Awkward Heartstrings (HEARTSTRINGS SERIES-1) Completed?

Aadya pov

The explosion of colors and sounds hit me like a wave as we entered the wedding venue. It was a sensory overload - the vibrant sarees, the boisterous chatter, the rhythmic beat of the dhol. Mumma, ever the social butterfly, immediately took charge, pulling us through the throng of guests. I could feel my cheeks flushing as she stopped to introduce us to various relatives.

"This is my son, Reyansh," she'd announce, beaming with pride. Then, turning to me, she'd add, "And this is his lovely wife, Aadya. They're newlyweds, you know. Just married a few months ago." Each time she said it, the "newlyweds" part, I felt a warmth spread through me.

It was sweet, and a little bit funny, the way she emphasized it. It was her way of welcoming me, of showing everyone that I was officially part of the family.

I'd smile and nod, offering a polite greeting to each relative, some of whom I was meeting for the first time.

Reyansh squeezed my hand reassuringly, a silent acknowledgment of the slightly comical situation. I knew he understood how I felt. It was a bit overwhelming, but also heartwarming. Being introduced as Reyansh's wife, hearing it repeated over and over, made it feel more real, more official.

It was a new chapter, a new beginning, and I was glad to be sharing it with him, even amidst the whirlwind of the wedding celebrations. And hearing Mumma introduce me that way... well, it made me feel truly at home.

After what felt like an endless parade of introductions, handshakes, and well-wishes, we finally found a small lull in the crowd. Mumma had moved on to chat with a group of her friends, leaving Reyansh and me a brief moment to ourselves. I let out a small sigh of relief. "That was... a lot," I said, smiling at Reyansh.

He chuckled, "Tell me about it. I think my hand might be permanently shaped like a handshake now." He rubbed his hand playfully.

"But seriously," he added, his voice softening, "it's nice to see everyone. And Mumma seems really happy."

I nodded, "She does. And it's sweet how she keeps introducing us as newlyweds." I felt a warmth spread through me as I said it. It still felt a little surreal, but in a good way.

"It is," Reyansh agreed, taking my hand in his.

"It's her way of officially welcoming you to the family, you know."

I smiled. "I know. And I appreciate it." We stood there for a moment, just the two of us, taking in the vibrant scene around us. The music, the laughter, the colorful displays of food - it was all so festive and exciting. And even though it was a little overwhelming, I was glad to be experiencing it all with Reyansh, as his wife.

The biryani smelled heavenly, and I piled a small portion onto my plate, eager to finally sit down and enjoy the feast. The wedding buzz was starting to get to me, but I was happy to be here with Reyansh. I took a bite, savoring the rich flavors, when suddenly, my throat started to itch. A small cough tickled my throat, then another, and another. Before I knew it, I was coughing uncontrollably, my face flushing red.

My eyes started to water, and I could feel my chest tightening. Groundnuts. It had to be groundnuts. I was allergic, severely so, and they must have been hidden in something I'd eaten.

"Aadya!" Reyansh's voice was filled with alarm. He grabbed my water glass and thrust it into my hand. "Here, drink some water!"

I tried to take a sip, but the coughing wouldn't stop. It wracked my body, making it hard to breathe.

"It's... the... groundnuts," I managed to gasp out between coughs, my voice barely a whisper. Panic started to set in. I knew this could get serious quickly.

"Mumma!" Reyansh yelled, waving frantically in her direction. "Aadya's having an allergic reaction! She needs her medicine!" I could hear the urgency in his voice, and I knew I was in good hands.

But the fear was still there, a cold knot in my stomach. I just wanted this to stop. I needed to breathe.

Mumma rushed over, her face etched with worry. She rummaged through her purse and pulled out a small container of antihistamine tablets. "Here, Aadya, take these," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "Swallow them with some water."

I gratefully took the pills and washed them down, hoping they would work quickly. The coughing started to subside gradually, the tightness in my chest easing slightly. I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. I looked at Reyansh, his face still etched with concern.

"Are you feeling any better?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

I nodded slowly. "A little," I managed to say. "The coughing is calming down."

Mumma watched me closely. "Are you sure you're okay? Maybe we should get you some fresh air."

Reyansh put his arm around me, his touch reassuring. "I think it would be best if we just went home," he said, looking at Mumma. "Just to be safe. We don't want to take any chances."
Mumma hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

"You're right," she said. "It's better to be safe than sorry. We can always celebrate later." She turned to me. "Aadya, are you up for it? Do you think you can make it to the car?"
I nodded again, though I still felt a little shaky.

"Yes," I said. "I think so." With Reyansh supporting me, we made our way out of the crowded reception hall, leaving the festivities behind.

The relief of getting some fresh air was immediate. Even though I felt better, the lingering fear of another reaction made going home the best option.

We arrived home, the quiet of the house a stark contrast to the vibrant chaos of the wedding. I sank onto the sofa, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over me. But more than physical tiredness, I felt a pang of guilt.

We had to leave early, and I knew I was the reason. "I'm so sorry," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "I ruined the celebration for everyone."

Mumma, who was in the kitchen making some ginger tea for me, came into the living room. She sat down next to me and took my hand in hers.

"Aadya, don't be silly," she said gently. "You didn't ruin anything. Your health is far more important than any celebration. We were all worried about you."

"But..." I started to protest, but she cut me off.
"No buts," she said firmly, but with a warm smile. "It's just a party. We can always attend other weddings. But you... you're family. You're more important than any celebration, any party. Do you understand?"

I looked at her, her kind eyes filled with genuine concern. I nodded slowly, the weight of guilt starting to lift from my shoulders.

"Thank you, Mumma," I said, my voice choked with emotion.

Reyansh, who had been quietly listening, put his arm around me and pulled me close. "Mumma's right," he said softly. "We were all just worried about you. The wedding can wait. You can't."

I leaned into him, feeling a wave of love and gratitude wash over me. Even though the evening hadn't gone as planned, I felt a deep sense of belonging, a feeling of being truly cared for. I was part of this family, and they would always put my well-being first. That meant more than any wedding, any celebration.

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