Cold Feet

Ayra was back in school as Ryansh's classmate. Krish & Vishaka settled in their respective workplace. The brainstorming discussion about the wedding venue, rituals, invitees, and the invitation card consumed all their time & energy. Rather than the couple, parents, and kids, it was the common friends who were elated. Vishaka was back in their circle & tried to catch up on lost time & events.

After 6 months, a wedding venue bustled with action. The invitees were over the moon that the long-lasting love story was culminating in a wedding. The events of the bangle ceremony, mehndi, haldi, and sangeet were memorable. On the wedding day, Krish checked the last-minute arrangements & ensured Ayra had everything she needed. No sooner did he begin to walk towards his room than his phone rang. As he spoke on the phone, he changed course towards Vishaka's room.

When Krish opened the door & Vishaka glimpsed his reflection in the mirror. Vishaka was seated with her back towards the door, dressed in a robe, hair tied into a messy bun & encircled by fresh jasmine flowers. The wedding sari was on a hanger. A makeup artist & her assistant hovered over Vishaka.

As Vishaka's mother carefully placed wedding jewellery on the dressing table, she saw Krish. Vishaka cleared her throat & requested everyone to leave the room. Vishaka's mother looked at him with bewilderment. Krish's eyes & confident smile assured the worried mother that everything was good. The mother left the room with anxiety, as she couldn't phantom what was on Vishaka's mind.

Once everyone left the room, Vishaka stood up & turned towards him; she bombarded him with questions about the arrangements. While he answered each one patiently, he admired her beauty.

After a few minutes, she glared at him & screamed, "Why aren't you ready?"

He raised his hands, "I was walking towards my room & you called me!"

She uttered, "Oh..."

He watched her pace around the room & she ran through the checklist again. He blocked her way & she almost stumbled upon him, he held her hands & his eyes froze.

He enquired, "Why are your hands & feet so cold?"

Though her eyebrows knotted & lips tightened, she dismissed, "Oh. It's the air-conditioning; the makeup artist insisted."

He looked closer & enquired, "Do you have cold feet?"

She snapped, "What nonsense!"

He chuckled, "You literally have it, your hands & feet are cold. You checked the arrangements in the morning & are now pacing non-stop. You called me an hour before the wedding rituals."

She accepted in defeat, "What if... I don't know..."

He interrupted, "Ah ah ah... Don't do that. We have run through this conversation several times over for almost a year."

She questioned, "How are you so sure?"

He grinned with assurance, "Gut feeling."

She tilted her head & put her hands on her hips, and said, "Really?"

He cupped her face with both his hands & looked into her eyes.

He guaranteed, "We will sail through & we have all the time in the world to figure it out. Have a little faith, please."

She wanted to believe him, but her mind was in chaos. He pulled her into his arms & kissed her passionately. After several minutes, he let her go & she tried to regain her senses. She smiled & expression immediately switched to a frown.

She smacked his arm, "My makeup!"

He exclaimed, "What? You said it was long-lasting & transfer-proof lipstick."

While she checked herself in the mirror, he pleaded, "It's a humble request. Please, get ready & enjoy the wedding."

She bit her lip & uttered, "I'll try."

While the duo had a quiet chat, the wedding venue was ready. The mantap was set up traditionally with coconut & plantain leaves. Chrysanthemums adorned every corner of the venue. Nadaswaram played in the background. While Ayra ran around in a lavender lehenga & Rayansh in a pale blue sherwani, guests dressed in pastel shades.

An hour later, the wedding rituals began with the priest's chanting & guests settled in their seats. Krish sat at the mantap dressed in a beige dhoti & shirt with an intricate self-pattern design in golden zari thread. He performed the rituals as guided by the priest.

The priest called out for the bride, but Vishaka did not appear. Krish's forehead lined up with small beads of sweat, a fresh pang of acid release in his belly & his breath felt heavy. Amidst the rituals, Krish prayed in silence. He looked in anticipation. What if she had any more second thoughts?

As a cue, Vishaka walked gracefully in a red Kanchivaram sari, with a dark green border & a matching green blouse with intricate embroidery. The minimalistic makeup and temple-patterned gold jewellery accentuated her traditional look. Krish let out a deep breath of relief & thanked God.

Ayra ran to Krish, "Papa, check her back. Check it."

As Vishaka sat beside him, he leaned back in curiosity. His knotted eyebrows relaxed & smiled with gratitude. The netted blouse had names embroidered as "Meera, Krish, Ayra & Vishaka". The wedding ceremony went on for an hour. The guests blessed the couple wholeheartedly.

Ayra jumped, "Papa, now you can kiss her."

While the wedding party had a hearty laugh, Krish tried to explain to Ayra that it was not part of the wedding.

Ayra threw a fit, "Daniel's father kissed at their wedding. You kissed Viks, I mean Mamma, all the time in London."

The newlyweds gave in to Ayra's demand. Krish kissed his wife, Vishaka.

Takeaway: Apparently, the Universe makes one go through life's hurdles to prepare for what comes next. When the time is right, the Universe aligns people to be together.

P.S.:

• My heartfelt thanks & gratitude to readers. For being patient over 4 years, 4 seasons & 14 episodes of this love story.

• The story is a sequel to "What Will She Say?"