, her voice was in urgency.
"Aa... Amma 5 mins legutuna." Rishika mumbled her voice was tick due to sleep.
(Aa... Amma 5 mins more)
"Rishika ! Wakeup" her voice come again as she open the door of her room.
"Akada ni Bava pelli petukoni,nuvu inka padukutunav." Meenakshi voice come again.
( There your Bava's marriage is going to happen here you are still sleeping.)
Rishika groaned and buried her face deeper into the pillow. Outside, the faint talking reminder her that sleep was no longer an option. Through it was her attaya's house.
"Thoraga lechi attaya kii help cheyi."
she ordered.
( Wake up fast and help your attaya.)
Rishika sat up slowly, her hair a tangled mess, eyes half open. It's still dark outside, Amma... " Rishika said, pull the blanket closer around her shoulders.
Rishika peeked at the window the sky was a deep blush black, the kind that existed only before sunrise." People are still asleep." she muttered.
"Now stop thinking of others and get up." Meenakshi said and went out of the Rishika's room.
Rishika's POV
I got up from my bed and made my way to the washroom, after I completed with my morning chaos. I went to help my attaya. When I stepped out of the room, the house feels louder... Warmer... Heavier.
After all the arrangement are over. I went into the room to get ready. I sat on the edge of the bed, I can still hear my mother voice echoes form somewhere behind the door, giving instructions to everyone.
I stand in front of the mirror as I stare at my reflection, same eyes, same face but somehow, today feels different.
"Enduku inta early ga ready avvali ?" I whisper to myself.
(Why do we have to get ready this early? )
But there is no way to escape I should get ready because Amma said to get ready and I have no choice so, I started draping my pink elegant Saree. I try to drape, Amma already taught me how to drape Saree, but this Saree stared back at me like it knew I was going to fail. I stood in front of the mirror, half-draped half-trapped, holding the pallu like it was a rebellious creature with a mind of its own. No matter what I did, it refused to fall neatly.
"Why is this so hard?" I muttered, tugging at the fabric. My fingers tumbled, my confidence slipped and irritation bubbled up inside me.
I looked at the clock.
We are already late.
I closed my eyes and called out loudly.
"Amma...! "
No response.
I walk towards the door, holding the edge of my Saree carefully, afraid one wrong step and gone.
I slightly open the door and peeked outside, just enough to call her again.
"Amma... "
Before my voice could travel further the house answered for her laughter spilled into the corridor. The clinking of steel tumblers. Someone arguing about tea being sweet. Someone else complaining it was too light.
I again tryed to call her .
"Amma... "
This time, she answered " Chepu, Ammulu."
( Tell me, Ammulu.)
Her voice come from the other side of the corridor-busy, slightly breathless, but warm. I leaned closer to the door, fingers tightening around the edge of the pallu. " Nuvvu oka sari ikkdiki raagalava? "
( Can you come here once.)
Amma came and helped with the Saree and went back and now Iam done with the Saree then I went towards dressing table and started applying little compact to smash out the unevenness of my skin. Then I applied eyeliner. I love how a simple line can make my eyes feel sharped and awake. Followed with lipstick, lastly kajal, just a hint along my water line. It all fit together, like an oval frame soft edges, simple natural, holding me in a space that was just mine. I wore jewelry which my mother gave me to wear.
Author's POV
Rishika adjusted the pallu one last time, the subtle shimmer of her Saree catching the morning sunlight. she looked at herself in the mirror and gave a small nod-enough.
Confidenence to step outside. The was alive with the chaos and relatives laughther and talks, Her brother manas, was already standing near the car phone in his hands, double-checking that everything - form photographer to the flower decorations-was on schedule. She went near her family who was waiting for her. Once they all settled in the car.
Manas slid into the driver's seat and turned the key.
The engine came alive with a soft roar.
Manas started the car.
The early morning air was still cool, carrying the faint smell of jasmine and incense from nearby houses preparing for the wedding. The street was unusually.
Busy-cars, relatives, laughter and caps all blending into familiar wedding-day noise.
Rishika adjusted her Saree plates, settling into the seat beside her mother. Rishika's farther sat in the front seat, already on his phone, coordinating with someone from the wedding hall.
Manas glanced at Rishika through the rearview mirror and smirked
" Ready aa madam."
Rishika rolled her eyes.
" Nuvvu drive cheyi ra, comedy kadu."
( You just drive don't do comedy.)
Meenakshi smiled, shaking her head.
" Meeru iddaru marraru asalu."
( You both will never change at all.)
As the wheel rolled onto the main road, Rishika looked out of the window. House passed by, decorated with mango leaves and marigold garlands.
After some time, Manas slowed the car near a signal for a while.
The signal turned greed, As the car picked up speed again, sunlight finally broke through the clouds, falling softly on the dashboards. The day has officially begun.
In all this laughter and the noise. Rishika is not aware that this simple wedding is going to change her entire life.
Rishika's Saree
Her Jewelry
Her bangils
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
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