The Singhanias and the Bansals started off for the venue. It was a two hour journey. They reached almost at the same time. The Bansals were getting their luggage out of the cars when the Singhanias reached. They greeted each other. Vaibhav winked at Rashi and she blushed and looked away.
They went inside and decided to meet for dinner after an hour. Everyone went to their respective rooms and got fresh. After having their dinner they retired to their rooms as the next day was the Haldi ceremony. Rashi and Vaibhav were as usual chatting and asking about each other's day.
Soon they also slept after wishing each other a goodnight.
The next morning everyone woke up early and got ready for the Haldi ceremony. The function was held in different halls. One for the groom and other for the bride. First was the Tel chadana followed by a short puja. The Haldi rasam started and by the end of it both Rashi and Vaibhav were completely drenched in Haldi paste. They were taken to their room to change.
Rashi's phone rang. It was Vaibhav's video call. She picked up and saw Adi on the call.
"Hii baby. Kya kar rhe ho?"
(Hi baby. What are you doing?)
"Mai khel la hu. Tois se. Aap kya kal le ho?"
(I am playing. With toys. What are you doing?)
He showed his toys and then asked in his baby voice.
"Mai toh abhi taiyar hone jaa rhi thi."
(I am going to get ready.)
"Aap bhi yellow yellow ho. Chachu bhi aise hi the. Maine bhi kiya tha."
(You are also yellow. Chachu was also like this. I also did.)
He said and giggled. She laughed along with him. He disconnected the call hastily when he heard Bhavna calling him. Rashi went to take a bath. After cleaning up she was made to wear a saree for a puja.
They had their lunch and went for the puja. It was a short puja where holy threads were tied on the hands and feet of the bride and the groom. The pujas were also done in separate halls as they were not allowed to see each other till marriage.
After the puja, the Bansal family and their relatives gattered in the hall they were alloted. Beddings were arranged there. They settled down and decided to play something. No one was in the mood to sleep and the work was done for the day. They decided to play Antakshari and divided the team in two parts.
The Singhanias had also gattered in their hall and were playing Dumb Charades. Everyone enjoyed a lot and went to sleep after having their dinner.
Rashi was talking to Vaibhav.
"Adi mahashaye mujhe haldi lagane aaye. Haath mai li aur apne hi muh par laga li."
(Adi sir came to put haldi on me. Took it in his hands and put it on his own face.)
"Kya?"
(What?)
Rashi said laughing. Vaibhav laughed along.
"Haan. Iski harkate toh bas puchho mat."
(Yes. His notoriousness is another level.
"Guddu jab chhota tha toh wo bhi aisi hi harkate karta tha."
(When Guddu was young he also did like this.)
She said.
"Bhut pyaar karti ho na usse."
(You love her a lot.)
She smiled.
"Bhut. Aaj bhi sapna lagta hai. I still remember the day jab wo ghar aaya tha. Kitne khush the sab. He is truly a blessing in our lives. Aisa lagta hai jaise usse banaya hi hamare liye tha. Ghar aane ke kuch ghanto baad hi sabse itna ghul mil gya."
(A lot. It still feels like a dream. I still remember the day when he came home. Everyone was so happy. He is truly a blessing in our lives. Seems as if he was made for us. He got so involved with everyone within a few hours of arriving.)
He smiled. They talked for some time. Rashi disconnected the call when Pranati and Sakshi entered the room. The next day was free. There was no ritual and so they had decided to go to parlour for spa treatment.
The talked for some time and then slept due to tiredness.
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The next morning they woke up around 10 and went down to have their breakfast. They got ready as their appointment was of 12. All three of them along with Dhriti spent the whole day at the parlour, pampering their skin. They returned at 5 and went to their room to change. Everyone met downstairs for tea and discussed about the Mehandi function next day.
It was decided that the Mehandi function would be kept together. Rashi and Vaibhav will be made to sit on the opposite sides of the hall. They discussed the menu for the day and then left for their rooms after having dinner. Everyone was told to wake up early the next morning.
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Everyone woke up early the next day. After having breakfast they sat down to get their Mehandi done. The ladies were singing geets and Rashi was getting her legs done. The ladies started getting their hands done. Youngsters were getting their photographs clicked.
Her legs were done in two hours and the artists took a break. After 15 minutes they started with her hands. The dholwalas had come and everyone was dancing. Rashi's feet were itching to dance. After another three hours, her hands were half done. Everyone had their lunch and Pranati fed Rashi. After another two hours both her hands were done. She stretched a bit. Her feet were numb due to sitting at one place. The henna on her feet had dried. But she could not remove it right now. The bride has to remove the henna on the wedding day.
It was dinner time and everyone was done with their mehandi. Some people's were still wet and the gents were helping them in eating. Everyone left for their rooms after having dinner. Rashi changed her clothes. She lay on her bed thinking about tomorrow. Her wedding day. She would leave her home forever. She started thinking about her parents and Dhruv and her eyes started watering.
Sakshi and Pranati entered the room and saw her getting emotional. They engulfed her in a hug and Sakshi also started crying. Pranati tried to console both of them. Rashi's phone rang. Pranati attended the call.
"Hi jiju."
"Ohh. Umm- hii. Rashi kaha par hai?"
(Ohh. Umm-hii. Where is Rashi?)
"Wo-umm- she is getting emotional. Pre-wedding jitters."
She heard Vaibhav sigh.
"Meri baat karana usse."
(Let me talk to her.)
Pranati passed the phone to Rashi. She wiped her tears and took the the phone.
"Hello."
Her voice thick with emotions.
"Kya hua meri jaan?"
(What happened my love?)
"Mujhe shaadi nhi krni. Mumma-papa ko Sakshi aur Dhruv ko chhodke nhi jaana."
(I don't want to get married. I don't want to leave mumma-papa, Sakshi and Dhruv.)
She said and cried again. He took a deep breath.
"Listen pehle rona band kro. Shit yaar mai waha aa bhi nhi skta. Rashi please."
(Listen first stop crying. Shit i can not even come there. Rashi please.)
She calmed a bit at his words. When he heard her sniffles he continued.
"Tum apni family ko hamesha ke liye nhi chhod rhi. Hum tumhe ghar mai kaid krke nhi rkhne wale meri jaan. I know you are getting emotional because you'll miss them. Agar mai iss baare mai kuch kar skta na toh trust me i would have done it. Wo tumhara ghar tha, hai aur hamesha rahega. Koi tumhe kabhi bhi waha jaane se nhi rokega. And this is my promise. Okay?"
(You are not leaving you family forever. We are not doing to prison you there. I know you are getting emotional because you'll miss them. Trust me if i could do something about this i would have. It was, is and always be your home. No one is going to stop you from going there. And this is my promise. Okay?)
"Hmm. Thank you. I love you."
"I love you too. Ab maa papaji ke paas chali jaao. Spend time with them. Wo bhi miss karenge tumhe."
(I love you too. Now go to maa papaji. Spend time with them. They will also miss you.)
"Hmm. Jaa rhi hu. Byee."
(Hmm. I am going. Byee.)
"Byee."
She went to her parents room and they spend the night talking to each other and reminiscing old memories.
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