Kingdom of Jaisalmer ~ Reincarnation

Part 4 ~ The marriage rituals

Vandita's pov

I was enjoying the calm of the garden, surrounded by the sweet scent of flowers. The sun bathed everything in a soft golden light, gently warming the air as I carefully picked flowers and placed them into my basket. It was kind of a Me-time.

After a few minutes, I heard someone calling my name from a distance. As soon as I heard the voice, a big smile spread across my face. I set my basket down and turned around. There she was, Radhika Suryapratap Singh, my sister, walking towards me with a bright smile. I opened my arms wide, and we hugged each other tightly. I didn't want to let go.

Tears welled up in my eyes , just taking in the moment. After a while, I pulled back, looked at her, She smiled back at me, her eyes full of warmth.

"How did you come so early this year? It's not even the month of Diwali, it's not even close" I asked her, a little confused but happy.

"I had to come, after all, it's my sister who's getting married! I didn't want to miss any function, even the smallest one" she said, pulling me into another hug. I laughed and ruffled her hair. She giggled like a child, she was dressed in her armor, a sword in her hand. She set the sword down carefully.

"Jiji, you could've at least told me your alliance finally got fixed!" she said with a slightly pouty face. "Maa Sa wrote to me and said they've finally found the perfect date for the marriage and she needed me here."

I gave her a soft smile and gently patted her head.

"Hume maaf kariyega, Radhika... samay hi aisa tha. Hum nahi chahte the aap apni aane wali pariksha se bhatak jaayein"
(Sorry, Radhika. I didn't want to distract you from your upcoming test)

"I completely understand, Jiji. You don't have to explain" she nodded with a sweet smile.

"Alright then!" she said, her eyes lighting up. "Now tell me everything about Jija Sa! How is he? What's he like? His nature, his behavior, I want to know everything!"

 "Surely I'll tell you everything, but first, go and get changed" I said with a smile. She nodded and walked towards her chamber.

As I watched her leave, I found myself lost in thought. How did she grow up so fast? When she left for Gurukul, she was just a little girl of ten, and now, eight years later, she's returned as a strong young woman. Time had flown, but something about her still felt the same, her spirit, her laughter, her excitement.

She only visits once a year, during Diwali, and even then, she leaves the very next day. Watching her grow from afar, I often wondered if my decision had been too hard on her. But seeing her now, confident and brave, I knew she had turned into someone admirable. Still, a part of me always carried a soft, protective feeling for her, like an older sister, and almost like a mother too.

I had always hoped she would grow up to be strong and independent, just like the women in our family. The kind of woman who could stand tall no matter what life threw at her.

Soon, Radhika came back. We sat together by the pond near my chamber.