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It was four in the evening when Nandani and Rudrakansh’s _Roka_ ceremony began.

Nandani sat with her breath held, silently chanting to herself – _Om Namo Parvati Pathe Har Har Mahadev_. The mantra wasn’t on her lips, but in her heart, so intense that it felt like her devotion was echoing all the way to Mount Kailash, reaching Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati themselves.

On the other side, Rudra’s mind was still wrapped around the words he had prayed to Mahadev.

Both of them, without knowing it, were praying for each other.

Today their lives were about to be bound in a relationship. To the world, it would be the bond of husband and wife. But for Rudra and Nandani, what it truly meant – only they would understand, and only they would shape.

Vikrant walked in carrying the ceremonial items. One platter held sweets, another clothes, the third had green glass bangles, and the fourth was filled with jewellery.

Anita picked up the jewellery platter. She circled a few coins over Nandani’s head seven times to ward off any evil eye, then handed the money to Sumrita. “Take this and donate it at the temple,” she said.

Then, with endless affection, she took Nandani’s wrist and slipped two beautiful gold bangles onto it. She placed a red _chunni_ over her head – the color looked breathtaking against Nandani’s glow.

Anita adjusted it gently on her forehead, then lifted a stunning necklace from the platter and placed it around Nandani’s neck. Every gesture was soaked in love. Finally, she took out a pair of earrings and slid them into Nandani’s ears with the tenderness only a mother-in-law could have.

Rudra watched it all intently. His eyes were fixed on Nandani’s back. He kept trying to catch a glimpse of her face, but every attempt was interrupted.

“Bhaiya, what are you doing? I’ll fall,” Vikrant whispered.

“Rudra, then why are you even sitting next to me?” Vikrant teased.

“Vikrant, just let me be at peace already,” Rudra muttered.

Amen chuckled, “Bhai saahab, are you okay today or not?”

Rudra just nodded, “Haanji.”

Adarsh nudged him, “Alright, now go sit next to Nandani.”

Rudrakansh’s heart leapt at that.

Anita called out, “Rudra beta, come fast.”

Rudra walked over. Nandani instantly pulled her veil even lower.

In his mind, Rudra screamed – _Arre no, don’t do that._

He sat down beside her.

Anita turned to Vikrant, “Bring that platter here.”

Vikrant brought it over. “Go on, touch your Bhabhi and Bhai’s feet and take their blessings,” Anita instructed.

Vikrant obeyed.

Then Sumrita handed Nandani some money and said, “First, do this. Circle it over your _devar_ seven times, then feed him the laddoo.”

Nandani did exactly that, then fed Vikrant the laddoo.

Rudra thought to himself, iska sahi hain yarr mai chehra bhi nahi dekh paa raha aree meri hi biwi hain muje to dekhne do. Aur use laddoo diye jaa rahe hain.

Sumrita then gave Nandani some money. “Give this to your devar. It’s a bhabhi’s nek. when she meets him for the first time, she gives him something.”

Vikrant grinned, “Then I’ll also give Bhabhi something!”

Anita laughed, “You crazy boy, you will – but only when your Bhabhi comes to our house after the wedding, understood?”

Vikrant pouted, “Understood, Maa Saa… but Bhabhi, I still owe you one.”

Everyone burst out laughing.

Abhay, Vineet, Adarsh, and Amen’s eyes welled up watching their sister. For them, Nandani was still a piece of their heart – the girl whose birth had, for the first time, made the four of them feel what it was to be brothers to a sister.

Alok and Suraj sat talking, but Alok’s heart was restless. He had never let Nandani lack for anything. Every tiny need of hers, he had fulfilled. For the world he could be stone-cold, but for Nandani he always melted. To her, he was just Baba.

He had deliberately kept her away from his work, away from his world, so that no enemy who coveted his place in the village could ever target her. He had turned his heart to stone and never spoken to her with softness – all out of fear. But today, just at the Roka, his heart had already grown heavy. He dreaded to think what her vidaai would do to him.

Anita broke the moment. “Come on, Rudra. Take these green bangles and put them on Nandani’s wrists. Before marriage, it’s the husband who adorns his wife with green bangles. It’s considered sacred – a sign that two people who were apart for so long are finally about to become one.”

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