• Ghoonghat mein har kali thi
Rangon mein na dhali thi
Na shokh thi hawaein
Na khusboo mann chali thi
Aaya hai ab ke mausam
Kaisa khumaar banke •

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"Ahh...."
Her hand automatically reached to her hairs as she felt a pull on the long paranda that was tied to the braid of her long hairs.... Did her paranda get stuck in a nail or something similiar? She wondered...

Within a second, she felt another pull on her choti. Before she could see what was it, a hard chest came in contact with her back and a pair of hand wrapped around her stomach...

"Aaj nahi dikhaogi apni mehendi, Riddhima?"

A lump form in her throat hearing that husky voice... Her eyes widened after realizing whom it could be. Though she couldn't see his face in the darkness, but she was sure it was Him. Afterall he is the only one who does such kind of battameezi with her.

"Van... Vansh Kya karrhe Ho. Chhodo..."

She stammered as she felt Vansh's hand on her arm... She struggle to free herself from his grip.

Her breath hitched as she felt his chin resting on her shoulder. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it when she felt his finger dug in her arm. She couldn't even push him because of the wet Henna her hands were covered in...

He left her hand. She turned and looked at him as he took out a lighter from his pocket, and one by one ignited the multicolour glass jelly candles that were on the adjacent table...  Keeping the lighter back in his pocket, he lifted his eyes to look at her. No matter how much she disliked him, but there is no denying to the fact that she feels something strange in her stomach everything he looks at her like that.

Her big orbs stared at him and lips quivered as his eyes roamed shamelessly on her face examining her features.

Dark eyebrows with a small red Bindi in between, Hazelnut like kohled orbs any man would get lost in, Long eyelashes just like those of barbie doll, Small cute nose that would flare in anger everytime she wanted to snap back at him but couldn't, Plumpy lips... Too pinkish to believe they were natural and not colored, Cute chin that fitted perfectly in his finger everytime he held it , Sharp jawline... Only he knew from how long he wanted to plant kisses on it,  Soft earlobes that were bearing the weight of her heavy earring ,Long swan like milky neck that looked even longer everytime she chined up to look in his eyes. Everything about her screamed "Beauty".

She gulped saliva as he kept oggling at her. Feeling like a fish trapped under his gaze, she turned back. "No Riddhima No, don't look into his eyes"... She made a mental note. But when things ever happened according to Riddhima's wish that it'll happen today...

Vansh caught Riddhima's duppatta and pulled it back. Her fingers touched her neck in reflex as she felt the duppatta tightening around her neck. Riddhima turned and saw Vansh tugging the end of her dupatta. She tried to pull it back from his hands, but Vansh was fast. He left the duppatta and encircled his one hand behind her waist pulling her closer to him....

"Ouch Vansh..."

Riddhima hissed as her soft moulds collided with his hard chest. Her hands were trapped between his chest and her body.... Lifting her chin with his another hand, Vansh made her look in his eyes. Already due to their height difference it gets very difficult for him to maintain the eye contact while talking, and Riddhima not looking at him at all, was making it more difficult.

"We are going to get married tomorrow Riddhima. I expect you to be a loyal wife. Tum janti ho na Dhoka aur Dhokebaazo se  sakt nafrat hai mujhe. "

He said looking in her eyes. He waited for her response but she didn't say anything. Just kept looking in his eyes as if searching something ..... Maybe one percent of humanity or kindness.

How could someone be such a negative soul, she would never understand. They are yet to get married, and he has already started thinking that she might cheat him. Well, she shouldn't be surprised if he actually charge her of cheating once or twice... Afterall, that's what he thinks about her. Wasn't he the one calling her names few days back, and now he has the audacity of demanding loyalty from that very same girl who is characterless in his eyes. 

"Janti ho na Riddhima? ...."

He repeated pulling her closer, when he did not get any response. Riddhima lowered her eyes and nodded her head. Because she didn't know any other way of getting out of this situation. The words that he has used for her in past were so "Nice".... No body has ever used such "Nice" words for her. And right now, she don't want to angry him and hear those "Nice" things again....

"I need Words Riddhima"

He demanded. She looked up and glared at him angrily. Her nose flared in anger but when he glared back at her, her anger was replaced by fear. A smirk plastered on his face as usual after seeing her angry avtaar which didn't lasted even for a minute in front of him.

"Han. "

She replied, looking everywhere but him. When her hands caught his white shirt in her fist, neither she realized, nor him..

"Agar kabhi mai dhoka dun, to meri hi revolver se mujhe maar dena... Lekin agar tumne galti se mujhe dhoka dene ki jurrat bhi Ki to ..."

His words came like a warning. She looked up at him and saw fire in his eyes. The eyes that were full of admiration for her few minutes back, were now spitting fire.

"mai nahi janta Riddhima, mai tumhare sath kya kar guzrunga...."

His tone changed into a bitter one, as he gritted his teeth. Riddhima never had big dreams, she never thought about the qualities she wanted in her life partner. Even now, she doesn't know what qualities she want in her man, But after looking at Vansh, she can say that she never wanted even a single quality of Vansh in her soulmate .... She would have never married to a man who is so dominant, authorative, inconsiderate, emotionless and most importantly.... So full of himself.

Her eyes grew wide as she saw Vansh bending down. He held her chin in his thumb and index finger and lifted it up. What was he up to? Riddhima already started seeing red flags. She turned her face to side, but he made her look at him....

Leaning forward, he joined his forehead with her... It was something he never did before, not even with his flings... His racing heart felt as peace.

"Vansh... Chhodo mujhe."

She pleaded. Vansh was in no mood to leave her so soon. He was loving the way her proximity was making him feel. She is going to be his wife for heavens sake.... Can't he demand five minutes from her?  Was it too much to ask?

"Hmm.... Bus paanch minutes aise raho"

He replied and closed his eyes.

"Hilo mat Riddhima...."

He warned feeling Riddhima struggling in his hold. But Riddhima didn't listen...

"Ouch... you.."

He hissed in pain. His hands left her and automatically landed on his nose holding it... Did she really hit her head on his nose? He looked at her angrily ... She took few steps away from him and looked at him with guilt in her eyes.... Riddhima was someone who would say "Sorry wall jii for hurting you" after hitting the wall by mistake. Hurting someone was never her Forte. It was Vansh's...

"Wo maine jaan...jaan bujhke nahi kiya... Mujhe.....mujhe washroom Jana tha... Tum..Tum chhod nahi rahe the toh.... Galtise sir laagya"

She stammered looking at him. Rubbing his nose with one of his hand ,He glared at her ... which in turn frightened her even more. Just by looking at her face, he could understand that she was on the verge of crying. If he intimidate her more, she'll really start crying...

"Fine. Go quickly before I change my mind..."

He said calmly, she looked at him in surprise but then just turned back and ran in lightening speed...Thank God, the inverter was on. Otherwise she'd have definitely collided with three-four pillars....

"Idiot"

He murmured under his breath looking at her retreating figure. He bent down and blew the glass jelly candles on the table one by one. He was about to blow off the last candle when his gaze fell on his shirt that he was wearing.

His white shirt had stains of mehendi on it especially near the chest region.

"What the....."

He muttered and started unbuttoning the shirt. His favorite shirt got ruined, and he don't know how to feel about it. If it was another day, he would have yelled at her like a mad man for ruining his shirt. But today, the mehendi stains on his shirt were somewhere making him feel good, feel happy.....

"Pyaar ho ya Zid ho Riddhima, mai nahi jaanta. Bus itna jaanta hun, tum meri jarurat ho... Aur humesha rahogi."

He said looking at the discarded shirt. Instead of throwing it in the laundry basket, he folded it nicely and took it back with him to his room... 
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Banno
Ki mehndi kya kehna
Banno
Ka joda kya kehna
Banno
Lage hai phoolon ka gehna

Aryan and Dolly danced around Riddhima who stood there giving fake smile in between. Riddhima didn't know what was the right thing to do. For a moment, she even thought of telling her Anupriya Maa everything. She was sure her Anupriya Maa will Understand. But what would she tell her? That her son put her upbringing to shame by abusing someone's mother.... Or how he hit a new low by character assassinating her...

The Anupriya Maa she knew, would never stand such kind of behavior... Even if it is by her son. She would straight go to his room, pack his bag and send him back to London. And this was what Riddhima feared most.

Last time she saw Dadi crying hysterically was when Vansh was sent to abroad fifteen years back. She ended up deteriorating her health. Sia would wait for Vansh on every Rakshabandhan, and then cry her heart out hiding her face in Chachal chachiji's lap everytime Vansh refused to come.

Riddhima was young at that time, but not too young to not understand that everyone was unhappy because of her. She was responsible for Vansh leaving his family.
And no, this was not her thinking. Rather, she was made to think this way due to continuous taunting from Ishani who would refuse to eat on same dining with Riddhima because according to her, Riddhima was responsible for breaking their family.

Vansh may not be part of her life, but Riddhima could not deny that Vansh was inseparable part of RaiSinghania family. They need him much more than they need her. Since the time he returned from London, everyone in the family started laughing more, giggling more, celebrating more....And She didn't want to snatch this little happiness from her family.

Kindness/Goodness comes with a price. Perhaps, this was the price Riddhima was paying for being a kind hearted person.

Banno
Ki aankhen kajrari
Banno
Lage sabse pyaari
Banno
Pe jaaon main vaari vaari

Aryan and Dolly ended by side hugging Riddhima who was still lost in thought. She was reminded of Dadi's saying,

"When you don't know what to do, leave everything in Almighty's hand.. He'll lead you. "
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Vansh's Room :-

"What happened Ruby? Aren't you happy?"

Laying on the king size bed, I asked running my finger through the furry coat of Ruby, who moved her head lazily in response.

"Oh,my baby is angry because I'm not giving her attention"

I said smiling after gaining Ruby's attention. Ruby is used to getting lots of love and pampering from me, so when I dont pamper her even for a day, she starts throwing tantrum...  Such a girly attitude you see.

"Come here"

I said picking her up and made her lay on my chest.

"Baby girl, today is your last night of sleeping with me. From tomorrow I'll be sharing bed with Riddhima. Hope you won't get jealous of your mumma. Haina baby"

I teased, but looked like ruby didn't like it. She started scratching my arm with her sharp nails making me giggle at her reaction..
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N

ext morning-

"Riddhima utho.... Riddhu..."

Riddhima opened her eyes lazily and found Anupriya standing in front of her. She rubbed her eyes and looked at the alarm clock on the side table. Oh shitt, morning again.

"Uthgai..."

She replied in a sleeping tone and sat on the bed removing the duvet.

"Good morning Beta. Jaldise apni mehendi dho lo. Bohot rasme karni hai... Abhi thodi der me "Jaggo"bhi hoga. Tum ready ho jaao. Mai kisiko bhejti hun yaha tumhari help karne..."

Riddhima just nodded her head. She went in the bathroom, turned on the knob of  sink and washed her hands. As the mehendi slowly started leaving her hand, realization sank in. Her heart started beating faster and faster, and she could feel a knot tightening in her stomach. She looked at herself in the mirror hanging on the wall opposite to wash-sink. Was it really happening, Was she really going to do this?

As the henna got removed, she turned off the knob and looked at her hand. Dark red- it was the color the henna left behind on her hand. Wiping her hand with a napkin, she came out of the bathroom and sat on the bed thinking what was she doing to herself and why? The more she thought, the more she understood that it was her mistake only. She had many chances and ample of time to back off, but everytime she took a back step thinking about others. Now look, she is stuck in a situation where no one can help her.

"Guddiya dii...accha hua aap uthgyi... Niche dekhiye "Jaggo" horha hai..."

The cheerful Dolly came and dragged Riddhima to the window. Sliding the  glass of window, Riddhima and Dolly watched as the ladies of the house assembled in courtyard for "Jaggo." Jaggo is an Punjabi ritual which means - To wake up. Women were greated with sweets and Barfis and danced around as many homes throughout the night.

They sang and danced with decorated sticks and with pots on their head decorated with oil candles. Boliyaas were recited, gidda were performed as the ladies moved in the colony waking the other residents.
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Riddhima closed the window and leaned against it. Only she knew how much she was regretting her decision of not telling anything to Dadi and her Anupriya Maa. She thought she would handle everything alone, but today for the first time she wanted to agree with Ishani who once taunted her that "You know what Riddhima, you aren't capable of doing anything alone. Now excuse me...".

"Riddhima puttar, jaldi bahar aa.... Abhi tumhari aur Vansh ki Gharoli honi hai. "

Riddhima wiped her tears, changed her night clothes and went downstairs....
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The next ritual was "Gharoli". Ishani and Dolly brought the water from Gurudwara in a decorated pitcher. Riddhima and Vansh were later bathed in this holy water before they wear their wedding attire.
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"Bus Siya, ladki nahi hun Mai"

Vansh irked at Siya, who was applying foundation cream on his face.

"Hogya bhai. Thodasa to karne do. "

Siya replied spreading the foundation evenly on Vansh's face with a sponge.

"Siya thodasa? Iske baad tumhe compact, concealer sab lagana hai bhai Ko...."

Ishani said opening the box of compact powder.

"Han Lekin..."

Siya looked at her Vansh Bhai helpless. She knew her Vansh Bhai doesn't need any makeup. But how to explain this to her sister....

"Mai nahi chahti mere bhai aaj kisise kam dikhe.... "

Ishani said making Vansh's hair. Though she wasn't happy as the girl she always looked down would become equal to her in status and standard today, but she couldn't stop the sister in her from becoming the part of her Vansh Bhai's wedding.
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"Guddiya hil mat naa"

Jasleen said holding the eyeliner pencil in her hand...

"Bus bus... Hogya"

She spoke and applied the perfect eyeliner stroke with the pencil.

As the wedding was in Guruddwara, Riddhima's makeup was kept light. She was wearing a traditional Patiala style red salwar kameez with heavily embroidered duppatta on her head.
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"Aaja baith Guddiya. Chooda bharna hai"

Naniji said and made Riddhima sit on a stool in backyard.

Mamaji and Mamiji brought the Chooda for Riddhima. It was the set of 21 red and white bangles. A puja/hawan was organized during the chooda ceremony. The bangles were first purified with rose petals and milk. All the close relatives touched the chooda as a mark of their blessing. Riddhima was forced to sit with her eyes closed as it is considered inauspicious if the bride sees chooda before her marriage. Her hands were covered with white cloths until the chooda is on. After that, family member tied a sacred string called "gang" which serves to ward off bad spirit and husbands open it after wedding rituals are done.

After the chooda ceremony, a lovely golden colored umbrella shaped hanging called "Kaleerein" were tied to Riddhima's chooda by her best friend cum sister, Sia.

"Ab tu kisi kuwari ladki ko bula aur Uspe kaleerein jhatak. Iske matthe gira, Agla vyaah uska"

Naniji explained.

"Sacchi?? Mai baithu? "

Aryan asked, earning a slap from dadi on his arm..

After the kaleerein were tied, Riddhima called  Dolly's name. She sat down on her knees as Riddhima shook her hand on Dolly's head. The crowd hooted as a part of Riddhima's kaleerein fell on Dolly's head. It is believed that if a piece of kaleerein falls on a girl's head, she will be the next one to get married
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Vansh sat down on the bed as Anupriya tied the safa around his head. Dadi aaplied Surma behind Vansh's ear to ward off the evil eye.

"Mere bacche ko kisiki nazar naa lage..."

Dadi said looking at Vansh and doing thu-thu-thu thrice.

"Aaj Ajay hote to kitne khush hote naa, mummyjii"

Anupriya said with teary eyes. Being a single mother was not easy for her. There were times when she wished her husband was alive to give her emotional support. And today was one such day.
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"Bhabhi sab daal diya na gaadi me...."

Anupriya asked Mamiji who came to Anupriya and assured her...

"Tussi chinta na karo Didi. Prashaad ka sara samaan leliya hai. Aur guruddware me baatne k liye kapde mangwaaye the woh bhi leliye... Langar ke liye rasoi ka samaan Kal hi Dolly ke papa ke haatho maharaj jii ke paas bhijwa diya tha "

Mamiji said to Anupriya who was looking very stressed.

"Bhabhi aaplog Vansh ke sath gaadi me chale jaiye. Mai Riddhima aur mummyji ko leke Aryan ke sath hun"

Anupriya suggested. After applying tilak on Vansh's head, he was asked to sit in the decorated car... Cracking the coconut, it was distributed among the baraatis as "prashad" before the groom's car headed for gurudwara.
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"Anand Kharaj" which means "Blissful Union" is the main wedding ceremony held at Gurudwara. Moving to the Darbaar,  the main hall where wedding ceremony will take place,  Vansh was seated with the rest of the men. Ishani, being Vansh's sister, Removed his safa before sitting in front of holy scripture.

Riddhima made her entry. She was asked to site in the left side of Vansh. The family stood to offer Ardaas to Waheguru before the actual wedding ceremony takes place. 

Riddhima looked at Vansh as Aangre came and said something in his ears. His hand form a fist but then his eyes fell on Riddhima who was looking at him. The inner monster in him calmed down that very second...

Vansh kept stealing glimpses of Riddhima. In a red salwaar kameez and with minimal makeup, she was an epitome of beauty. The moment his eyes met hers, time froze for him. She averted her gaze, not wanting to look at him anymore.

Being a father figure to Riddhima, Chachaji was asked to do the "Palla rasam" which symbolizes that he is giving his daughter away.. Rudra Chachaji placed a saffron colored scarf on Vansh's shoulder  and other end of the same scarf was placed in Riddhima's hand for "Pheras"
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It was the time for "Lavaan Pheras". The priest conducting the marriage read four stanzas or "lavaans" from the Holy scripture "Guru Granth Sahib". Aaryan stood around the "Guru Granth Sahib" as the couple began their lavaan which means - The next stage. 

✳ The first verse of the nuptial round hymn asserts that marriage is encouraged as the best state of life for a Sikh.✳

After the first stanza, the bride and groom walked in clockwise direction around the Holy book. Vansh and Riddhima took pheras after each lavaan bowing at the beginning and end of each stanza.

✳The second verse of the nuptial round hymn conveys the awakening feelings of love a bride has when leaving her former life, and beginning a new life in partnership with her husband.✳

Being Riddhima's Brother, Aaryan took turns to guide Riddhima around as she completed the 2nd round.

✳ The third nuptial round hymn declares the bride's detachment from the world and outside influences, while becoming more deeply devoted to her husband wishing only to live for him. ✳

They completed three rounds, and only the last one round was left. For Riddhima, it was the last step on the path of self destruction. Whereas for Vansh, he was taking a first step towards a happy and prosperous life.

✳The fourth verse of the nuptial round hymn describes a spiritual union of love and devotion where no feeling of separation is possible, imparting perfect joy, and contentment. Upon completion of the fourth round, the bride and groom are considered to be man and wife.✳

After the 4 th Laav was complete, an Ardaas was offered as an indication that wedding ceremony is now complete. Hymns from "Guru Granth Sahib " were sung while "Kadha prashad" - a sweet made up of sugar and wheat flour was distributed among the attendees. The family members congratulated each other and the groom and bride on the completion of marriage. Vansh looked at Riddhima who was just standing there like a emotionless statue, not able to comprehend what has happened to her.

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Precap :- "tune bag pack nahi ki abhitak Guddiya"

"Kyu jasleen dii... Hum sab kahi jarhe haikya...?"

"Haye ram..tujhe nahi pata... Tu aur Gattu bhaiyya aaj Wapas Delhi jaarhe ho..."

A/N :- Tada....Finally marriage. This
chapter was very difficult for me to write because I'm not Sikh/ Punjabi. I don't know anything about Punjabi wedding. Had to ask my punjabi friends for help, then understand every ritual and its significance, google the explanation and many more...

Those who wanted that vansh should apologize before wedding or those who were asking for happy wedding... Don't worry, they will have one more wedding later😂. Gujrati riwaaj se  bhi karwaani padegi na...

Now tell me seriously, aage kya chahiye story me? I'll try my best to include ur suggestion....

Sorry for making u wait, but I'm not keeping well. Din bhar bus soti hu,khati hu, firse soti hun... Blame the medicine...