Page 217 of No Boss
Then the sindoor.
Pandit ji placed the silver container in his hand.
Abhinav dipped his thumb into the deep red powder and brought it to her.
She lowered her eyes.
He filled the parting of her hair in one deliberate stroke.
‘Wife.’
The word settled deep, powerful, absolute.
The final mantra rose.
“I now declare you husband and wife.”
Rose petals burst across the courtyard. Cheers followed. Flowers rained from every side while applause filled Anand Mahal.
Naina screamed first. Vikram joined her without shame. Raghav, Ishani and Divya looked exhausted by both of them.
Meera startled as petals fell into her lap and over her veil. Abhinav no longer heard the noise. His wife sat beside him, covered in roses, his mangalsutra resting against her skin.
‘Mine.’
He reached for her hand again, their fingers intertwined.
Sarita arrived first through tears she no longer cared to hide. She cupped Abhinav’s face and pressed a kiss to his forehead, pride clear in her eyes.
Then she drew Meera into her arms. “My daughter.”
Naina came next, pulling Meera into a tight embrace. “You are trapped with us now. No refunds. No exchanges.”
Vikram pointed toward Abhinav. “Too late anyway. Look at him. He would destroy economies before returning his wife.”
Laughter broke out again.
Abhinav did not deny it.
Chapter 40
Sarita led them forward as the newly married couple went to receive Kul Devi’s blessings.
For the first time, Meera stood beside Abhinav as his wife.
She bowed before the goddess. For years she had come here as Devendra Chauhan’s daughter, as the girl who ran barefoot through Anand Mahal’s corridors. Today, her place had changed.
She stood there as the bride of this house. As an Anand. As the Thakurain of Anand Mahal.
Emotion rose too fast, pressing against her breath. Beside her, Abhinav folded his hands and lowered his head.
Sarita stepped closer. Her fingers brushed across Abhinav’s head as she murmured a prayer in Marwari, too soft for anyone to fully catch. Blessings, protection, gratitude.
She turned to Meera. Her eyes softened completely. “Welcome home, beta.”
The words entered Meera’s heart with a warmth so complete, her eyes filled.
Abhinav’s hand closed around hers in the same moment, warm, grounding, as if he understood what those words had done to her.
