I know the outfits in the pic don't match... please use your imagination to see yesterday's outfits in this sequence 😌

Naina freshened her lipstick and brushed her hair again.

"Idhar dekho." She turned to Sameer.

He was still trying to calm his raging emotions, breathing hard.

"Naina, yun saamne rahogi toh shayad aaj bahar jaa hi na payein hum dono." He groaned, eyes stuck on her luscious, pink lips again.

"Lipstick lagake rakhoge toh bahar jaane layak rahoge bhi nahi." She smirked, wiping off the faint pink smudges around his mouth.

"Kya?" He quickly peered into the mirror, checking himself from all angles.

"Maine saaf kar di." She said softly.

He looked at her again, his gaze slowly moving up from her feet. Everything was in place, except one thing.

"Tumhari bindi kahan hai?" He frowned.

Naina checked her reflection. The forehead was devoid of the small diamond stick on bindi. She checked around her face... there was no sign of it.

Plucking out another one from the packet, she stuck it between her brows, "Gira di tumne."

When they went out, a few people were seated in the living room, along with Phulla bua.

"Bela, sun toh zara." She called out the moment she saw Naina and Sameer.

"Jee buaji." Bela rushed out from the kitchen.

Phulla bua waved at her to come closer, whispering in her ear, "Dono ki nazar utaar de... aaj kuch zyada hi achhe lag rahe hain... inhe dekhkar jalne walo ki kami nahi hogi."

Bela looked back at them, her eyes brightening at the beautiful sight.

She quickly went back to the kitchen, asking them to follow her.

"Kya baat hai, chachiji?" Naina was apprehensive about the secret exchange between chachiji and bua dadi.

Without a word, Bela picked up a few things and started moving her fisted hand around them.

Sameer followed the movement of her hand, perplexed.

He quirked up his brow at Naina. She blinked, dipping her head to the side.

Once Bela was done with the ritual, she put aside the stuff in her hand and turned to them.

"Aaj itne sundar lag rahe ho tum dono ki jo dekhega, nazar laga hi dega." She touched her little finger to the corner of her eye and dabbed it behind their ears simultaneously.

Sameer gazed proudly at Naina, now understanding what was being done.

Bela was overwhelmed by the loving look in his eyes.

"Hamesha aise hi pyar se rehna." She patted his cheek.

"Ek minute, yeh kya hai?" Holding his chin, she turned his face sideways to take a closer look.

Naina blushed to the roots as Bela chachi picked out the stone bindi from the side of his face, raising her brows at them.

"Beta, yeh bindi Naina pe hi achhi lagti hai, tumhe iski zaroorat nahi hai." She held out the finger to Sameer, smiling.

The colour spread on his face as too, and he pursed his lips.

Bela smirked at their red faces, turning her back towards them as she started to arrange the things they had to take to the venue.

Naina glared at Sameer. He pressed his lower lip with his teeth, holding one ear. She pouted, not able to hold onto her anger any longer. Flicking the tip of her nose, Sameer walked out.

Bela saw their reflection in the glass window in front of her, smiling fondly.

Naina looked back at her, nervously twisting her fingers, "Woh chachiji, main na... matlab, shayad baal banate hue... haan, main baal bana rahi thi toh Sameer ko apna brush chahiye the toh woh lene lage toh main wapas cheen rahi thi toh uss jhagde mein... "

Bela laughed silently at her efforts to clarify. Putting away the bags she had prepared, she turned.

"Aisa kuch jhagde mein na ho toh hi achha hai, lekin kisi aur wajah se ho jaaye toh koi baat nahi... bas bahar aane se pehle ek baar check kar liya kar." She  said in a gentle voice.

Naina lowered her eyes, nodding slightly. Bela cupped her face and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Ek maa ke liye isse badi khushi ki baat kya ho sakti hai ki uski beti ko itna pyar karne wala jeevansathi mila hai." She said lovingly.

A faint, shy smile appeared on Naina's face.

Bela hugged her, "Hamesha aise hi rehna."

By the time Naina reached the venue, both brides were ready.

Preeti was dressed in a red and green lehenga, with a thin border and light embroidery... her dupatta glittered with heavy sequins work though. She had chosen sleek jewellery to go with her outfit, not comfortable with anything elaborate. A simple but big nose ring, along with a chain made her look dreamy. Hands covered in henna up to the elbows, dozens of bangles on each wrist, the way she elegantly held her lehenga... it all appeared surreal. It was the first time Naina was seeing her sister like this.

"Bohot sundar lag rahi hai tu... Pandit behosh na ho jaye dekhte hi." She winked.

"Haath mein samosa pakad ke jaungi... fir uska dhyan mujhpe jayega hi nahi." Preeti chuckled.

"Rehne de, aaj samosa, kachori kuch nahi dikhega tere aage... Pandit ki aankhen tujhse hatengi hi nahi... saare samose jalebi se zyada pasand aane wali hai aaj tu." Naina teased her.

Preeti smiled shyly, her face glowing with happiness that filled her heart.

"Main achhi nahi lag rahi kya?" Swati's disappointed voice made them look at her.

She had just finished adjusting her dupatta, making sure that the white floral strings she had put in her hair were visible on the shoulders.

Naina turned to look at her best friend. Dressed in a deep red lehenga that was covered with heavy golden work all over, Swati looked resplendent. Short sleeves of her blouse showed off the armlet on her fair arms, along with rich colour of mehendi. Her heavy jewellery matched the intricate work on her clothes. The edge of her dupatta had tiny beads dangling around her face. Swati always loved to dress up, and today being her special day, she had insisted on proper makeup. Naina took in the glittering eyelids, thick liner, rosy cheeks, highlighted nose and forehead, red lipstick... Munna would definitely fall in love with her again.

"Heroine lag rahi hai tu... ekdum Madhuri Dixit." She complimented her friend, knowing her craze for film actresses.

"Sachhi." Swati squealed in exhilaration.

"Dekh, maine payal bhi Madhuri jaisi li hai... jaisi usne Beta film mein pehni thi." She quickly lifted her lehenga to show the heavy, golden payal on her ankles.

Preeti rolled her eyes, "Itne bojh ke saath tu chalegi kaise, Swati... sar se leke paon tak zevar pehne hain... main toh inmein hi pareshan ho rahi hu."

Swati checked herself in the mirror again, satisfied with what she saw, "Ek din thodi takleef utha bhi li toh kya... aakhir shaadi hai aaj... aur shaadi wale din toh sabse sundar lagna hi chahiye... photo khichengi na."

"Yeh shaadi ke chakkar mein kya kya papad belne padte hain, yaar... Naina, woh halki wali shaadi, jaisi tumhari Mumbai mein hui thi, court mein... usmein koi kami hoti hai kya... ek ghante mein sab khatam, shanti se, saadgi se... yahan dekho, ek hafte se aise lage hue hain jaise Ramleela chal rahi ho... roz saare mohalle ko ikatthe baith ke dekhni hi hai... main toh kabhi na karun fir se aisi shaadi." Preeti sat down with a thud, waving herself with her palms.

Naina hit her arm lightly, "Fir se ka kya matlab? Shaadi kitni baar karte hain... ek hi baar hoti hai na?"

Preeti gave her a flustered look, "Tu toh rehne hi de... yahan jitne bhi log honge na, unmein se kisi ne teri tarah teen baar nahi kar rakhi hogi... aayi badi 'shaadi toh ek hi baar hoti hai'."

Swati giggled at Preeti's mimicry.

Naina pinched her cheeks, laughing at her irritation with things.

"Kya kar rahi hai? Makeup kharab ho jayega." Preeti frowned, tapping her cheeks.

While other two smirked at her contradicting reactions, she got up to check in the mirror.

"Daant kya dikha rahe ho... itni der se iss Swati ki bachhi ke saath hun... thoda asar toh aayega na... ab photo toh meri bhi khichengi toh sab sahi hona chahiye na." She touched the compact to her cheeks.

"Waise Naina, aaj tu bhi badi pyari lag rahi hai." Preeti said, checking her from top to bottom through the mirror.

"Naina toh hamesha hi achhi lagti hai." Swati stated, giving an appreciative glance to her friend.

"Aur hamesha hi jijaji ghayal... aaj bhi hue ya abhi dekha hi nahi unhone?" Preeti turned, winking at her.

"Hum saath mein hi... " Naina blurted out, biting her tongue as she realised she had given them fodder for teasing her.

"Oho, Swati, lagta hai mere wahan na hone ka kisi ne poora fayda uthaya hai." Preeti walked upto her, nudging her shoulder.

"Yeh nahi bhi uthati par Sameer ne pakka uthaya hoga... kyon Naina... bata na... kitni der lagi taiyar hone mein... Bela chachi ne poocha nahi 'Naina, beta waise toh tu pandrah minute mein taiyar ho jaati hai par aaj ek ghanta laga diya'... ya fir kisi rishtedar ne darwaza khatkhata diya?" Swati sniggered, enjoying her discomfort.

"Eeeik minute, yeh kya tum dono mere peeche pade ho... aaj mera din hai tumhe chhedne ka." Naina kept her hands on waist, infuriated.

Both Preeti and Swati noticed her kamarband at the same time.

"Hayeee Naina, kitna sundar kamarband hai... tere paas tha aur tune bataya nahi kabhi... main bhi mummy se kehti mere liye laa den... aaj pehenna tha mujhe." Swati looked at it adoringly.

Preeti gave her a weary look, "Dabi hui hai pehle hi... gehno ki dukaan lag rahi hai... aur kitna pehenegi... jijaji ko dhoondna padega chehra kahan hai."

Swati scowled at her, but before she could say anything, the sound of approaching baraat made them alert.

"Baraat aa gayi." Swati excitedly looked at the window.

Naina rushed to see if Sameer was with the procession, as he had said he would join them when they were about to reach the venue. Preeti and Swati peeked from the window while Naina stepped out in the balcony.

And there he was... with a red bandhej pagdi... dancing along with other people, while both his friends swayed sitting on white mares.

Sameer's eyes fell on Naina, admiring him from afar. He looked around, and discreetly gestured at her to come down.

Naina straightened... of course, she can join him... she was from the boys' side as well.

"Main jaa rahi hun neeche." She informed her friends, running past them.

The two girls smiled knowingly... they had seen Sameer calling her... and if one has called, the other could not stay back.

Naina sprinted down the stairs, holding her lehenga well above her feet.

At the main entrance, her family, along with Swati's family, stood to welcome the grooms.

She stood behind Bela, breathing heavily because of the running... not sure if she should join the dancing group.

"Tumhare devaron ki shaadi hai... ek baar baraat mein nachna toh banta hai." Sameer extended his hand, seeing her hesitate.

Naina looked at Anand. He nodded with a smile.

She held Sameer's hand, and stepped in to dance with him on the peppy tune being played by the band.

His eyes repeatedly went to her kamarband as it jerked along with her dance moves. Keeping his hands away from her was the most difficult thing for him for next few minutes.

When the band finally stopped, and the grooms were welcomed by their mother in laws, all the guests in baraat started to go in. Naina was walking a little ahead of Sameer.

"Lalita ji, yeh ladki jo abhi naach rahi thi, yeh kaun hai?" A female voice reached his ears from behind.

"Koi dost hogi, rishtedaron ko toh hum jaante hi hain... kyon, kya hua?" The lady replied.

"Badi sundar si hai... aise maukon pe rishte milna aasan hota hai... mere devar ke bete ke liye dhoond rahe hain na... aap zara Manoj ki maa se puchiye kaun hai yeh... baat main apne aap chala lungi." First voice was confident.

Sameer's blood boiled to hear them talking about his Naina. He looked behind. The lady who wanted to know about his wife was a heavy, bejewelled, harsh looking person. He did not want her to even glance in Naina's direction.

There was only one way to do so right now.

"Naina." He called out.

She turned. He scrunched his nose, holding his wrist.

Naina was next to him in an instant.

"Sameer, kya hua? Chot lag gayi kya... kahan... dikhao... kaise lagi...dhyan kyon nahi rakhte apna... ab dikhao toh kahan lagi." She was almost in tears.

"Chot nahi lagi, bas haath mein dard  ho raha tha." He rubbed his wrist.

"Haath mein kyon dard ho raha hai?" She held his hand, worriedly twisting it to see if he was hurt.

Sameer watched from the corner of his eye as the two ladies stopped a few steps away from them, shocked to see the same girl holding a boy's hand in front of everyone.

He smiled at his wife, "Itni der se tumne pakda jo nahi yeh haath... isliye dukh raha tha... ab choo liya hai toh sab theek hai."

She widened her eyes at him, "Yahan bhi shuru ho gaye."

Quickly leaving his hand, she looked around... and flushed as the two ladies stared at her.

They were not within hearing distance but they had seen the hand holding and her blushing reaction.

As they stepped ahead, thinking that they would talk to Munna's mother later, Sameer slipped an arm around Naina's waist.

She gave him a startled look.

"Aise kya dekh rahi ho... apni biwi ke saath hun... apni Mrs Maheshwari ke saath." He grinned.

The two ladies stopped in their tracks as Sameer smugly walked away... happy that both his purposes were solved.

Next update tomorrow evening