Author's rant padh lena zaroor at the end!!
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Note: Read the chapter dhyaan se, the Pov's keeps shuffling!
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Happy Readingâ¤ï¸
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Riya's Pov
As the ebony empyrean sets in , the coruscating copper hues stretch outwards into the morning sky, a perfect blend of calming silver and misty grey, miraculously united with a streaks of red and gold. Darkness had now surrendered, the sky bathed with a rosy glow miraculously signifying nothing but birth, growth, and new beginnings.
I stood at the threshold of Gupta Sadan, along with Purva and my cousin brother, all set to leave for Delhi early morning itself.
Reaching Delhi, we would take a rest for few hours in the hotel booked, after which I would leave for the salon, the same where Purva got ready, and then straight to the venue. The rest of my family will reach a little late to the hotel, while the guests will straightaway reach the venue at the prescribed time.
My heart sank rigorously with each step I took towards the car, an uneasy feeling settling in. Stopping midway, I turned around and gave one last, longing look to the place which I've been calling home for the past twenty-four years.
A plethora of inexplicable emotions surged in the pit of my stomach, realizing, the next time I would step into this place, something would have definitely changed, as neither this place would remain the same, nor do I.
Smiling tenderly at my family, I sat in the car, towards the city I'll be spending the rest of my life in.
**°°°**
Aditya's Pov
'Am I looking good? Does this color even suit me? Will she like it?'
'Why this sehra is so heavy? God! My head is hurting.'
'Will I have to wear this sehra for the whole night?'
'How will she be looking today? She didn't even agree to send her picture to me!'
'She the right one na? Have I made the right decision of marrying her?'
'Will I be a good husband? Will I be able to successfully manage this newfound relation?'
'Will the guests be happy and satisfied with the arrangements that we have been making for the past two months?'
'I want to sleep! I think I'll take a nap or two during the ceremonies.'
'Damn! My head will burst thinking too much!'
"Now you know how much of a nervous wreck one can become hours before the wedding?" Rishabh's teasing voice fell into my ears, halting the unending set of apprehensions, and self-talks I've been going through for the past ten minutes.
I was currently in my dressing room, checking myself time and again, with these stupid thoughts messing up with my brain, while he stood at the threshold, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, brows raised.
"Will I be this nervous the whole night?" I posed, my eyes hopeful, heart screaming to get some assurance.
"No." He stated, "These jitters are natural Aditya, so forget everything and just enjoy your special day to the fullest. Moreover, the moment you'll see your wife, all your apprehensions will wash away." He assured, patting my shoulders, while I smiled lightly, suddenly feeling better, knowing well that he has the latest experience in this department.
"Come now, massi is calling you. Let's leave for the venue. I am waiting outside" He added, and sauntered outside the room.
Exhaling a deep, long breath, I glanced at myself one last time in the mirror.
Smiling positively at my reflection, I made my way outside, to the woman of my life, all ready to kickstart this much-awaited journey, which will officially bound us into this most pious, and sacred matrimony, called marriage.
Forever, for eternity, and for a lifetime.
*****
"Arey Arey dear brother-in-law, welcome welcome." Purva bhabhi gushed, smiling over-sweetly at me, standing at the other side of the ribbon, thus halting our entry to the venue.
Purva and sweet? Seems weird in one sentence.
Danger!
"Arey yaar bhabhi, what's this?" I pointed towards the ribbon, "Let me come inside, then it will be a proper welcome na." I feigned innocence and tried to move past the ribbon, while all my saalis started hooting and hollering, as they halted my entry, shouting no-no in their shrill voice, simultaneously shaking their heads amidst the loud drumming of dhol.
"Aditya, I guess you haven't seen the ribbon closely, come have a look at it." Vaishally Bhabhi pointed towards the ribbon, "Just read what it says." She added, raising her eyebrows, a big smirk plastered on her face.
I peered the ribbon closely and found something written on it. Laughter erupted my throat reading what was inked on it, and voiced,
"Before taking our sister, Pay up Mister!" I said aloud and shook my head, thoroughly amused at the smartness of my wife's sisters.
"Han, ab chalo pay your entry fees, and then take our Rii!" Purva bhabhi exclaimed, extending her palm towards me, her left hand plastered on her waist.
Before I could speak anything, Kunal commented, a little offended,
"That's not fair yaar Purva bhabhi, You are supposed to be on our side. Moreover, your best friend is coming to your city only, so why do you need money?" After a second, he looked at Rishabh, and complained jokingly, "Rishabh bhai just see your wife, she's changing sides every now and then."
Everyone laughed at what Kunal said, followed by constant bickering from the relatives of both sides.
Trying to end up their bickering, I asked, "Acha chalo tell, how much do you want?"
"Not much. Just a few thousands." Vaishally bhabhi spoke almist instantaneously, while avyukth who was in ayaansh Bhai's arms at the back, started jumping and clapping after hearing what his mumma said.
"Few thousands?" I confirmed, to which everyone from the other side frantically bobbed their heads up and down, "Kunal, give them two thousand rupees. It's more than thousand, thus can be called few, haina bhabhis?" I gave a quick glance at Kunal and then looked at my saalis, quite victoriously, a smug look plastered on my face.
Their jaw dropped at my words, as they started hollering again, offended by what I was offering, not at all willing to take these few thousand notes.
This went on for another fifteen minutes, after which I finally decided to give them their shagun.
Taking holding of it, bhabhi opened and peeped lightly into it, and said playfully yet dramatically, "Though it's far less than what we wanted, still, we'll adjust with this. You should feel thankful that you've got such understanding sisters-in-law."
Chuckling at their antics, I shook my head in sheer amusement. These are the moments that one remembers for a lifetime
Vaishally bhabhi took my aarti and applied teeka, and rice grains on my forehead, as per the ritual
Picking up the brown-colored barfi piece, she spoke, "Chalo now have this, something sweet is a must." Saying she almost stuffed the barfi piece into my mouth.
Pressing my lips tight, I looked sideways, and shook my head vehemently, and stated,
"Na na na, I clearly remember what you all did at Rishabh's wedding, and if Riya could mix chilli in laddoos then you all are ten steps ahead of her. God knows what all you have mixed in it."
"Arey yaar, don't you trust us? Sachi there's nothing in it." Purva bhabhi spoke, feigning innocence.
"Acha? Chlo then you all are elder to me, haina, eating this is your right at the first place!" I suggested, and picked up the barfi piece, and bought it near her mouth.
Refusing to eat it, the bickering and another set of refusals and persuasions started. It was only after dad asked me to have a bite of it, I surrendered, and took the piece in my mouth half-heartedly.
What the hell!!!
"What's this?" My face contorted in distaste, as I felt like throwing up whatever they had made me eat.
Giggling they replied, "Nothing much, a lot of salt, garam masala, crushed cinnamon, and some flour, sneakily mixed in the barfi."
I felt like fainting any moment, the overly strong taste of cinnamon and salt playing with my taste buds.
Finally, they had a little mercy at me, as vaishally bhabhi opened a bar of chocolate for me, and bought it near my mouth.
"It doesn't have anything na?" I confirmed, my eyes hopeful. She giggled and shook her head at this, while I still ate it cautiously, not at all trusting them.
I sighed in relief, the moment chocolate melted in my mouth.
Finally, I was made to cut the ribbon, and allowed entry to the venue, all set to meet my bride.
*****
The stage was set, a whimsical aura radiating through it, resonating both exquisiteness yet opulence at the same time. Multi-hued ornaments cascaded the stage, a simple white sofa placed in the middle with sequined cushions, surreal lighting, and a plethora of beautiful flowers arranged artistically at the backdrop made the whole setup even more graceful and elegant.
Currently, I was on the stage after the milni ceremony, with my family, cousins, and some close relatives around.
"Bhaiya, bhaiya, see, Riya bhabhi is coming." Isha gushed happily, "Oh God! I'm going to her." She descended the stairs at supersonic speed, and I wondered how the hell is she even managing to run in these high heels.
My heart began thudding frenetically in anticipation, the moment Isha told about Riya's arrival.
A sudden euphoric rush surfaced my insides, and an inexplicable overwhelming feeling enveloped me as soon as my bride came into the line of my vision.
Ethereal!
That was my first thought when I saw her at Rishabh and Purva's wedding, and truth to be told, it's the only thought, I could think of today. And I couldn't think of any other word which could justify the beauty she holds.
Adorning a beautiful red lehenga, she took slow, unrushed steps towards the hall, surrounded by her friends and family, under the flower canopy held by her brothers at each side, her eyes remained downcasted, occasionally looking at the camera, a subtle smile gracing her lips
She's nervous.
Despite hundreds of people around, my eyes remain fixated on my woman, a smile automatically graced my lips, all the initial apprehensions, and fears slowly leaving my body.
I've been seeing her with sheer simplicity, and no makeup for the past two months, but seeing her today, for the first time all decked up and with makeup, for nobody but me was altogether a different yet surreal feeling.
The intensity of these unnamed emotions exploding within me, made goosebumps erupt my skin, yet the sensations were weirdly beautiful, oddly satisfying, and inexplicably overwhelming.
**°°**
Riya's Pov
Please Don't Fall!
Please Don't Fall!
Please Don't Fall!
Please Don't Fall!
I kept chanting these words like some mantra, as soon as I stepped outside the room, and towards the hall. Multifarious illogical thoughts attacked my mind, making me a nervous wreck inside.
My hands went clammy, heart frenzy, and legs began to shiver underneath this heavy lehnga thinking of the abundant useless possibilities which I could go through tonight.
What if I fell straight to the ground, tripping on these massive lot of wires that the photographer is failing to chuck out of my way?
What if my lehenga gets stuck in my feet, and I have to kiss the ground?
What if my hair bun got undone, courtesy to the friends and relatives dancing enthusiastically just at my side?
Should I smile, or just keep my face neutral?
Should I smile too much, giving a little toothy smile or just smile with closed lips?
But I have a broad smile, a closed-lip smile wouldn't look good on me!
Should I keep my eyes downcasted, or walk looking straight to the front.
My speed is okay na? Or am I walking too slow or too fast?
Will my photographs which these photographers are taking by stopping me at every two steps, and at every possible angle, even turn out to be good enough?
My makeup isn't too much na? Am I looking good enough? Will Aditya find me beautiful?
What will I do if I have to go to the washroom?
Will this painkiller even work? It's been an hour! My head will burst with this headache!
What will Aditya be thinking right now? Is he even watching me?
So many people, so many judgemental looks, so many whispers. Damnn It's difficult being the center of attraction.
"Oye! Look towards the stage, look towards the stage." Purva called, almost jumping. "Your Aditya is watching you! Haayee the look on his face is worth capturing." Purva gushed dreamily, loud enough to only make me hear it.
At her words, my heart palpitated uncontrollably, and I finally lifted my eyes, and looked towards the stage, and took in the sight of Aditya, the ultimate source of my endless motivation, looking amazingly handsome in a fawn-colored sherwani, and royal red safa, paired with similar colored stole.
A turbulence of emotions overpowered my senses as his eyes finally found mine, with his gaze so warm yet hypnotic, along with his trademark dimpled smile, that stretched even further, the second our eyes met, making my own lips quirk up in a relieved yet happy smile.
"Oye hoye!!" Kunal hooted playfully from the stage, switching his eyes between Aditya and me.
"Ahem Ahem!" Vaishally bhabhi cleared her throat, teasingly.
Our eyes remained locked only for a few seconds, as now I could hear loud hootings, teasing remarks, shrill whistles from the stage, and the people around me, making my cheeks flush in embarrassment.
**°°**
Aditya's Pov
"Hey." I whispered softly in her ear, her hands perfectly fitted in mine.
We were currently at the stage, and on the sofa, after the customary and mandatory groom extending his hand for his bride, and the cousins doing all sorts of things stopping the groom to get a hold on his bride.
"Hey." She spoke tenderly, sparing a fleeting glance at me.
"Uh, you look beautiful." I smiled, a little nervous, unaware of what else to say.
"You too." She said, and added hurriedly, " I mean you look good too." I internally chuckled, reminiscing our first conversation which happened right after I reached home from our roka.
We were made to wear rings to each other on the stage itself, as we never had a separate engagement ceremony. Later, we were called for the varmala, thus making us move towards the center of the stage, hand in hand, while everyone moved a little far from us, leaving us alone in the center.
**°°**
Riya's Pov
"Ma'am now start." The photographer said, adjusting the camera lighting and angle.
I peered at Aditya, who stood a few inches away from me and took a step closer to him.
Lifting my hands, I tried to place the flower garland around his neck, but couldn't, as this cruel teasing man in front, stood on his tippy toes the exact stance with a playful smile tugged up at the corner of his lips, thus hindering me from placing it around his neck.
Hawww!
Amidst the loud hooting and hollering by our near ones, respectively cheering either one of us, I mimicked him, and stood on my tippy toes too, and tried to place the flower garland around his neck again, but this time, he shook his head amusedly, and giving me a cocky smirk, he leaned his head backwards and casted a smug glance at me.
Hawwww!
This happened another two times, and defeated, unknowingly a faint whisper escaped me, almost pouting, "Yaaaar."
Hearing it, he straightened almost instantaneously, his amused smile now replaced by a jubilant smile. Taking a step further, he bent his head a little to match my height, thus making me successfully place the garland around his neck.
Despite wanting to tease him the same way he did, I decided otherwise, courtesy of my conscious self and let him place the flower garland in the very first stance. After we exchanged garlands, we gazed at each other, our eyes gleamy, and faces beaming with nothing, but pure contentment and happiness.
**°°**
Aditya's Pov
Amidst the unending set of rituals hundreds of photographs, countless blessings, teasing remarks, momentary eye-locks, stolen smiles, and feathery touches, we were married. Finally!
'Husband and Wife'
I repeated in my heart, as soon as Panditji announced that we are now married, officially and righteously, with the moon above, under the stars, and around the holy fire.
A whirlwind of emotions bubbled within me, and a perfect symphony of ecstasy and euphoria surfaced my inner chords witnessing the purity of this relation holds.
I angled my neck sideways, and found my wife smiling blushfully at something Kunal said, while both the bhabhis kept wiggling their eyebrows at her, and Isha was busy giggling seeing her bhabhi's flushed face.
They never leaves a chance to tease my wife.
This very moment struck me, and a sense of realization hit my heart, as somehow I realized that something is now changed, something significant, something worthy, and something irrevocable, and I knew, life is never going to be the same, as it was from the past twenty-six years.
At this moment I prayed nothing but peace and happiness, commitment and compassion, devotion and empathy and Love,
Pure, passionate, unconditional love.
But most importantly,
Love Unrushed!
**°°**
Kunal's Pov
"Work done?" I asked Isha, who was currently busy creating Snapchat stories.
"Yes bhaiya. Done. Safe and Sound." She whispered as if she had hidden a bomb somewhere, quite over-confidently.
"Where?" I asked again, not at all trusting her.
"Inside the hall, where some uncle was fast asleep, joining 3 chairs together." She answered hushedly, spying and watching everyone like a hawk.
"Okay," I said, finally relaxed at the task being done.
Before giving a chance to let the ladki wale steal my brother's juttis, we decided to do the honors ourselves, by stealing the juttis before them.
**°°**
Aditya's Pov
After taking blessings from our elders, we started moving outside the mandap. I looked at the place where I removed my juttis, but failed to find them.
Suddenly, realization struck me, as I knew who are the thieves behind this burglary.
"Where the heck are my juttis." I looked at Kunal scratching his head, his voice frustrated, thoroughly lost, looking here and there.
"It's my wedding, and your shoes are stolen?" I laughed, shaking my head.
His eyes widened in shock, and he slapped his forehead, frustrated,
"Bhai, I was having this gut feeling that this satan of a sister might have done something wrong, she could never do anything right. Now I've started doubting that she stole my juttis instead of yours, moreover both our juttis looked the same." Kunal whined, sighing defeatedly.
I internally facepalmed thinking of the buffoons I've got as siblings.
Idiots.
"Just save your sister today. She can't be trusted at all." Kunal stated, irritated, as he looked here and there murderously
"Ahem Ahem! Looking for something devar Ji?" Purva asked feigning innocence, her arms crossed, and a mischievous glint in her eyes, along with other girls silently giggling at our encounter.
"Oh, absolutely not Bhabhi Ji," I answered cockily, not at all willing to surrender so soon.
"Not even your juttis?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, a playful smile tugged up at her lips.
"No, not at all." I shook my head, confidently, while she furrowed her eyes in confusion.
"Don't you think it will be a little difficult for you to go the exit barefoot Aditya?" Vaishally bhabhi asked empathetically.
"Arey, who's going to walk barefoot?" I said, feigning innocence.
"Kunal." I called, "I've kept one extra pair of juttis in the car, bring that here." I informed, giving a smug look to the women in front, fighting the urge to laugh watching the look at my saalis faces.
Wide eyes, mouth agape, offended glares.
"Mossa jiiiii!" Purva bhabhi whined, looking at Dad, while Riya giggled from the side, completely enjoying this free show.
Suppressing the urge to smile, Dad admonished lightly, "Aditya. Let them bring your shoes. It's their right."
Sighing I spoke, "Acha acha okay!." Finished I indicated Kunal, Isha, and other cousins to run behind them, as soon as they move.
The next instance, as Purva started walking towards the hall, a horde of cousins from both sides, attacked my saalis, caging her, they followed her to the place where she hid my shoes.
The next fifteen minutes, all I could see was shrill screams, delightful fighting, children and cousins running here and there, snatching juttis, offensive glares, happy giggles and what-not.
"Shagun first, juttis later!" Purva bhabhi commented, cockily.
"Arey dekho, I don't need the juttis, I've a spare one. You want the shagun, so you need to do something to get this." I spoke, raising my eyebrows, showing the shagun card to them.
"Fine." She huffes, not for this, but her." She pointed towards Riya, a smile forming on her lips.
'Tere Jaise yaar kahan'
She began singing, her eyes solely focussed on her best friend, with her eyes getting watery with each word she sang, and voice getting thinner and thinner with each passing second, the same could be said for my wife, as she kept blinking her eyes rapidly to stop the dam of tears which was hell-bent upon flowing out of her eyes.
Trying to lighten the atmosphere, which has now turned a little melancholy, I complained, playfully,
"Vaise saalis, don't you think you have taken too much shagun today? Your brother-in-law is almost bankrupt paying you."
"We are giving you our Rii, so stop complaining!" Purva scowled, almost pouting. "Come on, give us our shagun now!"
Little teasings, happy laughs, a hell load of negotiations later, I finally gave them the shagun, they were righteous to get and got up for the last set of rituals, and then the final ceremony for the day.
My wife's vidaai!
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Phewww!!!!!!!!!
Finally Your Adi and Rii are married!!!!!â¤ï¸
Did you like the chapter??
Pleasee do comment, your words are the only thing that keeps me motivated to write further. And ab to shaadi b hogayi! So do give your genuine opinions on how was the chapter.
Author's Rant
Honestly, this was the toughest chapter for me to write, maybe because my initial plan was to just show their wedding in a single paragraph. But you all wanted a detailed one, so had to change the plan! I'll not be bluffing when I say that I've edited this chapter zenith times, and I guess will be editing it after updating too!
Hence, your author is very, very nervous regarding your opinions on this update.
So sachi sachi btana, Was I able to do justice with your expectations or not?ðð
I tried to keep this chapter as realistic as possible, along with little fun moments here and there, the inner turbulence of our leads, and their feelings at different point of times.
Also, I've been showing their family a lot in the last few chapters, jo just wanted keep this chapter solely focussed on AdYa.
So I hope your author passed with flying colors, and this update made you happy and satisfied.
Chapter dedicated to KundanaSilpa â¤ï¸
Do keep voting, commenting and loving this book, as always.
Until next time,
Lots of love,
Râ¤ï¸