3| Dilkash

✨ Ik mujh pe karam ho

Tu hi mera sanam ho

Teri mujh pe nazar ho, Sahiba ✨

"Di, we need to start getting you ready." Vedika said as soon as Aashi exited her bathroom.

"Chill. We still have 5 hours till we have to get to the venue." Khushi said.

"She is the bride, 5 hours won't suffice." Vedika said.

It's 9th today, their engagement is tonight. They are hosting a big party at an open garden hall. All of their close friends, family members and some of their fathers' close business acquaintances are gonna be there. Also, the whole event is being covered by the media.

Everyone was very happy when Aashi and Armaan informed them about their decision to get married. Their parents were a bit concerned about the preparations and arrangements but Armaan assured them that he'll look after all of those. True to his words, he has arranged everything on time and to the perfection.

They have been keeping in touch this last week. Armaan got Aashi's number from her mother and he messaged her the day they met. They both don't talk a lot on the calls but they message each other sometimes. Aashi has chosen their outfits today and she had sent him a picture of it. He approved of it almost instantly. Him, on the other hand, chose their engagement rings which Aashi approved of. It's safe to say they have similar tastes in certain realms.

Aashi has already taken a shower and changed into her lehenga and blouse. She has chosen a pastel pink Sabyasachi lehenga with a matching blouse.

"We'll start with your makeup first." Vedika said to Aashi as she gestured the head makeup artist to start with her.

Khushi on the other hand, started getting her hair done while Vedika changed into her traditional attire. When the makeup artist was done with Aashi, Khushi and her switched places. Khushi was done with her makeup sooner than Aashi and so Vedika started on hers.

In the span of 40 minutes, all three of them were completely ready. Hair, Makeup and Dress on point.

"Aashi? Are you ready?" Mrs. Malhotra asked as she entered Aashi's room. She was all ready to go.

"Yeah." Aashi replied.

"You look beautiful. All three of you." Mrs. Malhotra complimented them.

"Thank you." They answered in unison.

.

.

.

"Everything looks so good." Khushi whispered in Aashi's ears as soon as they walked into the party area.

"Exactly how I wanted." Aashi whispered back.

"You guys are so made for each other." Vedika butted into their conversation and Aashi lightly slapped her cheek.

"Chup kar." Aashi said.

Shut it

"Welcome!" Mr. and Mrs. Oberoi walked towards them and greeted all of them.

"Hello, beta." Priya Aunty, Armaan's mom, said as she approached Aashi.

"Hello Aunty." Aashi said and she hugged her. Aashi hugged her back.

"You look beautiful." Mrs. Oberoi complimented her.

"Shall we?" Aditya Uncle, Armaan's dad, said after they shared pleasantries.

"Armaan and Aditi are waiting on the stage for you." Priya Aunty whispered in Aashi's ear. She nodded her head.

They reached the stage and Armaan's eyes lit up upon seeing his future bride.

He looks handsome in his pink kurta and white pajama pants. Aashi thought.

She looks so beautiful. She gorgeous. Armaan thought to himself.

They've got themselves a pastel pink Sabyasachi bridal couple wear.

Armaan forwarded his hand for her and she took it, climbing the stairs of the stage.

"You look breathtaking." Armaan said as she stood next to him.

"Thank you. You look handsome too." Aashi softly said so that only he hears her.

"Why, thank you." He huskily said in her ears.

"Good evening, bhabi." An unknown man said as he stood in front of Aashi.

Sister-in-law

"This is my childhood friend, Ranbir Hooda." Armaan introduced him to Aashi.

"Hello." She said with a smile.

"Aashi I... I don't believe we've met." Khushi started as she approached Aashi but stopped as her eyes landed on Ranbir.

"Hey. I'm Ranbir Hooda, Armaan's best friend."

"Hello. I'm Khushi Shah, Aashi's best friend."

"Can I offer you something to drink?" Ranbir started.

"Sure." Khushi said with a big smile and before Armaan and Aashi know it, both of them left the stage as if the couple weren't even standing here.

"20 bucks says they'll start dating before our wedding." Armaan joked and Aashi laughed.

"I'll take that bet." Aashi said.

"Hello, bhabi." Aashi heard from her left. Both Armaan and her, turned towards the source of the voice.

"This is my younger sister, Aditi." Armaan introduced.

"Hey. I've heard so much about you." Aashi said and was surprised as the girl hugged her.

"Woah." Aashi said in a small voice but hugged her back nevertheless.

"Excuse me, I'm a hugger." She said as she pulled back.

"It's all good." Aashi said with a smile.

"I'm so excited to have you in the family. I'm tired of having a brother." Aditi said and Aashi laughed at her comment.

"Do you wanna go to your friend's sleepover or no?" Armaan asked in a threatening voice.

"Okay sorry bhai. You know I've asked the chef to make gajar ka halwa especially for you." Aditi said.

"He loves the damn dessert. He'll do whatever you ask as long as you give him that." Aditi whispered to Aashi but Armaan heard her.

"Noted. I'll use that to bribe him in the future." Aashi whispered and high-fived Aditi after which she left the stage.

"You won't be needing that, darling." Armaan whispered in her ear.

Aashi blushed at the endearment, again. He, found it amusing and let out a laugh which earned him an elbow in the gut.

"Shall we start?" They heard Mrs. Oberoi question her husband.

"Yeah okay. I'll start with the speech first and then they may exchange the rings." Mr. Oberoi said gesturing towards Aashi and Armaan.

"Okay." Armaan said with a thumbs-up gesture.

Someone from the staff handed Mr. Oberoi the mic. He tapped on it to check the sound and attract the attention of the guests and media people.

"Good Evening. I hope you all are having a good time." He said in his businessperson voice.

Everyone either raised their glasses or hooted in a response. It's evident they were having a good time.

"As you all are aware, we've gathered here for the engagement of my son, Armaan Oberoi to my dear friend, Rajansh Malhotra's daughter, Aashi Malhotra."

"Rajansh and I were in the early stage of our respective company's start. We met at a conference, if I'm not wrong. I've know him for so long, I don't even remember the exact moment we became friends. Skip a few years we added another label to our association, we became business associates. It was a very merry happenstance that our wives have been childhood friends. A few weeks ago when our respective wives met, they both expressed their concerns about finding an appropriate partner for our elder children. As if everything was meant to be, our children met and were ready to spend the rest of their lives together. None of us ever thought that our years long friendship will bear such a sweet and beautiful fruit. The idea of our children getting married to each other is something none of us initially thought about but ended up loving it." Mr. Oberoi said and everyone clapped for Aashi and Armaan.

Mr. Oberoi was an excellent businessman and the way he spun this arrangement into a series of fortunate events, just proves it furthermore. Not everyone needs to know about this being an arranged marriage. People think Aashi and Armaan are madly in love with each other which is why this marriage is taking place. Not a soul would ever fathom that this marriage is a contract/arranged one. They were good actors, all of them.

Being in the limelight for several years has taught them to keep a poker or smiling fake at all times. Whether their company makes a profit or loss they always seem to be happy on the outside. Same goes for the Malhotras. No matter what problems the family is facing, they always look like a joyful family.

"Now, without further ado, let's let the happy couple exchange their rings." Mr. Oberoi said breaking his son's chain of thoughts.

"Bride goes first." Mrs. Malhotra said.

Khushi handed Aashi the ring and Armaan forwarded his hand. Her soft hands took his in her grasp and she slid the ring on his left ring finger.

Everyone clapped including their family. The cameras' flash went off as many people clicked their pictures.

"Armaan, your turn." Mrs. Oberoi said and he nodded.

"Here you go." Ranbir said and handed him the ring.

Aashi forwarded her hand and he softly held it. He slid the ring on her finger and brought her hand up. He placed a delicate kiss on the top of her hand and everyone hooted at his actions.

He looked up at Aashi's face to see a beautiful blush adore her fair cheeks. He smirked at this and let her hand go.

"To Aashi and Armaan." Mr. Oberoi said as he raised his glass and everyone else followed. Everyone took a sip of their respective drinks.

"Bhai, Bhabi." Aditi said and handed them their glasses of champagne.

"To us." Armaan said as he forwarded his glass towards Aashi.

"To us." Aashi said and clicked their glasses together. They took a sip of their drink.

"It's time for the couple's dance." Mr. Malhotra said and gestured the music guys to play a soft song.

"May I?" Armaan asked as he forwarded his hand towards Aashi. She nodded with a smile and kept her soft hand in his.

Instrumentals of romantic song started playing as they walked towards the dance floor.

He clasped his hand against Aashi's and wrapped his free hand around her waist, pulling her closer. She kept her hand on his shoulder as he saw her blush deepen.

"Don't blush like that, Aashi. I'm having a hard time controlling myself." He huskily said and brought his mouth near her ear. Armaan heard her take a sharp intake of breath.

"Is my proximity flustering you?" He said in the same tone. He swirled his finger on her bare waist and a small giggle left her mouth.

She's ticklish. He thought.

"Stop teasing me, Maan." She said and he pulled back to look in her eyes.

"Maan?" He repeated her endearment for him.

"Sorry, it just left my mouth. I didn't mean..." Armaan cut her off.

"I like it." He said and saw her smile. Her smile kills him each time.

The girl smiles SUNSHINE.

~ Their Traditional Attire ~

~ Aashi's Hairstyle ~

~ Aashi's Makeup ~

~ Aashi's Ring ~

~ Armaan's Ring ~

— x —

How was today's chapter? Did you like Aashi's nickname for Armaan?