Author's pov
The Patel house was dazzling with different colours of lights. Hustling and bustling were in the whole house. Srilekha was running here and there and checking the arrangements. She was looking nervous yet excited. Why won't she? After all, today is her only daughter's wedding.
Sanjay and Shivansh were receiving the guests with smiling faces. Their happiness knew no bounds for Orni. They can't believe finally their princess is getting married.
Entering Orni's room Srilekha found her with Niyati and the girls. She was almost ready. Raksha and Neela were touching Orni's jewellery with curiosity.
" Mumma, you are so pretty," Raksha said hugging Orni.
Orni replied chuckling," You are looking cute too, baby girl."
" I am happy to see the smile on your face, Orni," Niyati said patting Orni's head affectionately.
Orni was talking to them when Srilekha caught everyone's attention by clearing her throat. Niyati looked at Srilekha and understood what she want.
" Let's go, girls. We need to practice if we are going to dance, right?" Saying that Niyati took the kids outside leaving Srilekha and Orni alone.
Taking slow steps Srilekha came near Orni and stood behind her. She looked at Orni through the mirror and an affectionate smile formed at the corner of her lips.
" I can't explain how much happy I am today!!" Srilekha said caressing Orni's shoulder.
Orni smiled looking at her mother's eyes which were glossy like anytime she will start crying. Standing on her feet Orni hugged her mother tightly.
" I never said it. But, Ma I love you more than anything else in this world," Orni told her mother.
Breaking the hug Srilekha kissed Orni's forehead and said," I love you too, baby. Just keep shining like that."
Orni was walking to the pavilion with her parents. The more she was getting close to the pavilion the more she was getting nervous.
Her breath hitched when she saw Rudraksh sitting there with her sons. Roman and Rion were sitting on his lap and giggling with him. Orni couldn't take her eyes off him. He was looking dashing in his wedding attire. The turban on his head, the sherwani and the sword in his hand were giving him the look of any ancient powerful king.
On the other hand, Rudraksh was rooted in his place seeing Orni. He couldn't blink his eyes after seeing the Goddess of beauty approaching him. Orni was looking like an actual Angel in her wedding attire.
When Orni sat beside Rudraksh on the pavilion he whispered in her ear," The blush on your face is making me crazy. Stop blushing otherwise I will fail to pronounce all the mantras."
Orni giggled hearing him and pinched his hand making him hiss a little. Sharing a mischievous glare they concentrated on what the priest was chanting.
After all the rituals were done smoothly. Rudraksh tied the nuptial chain around Orni's neck. All the time she was smiling but when it was the time of putting vermilion on Orni's hair partition, she couldn't control her emotions anymore. Fat drops of tears left her eyes when he filled her hair partition with vermilion. Those tears were because of happiness. Everything was feeling like a fairy tale to her.
" Welcome to my life, Wife," Rudraksh smiled taking Orni's hands in his hands and Orni smiled shyly.
After the feast, everyone started dancing like crazy. Shivansh pulled the kids onto the dance floor and started dancing randomly. Niyati rolled her eyes seeing him.
" Some people shouldn't dance at all," Niyati let out making Orni giggle.
Rudraksh couldn't hide his hidden talent anymore. Getting on the dance floor he picked up Roman & Rion on his shoulder and then started dancing like a crazy man. Orni laughed out loud seeing their crazy dance moves.
Everyone was enjoying this crazy dancing except Sanjay and Srilekha. They had tears in their eyes seeing their daughter so happy. When Orni was in the hospital bed they thought they will never see her smiling but God heard their prayers.
" Finally, my daughter got the happiness which she deserves," Sanjay said hugging Srilekha's waist tightly.
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Rudraksh was walking towards his bedroom excitedly yet nervously. He was excited about his first night with Orni and nervous about her reaction. He was wondering how will she react to their closeness. How will she react when they embrace each other in every meaning?
Opening the door, a chuckle left his mouth seeing Orni sleeping like a kitten. She was curling herself into a ball just like a kitten curls itself with its tail. He thought she will be waiting for him just like every bride who waits for their husband's arrival.
" She is adorable," Rudraksh whispered getting close to her.
He didn't mind her sleeping. She must be exhausted. After all, the rituals and the way they danced were tiresome. He noticed that the heavy jewellery and the heavy wedding attire were disturbing her too much. She was stirring in her sleep constantly.
Without wasting another second he took out a simple nightgown from her luggage. Slowly he removed the jewellery from her body. Without disturbing her he changed her clothes. While he was changing her clothes he saw a lot of scars on her body. Specifically, on her chest, back and thighs. Those were looking like whip slashes.
His eyes darkened seeing all the scars. He knew how she got all this. His jaw clenched remembering VR's face. His nose started flaring like a raging bull remembering Sanjay's words and Shivansh's words.
" I never wished something ill for someone. But, in your case, I always lost it. I wish you go through all the pain you inflicted on my Orni," He mumbled pulling Orni into his chest.
Feeling the warmth she snuggled more into his chest. Kissing her forehead he also closed his eyes. Soon he drifted into a deep peaceful sleep.
***************************************
It's been two hours since VR was trying to sleep but sleep was far away from his eyes. He was groaning in pain from the burn but something was bothering him tonight.
Well, last night a fire accident occurred in the headquarters of the officials. The prisoners were shifted to a big hall to save them from the massive fire. Some prisoners took this as an opportunity to escape while VR saved some police officers from the fire. That's how he burnt his limbs severely.
He doesn't know what was wrong with him. He was feeling uneasy. It's not the physical pain. His heart was aching. Why? He doesn't know. Orni's face was constantly coming in front of his eyes. He was feeling like she was going away far away from him.
" Angel, are you ok?" He asked but there was no response.
Touching his chest he rubbed the place where his heart lies. He tried to soothe his racing heart but it was constantly beating fast. He doesn't know why he felt that Orni and the kids are going away from him.
" Please, God. Keep them safe," VR pleaded to God looking at the sky.