SHIVANI'S POV

I am going shopping today for the wedding. My mother's going to accompany me obviously. Rudraksh's mother, his aunt and his cousin sister are going to join us directly at the mall. I have already met his mother, but it's my first time meeting his aunt and sister and as usual I am nervous.

He lives in a joint family, his parents, his aunt and uncle, their kids as in one brother and one sister and his grandfather. I haven't met the entire family so the plan today is that after shopping we will stop by at his home so that I can meet everyone. I am extremely anxious because what if they don't like me, I don't really know how to impress people or talk to them, I don't have any friends for a reason.

Well this and also the fact that I was never allowed to have anyone over or go to someone's house so who would want to be my friend and I understand that, it's not anyone's fault.

I am wearing a red cotton kurti because it's hot and we will have to walk a lot, and I am tying my hair up as well, this heat will already kill me. I don't know how people expect me to wear a heavy lehnga for the wedding. Anyways I can't really do anything about it.

My mother barges into the room, scans me, and then sweetly says, "you look okay, I hope you behave nicely today, Shivani." With a fake smile plastered on her face.

"They're here and they insist that they spend some time with you alone, so I am not going with you, but you know if something goes wrong what will happen right my darling." She says shooting daggers from her eyes. I don't know if I am happy or scared by that information, because she knows how to handle stuff and she's very diplomatic, I can't at any cost be that, and I have to be alone with strangers who are by the way my in laws. My heart rate increases at the thought of doing or saying something to upset them.

Hey bholenaath, save me please. 

"Come on what are you waiting for, let's go down." Her smile is more scary then her usual reaction towards me.

As we reach down stairs, I see everyone sitting in the living room, my father's also present. He looks up at me, and I know, I can see the warning his eyes hold. My mother in law turns to see me and a big smile plays on her lips, it's a genuine smile at least more than my mother, she gets up from the couch and walks towards me, my mother squeezes my hand tightly before letting it go,

"You look very pretty beta." My mother in law says, I haven't gotten much compliments in my life so when I get one it gets awkward.

"Um, thank you... aunty." I say carefully choosing my words because I can feel my parents gaze on me.

"What? Aunty? I am not your aunty, Rudraksh calls me maa and you will call me that too. Okay? And trust me I am not like usual mother in laws, I will always be on your side, my son can go to hell. Okay?" She says winking at me, a small laughter erupts from me. When she's still looking at me, I smile shyly and say, "yes, maa."

She seems satisfied now. I try to touch her feet but she doesn't lets me.

"Hello bhabhi, I am Aditi. If you ever want to irritate bhai, please contact me." She extends a hand towards me which I shake smiling.

"And I am this idiot's mother and also rudraksh's chachi," Chachi comes hitting Aditi slightly on her head and I can only be amused by their interaction. I have never had what they have, looking at their playfulness and how comfortable Aditi ji is with chachi, they look more like friends. I wish I could have that relationship with my mother.

I try to touch chachi's feet but she doesn't let me too, I don't understand why.

"Let's go, the driver is waiting outside." Maa says, I walk behind them as they lead the way to the car. I sit between maa and Aditi ji and chachi sits in the front seat.

"you don't have anything to fear about, you are our daughter now." Maa says holding my hand. Just the way she holds my hand is so different from how my mother does, I can't believe I feel more comfortable with her than my own mother and I have just known her since a week.

I feel a little emotional but I control myself, I can't cry in front of them, I have already made a fool of myself in front of Rudraksh. I smile softly at her nodding my head, and swallowing the lump forming in my throat.

The car comes to a halt, and driver informs us that we have reached the mall. We all get out of the car.

"Rudraksh bhaiya has ordered that you will get what you want, I really like this dress please buy it for me." Aditi ji says giving me a sheepish smile, I can't help but chuckle at her behavior, she's adorable and so cheeky.

"You, stop pestering her!" Chachi steps in glaring at her, but not like how my mother does, you can see love in her eyes. I look away, I don't like the jealousy that's bubbling in me.

Maa comes by my side and links her arm with mine, I am surprised by the act and I think she read my expression and says softly so that no one else can hear, "it's okay shivani, before marriage even I was scared, but when you will meet your new family all your fear will disappear in thin air." She smiles, "Our whole family will take care of you, I promise."

And then she's talking to chachi as if nothing happened. These words, the comfort, my mother should have given to me, my mother in law is giving me.

"Come on, one of my friends own this boutique, I have told her to show us her best work." Chachi says.

We all walk into the shop, it's a cozy one, but the architecture, the dresses hanging in display, even the smell as you enter the shop, screams rich.

I have very rarely been for shopping, I never enjoyed it because I mostly went with my mother and her friends and they left no chance to ridicule how I look.

Maa says something snapping me out of my thoughts, "beta, are you okay?" I nod and give her a reassuring smile.

A lady, probably in her fifties comes and hugs both maa and chachi. They introduce her to me, she's Mrs Sania Khanna, the owner of the boutique and chachi's friend. After talking for a while, She asks us in general, but she looks only at me, "What kind of wedding are you planning?"

I am clueless, I look around because I don't have any answers to that, I thought my parents had a discussion with them, I was never a part of any wedding planning.

Maa asks Mrs. Khanna to give us some time and she gracefully excuses herself.

"Beta, I forgot to ask you about that, what have you thought?" Maa asks me. I hate being put on the spot, what am I supposed to say now, I don't have any answers and I can't and don't want to give an answer that will cause problems to my parents.

"I don't know maa, you can decide whatever you want, I am okay with it. Or maybe you can ask Rudraksh?" I suggest, I don't want to answer the question.

"Are you kidding me. Bhai is not interested in this wedding planning, he's only interested in getting married." Aditi ji says and winks at me.

"Beta, marriage is one of the biggest day of a girl's life, it happens once, you do whatever you want, fulfill all your wishes." Chachi says and maa nods giving my hand a light squeeze.

Okay I don't think any of them will take no for an answer, I will have to think something. I am not a people person so I don't really want a big wedding but then our families are influential so media will have a coverage so I don't know the guest list might me long and,

"There's no need to overthink Shivani, just say what's on your mind." I am surprised at how patient they are with me.

"I just want a small wedding, nothing big, just our families and friends but I think that's not possible since-" Before I could complete my sentence Aditi ji scoffs, "not possible? Bhai wants to do everything you want he specifically told us that. If you want a small wedding you will get it." She says.

Rudraksh wants to do everything according to me, the thought of that, makes me grateful and a little happy that he wants me to give my opinions though I don't have much opinions but still.

"Can we conduct all the functions at our home then?" Maa asks, and I nod in approval. She calls in Mrs Khanna amd explains everything.

"Okay so you want a simple small wedding, so I am guessing your outfit should also be simple-"

"No there's no need of that, show everything, anything my bahu likes, whether it's simple or not, we will take it." Maa interrupts and I think I understand why she could convince my mother to not accompany us, she's bold and out spoken and she doesn't fear anyone, this is what I want to be, the confidence, the aura she carries, that's all I want in me. Mrs Khanna nods and shows us some outfits, but there's one that particularly caught my attention.

A stunning traditional red lehenga. The lehenga is intricately decorated with gold embroidery, featuring detailed floral patterns near the bottom. The blouse is equally ornate, with matching gold designs that add to the richness of the outfit. The red dupatta is adorned with small gold motifs and a gold border. It's a very beautiful outfit, I loved it in the first glance and it really looked good on me, everyone agreed but the decision was left to me. It's rare that I have to take any decision, so I am usually confused when I have to but right now I am sure of this outfit.

The only issue here is that it's very expensive, I couldn't voice my concerns because till the time I gave my measurements and changed and came out the bill was already paid and I could not do anything. Maa said she already paid everything and if I argued she will be upset with me so I kept my mouth shut but I can only hope my parents or Rudraksh don't get angry about how costly the dress is.

" let's go home, everyone must be waiting for us, they are very excited to meet you beta." Chachi said giving me a side hug. 

I am going to meet my new family and I hope they like me.