- William Blake

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these past two days were

a little difficult for me here as I did encounter a few people

who didn't like my work and did express their dislike loud

and clear, upsetting me naturally.

I am trying to shake it off and grow a thick skin as this is

part and parcel of my job as an artists, not everyone will like

what I write.

But still I will request you 6000 people to be a little kind

and considerate when pointing out flaws or voicing your

opinion as your feedback be it positive or negative really

gets to me and touch my heart.

Irrespective, please comment

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The Rajput's residence was bustling with chaos, servants were rushing in and out, trying to load the car with suitcases full of gifts and other important things needed for the Tilak Ceremony. Mr Rajput, dressed in a Red cotton kurta, stood at the porch with his hands behind his back, giving out orders and double checking the arrangements, not wanting to leave any stone unturned for his princess's engagement.

Mrs Rajput on the other hand continued hovering over her daughter who was showing exemplary patience by sitting like a statue in front of the mirror, letting the makeup artists do their job. "Her skin is already so healthy and perfect that we don't really have to do much with it....Don't use a heavy base, I don't want to hide her natural flush and glow."the head makeup artists instructed his assistant while keenly observing Siya's reflection in the mirror, who was staring right back at him with a nervous expression on her face as it was her first time getting ready full on with a team of professionals hired by Lalita Rana herself.

Mrs Rajput hung the falguni shane carnation pink, beautifully hand embroidered sophisticated lehenga herself, not allowing anyone else to touch it, she continued fussing over it with utmost care as if handling a newborn baby. She covered her mouth with her hands, muffling her sob and trying to reign in her tears, she felt as if her daughter acted as a muse for the designer as the beautiful piece of art managed to incorporate her daughter's delicate yet beautiful characteristics and traits.

Siya continued staring at her reflection in the mirror, her heart bursting with joy, she tried keeping her face neutral so that the makeup artists could work on her face but she couldn't help but smile, "Well we love a blushing bride." The head makeup artist murmured amusedly, making her chuckle and mumble a small sorry, trying to keep her face straight.

"Mouse, Mr Rajput told me to inform you all that you just have to wear your lehenga, no jewellery." Khushi entered her friend's fully packed room, parroting Mr Rajput's instructions in a sing song voice, making everyone present in the room laugh out loud.

Mrs Rajput simply pulled in her daughter's dearest friend in a tight hug, "You look so pretty and thank you for wearing this for me."she murmured and pressed a tight kiss against her cheek, adoringly, "Now like a good girl, sit down so that they can adjust your lehenga and chunni." Mrs Rajput ordered her, amusement shining bright in her eyes, making Khushi pout but sit down next to her laughing friend, reluctantly, walking comically in her beautiful white floral lehenga.

Siya pulled herself away from the ministration of the artists working on her face and hair to give a side hug to her still pouting friend, "Thank you for coming." She whispered cheerfully but before she could lean back, she felt Khushi slip a small satin pouch in her hand while giving her a discreet wink.

"Read it alone, it's from your R." She tried whispering but failed miserably, thankfully Mrs Rajput was busy discussing something with the head makeup artists and the rest of the artists studiously ignored them.

Siya restlessly fiddled with the pouch eager to discover its contents after hearing the name of the sender, her friend on the other hand sat with her eyes closed tightly, dramatically horrified as one girl pinned her chunni.

"It's time."the head makeup artists finally whispered, staring down at her proudly, "Lets get you into the dress before the final touch up."he mumbled while rushing her into the adjoined room where Mrs Rajput and two other girls helped her in her heavy yet sophisticated lehenga, placing the beautiful sheer pink dupatta over her elbows. The lehenga although a little heavy was totally worth the back pain it was bound to give her because it actually made her feel like a princess, she made a mental note to thank Mrs Rana for this beautiful lehenga.

"You look beautiful."Khushi exclaimed out loud and pulled Siya in for a hug, ignoring the disapproval of the makeup artist, making Mrs Rajput laugh out loud while wiping her tears. "Hold it for me."Siya whispered, without moving her lips and very carefully passed the satin pouch back to her, She pulled back and gave her a big smile, making Khushi giggle while tucking her friend's possession in her small clutch.

Mr Rajput knocked his daughter's door gently and as soon as he took a step back, his wife peeked from behind the door a radiant smile on her face, " We are ready." She murmured softly while pushing open the door and hurriedly rushing back to help her daughter with her lehenga, not waiting for her husband's response who stood outside the room with a big smile etched on his stern face.

**********

Siya finally opened the satin pouch while sitting alone on the backseat of her father's car, khushi who was sitting in the front, next to Ranaji's driver tried peeking in curiously, "Hurry up." She whispered eagerly, making Siya chuckle and pull out a beautiful diamond band from inside the pouch.

Staring at the diamond band with a confused look on her face, Siya emptied the pouch on her lap, only to have a plain small card fall against her lap.

With this Ring I promise to fulfil my end of the bargain.

-Rana Jai Singh

She stared at the note with a small smile playing around her lips, "Judging from your expressions i don't want to know what's written." Khushi mumbled under her breath and eased back into her seat, staring straight ahead with a happy smile on her face.

Siya brought the diamond ring close to her face and continued staring at it with a silly smile while caressing the note softly with her finger, her heart bursting with joy and anticipation. This considerate gesture in a way, actually made her believe that their relationship was more of a partnership full of mutual respect and honesty.

Khushi's gasp made Siya wear her simple diamond band hurriedly and look outside the window only to see Ranaji's infamous farmhouse beautifully decorated with strings and bouquets of white flowers, "Why are we stopping at the back entrance?"Her friend's frantic grumbling made Siya put a calming hand against her shoulder while observing the beautifully dressed royal ladies standing next to her mother in law who was yet again dressed in a sheer red saree.

As soon as the car stopped in front of the beautifully decorated back entrance, Mrs Rajput hurriedly opened her daughter's door, helping her get out while Khushi started adjusting her humongous heavy lahanga, forgetting about her own, making Siya smile lovingly at her.

"Welcome."Lalita Rana's voice boomed behind them, making the servants throw flowers and light the diya placed on the beautifully decorated thali for the bride's Aarti. Mrs Rajput smiled broadly while escorting her daughter near them along with Khushi and some servants carrying Shagun thalis.

Lalita Rana pulled Mrs Rajput in a hug while staring lovingly at Siya, her eyes drinking in her angelic beauty, "We are so lucky.....Thank you Mrs Rajput." She mumbled softly, pulling back and wiped her tears. "Lalita,don't keep her standing outside." The Rajmata of Jodhpur ordered sternly while motioning one of the servant to bring forward the aarti thaal, "Hukum."Lalita Rana murmured respectfully while covering her head and circling the thaali in a clockwise directions, making the servants throw rose petal and sing traditional folk songs.

"Come."Siya smiled and before proceeding after the Aarti, she bent down to touch Lalita Rana's feet, "God bless you, my fairy." She mumbled happily while passing the Aarti thaal to a servant and pulling her in a tight hug, careful of her lehenga. "Beta meet Devi Prem Kumari, she is the Rajmata of Jodhpur and next to her is Princess Amaira Singh Rathod of Jodhpur, her grand daughter." Lalita Rana proudly introduced the Royal ladies of Jodhpur to her shy daughter in law, Siya simply touched Rajmata's feet and a few seconds later felt her hand against her head, making her stand back up with folded hands, "May god give you strength."She heard Rajmata rumble with no expression on her old wrinkled face but despite her age she stood tall with immaculate powerful posture, emanating a dangerous regal aura. She reminded Siya of a old tired tigress but still very dangerous.

Siya simply nodded and gave her a small hesitant smile while moving to greet her granddaughter who literally made Siya gasp inwardly upon seeing her beauty and regal aura, Princess Amaira dressed in a white and red ghaghara choli, gave the beautiful girl standing in front of her with folded hands, a small nod, acknowledging her greeting while motioning her to enter, her beautiful amber eyes looking her up and down warily.

"Such a frigid princess."Siya heard Khushi mutter under her breath from behind her angrily, making her turn around slightly and give her an admonishing look which only made Khushi frown and look away.

*******

"They made everyone submit their phone outside in a black box and where are the men? What's happening?"khushi grumbled while helping Siya sit on a plush pink circle seat decorated with small pink tulips and rose petals, inside a beautifully decorated hall with a delicate glass dome as ceiling.

Siya simply sat down while staring at at her mother discussing something with Ranaji's mother and Rajmata, next to them servants stood with their head bowed, carrying thaali's full of jewellery and rich fabrics, "I have no idea." Siya replied softly to her friend's incessant complains and grabbed her hand warningly as Princess Amaira Singh Rathod in all her glory stood in front of them, her beautiful aristocratic face blank, she truly looked like a real life porcelain doll, her Amber eyes assessing them coolly, "The men are outside performing the tilak ceremony as we speak while we ladies will adorn you with family jewels and fabrics for the engagement ceremony later on in the evening." She informed them monotonously and stared down at them patiently while khushi blinked once twice as if in trance and shook her head, making Siya smile.

"Tilak ceremony?"Siya murmured questioningly, feeling a little embarrassed for not asking about the rituals from her mother before hand. Instantly she heard Princess Amaira clap once and a servant appeared magically, carrying a chair for her to sit on.

"The Tilak ceremony marks the official commencement of the wedding. All the male family members of the bride visit the groom's house and either brother or the mamo'sa (maternal uncle of the bride) applies Tilak on the groom's forehead. This ritual is then followed by gifting clothes, fruits, sweets and a sword equivalent to the bride's weight to the groom."Princess Amaira explained methodically to Siya who was listening attentively while khushi nodded, hanging on to her every word and staring up at her admiringly. Amaira's voice so melodious and soothing while her intelligent amber eyes had a calm deep look like an ocean.

Siya shook her head, "I don't have a brother or mamo'sa, then who will perform this ritual? It's just me, papa, mumma and Khushi." She told her hesitantly while staring at Amaira who made Khushi sit up on a chair which was placed by a servant while the three old matrons continued their discussion at the far corner of the hall.

Amaira smiled upon hearing the young girl's nervousness, "My cousin, the crown king of Jodhpur has very graciously accepted to play the part of your brother in this ceremony."she informed her while assessing her shocked facial expression, next to them Khushi chuckled, "That makes you our sister." She stated happily which made Amaira throw her head back and laugh, her voice tinkling and melodious, making the two girls smile despite their unease and nervousness.

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You can find some reference pictures below.

As promised an update, now I will inform you all about my next update via my message board.

Siya's promise ring and engagement ring.

Siya's final look

Amaira's look

Jai's engagement band

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Thank you for reading.

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