Episode # 11
~OUTSIDE THE WEDDING HALL~
As the once joyful crowd now stands quietly, watching the bride's farewell.
Pihu Kumari ( FL)
*stands near the steps, dressed in her bridal attire, her face calm but distant.*
Ravi De Luca (ML)
💭 is this the moment the bride says goodbye...?
Pihu Kumari ( FL)
*gives him a tight-lipped smile*
Ravi De Luca (ML)
*smiles back hiding his confusion of the ceremony*
Pihu hugs her aunt tightly. Tears stream down her aunt's face.
Anika Kumari (FL's aunt/ Anjali's mom)
*softly, holding her*
Stay strong. Be happy. That's all we ever wanted.
Pihu Kumari ( FL)
*she doesn't reply.*
Anika Kumari (FL's aunt/ Anjali's mom)
*pulls away with teary eyes*
Pihu Kumari ( FL)
*she then turns to her uncle*
He stands with arms crossed, face stern. He doesn't move.
Rudra Kumari (FL's uncle/ Anjali's dad)
*coldly*
You be good remember that.
Pihu Kumari ( FL)
*nods silently*
Then Anjali steps forward, holding her tightly.
Anjali Kumari (FL's cousin)
*whispering to her ear*
I hope you know what you're doing... because it feels like you don't. You need help.
Pihu pulls back, forcing a smile.
Pihu Kumari ( FL)
*quietly*
I do.
Pihu's gaze briefly meets Ravi's. He stands a little behind, eyes filled with pain.
Pihu Kumari ( FL)
*she looks away quickly*
{GRIHA PRAVESH CEREMONY}
Entrance of the Groom's home
Ravi De Luca (ML)
💭 I hope I'm learning all of this.
The house is lit with lamps. A rangoli decorates the doorstep.
Ravi's grandma stands holding an aarti plater like she's forced to. Pihu comes.
Ananya Rao
(ML's grandma)
*faking a gentle voice*
Welcome to your new home, beti.
she preforms an aarti around Pihu's face, then gestures for her to kick the kalash.
Pihu Kumari ( FL)
*gently taps the small pot filled with rice. It tips over, spilling rice across the threshold*
Next, she places her feet into a tray of red-colored water mixed with Kumkum. She walks slowly, leaving red footsteps behind her on the white marble floor.
Family members and servants watch, some smiling, others unsure.
A sliver bowl filled with milk and flower petals is placed. A ring floats in it.
Ananya Rao
(ML's grandma)
*still putting on a fake smile*
Let's see who finds the ring first.
Karan Rao ( ML's halfbrother)
*anger boils in him watching them. He dart a glare at his grandpa*
Devansh Rao (ML+ Karan's grandpa)
*was smiling watching Ravi and Pihu doing the ceremony*
Ravi and Pihu sit beside the bowl. their hands dip in together. The moment feels empty. They both reach at the same time, touching briefly.
Ravi finds the ring first.
Devansh Rao (ML+ Karan's grandpa)
*laughing, trying to lighten the moment*
Looks like Ravi will rule the house!
Karan Rao ( ML's halfbrother)
*sneers*
Ravi De Luca (ML)
*quietly*
I don't know if this is right...but I'll try.
Ravi walks into the room, his sherwani slightly crumpled, tie loosened.
The room is dimly lit by a beside lamp.
Pihu is sitting at the edge of the bed, her red bridal veil covering her face.
Ravi De Luca (ML)
*scratching his head, confused*
Umm…hey. Why are you wearing that again? Are we doing this whole wedding thing twice?
Pihu Kumari ( FL)
*stay quiet for a second, then softly speaks.*
It's...suhaag Raat. Our wedding night.
Ravi De Luca (ML)
*eyes widening, then nervously smiling*
Oh. That's... that's the Suhaag Raat? Is that...the night where...we...you know...
He makes a vague gesture, suddenly awkward.
Pihu Kumari ( FL)
*soft chuckle*
Yes, that night.
Ravi slowly walks toward, her. He gently holds her hand and helps her stand.
Pihu Kumari ( FL)
*her breath catches slightly*
Ravi De Luca (ML)
*takes off the veil of her face, and pulled her into a tight hug*
Ravi De Luca (ML)
*quietly, with a soft smile*
I don't know how we got here... but I'm glad I saw you again.
Pihu Kumari ( FL)
*hesitates...then slowly hugs him*
Pihu Kumari ( FL)
*whispers*
Ravi... you're not supposed to be my husband.
Ravi De Luca (ML)
*pulls back, confused*
Why would you say that? Are you and Karan... something?
Pihu Kumari ( FL)
*opens her mouth, struggles, and then....*
Ravi...I...my parents...
Suddenly, the door swings open. Ravi's grandma steps in, smiling a little too brightly.
Ananya Rao
(ML's grandma)
*clapping her hands*
Oh, sorry, sorry! beta. Didn't mean to interrupt.
She walks straight to Pihu and pulls her into a hug.
Ananya Rao
(ML's grandma)
*cheerfully*
Look at you! I never knew Sona had such a pretty granddaughter. Pretty girl. My sweet daughter-in-law.
Ravi De Luca (ML)
*watches this, his eyebrows furrowing. He doesn't buy her tone*
Pihu Kumari ( FL)
*she holds Pihu tightly, her face near Pihu's ear, whispers sharply*
Don't say a word. Remember the consequences.
Then she pulls back, smiling like nothing happened.
Ananya Rao
(ML's grandma)
*to Ravi*
You rest now, hmm? Big day for everyone!
She exits, leaving the air cold again.
Pihu is asleep in Ravi's room.
Ravi sits alone on the couch in another room,looking tired and lost, staring at nothing.
Neil walks in, wearing a vest and pajamas pants eating chips.
Neil Bhatt ( ML's bestie/right hand man)
*mouth full*
So...is your bad life choice starting to sink in yet?
Ravi De Luca (ML)
*groans*
Neil, please. Not now.
Neil Bhatt ( ML's bestie/right hand man)
We were supposed to be on vacation, bro. In India. Eating food, riding camels, wearing those... long kurta things. You made this all dramatic. For a girl.
Ravi De Luca (ML)
*correcting, serious*
Not a girl now, Neil...my wife.
Neil Bhatt ( ML's bestie/right hand man)
*rolling his eyes*
I really hate how that sounds.
Ravi De Luca (ML)
*rubbing his temple*
Something's off. I feel like Pihu is in trouble. She tried to say something... about her parents.
Neil Bhatt ( ML's bestie/right hand man)
*slightly more serious*
Were they even at the wedding? I didn't see anyone that looked like her parents.
Ravi De Luca (ML)
Exactly. No mention. No names. Just... nothing. And this wedding...this was supposed to be Karan and Pihu's not mine.
Neil Bhatt ( ML's bestie/right hand man)
*pauses, frowning*
You think they wanted to make her marry Karan?
Ravi De Luca (ML)
I don't know. But her eyes...she looks like someone who's hiding something big.
They both fall quiet. Ravi's mind races.
Ravi De Luca (ML)
* muttering to himself*
What are you not telling me, Pihu?
He looks toward his room, where Pihu sleeps–silent, distant, and unknown.
🎀📚
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