As the night settled in, Vasudha's call came through to Nandini. Vasudha, with gratitude in her voice, thanked Nandini for the delicious lunch she had prepared.

Vasudha: "Dadi, it was so sweet of you to cook and send lunch for us. I felt so cared for and loved."

Nandini: "Bache, it's my pleasure. I'm glad you liked it."

Vasudha: "In fact, Dadi, I was thinking if you could teach me how to make such yummy food. I would love to learn."

Nandini chuckled, "Of course, beta. I'd be happy to teach you. Ab toh tu hamesha mere pass rahegi. Jo bhi kahegi woh bana kar khilaungi tujhe bache!"

Hearing this, Vasudha began to softly sob on the phone. Her tears were full of gratitude towards her new found family and to God who graced her with them.

Nandini understood what Vasudha was feeling and comforted her with warmth and love. To shift her mood, Nandini asked:"Vasudha bache acha kal hum tumse Milne aa sakte hai tumhare ghar?"

Vasudha, feeling a mix of surprise and joy, replied, "Ofcourse, Dadi, Kabhi bhi!"

Nandini: "Okay bacha, what time should we come by? Aap Aangan se kine baje aate ho?"

Vasudha:" Dadi, mai usually 4 PM take aa Jaati hu ghar waapas."

Nandini:" Toh hum log 5 PM tak aa jaayenge bache, theek hai?"

Vasudha:" Ji Dadi, Can't wait to see you!"

Nandini:" Me too bacha! Good night"

Vasudha: " Good night dadi"

Next day, as the Raichand family was headed towards breakfast after their daily puja which they all did together , Amrita took Nandini aside to share some significant news.

Amrita: "Maa, I spoke to Pandit Ji about the mahurat for Anirudh and Vasudha's wedding."

Nandini: "Haan, Amrita. Kya kaha Pandit Ji ne?"

Amrita: "He said something beautiful, something that resonated deeply. He mentioned that Anirudh, the name, is associated with Lord Vishnu. Anirudh means one that is unstoppable. Just like Lord Vishnu ensures everyone's well-being on earth, our Anirudh will do the same for Vasudha."

Nandini: (smiling) "Bahut khoobsurat hai, Amrita. Aur Vasudha ka kya hai?"

Amrita: "Vasudha means earth. So, the connection is profound. Anirudh, like Lord Vishnu, ensures happiness, and Vasudha, the earth, will be the foundation of their happiness. It's beautiful how their names symbolise their connection."

Nandini: "Sach mein, Amrita. Aise anmol rishte ko samajhna zaroori hai."

Amrita continued, "Pandit Ji ne kaha hai ki hum chaar din baad engagement kar sakte hain, aur uske teen din baad, Tulsi Vivah ke din, shaadi."

Nandini: "Bahut accha. Itni jaldi?"

Amrita: "Ji, Maa. Pandit Ji ne kaha ki yeh mahurat bahut acha hai. Par mujhe ab tension ho nahi hai. sab kaise hoga itni jaldi!"

As Amrita shared this news, Anirudh overheard the conversation, and a mix of emotions played on his face. His eyes widened with surprise and then softened with realization.

Anirudh: (to himself) "Chaar din mein engagement aur phir teen din baad shaadi. Itni jaldi? But, it's meant to be... aur wise bhi ab mai Vasudha ko Akele nahi rehne dunga"

As his thoughts trailed off, Amrita noticed Anirudh listening to them.

Amrita: "Ani Beta, I know sab bahut jaldi ho raha hai. But Mahurat..."

Anirudh: (smiling) "Maa, aap pareshaan mat hoiye. Sab ho jaayega! Dadi aapne Vasudha se baat kari?"

Nandini: "Haan beta aaj 4 PM mai, amrita, Ragini aur Pallavi jaayenge Vasudha ke ghar. Woh 4 PM ghar pahuchti hai."

Amrita: "Acha theek hai Maa."

Nandini: "Amrita mai kangan nikaal kar rakhungi Vasudha ke liye tum use pehnana."

Amrita: " Nahi Maa, aap hi Vasudha ko kangan pehnaiyega. Sabse pehle Anirudh aur Vasudha par aapka haq hai."

As the two women exchanged these words, Anirudh couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for these women in his life and their respect for each other. He wished for Vasudha to seamlessly blend into the fabric of their family.

Anirudh: (to himself) "I hope Vasudha feels the love and warmth that I've always experienced in this family. Mai chahta hoon ki woh yahaan apne ghar jaisa mehsoos kare."

Later the three of them proceeded for breakfast where rest of the family members were waiting, a sense of anticipation hung in the air. Nandini and Amrita, with smiles on their faces, shared the news of what Pandit Ji had conveyed and their plans for the evening visit to Vasudha's home.

Nandini: "Aaj sham ko hum Vasudha ke ghar jaa rahe hain. Humne Pandit Ji se baat ki hai, aur unhone shubh mahurat bataaya hai. Chaar din baad Engagement aur phir uske 3 din baad shaadi ka mahurat sahi hai."

Amrita: "Haan, aur aaj ham Vasudha ko kangan pehnayenge. Aaj se hi woh hamare saath jud jaayegi."

Pallavi, Ragini, Nandini, and Amrita engaged in a discussion about what they should take for Vasudha in the evening. The chatter of excited planning filled the room.

Pallavi: "Main soch rahi hoon, kuch meetha banayein Vasudha ke liye."

While the ladies were immersed in their planning, Anirudh's mischievous brothers couldn't resist teasing him about the impending wedding.

Nairit: "Bhaiya, aapko pata hai, aapko honeymoon ke liye bookings kar leni chahiye. Time pe nahi milega."

Naksh: "Haan, Bhaiya, aap tension mat lo, hum sab hain na yahaan. Honeymoon pe bhi aapke saath honge."

Reyansh: "Aur kuch special chahiye, Bhaiya? Adventure ya romantic?"

The teasing continued, each brother adding his own touch of humor to the banter, leaving Anirudh blushing and trying to deflect the attention.

Anirudh: (smiling) "Arey bhai, abhi toh engagement bhi nahi hui, aur tum log honeymoon pe bhej rahe ho!"

Anirudh feels a newfound sense of acceptance and excitement settling in for the the beginning of a new chapter in his life—a chapter written by the cosmic forces that connected Lord Vishnu to the earth, and Anirudh to Vasudha.

In the evening:

The excitement in the Raichand household reached a crescendo as Amrita, Nandini, Ragini, and Pallavi got ready to leave Vasudha's house. They gathered in the living room, each sharing their anticipation about this significant visit.

Amrita: "Aaj ka din itna special hai. Vasudha aaj se officially hamari family hogi"

Nandini: "Haan, Amrita. Yeh ek naya shuruwat ka din hai hamare liye."

Ragini: "Mujhe lagta hai, Vasudha bhi excited hogi hamse milke."

Pallavi: "Hum toh pehle se hi excited hain."

As they were about to leave, Anirudh descended the stairs dressed in a pink shirt again, a hint of nervousness in his eyes.

Anirudh: "Chalein?"

Nandini: "Arrey, tu bhi chalega kya, beta?"

Ragini and Pallavi seized the opportunity to tease Anirudh.

Ragini: "Haan, Anirudh, tu bhi chalega kya? Tera kya kaam?"

Pallavi: "Haan tera kya kaam, Ani?"

Anirudh: "Haan, mujhe usse kuch important kehna hai."

Dadi, with a twinkle in her eye, couldn't resist joining in.

Nandini: "Toh phone pe hi keh de, beta. Aaj kal toh sab kuch phone pe hi hota hai."

Anirudh: "Nahi, nahi, mujhe milke hi kehna hai. Aur waise bhi, mere paas number nahi hai uska."

Ragini, with a dramatic flair, added, "Oh ho, toh kaise milegi, woh bhi bina number ke?"

Anirudh: "Mujhe pata nahi. Shayad Dadi mujhe milwa de."

Pallavi chimed in, "Aur phir tu Vasudha se kahega, 'Maine tumhe dekha toh dil ne kaha, tu hi meri zindagi hai.'"

Anirudh, blushing, tried to play it cool, "Chhoti Chachiii!!"

Nandini: "Acha theek hai! Ani beta tu dusri car se aa jaa. Vasudha se baat karke hum log aa jaayenge. Tu baad me baat kar lena phir aa jaana, okay?"

Hearing this, Anirudh's eyes lit up and he placed a quick kiss on his dadi's cheek saying:" You are the best Dadi, I love you!"

Nandini: "Bas bas, draamebaaz!"

Anirudh's look:

Meanwhile, Vasudha:

As Vasudha returned home after a hectic day at work, her heart fluttered with a mix of emotions. The call with her new dadi last night had filled her with excitement, but a trace of nervousness lingered in the background. This was the first time they would be visiting her home, and the significance of the occasion wasn't lost on her. She had prepped for the meals last night: soaked chana to make chhole, made curd to later make raita, boiled aalus, kept the idli batter to ferment, chopped vegetables to make sambhar. She was in whole mood to lay down a feast for her new family.

Entering her modest abode, Vasudha took a deep breath. The aroma of home welcomed her, and she couldn't help but smile. The prospect of her to-be in-laws visiting added a touch of warmth to the familiar surroundings.

Vasudha: (to herself) "Aaj mere ghar aayenge woh log, jo mere jeevan ko naye rang denge. Inki (Anirudh's) family, meri nayi family... it feels surreal."

Her nerves gave way to a surge of happiness at the thought of expanding her family. The simplicity of her home suddenly felt like the canvas for a vibrant tapestry that would soon be woven with new relationships, laughter, and shared moments.

Vasudha wasted no time. The nervous energy was channeled into action. She began to clean and tidy up, making sure every corner of her home reflected the love and care she felt. The anticipation of the evening propelled her forward, turning the mundane task of cleaning into a labor of love.

As she moved about her kitchen, preparing a special meal, Vasudha couldn't help but let her thoughts drift to Anirudh. The man she had met just a day ago, and yet, there was a connection that felt deeper than time itself.

Vasudha: (smiling) "Aaj kuch special banati hu sabke liye! Par kaun kaun aa raha hai, yeh toh maine pucha hi nahi.. ek kaam karti hu sake liye Pehle seating arrangement kar leti hun. Aur phir khaana banaungi aur ready bhi hona hai! Par maine toh Anirudh se pucha hi nahi ki unhe kaunsa colour pasand hai.. "

Her heart skipped a beat as she thought about the man who would soon be a permanent part of her life. The uncertainty she had felt just a day ago was now replaced by a quiet assurance that this journey was meant to be.

Vasudha: (whispering to herself) "Inse milkar lagta hai ki mera har Sapna sach ho raha hai! Bas ab puri life Inke saath aur puri family ke saath rehna hai!"

As she adorned herself in a simple yet elegant pink saree, Vasudha couldn't shake off the excitement tinged with nervousness. The soft hum of anticipation echoed in her heart, and she stood before the mirror, a reflection of a woman ready to embrace a new chapter.

Vasudha: (to her reflection) "Pasand aaungi na mai sabko? Theek toh lag rahi hu main?"

The doorbell rang, and Vasudha takes a moment to compose herself and opens the door: