The next day no important rituals were there so everyone was free. They decided to gather in the common hall after the breakfast. Everyone played games like Antakshari, Dumb Charades, Musical Chairs and many otherr games till evening. After dinner everyone retired to their rooms.
Sahil and Pranati were talking to each other on call.
"Please."
"Nhi."
(No.)
"Please na. Bas thodi der."
(Just for some time.)
"Nahi Sahil. Bhut der ho gyi. Kisi dekh lia toh achha nhi lagega."
(No Sahil. Its very late. What if anyone sees.)
"But kal Haldi hai aur uske baad koi hume milne nhi dega. Mai tumhe dekh bhi nhi paaunga. Please aa jaa. Thodi der."
(But tomorrow is Haldi and then no one will let us meet. I won't be able to see you. Please come. For some time.)
"Sahil. Do hi din ki toh baat hai. Phir toh mai aa rhi hu na. Hamesha ke liye aapke paas. Please maan jaaiye."
(Its just a matter of two days. Then i am all yours. Forever. Please understand.)
"Fine. Lkin uske baad mai ek minute ke liye bhi nhi chhodunga tumhe."
(But after that I won't leave you even for a minute.)
She giggled and mumbled an 'okay' and both of them soon slept after talking to each other.
The next day everyone woke up early. It was the Haldi ceremony. Sahil and Pranati were made to sit in separate halls. Pranati was sitting on a stool. The first ritual was Tel Chadana. It took about 45 minutes. And then started the Haldi ceremony. Everyone applied Haldi on her one by one. Utkarsh came at last and smeared her face completely with haldi.
She could see that he was getting emotional. Her own eyes got teary and he hugged her. She patted her back lovingly.
On the other hand, Sahil was completely drenched in Haldi thanks to his brothers and bhabhis. After taking a bath and changing their clothes they were again called downstairs for a small puja where holy threads would be tied around their wrists and ankle.
Pranati wore a yellow saree and went down. The puja took about half an hour and then they were free.
Pranati was sitting in her room with Utkarsh and Yug's heads in her lap.
"Mai chipkunga kisse."
(Who will i stick to.)
Yug said.
"Mai ladunga kisse."
(Who will i fight with.)
Utkarsh said. She laughed at their antics.
"Pagal ho tum dono. Mai London thodi na jaa rhi hu. Agar chipakne ya ladne ka mann kre toh mujhe bula lena mai aa jaaungi. Thik hai."
(You both are mad. I am not going to London. If you want to stick or fight with me call me. Okay.)
She said ruffling their hair. Though Utkarsh was always fighting with her, she knew how much he loved her. And Yug was very attached to her. She was like a mother to him. And she loved both of them immensely.
The next day was Mehandi ceremony. It was a common hall and Pranati and Sahil were made to sit at the opposite corners.
Pranati was getting her mehandi done. It was evening and she was done with her mehandi but could not remove it till next morning. She was looking at everything with a smile on her face.
Adarsh came dropped beside her casually.
"Sahil ne kal se hume pagal kr dia hai. Bahane dhundh rha hai tujhse milne ke."
(Sahil has made us mad since yesterday. He is searching for excuses to meet you.)
He said with a teasing smile and she blushed looking away.
"Waise ab mujhe aadat daalni padegi tujhe bhabhi bolne ki."
(I have to get habitual of calling you bhabhi now.)
He said nudging her shoulder. She smacked his shoulder and he went away laughing.
Pranati spent the night with her parents.
The next day was the most awaited day for everyone. The most excited one was Sahil. Pranati was ready in her room waiting to be called downstairs.
Her parents came in the room. Both of them feeling emotional. Naveen patted her head and face lovingly and hugged her. She was his princess. He didn't want to let her go ever. But he knew that Sahil would always keep her like a queen.
Pranati's eyes also started getting glassy. Her mother cupped her face and shook her head. She kissed her head lovingly and started to take her downstairs.
Sahil was impatiently waiting for Pranati to arrive. It had been two days since he saw her. His breath got stuck when he saw her coming near him. In her bridal attire she was looking no less than a real queen.
Sahil couldn't move his eyes off her. He went to her and gave her his hand as she neared the stage. She looked up at him but lowered her lashes the next second. He was looking at her with such intensity in his eyes.
They had shared much more intense and intimate moments before. She couldn't understand why she was feeling giddy and dizzy today.
Everyone gathered near the stage for the Jaimala. Dhriti bought the garlands. Pranati was about to make him wear the garland when Devesh and Vaibhav picked him up. Adarsh and Utkarsh came to Pranati for support and picked her up too.
"Bhai hum toh hamesha se apni bhabhiyon ki side se hai."
(We were always from our bhabhis side.)
Adarsh said winking at Sahil.
Pranati again tried to make him wear but he was still a few inches taller and she couldn't move much due to her heavy lehanga. Sahil bend his head down and Pranati made him wear the garland with a smile. Everyone hooted. Sahil also made her wear the garland and everyone clapped.
Soon the photo session started. After a torturous hour and about 100 photos later they were escorted to the dinner area. Pranati did not eat because of her fast and Sahil refused too. After dinner Sahil was taken to the Mandap and Pranati went to her room to rest her aching feet. There were some rituals in which only he was required.
Pranati was called an hour later and was made to sit on Sahil's right. Naveen and Anju came forward for the Kanyadaan.
Aanchal tied their Gathbandhan and they stood up for the Pheras. After the pheras Pranati was asked to sit on his left. Sahil tied the Mangalsutra and did the Sindurdaan. The small pinch of Sindur fell on her nose and a lone tear escaped her eye.
She couldn't describe the feeling in words. The man she had loved her whole life was sitting beside her as her husband. Smiling beautifully at her.
Her husband. He was her husband now.
She now understood the giddy feeling. She was no more his girlfriend. She was his wife.
Pranati Sahil Singhania.
In an instant she fell in love with her new name. Just like she did with him. ************************************** Please do leave your comments.
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