Dil tadap k kehta hai

30

[Annika - A, Shivaay - S, Gauri - G, Rudra - Ru]

Daadi: Annika puttar, we have asked our family Pandit to conduct a special Holi pooja for the four of you since it's your first holi after marriage. You have to reach the temple by 5 pm

A: ji daadi, I'll tell Om and Gauri also.

Daadi: are the preparations for holi all done?

A: yes daadi, it's all done. Priyanka and Ranveer will also get here in time

Pinky: With you here, we have nothing to worry (she caressed her cheek)

Jhanvi: you're right Pinky. Annika doesn't leave anything for us to do

Pinky: and gauri also jethani ji, she has prepared so many sweets for tomorrow

****

In the evening Shivaay-Annika and Om-Gauri performed the puja at the temple with the Pandit. Right after finishing the havan, Shivaay got a call so he excused himself while the others collected the prasad from the Pandit. Annika asked the pandit to give her a kalawa (sacred red thread tied after puja) for Shivaay. The priest gave her one after blessing it. She looked for Shivaay and found him walking outside the temple while talking on call. She stopped him in his tracks and pulled his hand. She tied the kalawa on his wrist

Shivaay asked her through his eyes what she was doing, she put a finger on her lips and dismissed him.

Since Shivaay had left immediately after the havan, he hadn't gotten tilak done by the priest. Annika touched her forehead to get some tilak powder on her finger and applied it to him. Then she fed him half of her prasad and Shivaay complied like an obedient child.

All of this was being witnessed by Om and Gauri

Om: they have begun to care for each other.

G: yes. (she said with a smile though her eyes were filled with tears)

Om: If choti maa had tried to do all this, Shivaay would have dismissed her or asked her not to disturb him while he was on call.

G: It really brings me so much joy and relief to see them getting along. My guilt for forcing them together reduces when I see them happy

Om: Don't be so hard on yourself. They don't blame you

G: of course, they don't, but they are in this because of my demand. This isn't their choice, it's a compromise. And I won't be able to live with myself if it doesn't work out between them (she sounded guilty and scared)

Om: Look at them, bhabhi just fed him while he was on call and he doesn't look annoyed at all. They are good for each other (he held her hand with reassurance). And I know it's too soon to say anything, we've only been married for 2 months but they are adapting to each other. Oh I never told you what Rudra told me

G: what?

Om: apparently, choti maa had wanted them to marry for a long time. At prinku's wedding, she asked Rudra to inform her if something happened between them

G: oh my god (she said excitedly). I think choti maa manifested this.

A: Om, gauri, come let's go (she called them out)