Pragya was moving around, overseeing the arrangements for her daughter's 'Haldi' ceremony when she came across Sahana.

"Sahana! What are you two doing? Isn't Prachi ready yet? People from Ranbir's side can come anytime with the 'Haldi'." Pragya flicked a worried glance towards the entrance.

"Don't worry, Masi. Prachi was almost ready when I last checked. I will check again if she is ready." Sahana tried to pacify a hyper Pragya and strode away before she could berate her anymore.

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Sahana pushed at their room's door but it was locked from inside. Sahana frowned, bemused. When she left her, Prachi was almost ready. She was dressed in a beautiful yellow lehenga for her haldi ceremony. She was wearing the white and pink flower ornaments when Sahana left. She ought to be ready by now. Then why had she locked the door?

"Prachi? What happened? Aren't you ready yet? Why have you locked the door?" Sahana called out.

"I...I...I am not ready yet. I don't want anyone to disturb me. Yes... that's why I locked the door. I will be out shortly." Prachi called out from the other side of the closed doors, her voice oddly nervous.

"Okay. But why are you sounding so nervous? Oh, I know. Wedding jitters?" Sahana giggled.

"Yeah...um...may be. Sahana, go now. Let me get ready in peace." Prachi's voice replied.

"Okay, okay, chill. I am going. But come out soon. Or this time Masi will come in search of you." Sahana giggled and sauntered away.

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Prachi sighed in utmost relief and closed her eyes. However, she opened them again and turned around and poked the broad chest of the man in front of her with her index finger.

"Now you too leave. What were you thinking? Coming here like this? Ranbir! Go!" Prachi insisted in a low voice.

"No." The single word had so much determination that it made Prachi look at him with wide, puzzled eyes.

"But why? Ranbir, ma can come asking for me anytime." Prachi glanced at the door nervously.

"Don't worry. I will leave before that. But not before doing what I have come here to do." Ranbir grinned mischievously.

"And what is that?" Prachi glared at him.

"This" Ranbir suddenly grabbed her waist with both hands and pulled her closer, making her gasp in surprise.

Her eyes lost the glare and widened in surprise. As he leaned closer, her eyes lowered out of their own volition.

He leaned to one side and slowly and sensuously rubbed his turmeric covered cheek to her cheek, sending a shiver down her spine and causing her to tremble in his arms. Smiling, he moved back to see that she had closed her eyes due to the sheer intensity of emotions his one simple move caused within her. He leaned to the other side and repeated the action, causing her to tremble again. He watched her yellowish cheeks covered with the turmeric transferred from his own with utter satisfaction.

"Now, our haldi ceremony is complete. Now you can go out and let them put Haldi on you that will come from my home." Ranbir smiled down at her.

Prachi slowly opened her eyes and lost in the ocean of love that his eyes contained for her.

"Bye. See you in the marriage ceremony, my would be bride." Ranbir backed away, leaving her with a naughty grin and reaching the window, climbed out of it.

"He is crazy." Prachi giggled, but the feeling of being loved to such an extent wrapped her like a protective cloak.

Prachi instantly rushed to the washroom and washed her face with much reluctance. Then she applied light make up and went outside to perform the ritual.

Soon, haldi ceremony came to an end amidst folk songs and laughter after all the ladies put the turmeric on her, one after the other.

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The marriage hall which had been rented for the wedding was decorated beautifully with red and white flowers. The silk draperies around the glass windows were also in the similar hues of red and white. The 'mandap' (podium) where the wedding rituals were going to take place was also decorated with a canopy of white and red flowers. There was an overall aura of elegant simplicity, the very words that defined the bride herself.

Prachi was getting ready in the room allotted to her and was finally done when a few girls dashed into the room. 

"Come quickly girls. The groom has arrived." One of the girls announced.

"What! Oh wow! I am going to see how Ranbir is looking as a groom with others. But, but, but....you can't come as you are the bride. I know you are dying to see him as a groom, isn't it?" Sahana teased Prachi.

Prachi pinched Sahana, hard.

"Oww! What a formidable bride!" Sahana exclaimed while rubbing her abused arm.

Prachi raised her hand again but Sahana scurried away. All the other girls in the room followed her, giggling.

Prachi turned towards the mirror and smiled shyly.

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At the entrance to the hall, Pragya, alongwith Saritaji and Sahana, welcomed the groom and his family and led them inside.

Ranbir's eyes were, however, restlessly searching for that one person amidst the crowd whose face had been indelibly etched in his heart and mind. He was being discreet but not too discreet to avoid the notice of two people.

"She won't be here till the time for her arrival comes. You are wasting your time bro." Aryan smirked.

Ranbir instantly turned towards him and Sahana who had fallen in step with them. Both of them were giving him knowing glances and smug smiles.

Ranbir instantly feigned ignorance and arranged his features into a complete innocent one. However, it wasn't enough to fool Aryan and Sahana.

"Who?" Ranbir looked at them with wide eyed innocence.

"The one you are looking for. Your would be bride and my sister." Sahana giggled.

"Don't torment me, guys. Or I will tell Aliya aunty that you two are planning to elope." Ranbir threatened.

"What!" Both Aryan and Sahana exclaimed in horror, knowing pretty well in advance what Aliya's reaction will be.

"So, shall we go now?" Ranbir smirked.

"Sure" Once again Aryan and Sahana replied as one.

Ranbir chuckled, congratulating himself at his tactics and thanking Aliya for once for being the headache she was in his mind and walked away.

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Ranbir was engrossed in chit chat with Aryan and his other friends, when excited chatter and giggles of female voices made him look up at the staircase leading to the first floor. He was mesmerized seeing his would be bride descending the stairs. She was looking exquisitely beautiful in a red lehenga embroidered with golden threads and simple yet elegant gold jewellery to go with it, her signature style. Her dress was truly complementing his own white sherwani with gold works and totally in keeping with red and white theme.

Prachi and Ranbir's eyes met and there was only happiness and hope for a beautiful future together shining in both their eyes.

Both the bride and the groom were led to the 'mandap' and settled down on their respective places. As the auspicious moment began, the priest began the wedding rituals. 

Prachi and Ranbir looked at each other and smiled.

Soon, the priest asked Ranbir to tie the nuptial chain (mangalsutra) around Prachi's neck and fill her hair parting with vermilion. Amidst sacred mantras and in front of the holy fire, Ranbir tied the nuptial chain around his beloved's neck and filled the parting of her hair with vermilion with both their families and so many other people as witnesses. Then they stood up and circumambulate the sacred fire as instructed by the priest for seven times. Finally, the rituals were complete.

"From now on you both are husband and wife. Take blessings from your elders." The priest announced.

"NO! THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE! THIS CAN'T HAPPEN! I DON'T ACCEPT THIS MARRIAGE!"

Everyone whirled around at the scream that reverberated around the hall.