The day of Raghuveer's first birthday arrived.
But the Moretti estate was preparing for something far greater than a birthday celebration.
It was preparing for a wedding.
Not an ordinary wedding.
It was to be a union of two cultures, two traditions, two families, and two hearts that had arrived at this moment through an unexpected journey.
On one side stood the grandeur of an Italian mafia wedding.
On the other stood the sacred traditions of a Telugu Brahmin wedding.
And at the centre of everything...
Was one little boy.
Raghuveer.
The little prince whose first birthday would become the most unforgettable day of his life.
Because the day he turned one...
His mother would become a wife.
And the man he already loved would officially become his father.
### The Italian Wedding
The Moretti estate had been transformed into a breathtaking celebration.
White roses decorated the enormous courtyard. Crystal chandeliers hung beneath elegant floral arrangements, while hundreds of candles illuminated the pathways. White silk drapes moved gently in the Tuscan breeze.
The grand entrance was guarded by Moretti men dressed in perfectly tailored black suits.
Powerful families from across Italy had arrived.
Men who commanded respect wherever they went.
Women adorned in exquisite gowns and diamonds.
Business associates, family friends, and members of the Moretti circle filled the estate.
It was a wedding befitting the Moretti name.
Grand.
Magnificent.
Unforgettable.
Yet, despite all the grandeur, everyone was waiting for one particular person.
The bride.
Inside the bridal suite...
Alankrita sat before an enormous mirror.
For a moment, she hardly recognised the woman looking back at her.
She wore an exquisite ivory-white wedding gown, crafted from delicate silk and intricate lace. The fitted bodice flowed into a magnificent skirt, its fine embroidery catching the light with every movement.
Her hair had been styled elegantly, with a few soft strands framing her face.
Her makeup enhanced her natural beauty without taking away her innocence.
A delicate veil rested over her head.
She looked beautiful.
Not because of the diamonds or the expensive gown.
Not because an entire estate had been decorated for her.
But because, for the first time in her life, everyone around her was celebrating her.
Lavanya stood behind her, adjusting the veil.
"My beautiful daughter..."
She whispered.
Alankrita looked at her through the mirror.
Lavanya's eyes were already glistening.
"Today, you are becoming a Moretti."
She kissed her forehead.
"But remember something. You were already part of this family long before today."
Sumitra stood beside them, smiling through her own tears.
"Talli..."
She gently held Alankrita's hands.
"May you always be happy."
Alankrita looked at both women.
The two mothers who had stood beside her through so much.
She lowered her eyes, overcome with emotion.
"Thank you, Amma."
Outside...
Arjun stood waiting.
Breathtaking.
He wore a perfectly tailored black wedding suit, complemented by a crisp white shirt and a black tie.
His hair was neatly styled.
His expression was composed.
But his eyes betrayed him.
He kept looking toward the entrance.
His brothers noticed.
Aravind approached him with a mischievous smile.
"Brother, you're making everyone nervous."
Arjun glanced at him.
"Why?"
"Because you've checked the entrance approximately fifty times."
Rohan laughed.
"Let him be. Today is his wedding."
Arjun ignored their teasing.
His attention remained fixed on the entrance.
He had faced dangerous situations without hesitation.
He had negotiated with men who could destroy entire empires.
He had stood before powerful people without blinking.
But today...
Waiting for one woman to walk toward him had made him nervous in a way nothing else ever had.
Then...
The music changed.
Everyone turned.
The doors opened.
And there she was.
Alankrita.
Walking slowly toward him.
For a moment...
Arjun forgot to breathe.
She looked breathtaking.
His bride.
His Alankrita.
The woman he had fallen in love with.
The mother of the little boy who had captured his entire heart.
He couldn't take his eyes off her.
The brothers exchanged amused smiles.
"He's gone."
Aravind whispered.
"Completely."
Rohan chuckled.
But Arjun heard none of it.
His eyes followed her every step.
When Alankrita finally reached him, Arjun extended his hand.
She placed her trembling fingers in his palm.
He held them gently.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You look beautiful."
His voice was low enough for only her to hear.
Alankrita lowered her eyes.
"Thank you."
He gently squeezed her hand.
And the ceremony began.
The vows were exchanged beneath a magnificent canopy of white roses.
The officiant spoke of commitment, loyalty, protection, and the promises that bound two lives together.
Arjun listened carefully.
But when it was his turn to speak...
He looked directly at Alankrita.
His voice was steady.
"I take you as my wife."
He paused.
"And I take Raghuveer as my son."
Alankrita's eyes immediately filled with tears.
"I promise to honour you, protect you, respect you, and stand beside you."
His fingers tightened around hers.
"You will never have to face this world alone."
He looked at her for a long moment.
"From today onward, whatever belongs to me belongs to you and our little prince."
Alankrita struggled to hold back her tears.
When it was her turn, she spoke softly.
"I promise to stand beside you..."
Her voice trembled.
"...and to build a family with you."
Their vows were complete.
But there was one more important person who had a role to play.
"Where is our ring bearer?"
Arjun asked with a smile.
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
And there he came.
Little Raghuveer.
Dressed in an adorable miniature black suit with a tiny white shirt.
His little hair had been neatly combed.
His cheeks were irresistibly chubby.
He looked around at the enormous gathering, completely fascinated by the decorations and all the people smiling at him.
Lavanya gently guided him forward.
In his tiny hands...
Were the wedding rings.
The crowd melted.
"Oh, look at him!"
Someone whispered.
"Our little prince!"
Raghuveer toddled forward, taking tiny, unsteady steps.
Arjun immediately crouched down.
"Come here, my lion."
The little boy smiled.
He reached his destination and proudly extended his tiny hands.
Arjun took his ring.
Then he gently helped Raghuveer offer the other ring to Alankrita.
She looked down at her son.
Her eyes filled with tears.
She kissed his little fingers.
"My baby..."
Raghuveer giggled.
The guests applauded.
Arjun slipped the wedding ring onto Alankrita's finger.
She did the same for him.
Two rings.
Two promises.
One family.
The officiant pronounced them husband and wife.
Arjun turned toward his bride.
For a brief moment, he simply looked at her.
Then he gently lifted her chin.
And kissed her passionately.
The guests erupted into applause and cheers.
His brothers whistled.
Lavanya wiped her tears.
Sumitra smiled through her own.
Alankrita, overwhelmed by the moment, held onto him.
When they finally parted, Arjun rested his forehead against hers.
"Mine..."
He whispered softly.
His eyes then moved toward Raghuveer.
"And both of you are my forever."
### The Telugu Wedding
The Italian ceremony was complete.
But the celebrations were far from over.
As the afternoon approached, the courtyard underwent another transformation.
The white floral arrangements remained, but now the space was adorned with traditional decorations.
Banana leaves.
Fresh mango leaves.
Marigold garlands.
Jasmine strings.
Traditional brass lamps.
A beautifully decorated mandapam stood at the centre, with the sacred fire prepared for the wedding rituals.
The atmosphere changed.
The grandeur remained...
But now it carried the unmistakable fragrance of tradition.
A Telugu Brahmin wedding was about to begin.
Alankrita emerged again.
This time...
She wore a magnificent yellow silk saree with a rich green border.
The golden zari shimmered beautifully.
Her hair was adorned with jasmine flowers.
Traditional jewellery decorated her neck, ears, and wrists.
A small bindi rested on her forehead.
She looked like a bride from a beautiful traditional painting.
Arjun stood waiting for her.
He had changed into a pristine white dhoti and traditional white shirt.
The sight of him in traditional attire made several relatives smile.
His tall frame and dignified presence gave the simple white garments an extraordinary elegance.
He looked at Alankrita.
And smiled.
She returned a shy smile.
For the second time that day...
They stood before their families as bride and groom.
The Telugu rituals began.
The priests chanted sacred mantras.
The sound of traditional instruments filled the courtyard.
Relatives gathered around the mandapam.
The sacred fire flickered gently.
Alankrita sat for the rituals, her heart overwhelmed by the significance of every moment.
This was not simply another wedding ceremony.
It was the tradition she had grown up knowing.
The language of her childhood.
The customs of her family.
The sacred rituals she had imagined perhaps one day experiencing.
And now\...
She was living them.
### Kanyadanam
The moment for Kanyadanam arrived.
Rohan and Aravind stepped forward with their wives.
They had been more than relatives to Alankrita.
They had welcomed her.
Protected her.
Stood beside her.
And loved Raghuveer as their own.
Now, together with their wives, they performed the Kanyadanam.
Alankrita's eyes filled with tears.
Rohan gently placed her hand into Arjun's.
Aravind stood beside him, offering his blessings.
For a moment, the brothers looked at Arjun.
There was an unspoken understanding between them.
They were entrusting someone precious to him.
Arjun received Alankrita's hand with reverence.
He looked at her.
And then at the men who had stood beside her.
His expression turned serious.
He understood the responsibility behind the ritual.
This was not merely a wedding.
It was a promise to honour the trust placed in him.
### The Mangalsutram
The priest began chanting the sacred mantras.
A yellow turmeric thread adorned with two beautiful gold lockets was brought forward.
The Mangalsutram.
The sacred symbol of their Telugu marriage.
Arjun accepted it.
For a brief moment, he looked at Alankrita.
She lowered her head.
Her hands trembled slightly.
He moved closer.
And carefully...
He tied the sacred thread around her neck.
One knot.
Then the second.
Then the third.
The gold lockets rested against her chest.
The women gathered around them showered the couple with akshinthalu.
The air filled with blessings.
Alankrita touched the Mangalsutram gently.
Her eyes glistened.
She was now his wife in the eyes of their tradition.
Arjun then gently placed the traditional toe rings on her feet.
The silver rings rested around her toes.
Finally...
He took the sindoor.
With utmost care, he applied it along the parting of her hair.
The bright vermilion stood out beautifully against her dark hair.
Alankrita closed her eyes for a moment.
A new chapter of her life had begun.
### The Seven Sacred Steps
The priest announced the Saptapadi.
The seven sacred rounds around the fire.
Arjun stood beside Alankrita.
But before the ritual began...
He looked toward Lavanya.
She was holding Raghuveer, who had now been dressed in a tiny traditional white dhoti and shirt.
The little boy looked absolutely adorable.
His little hair had been combed neatly, and a tiny traditional ornament completed his outfit.
Arjun extended his arms.
"Give me my prince."
Lavanya smiled and handed him over.
Raghuveer immediately settled against his chest.
Arjun kissed his forehead.
Then he looked at Alankrita.
She smiled.
And together...
They began the seven rounds around the sacred fire.
Arjun held Raghuveer securely in his arms throughout the ritual.
The little boy looked around curiously.
Sometimes he played with Arjun's shirt.
Sometimes he reached toward the flowers.
Sometimes he simply rested his head against his father's shoulder.
Alankrita watched them with a smile.
Her husband.
Her son.
The two people who had become the centre of her world.
The seven rounds were completed.
The priest blessed them.
The family showered them with flowers and akshinthalu.
The wedding was complete.
### A Family Celebrates
The Moretti estate erupted into celebration.
Music filled the courtyard.
Italian melodies blended with Telugu wedding songs.
The guests danced.
The family exchanged blessings.
The tables were filled with an extraordinary feast combining Italian delicacies and traditional Telugu dishes.
But the centre of attention remained the same.
Raghuveer.
Everyone wanted to hold him.
Everyone wanted photographs with him.
His tiny traditional outfit made him even more adorable.
Arjun barely allowed anyone to keep him for long.
Whenever someone took the little boy away, he would soon find his way back into his arms.
Alankrita noticed.
She smiled.
Her husband was completely besotted with their son.
And their son...
Was equally attached to him.
The birthday celebrations continued alongside the wedding festivities.
A beautiful cake was brought forward.
The entire family gathered around Raghuveer.
One year old.
One little miracle.
One entire family gathered to celebrate his existence.
Arjun stood beside Alankrita, holding their son.
Together, they helped him cut his birthday cake.
Everyone cheered.
Raghuveer immediately tried to put his tiny fingers into the frosting.
The family burst into laughter.
Arjun kissed his cheek.
"Happy birthday, my little prince."
Alankrita kissed his other cheek.
"Happy birthday, kanna."
And for one beautiful moment...
The three of them stood together.
A family.
### The First Night
The celebrations continued until late into the night.
Eventually, the guests began retiring.
The music faded.
The courtyard slowly emptied.
The enormous villa settled into silence.
But inside the bridal suite...
Two mothers had one final responsibility.
Lavanya and Sumitra had lovingly prepared Alankrita for her first night in Arjun's room.
She wore a beautiful white pattu saree.
The silk draped elegantly around her.
Her hair was decorated with fresh jasmine flowers, their fragrance following her wherever she moved.
The Mangalsutram rested against her neck.
Her wedding ring sparkled on her finger.
The silver toe rings adorned her feet.
And the sindoor on her forehead completed her bridal appearance.
In her hands...
She held a glass of milk.
She looked nervous.
Exhausted.
And perhaps a little overwhelmed by everything that had happened that day.
Sumitra gently adjusted her pallu.
"Talli..."
She smiled.
"Go."
Lavanya kissed her forehead.
"Good night, my daughter."
Alankrita nodded shyly.
She held the glass carefully and walked toward Arjun's room.
Her heart beat a little faster with every step.
She reached the enormous wooden doors.
Paused.
Took a quiet breath.
And gently pushed them open.
### The Little Prince Between Them
The room was dimly illuminated by warm bedside lamps.
Everything was quiet.
Alankrita stepped inside.
She expected to find Arjun waiting for her.
Perhaps sitting on the bed.
Perhaps looking through his phone.
Perhaps preparing for the moment they would finally spend together as husband and wife.
But...
The scene before her made her stop.
Arjun was already asleep.
He lay comfortably against the pillows, still wearing his white traditional shirt.
And resting on his chest...
Was Raghuveer.
Fast asleep.
The little boy was curled up against him, his tiny cheek resting directly over Arjun's heart.
One little hand was placed near his father's neck.
Arjun's arm surrounded him protectively.
The sight was so peaceful...
So unexpectedly beautiful...
That Alankrita forgot about the milk glass in her hands.
She simply stood there.
Looking at them.
Her husband.
Her son.
The two people who had occupied so much space in her heart.
A gentle smile spread across her face.
These two...
She thought affectionately.
They cannot stay away from each other even for one night.
She quietly placed the milk glass on the bedside table.
Then walked toward the bed.
Raghuveer was sleeping peacefully.
His tiny lips were slightly parted.
His little legs rested comfortably against Arjun's side.
Alankrita bent down.
"Raghu..."
she whispered.
She gently touched his back.
She wanted to take him to his little bed so that Arjun could sleep comfortably.
Carefully, she slipped one hand beneath her son's tiny body.
But just as she began lifting him...
Arjun's arm tightened.
Even in his sleep.
His hand instinctively secured Raghuveer against his chest.
Alankrita froze.
She looked at Arjun.
His eyes remained closed.
His breathing was steady.
He hadn't even woken up.
Yet his protective hold around the little boy had become firmer.
She tried once more, very gently.
Again...
His arm tightened around Raghuveer.
Alankrita stared at him.
Then a soft laugh escaped her lips.
"Unbelievable..."
she whispered.
"Both of you."
She brushed Raghuveer's hair.
Then looked at Arjun's sleeping face.
There was something deeply touching about the way he held their son.
Even unconscious...
He wouldn't let go.
She slowly withdrew her hands.
There was no reason to disturb them.
### A Different Kind of First Night
Alankrita carefully moved to the other side of the bed.
She arranged her white pattu saree, making sure the silk wouldn't become uncomfortable.
Then she lay down beside them.
She turned toward Arjun and Raghuveer.
The jasmine flowers in her hair brushed softly against the pillow.
Her Mangalsutram rested against her chest.
Her wedding ring caught the faint light.
She looked at the two sleeping figures.
Arjun's arm was still wrapped around Raghuveer.
The little boy's face looked peaceful.
She gently reached out and touched Raghuveer's tiny foot.
Then she smiled.
"Good night, my little prince."
Her eyes slowly moved toward Arjun.
For a moment...
She simply watched him.
The man who had once hurt her.
The man whose words had made her question herself.
The man who had later stood before his entire family and declared that he wanted to marry her.
The man who had promised to love her son.
And now\...
Her husband.
She didn't know what the future held.
She didn't know how their relationship would grow.
She didn't know when she would stop feeling nervous around him.
But tonight...
She wasn't afraid.
Not while watching him hold their son so securely.
She closed her eyes.
The fragrance of jasmine surrounded her.
The room was filled with the soft rhythm of two familiar breaths.
And somewhere between the warmth of her son and the quiet presence of her husband...
Alankrita finally drifted into sleep.
Their first night as husband and wife passed without grand declarations or expectations.
There was no elaborate conversation.
No dramatic promise.
Just three people sharing one bed.
One sleeping little boy.
One protective father.
And one young bride who had finally allowed herself to rest.
The wedding had united two people through vows.
But Raghuveer, sleeping peacefully between them, had already made them a family.
END OF CHAPTER 147