Chapter 4: A Pooja and a Hidden Threat
Dubai’s dawn paints the sky golden, a gentle breeze whispering of Rajasthan’s sands. Inside the simple Rajasthani-style home, diyas (small oil lamps) glow bright, their flames dancing on walls adorned with phad (Rajasthani folk art) paintings. The scent of chandan (sandalwood) and mirchi vada (spicy Rajasthani fritters) fills the air, a nod to Jodhpur and Jaipur traditions. Viraa Rajwanshi sits, her leheriya (wavy, Rajasthani tie-dye) dupatta draped neatly, jhumkas (traditional earrings) glinting, her heart heavy with hate for the rude stranger she’s to marry. Arjun Vardhman faces her, his kurta crisp, kada (metal bracelet) shining, his mind buzzing with anger and duty. Their families push this shaadi (wedding), blind to a dark game, after a chilling rudraksha (sacred seed) note—“Sign, or end”—slipped under the door. A creak echoed last night, a shadow fled, and danger looms. Hate burns, but a tiny spark hides! 😱
Viraa Rajwanshi(FL)
Adjusting leheriya dupatta, texting Yaar, Tara, yeh dil abhi bhi ro raha hai! 😢 Family bol rahi hai, aaj pooja hai for this shaadi. I hate this ladka—gussa wala, no manners! Haan, ab kya karun main? thinking in mind Maa Durga, his face annoys me, par kyun his strong hands thodi si dhadkan dete hain? Bas, Viraa, nafrat rakh! 😤
Tara Malhotra (FL Bff)
Texting, voice cheery Haan, Viraa, yeh toh bada tamasha (Rajasthani for drama) hai! 😆 Teri Jodhpur wali himmat rakh, meri rani! Pooja for shaadi? I’m coming, we’ll face this. That note ka badmash (troublemaker) koi hai—main dekhoongi! Thodi si masti le, haan! 😘
Viraa Rajwanshi(FL)
Texting, fingers shaky Arre, Tara, dil bol raha hai, run! That rudraksha note, woh creak—koi hume dekh raha hai! Maa Durga, mujhe bacha lo! thinking in mind Yeh man ka jhol hai, his eyes stare too much—bas, dil band karo! 😟
Author
The room buzzes, a bajot (low Rajasthani wooden table) holds a thali (metal plate) with roli (red powder) and chandan for a pooja. Viraa’s auntie hums a Rajasthani prayer, her odhni (Rajasthani headscarf) tucked tight, while Rohan, her brother, fidgets, guilt in his eyes. Arjun’s parents arrange ghevar (a sweet, honeycomb-like Rajasthani dessert), their pagdi (Rajasthani turban) proud, voices firm with hope. Outside, a bush rustles—a shadow? The note’s threat chills the air, and hate simmers between Viraa and Arjun.
Arjun Vardhman(ML)
Rubbing kada, texting Bhai, Vikram, yeh dil ka chakkar hai! 😡 Maa-Papa bol rahe hain, pooja karke shaadi pakki karo. This chhori (Rajasthani for girl) glares like a bichhoo (Rajasthani for scorpion)! Haan, ab main kya bolun? thinking in mind Her leheriya shines, kyun dil thoda sa hilta hai? Arjun, bas nafrat rakh, yeh jhol band kar!
Vikram Rathore (ML Bff)
Texting, laughing Arre, bhai, yeh Rajasthan ka dhoom (Rajasthani for excitement) hai! 😆 Family ka dabao bada hai, par thodi masti karo! That note, woh creak—koi dushman (enemy) chhupa hai. Main aata hoon, dil se himmat le, haan!
Arjun Vardhman(ML)
Texting, eyes narrow Haan, Vikram, dil bol raha hai, fight this! Yeh badmash note mujhe gussa dila raha hai! thinking in mind Yeh chhori ka roop, uff, like a rani, par nafrat hi theek hai—koi pyaar nahi ab! 😤
Author
Viraa kneels by the bajot, her leheriya dupatta glowing, hands folding for the pooja, a diya flame warm against her face. Arjun sits near, his kada clinking, his jaw tight, eyes darting to her—her grace annoys him, yet stirs a quiet buzz. Auntie chants to Maa Durga, roli marks dot their foreheads, a Rajasthani bond taking root. Rohan drops a thali, clanging loud, and Viraa giggles, a soft sound cutting the tension. But a faint scrape sounds outside—a footstep? The note’s words burn: “Sign, or end.”
Auntie
Chanting, voice soft Haan, Viraa, beta, yeh pooja humari izzat bacha legi! 😔 Two crore ka debt, Rohan ka bajri (Rajasthani for mess)—yeh shaadi Maa Durga ka aashirwad hai. Haan bol, meri rani!
Rohan
Head low, pleading Di, maine dil se badi galti ki! Goons hume barbaad kar denge. Yeh ladka, yeh shaadi—mujhe maaf karo, haan kar lo! 😢
Viraa Rajwanshi(FL)
Frowning, voice shaky Arre, Auntie, Rohan, yeh dil ko kyun jala rahe ho! 😤 I hate this ladka—gussa wala, rude! Kyun mujhe yeh bandhan do? thinking in mind Maa Durga, his stare burns, par thodi si shanti kyun deti hai? Bas, Viraa, nafrat hi rakh! 😢
Arjun’s Mother
Smiling, gentle Haan, Arjun, beta, yeh pooja Jaipur ki shaan rakhegi! Debt aur izzat ka rasta yeh shaadi hai. Dil se haan bol, meri jaan! 😘
Arjun’s Father
Voice firm Arre, Arjun, Rajasthan ka naam hai! Two crore ka bojh—yeh chhori teri jodi hai. Haan bol, himmat dikhao, beta!
Arjun Vardhman(ML)
Glaring at Viraa Uff, Maa, Papa, yeh dil bol raha hai no! 😡 Yeh chhori teekhi hai, pure bichhoo jaisi! thinking in mind Her laugh, haan, thodi masti wali—argh, Arjun, bas gussa rakh! Theek hai, family ke liye haan!
Viraa Rajwanshi(FL)
Eyes wet, hands folded Haan, Auntie, dil ro raha hai, par tum log ke liye! 😭 I can’t stand this man! thinking in mind Maa Durga, kyun his kada dil ko chhoo raha hai? No, bas nafrat, Viraa! Theek hai, haan bol doon!
Author
The pooja ends, diyas flicker, chandan scent thick. Their glares clash—hate strong, but her giggle lingers in Arjun’s mind, his kada catches Viraa’s eye. A loud scrape echoes outside, a shadow slips away, a new rudraksha note falls: “Bound, but not safe.” Rohan trips, mirchi vada flies, and Arjun smirks—humor cuts the fear. Who stalks this shaadi? 😱
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