[This book has crossed 10k reads and I am so overwhelmed. Thank you so much my dear readers. This has become possible only because of you all. Keep showering your love on this story like this. Thank you so much once again.

Also, it was its_khushiiii who first informed be about it and asked for an update. So, here goes the update.

And I won't say if ur guesses are right. Find it out yourselves. 😁😁]

"What do you mean by no?" Ranbir questioned her, with his hands on his hips.

"Exactly what you heard." Prachi turned to look at him serenely.

"But that isn't possible. All the rituals have been completed." Ranbir looked around bewildered.

"Even in shows and movies, people get married. Do you think they get married for real?" Prachi tapped her foot on the tiled floor impatiently.

"No they don't because the rituals and the priests are fake." Ranbir frowned.

"Finally! So, here too the rituals and the priest were fake, Newton! I needed time to execute my plan. So what better way than let my enemies think they have won? Because when your enemies think that they have own they become careless and presents you with the perfect moment to strike and bring them down. Saritaji knows a person who acts as priest in small shows. I had asked her to send him here in the guise of a priest. Before Aryan joined you out in the lawn here, remember he had disappeared for a while? Well, he went to kidnap the real priest and lock him away safely so that this fake priest can take his place and we can execute our plan. Got it, Baklu?" Prachi smirked.

"Chikchiki. And you are such a devious person. I never knew." Ranbir looked at her warily while Prachi rolled her eyes, her lips twitching as she tried hard to restrain the smile that was threatening to break out at his adorable antics.

"And Aryan, you just wait till I get my hands on you. If I didn't throttle you then change my name." Ranbir threatened.

"What did I do? I did what Prachi told me to do." Aryan shrugged.

"And if Prachi will ask you to jump down a cliff you will do that too, won't you?" Ranbir huffed.

Prachi swatted Ranbir's arm with her palm, glowering at him.

"Okay. Fine. Whatever." Ranbir sulked.

The Kohlis and the Mehras began to laugh as they witnessed the bickering of the couple.

However, a voice rose above their laughter and Prachi and Ranbir's bickering.

"What are you all talking about? Of course the marriage is done. And all the rituals were real and I too am a real priest."

Shocked, they turned to see that the priest, who had been a mute spectator till then, was rising from his seat near the holy fire with an affronted expression on his visage.

"Hello, Mr. Fake Priest, there's no need to continue the drama now. Show ended. You have received your payment. Now you may leave." Aryan chuckled.

"Fake Priest? Excuse me! I am a real priest. What a rude boy!" The Priest blustered.

"What do you mean real priest? I have locked the real priest myself." Aryan was annoyed now.

"Then you must either have been under the influence of drugs or is well versed in day dreaming, dear child." The priest retaliated.

"What do you...." Aryan started to protest.

"Just a second. Aryan, are you sure you have locked away the real priest and this is the fake priest?" Prachi looked at Aryan anxiously.

Of course I ....umm....actually....it was very dark in that corner. So, I couldn't see his face clearly. Let me bring him here, Prachi. Then probably the confusion will get resolved." Aryan shrugged sheepishly.

"Okay. And then Saritaji can identify. Where is Saritaji by the way?" Pragya looked around.

"Maasi, Saritaji got a phone call and went out to receive the call as there is so much noise here." Sahana chirped.

"Okay, Aryan. Go and bring the one you have locked here." Prachi was looking a little bewildered.

As Aryan strode away, Ranbir inched closer to Prachi until he was standing right behind her and leant forward slightly.

"Prachi" Ranbir whispered in her ear.

"Hmmm" Prachi responded absent mindedly.

"I think even the Almighty is in my favour" Ranbir laughed softly but soon his laughter transformed into a groan as Prachi elbowed him on the stomach.

"I really don't understand why they don't have a domestic violence cell for men. Because, having you as my wife, I am going to need it very much." Ranbir grimaced while massaging his stomach, making Prachi turn to glare at him.

Both Saritaji and Aryan returned at the same time. As soon as Aryan took the piece of cloth off that he had tied around the man's mouth, Saritaji gasped, baffled.

"Arey, Murthyji, if you are here then who is this man?" Saritaji turned towards the priest who had performed the wedding rituals for Prachi and Ranbir.

Saritaji squinted at his face and was taken aback to find a complete stranger. Secure in the knowledge that Aryan had locked the real priest away and amidst all the ensuing events, Saritaji hadn't paid any heed to the priest and after the tension was over, she went outside to receive an important call. It was only now that she had paid attention to the priest.

"That is what I tried to tell this idiot boy before he tied that cloth over my mouth and locked me in that room. I had arrived early as I had some work in a nearby area. You have asked me to play the role of a fake priest here. But never said anything about being locked in a room." Mr. Murthy grumbled.

Prachi turned to glare at Aryan who shrugged sheepishly.

"How would I know? I thought the one that will come earlier has to be the real priest. So, I kidnapped the one who came earlier than the other. Umm...Sorry, Prachi." Aryan grimaced.

"Prachi, the fault is yours. You have entrusted this idiot with this responsibility. Never give Aryan any task where he has to use his own brain or even that simple thing called 'Common Sense'." Sahana giggled, earning a nasty glare from Aryan.

"Of course. You, Sa ha na, are the mine of common sense. That's why you can't even do a simple task alone. You need Prachi to be with you even in the simplest task of spraying chloroform." Aryan made a weird face at Sahana, making her jaw drop.

"You..."Sahana began.

Sahana's furious retort was cut short by a joyful laughter. 

"You see what I meant when I said the Almighty is in my favour. Even the one up there is not sure that if you have taken so much time to say yes to my proposal, how much time you will take to say yes to my marriage proposal. That's why He took everything in his own hands. Accept it or not, Prachi Vrachi, I am in your destiny." Ranbir wiggled his brows at Prachi, still chuckling heartily.

"Ranbir! You are shameless!" Prachi hissed as an endearing shad of crimson tinted her cheeks.

"That I am but only with you." Ranbir whispered, grinning.

"Don't worry, Champ. We will get this accidentally married, destined to be couple married with all rituals in front of the whole world. It has to be a huge affair as it will be the wedding of Abhishek Mehra's daughter and Vikram Kohli's son,. What do you say, Vikram?" Abhishek chuckled.

"I totally agree with you Abhi. But are you sure your champ will be able to wait till all the arrangements are completed? I just hope he doesn't go crazy with all those arrangements for their impending nuptials." Vikram guffawed.

"Dad! Dida, see, how your son is making fun of me." Ranbir complained.

"And what about the way you were embarrassing our Prachi?" Dida raised her brows.

"Absolutely correct. If you can embarrass this sweet girl then why can't your dad embarrass you?" Pallavi corroborated her mother in law's statement.

Ranbir's jaw dropped as he looked from one to the other, flabbergasted.

"Since when did you both change parties?" Ranbir gaped at his mother and Dida.

"Get used to it, my son. I too received this huge shock when Beeji took Pallavi's side for the very first time against me. This is what going to happen from now on. They are never going to take your side against Prachi. I can give it to you in writing. Oh and by the way, just in case you are wondering, I will support Prachi too against you." Vikram laughed.

Ranbir glowered at Prachi who was grinning and then turned a puppy face towards the elders.

"Not fair, you know. Then who will be on my side?" Ranbir sulked.

"Nothing to worry, Champ. I and Pragya will be in your team." Abhishek assured the grumpy lad.

"Of course we will." Pragya corroborated her husband's statement.

The reassurance brought back the smile on Ranbir's face. He turned to Prachi and pulled the collar of his kurti, giving her a smug look. Prachi, on the other hand, showed him her tongue.

"We should return home now." Pragya suggested.

"And that brings me to the very important topic. You and Prachi are coming to Mehra Mansion with me, aren't you?" Abhishek looked at Pragya with so much hope in his eyes.

"But..." Pragya began.

"Please don't say no. I want to return home with my family." Abhishek pleaded.

"Okay. But our belongings..." Pragya began.

"Will be arranged to be brought home or you can yourself visit Saritaji's house tomorrow and bring them back with you." Abhishek cut across before she could complete her objection.

"I think a better idea will be to bring Saritaji home with us. We can drop her to her home tomorrow and then aunty and Prachi and Sahana can pack their belongings and we will bring them back." Ranbir suggested.

"I think that's a very good idea." Abhishek instantly affirmed, afraid that Pragya would raise some other objection.

"Okay. Fine. Let's go home." Pragya relented, making everyone smile.

Saritaji, Aryan, Sahana, the Kohlis and the Mehras walked out of the hall with an air of rejuvenation which was in complete contrast to the aura of listless dejection that was predominant around them at the time of their arrival.

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Prachi was about to get into Abhishek's car after her parents when Ranbir clasped her hand, effectively stopping her. He pleaded through his eyes for Prachi to come with him. Prachi didn't know what to do. On one hand, she didn't want to refuse Ranbir and on the other hand, she didn't know how to say it upfront to her parents.

Lost in their own thoughts, they failed to notice that Abhishek had seen everything in the rear view mirror. He chuckled softly. Pragya turned to look at him quizzically hearing his chuckle. He gestured to the rear view mirror. Pragya followed his glance and sighed happily.

"Let's make things easier for them." Abhishek grinned.

Putting his head out of the window in his side, he called out.

"Prachi, can you come with Ranbir? I want to talk to your mother about something."

Before Prachi could answer, it was Ranbir who jumped into the conversation.

"Sure, Chief. Don't worry. I will bring Prachi home safely." Ranbir assured hastily lest Abhishek changed his mind.

"Okay, Papa, Ma, will see you at home." Prachi beamed at them.

As Prachi and Ranbir made their way to Ranbir's car, Abhishek and Pragya looked on with an identical smile of utter happiness adorning their lips. Both of them were thinking that Pranbir made such an adorable couple and that those two are just perfect for each other.

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Ranbir held the car door open for Prachi like the perfect gentleman that he was. Prachi smiled and got into the car. However, the long, floating dupatta of the bridal wear fluttered in the breeze that was blowing over the place and got stuck into the spokes of the wheel. She felt a tug and an almost inaudible hiss escaped her. However, it failed to escape Ranbir's sharp ears. He was instantly on his knees beside her.

"Prachi! What happened? Are you okay? Are you hurt? If you are hurt then why didn't you tell me? Why are you so quiet? Why are you not saying anything?" Ranbir barraged questions over Prachi as his eyes were roaming over her, checking for some kind of injury.

"I can only say anything if you will give me the chance to do so. You are giving tough competition to Sahana, you know. You have asked one question after the other in one go. Now, calm down. Take a deep breath. And listen to me. I am perfectly fine. It's just that I think my dupatta got stuck somewhere. That's why I felt a tug on my hair." Prachi smiled lovingly, touched deeply yet again by his concern for her.

"Oh that! You got me scared. Okay, let me check. Ah yes! Your dupatta is romancing with the spoke of my car's wheel. Wait. Let me separate the lovers. Come on lover boy, let go of your dream girl." Ranbir began to disentangle Prachi's dupatta carefully.

"Ranbir Kohli, you are crazy!" Prachi giggled.

"Crazy for you. I already know that." Ranbir chuckled, successfully managing to disentangle Prachi's dupatta without tearing it.

Both were unaware that while trying to disentangle Prachi dupatta, Ranbir had rested one arm on Prachi's and that Prachi too had rested her hands over it. As Ranbir tried to get to his feet, the sudden weight on his arm impeded his progress. Frowning slightly, he looked down and his lips curved into a sweet smile as he observed the cause.

Prachi looked at Ranbir who was staring at her from his position on the ground with a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"What? You are not in a mood to get up?" Prachi She frowned in confusion.

"I think you are not in a mood to let me get up." Ranbir chuckled.

Prachi stared at him in innocent confusion.Still chuckling, Ranbir looked at his arm resting on her lap that was still underPrachi's hands. Following his gaze, Prachi looked down. As realization dawnedin, she turned a deep shade of crimson and instantly pulled her hands away.

He thought of pulling her leg over the matter but seeing her not quite meeting his eyes and biting her lower lip shyly, he decided against it. However, an intense sense of peace and contentment had invaded his mind as he realized that she was too comfortable with him to be wary of proximity with him. Walking around the vehicle, he settled down behind the steering wheel. Soon, the car pulled away and was speeding down the road, leaving behind the villa which was rapidly being eaten up by darkness.

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Prachi was staring out of the window at the passing view of the city with unseeing eyes, mulling over the events that took place in rapid succession and left her spinning in a whirlwind of confusion. No, she wasn't confused about her feelings for either Ranbir or this marriage. It was just that everything happened in such an out of the blue manner that it had left her reeling. However, now she had come to terms with the recent developments in her life.

"Prachi" Ranbir called out, startling Prachi out of her musings.

"Hmmm" Prachi turned to him.

"Let's introduce ourselves to each other." Ranbir suggested.

"What? Are you serious?" Prachi laughed, searching his face for some signs of mischief.

"I am damn serious. Come on." Ranbir insisted.

"Why? You don't know me?" Prachi giggled.

"I do. But maybe you don't know yourself." Ranbir smiled enigmatically.

"What do you mean?" Prachi stared at him, bemused.

"Let's introduce ourselves and find out. Hi, I am Ranbir Kohli. Right?" Ranbir smiled.

"Right. Okay, hi, I am Prachi Arora. Right?" Prachi smiled.

"Wrong" Ranbir smirked.

"Wrong? What do you mean?" Prachi stared at him, bemused.

"I meant exactly what you heard." Ranbir  raised a brow.

"Really! And please do me the honours of letting me know how am I wrong." Prachi challenged, annoyed.

"Because, my dear wifey, you are no longer Prachi Arora. You are now Prachi Kohli. Prachi Ranbir Kohli." Ranbir winked.

Her annoyance vanished like a puff of smoke and in it's stead, a rapture and a deep sense of fulfillment seeped into her being. He was right. She was no longer Prachi Arora. She was now his wife. She had never known the rapture of getting married to one's beloved. She did now. And it was an amazing feeling. Her lips curved into a soft smile of their own volition.

"Oye hoye! This smile can make a person lose sanity within seconds." Ranbir flirted.

"Ranbir! Stop flirting and concentrate on driving." Prachi chided, even as her lips twitched at his flattery.

No sooner did she utter the words, that the car screeched to an abrupt halt.

What happened? Why the car stopped? What will happen now? Socho socho. 😁
Hope you all like this part buddies. 😊😊