As Ranbir stepped into his room, he himself was baffled to see the transformation it had undergone. All the flat surfaces of the room, may it be floor or the flat surface of any furniture or the bed, were strewn with rose petals. Perfumed candles had been placed over the dresser, bedside tables, etc which were spreading their warm glow throughout the room.

Ranbir's wandering eyes finally found the object of their quest sitting on the bed with her face covered by the veil. An intense contentment and exhilaration swept over him. Today, the love of his life had truly become his in front of the whole world and now no one can ever take her away from him.

Slowly he made his way to the bed, to his bride, to the love of his life, extinguishing the candles as he went.

A strange nervousness was taking over Prachi. She was ecstatic at having her love as her husband. But there was this strange nervousness too as she was moving towards the unknown. Of course she did trust him more than she trusted herself and knew that he won't ever do anything for which she didn't give her consent. But still the nervousness just wouldn't leave her alone. She began twirling the dupatta around her finger.

Ranbir noticed the gesture that always exhibits her nervousness and smiled affectionately. So, she was nervous. Of course she wouldn't say so. He was the one who would have to alleviate the nervousness. He approached the bed and settled down beside her. Slowly he lifted the veil covering his personal source of life force. 

 Everything he had planned to say just went out of the window as he lost himself in her enchanting beauty. He just stared at her, mesmerized. And then the words came out of their own volition and without any conscious will on his part.

"You know what I am feeling today, Prachi? I am feeling like I am the happiest person on the earth whose all wishes have come true. You are like all my precious gifts combined. In fact you are the most priceless gift for me. I used to be a flirt, harmless but a flirt nevertheless. I used to be someone who was a very whimsical person, a bad guy or atleast I tried to be. But then a fairy from a small town stepped into my life and with swish of her wand, she transformed this bad guy, this playboy into a good person, a faithful lover. I will forever be grateful to those divine guiding angels who guided you to my life, my fairy princess. And now we are together till death do us part." Ranbir concluded with a slight smile.

Prachi's eyes were brimming with tears as the beautiful words touched her heart and intensified her love and respect for this man ten folds.

"I have always seen my mother struggle alone to raise me up and shed tears in the dead of the night for her lost love. Hence, from a very early age I was determined to become independent, both  emotionally as well as financially. I had decided that I won't waste my time on love. Because somewhere I had associated love with agony. But I never knew that love will sneak into my life anyway. I was proud of my independent nature. But I never knew my white night will come and save me from difficult situations time and again. When I came to know the real person with a heart of gold behind the facade of the conceited brat, I fell for him and never surfaced again. I too am thankful to the divine forces for guiding me to my saviour angel." Prachi smiled tremulously as tears cascaded down her cheeks.

[Alert - Mature scenes ahead. Skip if you are not comfortable.]

Ranbir closed the distance between them and cupped her soft cheeks. He wiped the tears off with his thumbs slowly, causing a strange sensation course through Prachi's being. She closed her eyes. Her lips were trembling ever so softly as if inviting him to ravish them.

Unable to resist the invitation, Ranbir leaned closer and touched his lips to her slightly trembling ones.

He brushed his lips with her. Once. Twice. Soon, the passion took over them and they deepened the kiss with mutual consent. 

They lost themselves in the fire of their mutual passion for each other. Several minutes ticked by when they had to part, though very reluctantly, to take in some much needed oxygen. Ranbir took her hands in his gently and kissed the knuckles and then slowly and sensuously trailed a path of scorching heat up her arms with his lips. He kissed her partially bare shoulder. He then kissed the juncture where her neck meets with her shoulder and then touch his lips to the hollow of her neck, making her moan in sheer ecstasy. He then transferred his attention to her other shoulder.

After a while, he parted away from her and met her passion glazed eyes with his full of desire ones. He unwrapped the dupatta from her body and leaned over her while she leaned back and slowly made her lie on the bed while covering her body with his own. He stretched his hand and switched off the light, plunging the entire room into darkness.

[Note - End of mature scenes.]

That night was a new beginning of their life of togetherness, a new turn to their love story.

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The blissful night paved way for an equally glorious morning. The golden rays of the sun sneaked into the room through the curtains and disturbed the sleep of the beautiful bride who had been fast asleep in the protective and loving embrace of her groom.

Prachi blinked once and then twice and then slowly opened her eyes. As the memories of the previous day and night came back to her, a smile as glorious as the morning lit her features. She turned to look at the wall clock. It was seven in the morning. She carefully got up, making sure not to disturb Ranbir and sauntered into the washroom for her morning rituals.

Prachi meandered into the room twenty minutes later and giggled softly seeing Ranbir occupying almost the entire bed and totally dead to the world. She was clad in a beautiful baby pink saree and was about to towel her hair dry which were dripping wet from the shower she had just taken when an impish thought flitted across her mind.

She walked over to the bed and settled down beside a sleeping Ranbir and leaning towards him, shook her head a little. The sudden movement showered Ranbir's face with tiny droplets of water, making him frown and cracked his eyes open.

"What do you think you are doing, wifey?" Ranbir grumbled.

"Waking you up, hubby. Welcome to the world of the living, my sleeping prince." Prachi giggled.

Ranbir snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her over him, making her gasp in surprise.

"Ranbir, what are you doing?" Prachi stared at him in astonishment.

"Punishing my wife for being naughty." Ranbir nuzzled her neck, making her moan softly.

"Let me go, please. It's half past seven already." Prachi mumbled.

"On one condition. Say the three magical words." Ranbir challenged.

"I love you." Prachi whispered.

"I love you too." Ranbir kissed the tip of her nose.

Finally, he let a blushing Prachi run away. Chuckling at his blushing bride, he languidly sat up on the bed and yawned contentedly. Getting to his feet, he made his way to the washroom.

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Pragya, Pallavi and Disha had been instructing the helpers regarding their jobs when they heard footsteps on the stairs. They turned to see a beautiful girl in a pink saree walking down the stairs.

She was looking so different and gorgeous that even Pragya kept staring at her. Disha and Pallavi too admired Prachi's simple yet elegant beauty.

"Good morning, Prachi." Pallavi called out.

"Good morning, mom. Good morning, Masi. Good morning, Ma." Prachi replied with a smile. 

"Good morning, Prachi." Disha smiled.

The greetings successfully brought Pragya out of her reverie, who was thinking how quickly the days have passed and now, her little Prachi was a married woman. But she would always remain her baby girl for Pragya. Pragya thanked the Almighty as not every mother was fortunate enough to keep her daughter in front of her eyes even after marriage.

"Good morning, Prachi." Pragya smiled and opened her arms.

Prachi instantly walked into her mother's affectionate arms and both mother and daughter hugged each other. Pallavi and Disha beamed happily seeing the emotional moment between the mother daughter duo.

"Hey! That's not fair. All of your love is reserved for your mother only? Nobody loves me." Abhishek, who had just entered the hall, whined.

"Awe! I love you, Papa." Prachi parted away from her mother and walking over to her father, hugged him.

"I love you too, princess." Abhishek hugged her back and patted the back of her head affectionately.

"Prachi, where is Ranbir? Don't tell me he is still sleeping!" Vikram looked at Prachi questioningly.

"No, dad. He is awake. He must be coming down anytime now." Prachi smiled.

Daljeet sauntered into the hall. Prachi touched her feet and the old woman blessed her with a happy and prosperous married life. 

"Prachi puttar, today you will have to cook some sweet dish as your first 'Rasoi'. You will be able to cook, won't you? Even if you can't, there is nothing to worry. We, elders, will help you in making the dish." Daljeet assured her, not wanting to scare her away.

"It's okay, dadi. I can make sweet dishes. I am thinking of making 'gazar ka halwa'. Will it be okay?" Prachi inquired tentatively.

"Wow! You really are my princess!" Abhishek exclaimed happily.

"Why?" Prachi frowned in confusion.

"Because it is your father's favourite sweet dish." Pragya clarified.

[OK guys, I don't know what is Abhishek's favourite sweet dish. This is completely based on my imagination.]

"And Ranbir's too." Pallavi added.

"Then shall I make it?" Prachi asked

"Sure. Go for it." Daljeet encouraged her.

Smiling, Prachi made her way towards the kitchen.

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An hour later

Everyone had gathered in the dining hall and settled down in their respective seats. Ranbir was stealing glances of his beautiful wife time and again. 

As the servers served them potato stuffed 'parathas' and cauliflower curry, everyone got busy in relishing the delicious dishes. Ranbir however had other ideas. 

He clasped Prachi's hand that was resting on her lap, making Prachi choke on her food. She started coughing. 

Pragya was about to hand a glass over to Prachi when Ranbir, still not letting go of Prachi's hand, reached out with his other hand and picking a glass up extended it to Prachi who hold it with her free hand and instantly began draining it. After finishing almost half of the water, she replaced it on the table. Pragya smiled at the love between Pranbir.

When everyone resumed having their breakfast, Prachi turned to Ranbir and pleaded through her eyes for him to leave her hand, but he was in no mood to do anything like that. Prachi tried to wrench her hand free but as he was superior to her in physical strength, her efforts bore no fruit after all.

Suddenly, an idea flitted across her mind and deliberately, she dropped her spoon. As everyone looked up, she apologized and bent down to pick it up. With her free hand, she pinched the hand holding her other hand captive, hard. 

Ranbir groaned under his breath and instantly let go of her hand, massaging his abused flesh. Prachi instantly picked the spoon up and straightening, kept both of her hands on the dining table, foiling his plan to catch hold of it again. 

Ranbir's sulking face was a treat to watch and Prachi couldn't help smiling at how adorable he was looking.

Soon, it was time for dessert. When the dessert was served, Abhishek and Ranbir's eyes lit up. They instantly dig into the 'Gazar ka Halwa'. Laughing at their eagerness, others too resumed eating.

"Princess, this is just fantastic. Here goes my gift for you. From me and your mother." Abhishek handed over an envelope to Prachi. 

"What is it, Papa?" Prachi stared at Abhishek curiously.

"It's a honeymoon package to Switzerland." Pragya beamed. 

"Wow! Thanks chief and ma." Ranbir grinned excitedly.

Everyone laughed at his excitement while Prachi blushed the deepest shade of crimson.

"Of course, Ranbir is more excited about the gift than Prachi, are you not bro?" Aryan chuckled, earning a glare from Ranbir.

"Now it's our turn. Prachi this dress is for you." Vikram smiled whiled Pallavi handed over a wrapped package to Prachi.

Prachi untied the ribbons and unwrapped the package to find a beautiful blue dress with the sequined bodice and royal blue skirt.

"And this is from me." Daljeet dadi smiled as she handed over yet another package to Prachi.

Prachi unwrapped the package to find a black jewellery case and as she flicked it open, she was amazed to see the beautiful diamond necklace and earrings set nestled within it.

"And this is from us." Disha smiled, handing over yet another package to Prachi.

Prachi unwrapped the package to find a gorgeous diamond bracelet watch.

Prachi thanked everyone for the beautiful gifts. 

"Now go and get ready. We need to go for shopping as you are gonna leave tomorrow itself for your honeymoon." Pallavi smiled

Everyone consented and as breakfast was over already, all of them retired to their rooms.

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Two hours later, Prachi and Ranbir walked out of the S K Mall with lots of bags in their hands. Most of the packets were with Ranbir.

"Ranbir! There was no need to buy so many things. I already have many dresses and woolen clothes too." Prachi complained for the umpteenth time.

"Prachi! Your dresses and woolen clothes are unsuitable for the weather of Switzerland. That's why it was necessary to buy all these things." Ranbir patiently explained.

"But..." Prachi began

"No ifs and buts. You are one unique specimen, Chikchiki. I have never seen a girl who is not fond of shopping and here you are, doing chikchik as, according to you, we have shopped unnecessarily. You know what? You are dream girl of every man in this respect too, along with others." Ranbir chuckled.

Prachi hit him playfully on the arm. Suddenly, something down the road attracted her attention.

"Ranbir wait!" Prachi shrieked.

"What? What happened?" Ranbir almost dropped the bags he was holding.

"Panipuri!" Prachi exclaimed excitedly.

"Pani....Are you crazy? The way you screamed, I thought something was wrong. And Pani puri is highly unhygienic. Let's go to some restaurant and have some snacks." Ranbir suggested.

"Your hygiene can take a flying leap for all I care. I want to have panipuri. So, I am going to have them. You can eat 'snacks from a hygienic restaurant'." Prachi flicked a stray strand of hair from her face and strode towards the stall of the street food, leaving no other option for Ranbir other than to follow her.

"Are you gonna eat? Come on, Ranbir. Keep your hygiene aside for a while and enjoy the street food. We aren't eating them every day, are we? One day won't make any difference." Prachi insisted.

"Okay. If you say so." Ranbir reluctantly agreed.

Prachi asked the seller to give two plates and both began to eat. As Ranbir put the first panipuri in his mouth and munched on it, his expression transformed from dubious to incredulous.

"Wow! These are really good! I never thought these can be this good." Ranbir exclaimed after gulping down yet another panipuri.

"Told you so." Prachi giggled and raised her invisible collar, making him chuckle.

However, after eating quite a few, Ranbir's eyes began to water and her nose began to turn red. He opened his mouth and began to fan with his hand.

"What happened?"Prachi looked at him anxiously.

"It's so spicy!" Ranbir choked out.

"Ranbir! You are such a baby! Come with me." She replaced her and his plates on the counter of the stall and grabbing his arm, led him towards another stall.

"Now what is this?" Ranbir spluttered.

"Indian ice cream. We call it 'Barf ka gola'. It's sweet and will help relieving the burning sensation caused by the spicy street food." Prachi explained and then turned towards the seller and asked him to give two 'Kala khatta' flavour ice cubes.

Ranbir sighed in relief after biting off a small piece of the ice chunk.

"Ranbir! Don't bite and chew it off in a second! You need to relish it. Suck the syrup off it." Prachi rolled her eyes at his ignorance about these small yet enjoyable things of life.

He did as she had instructed and relished every bit of it. Prachi beamed seeing him enjoying the ice lolly.

"Having fun?" Prachi raised her brows with a smile.

"Very much." Ranbir licked his lips.

They finished the ice lollies and laughing and teasing each other made their way to the car along with their purchases.

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Next morning

Prachi and Ranbir took blessings from the elders and after some teasing from the youngsters, finally made their way to Aryan's car who was going to drive them to the airport.

As they settled down inside the car, the car pulled away from the driveway of the mansion and sprinted towards the highway that would lead them to the airport.

After about thirty minutes, they reached the airport and bidding farewell to Aryan, they checked in.

As Prachi and Ranbir mounted the steps leading to the plane, Ranbir felt a strange tension emanating from Prachi. Till then she had been excited but at that moment it felt as if a strange tension was taking over her excitement and she was holding herself a bit stiffly. He was about to ask her the reason but the airhostess appeared right at that moment and directed them towards their seats.

"Prachi, you can take the window seat and I'll take the aisle one." Ranbir suggested.

"NO. I mean, no, no need, you can take the window seat. I will take the aisle one." Prachi smiled nervously.

Ranbir stared at her with a frown. Something was wrong. The way she reacted on his suggestion insinuated....

"Prachi, are you scared of flying?" Ranbir stared at her quizzically.

"I... Yes, I...I am afraid, but not of flying. Just of the take off." Prachi stuttered.

By then they had settled down on their respective seats.

"So, the fearless Prachi Mehra, nope, Prachi Kohli, is scared of something. That's quite news to me." Ranbir guffawed.

"Ranbir! This is why I didn't want to say anything. You are making fun of me." Prachi whined and hit him on the arm.

"So, all this bravery is used only on me. Otherwise, you are a very scared kitten." Ranbir laughed softly.

"And you are a monkey." Prachi punched him lightly on the arm successively for three – four times.

"Finally!" Ranbir sighed.

"What?" Prachi frowned.

"Look outside." Ranbir leaned back.

Prachi stared out of the window and was stunned to notice that the plane had taken off and was now sailing among the fluffy, milky white clouds. Finally, comprehension dawned on her.

"You did that to distract me from the take off?" Prachi asked, amazed at his thoughtfulness yet again.

"How could I have let the take off scare you, my chikchiki?" Ranbir grinned.

"Thank you, my Baklu." Prachi leaned towards him and placed her head on his shoulders while his arm instantly went around her.

Blissfully oblivious to their surrounding, they relished each other's company and began to talk in very low voices about all and sundry. 

Precap - Honeymoon continues anad a twist in the tale

3400 words

Phew! Finally done! Hope you all like this part.