AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why not? You are a couple, and it’s okay if you both are not married. I have asked the Priest; you both can still sit together and perform this.”
Out of excuses, Maya turned desperately to Ranveer. “Ranveer doesn’t believe in these rituals anyway.”
That’s the last excuse she could give her mother.
The next moment, Ranveer grabbed Maya's hand and led her to sit beside him before the holy fire, appeasing Garima. Though Maya squirmed in discomfort throughout the intimate ceremony, Ranveer performed each ritual flawlessly, never letting his confident facade slip. Garima watched them affectionately, certain that despite Maya's reluctance, Ranveer would always take charge and bring them together.
Chapter 29
Ranveer’s mind was full of questions for his own self. He had never shown even the slightest interest in rituals like these. The last time he even prayed was when his mother was alive, years ago. She was the only one who showed him the significance of having hope in his life. She taught him when all doors failed to open, there was still one door that would welcome him, the door leading to the divine lord. She instilled in him the trust that the divine would shower blessings on him. But ever since his mother passed away, he pushed her beliefs and preachings into the darkest corner of his heart to avoid mourning more for her. But today, he was yet here in his own house, not just allowing someone else to arrange a holy ritual, but also participating in it. Not just that, he was performing it, sitting next to a woman whom he so desperately desired. Would his mother be happy today? Probably she would.
“Thank you, Dhruv,” Garima murmured. She sat behind Ranveer and Maya, with Pammi. It was they who orchestrated the plan to foster closeness between Ranveer and Maya, especially amid the recent tension that lingered between them.
“Aunty, don’t thank me yet. The major part of this plan is yet to come,” he whispered.
Garima grinned. Their scheme was to have Ranveer and Maya make prasad together, though cooking was foreign to him. The priest continued chanting some mantras.
“Now offer the flowers here,” the priest asked.
Ranveer took the flowers in his hand, and before he could offer them, the priest asked Maya to touch the flowers too. She touched them, and then the two together offered the flowers to the idol kept before them. Ranveer's heart quickened at even this faint contact. His eyes traced her features, admiring the beautiful glow the ceremonial flames cast upon her skin. For a suspended moment, the outside world fell away. Another chant from the priest finally broke his trance. Yet their glances continued to meet and hold for seconds longer amidst the hymns before they could focus again on the ceremony. Maya's nerves tingled from the lingering memory of Ranveer's warm fingers over hers around the flowers. She knew his desires, and being so close, performing such an intimate rite together, stirred confusion and exhilaration within her.
Upon the completion of the ritual, Garima urged both Ranveer and Maya to seek the priest's blessings. Initially hesitant, Ranveer eventually complied, prompted by Dhruv's insistence. Together, they leaned down to touch the priest's feet, receiving his blessing for a lifetime of togetherness.
“Panditji,” Dhruv intervened. “Why don’t you have some fruits until Bro and Maya make the prasad (sweet offering to God)?”
“Excuse me?” Ranveer snapped. “Did you just say I have to make the prasad?”
“Yes, Bro, with Maya.”
“Mom,” Maya looked at her mother. “What is all this?”
“No, Maya, this is not my idea,” Garima replied. “Actually, Dhruv was telling me it’s what his mother followed. The person performing the puja will have to make the prasad too, and since you both did the ritual, you will have to also team up and make the prasad.”
Maya’s jaw dropped.
“Maya,” Dhruv interrupted. “When you and Bhai are already partners in love, why not be partners in cooking? Just for this one occasion?”
“No way,” Ranveer snapped. “I am out of this. I have gone way beyond my boundaries to do all of this, and I won’t extend it more. I am done.”
Ranveer was about to leave when Dhruv stopped him.
“Bro, what is this? Where is your sportive spirit? Will you let your partner do all the cooking alone? She will need help, Bro.”
Maya, who was also listening to all of this, analyzed the uncomfortable situation if Ranveer helped her in the kitchen.
“Dhruv, that’s okay, I will manage,” she intervened. “It will be messier if he helps me,” she taunted, and she really meant it.
Ranveer narrowed his eyes at her. She didn’t even bother to see him and headed into the kitchen. Dhruv pouted that his idea failed but Ranveer strode towards the kitchen.
“Bro, where are you going?” Dhruv asked in confusion.
“To show her what messier means,” he replied without even turning around.
Garima and Pammi happily giggled. Finally, the plan was working the way they wanted.
Kitchen
Maya surveyed Ranveer's vast, orderly kitchen, daunting in its immensity. Locating even a simple knife would be challenging. She should have asked his chef for assistance, but resolved to gather the ingredients herself.
