Vishakha was elated to see Sana, "Arre waah, aaj toh hamari gudiya badi pyaari lag rahi hai."

Deepika pulled her cheeks, jumping around while Sana giggled at her antics.

When Sameer climbed down the stairs and stood with his wife and daughter, wearing an off white kurta with a half jacket in a shade of beige, the three of them together looked no less than royalty.

"Tum logon ko aaj pakka nazar lag jayegi." Vishakha quickly came ahead, dotting behind their ears with a dab of kajal from her eye.

Rohan was made to sit on a chair and Vishakha tied a pagdi for him. Naina performed the customary aarti and they were ready to leave for the venue. From home, they left in cars but stopped at a point half a kilometer away from the decorated wedding hall. Mr Somani and Vishakha had called their guests to join them at the meeting point so that the baraat looks like what it should be, a buoyant gathering... even without any relatives.

Sameer helped Rohan to sit on a white mare and they started walking towards their destination, with the band playing typical marriage beats. A few people danced with Vishakha and Mr Somani. Deepika was excitedly showing all the steps she had learned specially for this occasion.

"Naina, tumhe pata hai, jab main ghodi pe baitha tha, tab mujhe achha toh bohot lag raha tha ki sab naach rahe hain, meri khushi mein khush ho rahe hain, lekin..." Sameer gave her a mysterious look, trailing off.

She looked at him, perplexed, "Lekin?"

He gave a quick touch of his forehead to hers, and winked, "Lekin inn sab ki wajah se dheere chalna pad raha tha toh gussa bhi aa raha tha. Mera mann kar raha tha ghodi ko duada ke tumhare paas le aaun... aur tumhe ussi ghodi pe bitha ke kahin door le jaun... sabse door... jahan bas tum aur main hon."

A faint blush spread on her cheeks. She could very well imagine his desperation to get to her immediately. She had been equally yearning to see him, waiting at her window.

Vishakha gestured to them, and both joined the dancing group, with Sana in Sameer's arm. After a while, Mr Somani offered to hold Sana. Sameer hesitated. Naina pressed his arm, giving a slight nod.

"Tum dono dance karo, Sana apne dadu ke paas khush hai." Mr Somani affectionately tickled her tummy.

Sana let out a loud chuckle. Sameer kept checking them, but she seemed to be comfortable, fascinated by her grandfather's spectacles and thick moustache. Every time he ducked back to avoid her holding onto his specs, she giggled louder.

Naina held his wrists, turning him towards her, "Khelne do, Sameer. Agar unhe dil se ichha nahi hoti toh woh Sana ko nahi lete. Hamari beti ne agar itne saalon ki barf pighla di hai toh tum bhi apne mann se thodi kadwahat nikal do. Beeti baatein bhulai nahi jaa sakti lekin unpe aaj ki khushiyon ka parda daala jaa sakta hai."

He let out a long exhale, as if throwing out the apprehensions, and gave a big smile to his beautiful wife... the reason of all his smiles.

The band started to play the tune of songs of Maine Pyar Kiya, and both were lost in dancing to the music of 'Dil diwana bin sajna ke maane na'. Vishakha waved a bunch of notes over their heads and handed to the boys playing the band.

The groom's party was given a grand welcome, along with a shower of flower petals and spray of rose water. Picking up a bunch of soft petals, Sameer pocketed them discreetly. However, one of Nidhi's cousins saw him, and teased him about it. But he wasn't perturbed anymore, now that they were teasing him as 'senior jiju'.

Nidhi looked resplendent in her deep red bridal outfit and fineries. Naina could relate to the glow of happiness on her face. With a sigh, she leaned on Sameer's arm as the new couple exchanged garlands.

He glanced at her, "Lagta hai apni shaadi yaad aa rahi hai."

Her eyes lifted to gaze at him with love, "Hmm. Tum uss din bhi bohot handsome lag rahe the... aaj ki tarah."

His eyes glittered. Her husky voice, heady fragrance and warm closeness made his pulse erratic. Her enchanting pink lehenga was adding to his need to take her in his arms right away. Looking around, he realised it wasn't possible. The place was swarming with people. He sighed, pushing his hair back with his fingers.

The ceremonies were performed amidst usual laughter, teasing banters and serene chants. Once the pheras were completed, it was time to take the new bride home.

Naina helped Vishakha prepare for the welcome of newly married couple. After her entry to the house in accordance with the customs, Nidhi was taken to her room. Vishakha announced that it was too late and rest of the rituals would be done in the morning.

Sameer had already changed Sana's dress and put her to sleep by the time Naina entered the room after her discussion with Vishakha about next day. The moment she stepped in, door snapped shut behind her. She turned to find Sameer standing next to it. She opened her mouth to ask something... but the words got drowned in a shower of rose petals on her.

"Yeh kya hai?" She asked him, as he went around her in circles, raining the petals from all sides.

"Meri dulhan ka swagat." He stepped closer, once his hands were empty.

Naina held a hand to her mouth, smirking, "Main... aur dulhan? Udhar dekho zara."

He turned to the direction of her pointed finger... where Sana slept peacefully.

Turning his gaze back to her, he cupped her face with one hand, "Tum hamesha meri dulhan hi lagti ho. Aur jab bhi pink lehenga pehenti ho, nayi naveli dulhan lagti ho."

His eyes reflected her glowing face.

"Waise aaj tum bhi kisi dulhe se kam nahi lag rahe." She placed her palms on his chest.

His voice turned heavy, "Dulha hai, dulhan hai... aur kamre mein phool bhi hain. Toh?"

Her eyes lowered to his chest, "Toh... itne achhe jacket aur kurte ke button tootne nahi chahiye na."

He stepped away, hastily pulling apart the buttons of his jacket, and took it off, along with the kurta. Within a minute, he was back to hold her in his arms.

"Ek shikayat hai tumse." His fingers traced her spine.

She flicked up her brows.

His hand travelled up the deep neckline, till it reached her nape, "Yeh dori mujhse kyon nahi bandhwayi?"

She drew patterns in the center of his chest, "Khud bandh li thi. Lekin kholni tumko padegi."

A tug and the strings fell apart. He lowered his head to her neck, feeling the soft skin under his eager lips. She arched back, locking her hands behind his neck.

The fragrance of rose petals all around enveloped them in a redolent mist. The limitations on closeness because of hectic schedule, the ecstatic and romantic environment of a wedding, appreciation for the entrancing outfits of each other... everything made desire run thick in their blood. When his lips sought hers, she kissed back with same passion, her hands moving over his back urgently. When her nails scored his back as he deepened the kiss, his patience snapped. He scooped her up, and laid her on the bed, his eyes darker than the darkness outside. The rhythm of their entangled heartbeats changed as the ecstasy gave way to bliss... and they fell asleep with a satiated smile on their faces.

Next morning, after her bath, Naina quickly dressed up to go down and help Vishakha to set up for the remaining rituals. Sameer and Sana had also finished their bath. He had taken the baby to Deepika's room, on her insistence.

Naina was about to leave when Sameer came back, alone.

"Arre, Sana ko kahan chod aaye? Deepika ke paas? Sameer, woh nahi sambhal payegi." Naina rushed towards the door in alarm.

He caught her wrist, and brought her crashing against himself. Her eyes widened, seeing the glint in his eyes.

"Chodo, Sana ko..."

His fingers were on her lips, "Sana mummy ke paas hai. Nidhi aur Deepika bhi hain wahan."

"Sab hain? Fir toh mera hi intezar kar rahe honge." She turned towards the door again but his grip did not let her move even an inch away from him.

"Naina, kal tum itni sundar lag rahi thi ki main saari raat tumhara chehra hi dekhta raha." He still seemed to be intoxicated from the previous night.

She cheeks flared up, and she lowered her eyes, "Tumhare paas hi toh thi."

His palms flattened behind her narrow waist, "Kahan thi mere paas... Sana ka bed nahi hai yahan pe isliye tum door thi kal."

"Sameer, bas karo. Jaane do, pooja ki taiyari karni hai." Her voice quivered when he pulled her closer.

He nuzzled his nose against her face, "Naina, tumse door hone ko mann nahi kar raha."

"Tum bhi chalo neeche. Saath mein hi rehna." She tried to focus on what needed to be done, and to keep her mind away from what he was doing to her.

"Uh... huh... akele mein... sabke saamne wala saath nahi." He plastered her to himself.

She could feel his hammering heart... her own thudding at the same speed. Their eyes locked with each other, his lips moved towards her mouth.

"Nainaaa bhabhi, mummy pooch rahi hain aap kitni der mein aaoge!" Deepika hollered from the floor below.

Naina jerked at the voice, turning again. Sameer tightened his hold. She looked back to see if someone was at the door but it was locked from inside.

"Maine pehle hi band kar diya tha." Sameer whispered in a husky voice trailing his lips on her cheek.

"Mummy bula rahi hain, Sameer... please jaane do na." She pleaded, scared that Deepika might come up and start banging on the door, making everyone aware that they were alone in the room.

With a deep sigh, he dropped one of his hand from her waist, "Achha baba jao."

She turned, only to be yanked back to him. Her hair were stuck in the button of his shirt.

He smirked, "Aaj yeh button khud hi tootna chahte hain."

Her eyes shot up at him, her cheeks turning a deep shade of pink. He watched amused as she struggled to free her hair from his button.

"Hans kya rahe ho... madad karo na." She whined, watching him give a lopsided smile.

He twitched his mouth, wrapping his arms around her again, "Main pagal thodi hun jo tumhe khud se door karne ke liye tumhari madad karunga."

"Sameer please... sab kya sochenge neeche." She tugged at her errant lock.

"Umm... theek hai, lekin tax dena padega." He raised one hopeful brow.

"Offo, le lena, par abhi toh madad karo." She was exasperated.

He started to open the buttons.

"Tum pagal ho gaye ho? Neeche sab intezar kar rahe hain aur tum..." Her horrified expression changed to surprise when the hair slipped out of the button the moment it was open.

"Main kya? Maine tumhari madad karne ke liye khola tha... tumhe kya laga? Bolo na, kya laga? Achha, toh tum ready ho tax dene ke liye... aisa hai toh..." She put a hand on his mouth, her face turning redder with each of his teasing word.

"Ab yeh toh cheating hai, Naina." He frowned in fake disappointment, his lips brushing against her fingers.

"Hato." She blushed hard, and pushed him back, running away.

She had almost reached the door when he stepped in front of her, blocking her way.

"Madam, pakka sauda karta hun, marwadi hun." His determined voice made her shiver.

In a flash, he turned, pinning her to the door, and claimed her lips. It took her less than a second to melt at his sweet torture. Only when her legs gave away, making her cling to him for support did he lift his face.

"Ab jao." He gave her a complacent smile.

"Ab pehle lipstick lagani padegi, warna sabko pata chal jayega ki..." She mumbled, her ears burning.

"Ki..." He prompted.

"Dhatt." She ran to the dresser.

When she looked back, he was gone.

Vishakha saw him coming down the stairs and asked, "Naina taiyar ho gayi kya? Pooja karni hai."

He shrugged innocently, "Pata nahi, mummy. Main toh terrace pe tha. Aap kaho toh dekh ke aata hun."

"Lo, Naina aa gayi." Vishakha's face eased into a smile.

Sameer stopped at the bottom of stairs, giving her a questioning look as she descended, "Naina, tum room mein akeli kya kar rahi thi? Yahan sab intezar kar rahe hain... mummy kabse bula rahi thi."

She pursed her lips, not looking at him, "Sorry mummy, main woh... mujhe suna nahi... won gaane... gaane chala rakhe the... aur packing kar rahi thi."

Vishakha waved her hand, "Tum Sameer ki baat mat suno. Kuch bhi bolta hai. Itni der bhi nahi hui."

He brushed his fingers against her hand as she crossed him. When she gave him a stern look, he winked.

Rohan and Nidhi together did Ganesh pooja. After the customary games, some of Vishakha's friends came over for bride's muh dikhai.

"Kal toh sabne muh dekh liya tha Nidhi ka fir ab yeh kya hai?" Sameer asked Rohan, wondering why the bride was made to sit on the floor with her face covered.

Rohan shrugged, "Pata nahi. Jo rasm karne ko bade log bolte hain, hum kar dete hain. Bhabhi ki bhi toh hui hogi na."

Sameer nodded, "Haan hui toh thi. Lekin uss samay main itna khush tha ki aakhir sab riti riwaaz ke saath hamari shaadi ho gayi... yeh sab kyon ho raha hai, socha hi nahi."

Rohan looked at him with a smile, then his eyes drifted down to his shirt. His expression changed.

Leaning closer, he asked in a naughty voice, "Bhabhi ko pata hai tum terrace pe kisse mil ke aaye ho... ya main bata dun?"

Sameer gave him a perplexed look.

Rohan pointed at the long hair tangled in his button.

"Kisse milunga main? Of course Naina ka hi hoga na." Sameer hissed at him, quickly pulling the hair out.

Rohan fluttered his eyes, "Lekin tum toh terrace pe the, aur bhabhi room mein... fir kaise..."

Sameer ran a hand through his hair, biting his lip.

Next update tomorrow evening