The garden was glittering with tiny bulbs on the strings that covered the entire open area, making it look like a starry sky... however, these stars appeared much closer. The hedges all around were also covered with fairy lights. A slightly raised platform was put up against a white backdrop... for the performances. Chairs covered with satin fabric were placed, along with thick cushioned comfortable sofas. At the other end of the garden, food tables were set up with a variety of dishes that Sameer and Naina had painstakingly chosen after giving consideration to everyone's choice.

Satisfied with all arrangements, Sameer went back to the room to check if Naina was ready. She had pushed him out of the room after he dressed up.

"Par main kyon jaun bahar? Main yahin baith ke dekhunga tumhe." He did not budge when she tried to push him from the couch where he sat with crossed arms.

"Sameer, zid mat karo... dekho na jaakar ki sab theek se sajaa diya hai na garden mein... khana ban gaya ki nahi... phool aur lights sahi hain ya nahi... ab humne zimmedaari li hai toh usse achhi tarah nibhana chahiye na... mujhe toh tum hamesha hi dekhte ho." She pleaded, pulling at his arm to make him get up.

"Achha jaata hun... par badle mein kya milega?" He straightened, circling one arm around her neck to bring her at his level.

"Kuch nahi... mere liye thodi kar rahe ho jo main kuch dun tumhe... tumhare ghar ki shaadi hai." She gave him a resolute look.

He narrowed his eyes for a moment, the glint of mischief back the next.

"Mere ghar ki shaadi mein meri itni madad karne ke liye main toh tumhe kuch de sakta hun na... toh main hi de deta hun."

Before she could react, he raised his face and met her lips. It was a quick kiss, but deep enough to make her shudder.

"Ab mujhe mera meetha mil gaya hai toh aage ka kaam kar sakte hain... tumhe pata hai na mujhe meetha kitna pasand hai." He winked as he stood up.

Still reeling from his sudden kiss, she held onto his arm for balance.

"Oho, kya baat hai... aaj khud rok rahi ho? Aapke iraade kuch nek nahi lag rahe, Mrs Maheshwari." He glnced at her hands wrapped around his arm.

She had pushed him out of the room, smiling shyly at his teasing.

"Naina, baahar sab ekdum badhiya hai... tum... " He entered the room... and froze.

What he saw took his breath away completely.

She was wearing a full length dress... in beige, with big, bold floral pattern in deep red on the entire outfit. A single pearl string contrasted beautifully with dark flowers on the dress. Her hair were parted in the center, and... he gulped... she wore a maang tika. The look was royal... she looked like a princess, rather, a queen.

"Kaisa laga?" She turned to him, pleased with the effect visible clearly.

Unable to speak, he moved towards her, his eyes not blinking.

She placed her hands on his chest when he was close enough, "Socha tumhe surprise kar dun."

"Tum jaan le logi meri... aise surprise deke." His voice was thick with desire.

"Sameer, manaa kiya hai na aise bolne ko... theek hai, change kar leti hun." She squirmed, frowning.

"Nahi." His arms went around her instantly.

She glared at him.

"Kya karun... saansen hi ruk jaati hain meri... kaise karti ho, Naina... har baar kaise... aaj tak yeh kapde nahi dekhe maine... kahan se laayi... aur kabhi dikhaya kyon nahi... kitna khazana hai tumhare paas mere hosh uddane ka?" He was spellbound.

A smile spread on her lips, "Abhi ki nahi hai... ek baar Mumbai mein li thi... jab Rahul aur Sonali ke ghar gaye the New Year party ke liye."

He narrowed his eyes, "Tab toh black wali li thi... jo choti wali thi."

She smiled, "Dono khareedi thi... socha shayad usse pehnne ki himmat na kar paun... par tum saath the toh himmat mil gayi."

The memories of her in black dress were vivid in his mind.

He marvelled how she had made this modern dress look perfect for a wedding function by adding traditional jewellery to it... her mang tika and big earrings made it look exquisite. And the string of pearls added the intrigue that made her look enchanting.

"Ab hato, mujhe jaldi se baaki ka karne do... sab aate hi honge." She looked up at him, though she didn't make any effort to move away.

"Baaki? Abhi aur kya baaki hai? Behosh karogi kya, jaan?" He grazed her pink cheeks.

"Function hai, Sameer... lipstick lagani hai." She held his wrist, her cheeks getting warmer.

Her answer brought back some more memories... when he had seen her get dressed for pooja in Mumbai... he could never forget the way she had painted her lips.

"Lagao." He left her, resting against the dresser as she turned back towards the mirror.

Picking up a dark red shade, she puckered her lips, and put one stroke each on the upper and lower lip. Then, she pressed them together, applied some more, and pressed again. She checked her reflection, pouting... cleared around the corner, and turned her face a little to check the corner again.

Sameer watched in fascination as her soft, pink lips turned into plump, red invitation.

"Tumhe kiss karne ka mann kar raha hai." His thoughts spilled out.

"Achha... yeh saari lipstick lag jayegi tumhare chehre par... fir sab chidayenge bahar." She glanced at him, amused at the thought of him with red marks on his face.

He suddenly stood facing her, holding her by shoulders.

"Sameer, nahi... dekho, ab bilkul time nahi hai... Preeti ne phone kiya tha, woh log nikal chuke hain... bas pohochte hi honge... please, abhi nahi." She implored, seeing his glittering eyes.

A lopsided smile appeared on his face. She shut her eyes as he leaned, drawing in a sharp breath... but his face seemed to be going over her shoulder. She opened her eyes when the expected touch did not reach her for next few moments.

He stood grinning at her.

She looked at him, perplexed.

He held up his hand... a packet of bindi in it.

"Yeh bohot achhi lagega tum pe." He peeled off one sticker bindi in dark red, and stuck it between the brows.

Turning her to look into the mirror, he smiled at her reflection, "Sameer ki Naina."

She smiled back at him, proud and gratified.

"Arre waah Naina, tu toh aaj bohot sundar lag rahi hai... zaroor Sameer ki pasand hogi." Phulla bua gave her an appreciative look as everyone from her family reached the garden.

"Jee bua dadi... Sameer ki hi pasand hai." She did not deny.

"Pata tha mujhe... itni khoobsurat dress hai... Sameer hi laya hoga." Phulla bua raised her brows as Sameer approached them.

"Sameer ki pasand Naina hai bua dadi... yeh dress isliye khoobsurat hai kyonki isse Naina ne pehna hai." He said while greeting her.

"Haan bhai, ab toh Naina sirf Sameer ki hi pasand ka samaan pehen sakti hai... ab yeh hamari beti thodi hai jo hum iske liye kuch laa saken." Phulla bua exhaled with a sad expression.

"Aapki beti sabse pehle hai... aap jab chahen iske liye kuch bhi laa sakti hain." Sameer said warmly.

Phulla bua looked at Bela. She handed over a packet from the multiple bags she was holding.

"Yeh tere liye hain... kal shaadi mein pehenegi toh mujhe khushi hogi." Bua dadi held out the packet to Naina.

"Kya hai ismein, bua dadi?" Naina curiously started to open the wrapper.

"Abhi nahi, baad mein dekhna, abhi sambhal ke rakh aa... aur haan... Sameer ke liye kuch kapde bhi hain." She gave one more packet to her.

Sameer was pleasantly surprised. He and Naina had already bought clothes for the wedding but now he wanted to wear what bua dadi had bought for him. She had earlier bought clothes for him in Mumbai, at the time of Rahul's wedding... and he had loved them. Her choice was exemplary. And the thought that she specially bought something for him enthralled him.

Naina took both packets and went inside to put them safely in the cupboard.

Swati's family arrived a little later, followed by Munna Pandit and their relatives.

Soon, the garden was bustling with people. Ramdhari was given the task of supervising the waiters of catering staff, so that snacks and soft drinks could be served efficiently to all the guests.

"Suno, woh badaam wala sharbat bhi hai kya?" Taiji asked one of the waiters.

"Jee, hai... aur thandai bhi... saath mein gulaab ki lassi bhi hai." The waiter replied.

"Achha, sab le aao ek ek glass." Taiji's eyes lit up.

But her bad luck did not leave her. The moment waiter approached her, Phulla bua walked over from the other side.

"Arre beta, zara ek glass paani lana." She told the waiter.

"Jee abhi laya, bas yeh teeno glass inko de dun." He bowed politely.

Phulla bua looked at the direction he was pointing. Taiji shifted nervously in her chair.

Phulla bua looked back at the waiter, speaking in a low voice, "Inke liye nimbu paani le aa... yeh sab nahi pi sakti... tabiyat theek nahi hai... aur ab maange bhi toh mat laana... warna zyada bimaar ho jayegi... darasal isse pata nahi chalta kitna khaa rahi hai... isliye humein hi dhyan rakhna padta hai... samajh gaye na, beta?"

He nodded vehemently, quickly taking the drinks back... with taiji looking at his retreating back with greedy eyes. She didn't know what Phulla bua told him, but was sure that her plan of having good food and snacks would not be successful.

"O bai, kahin bhi khaane nahi deti... na apne ghar pe na doosron ke ghar pe." She muttered under her breath.

Phulla bua heard what she said, but decided to ignore it. After having the glass of water, she went back to where other ladies were sitting.

"Kal Preeti ke ghar kyon nahi aayi tu?" Munna cribbed the moment he got a chance to be alone with Swati.

"Maine toh kaha tha... mummy ne manaa kar diya... kaha haldi, mehendi lagne ke baad kahin nahi jaate." Swati sadly told him.

"Fir aaj kaise aa gayi?" Munna narrowed his eyes.

"Badi mushkil se aayi hu... Jaipur wali buaji ne shor macha diya tha ki sangeet mein thodi kahin jaate hain... ladke ke saath toh bilkul nahi... aur jaana hi hai toh baaki log jao... Swati ghar pe rahegi... papa ne itni mushkil se haan karwayi unse." She looked in the direction of a stiff, middle aged lady sitting in a corner with a sullen expression.

"Chal jaane de, mood mat kharab kar... kal toh shaadi ho hi jayegi... uske baad yeh bua, mausi, chachi, tai kuch nahi keh payengi." He pressed her hand, making her smile.

"Tumne dance ki practice toh ki hai na, Pandit?" Preeti asked as they sat together in front.

"Aur nahi toh kya... aise hi thodi aa jaunga... dekhna kya zabardast dance karunga." He said confidently.

"Matlab nahi ki." Preeti sighed.

He was stunned, "Tumhe... tumhe kaise pata chala?"

"Biwi ka pehla kaam hota hai apne pati ka jhooth pehchanna." Preeti shrugged.

Pandit shifted closer to her, "Aye haye, do mahine mein poori biwi ban gayi ho... badi jaldi tarakki kar li tumne."

"Do mahine nahi do s... " She checked herself before blurting out the truth.

"Kya?" Pandit gave her a perplexed look.

"Kuch nahi." She lowered her eyes.

"Maine kabhi socha nahi tha tumhe bhi ladkiyon ki tarah sharmana aata hoga." Pandit was mesmerised by the spread of colour on her face.

"Kyon, main ladki nahi hu kya?" She smiled.

"Yaar, tum na kabhi ladki jaisi lagi hi nahi thi." It was his turn to blabber.

"Kya?" And her turn to be shocked.

"Nahi, matlab... ladki hi thi... bas woh kabhi koi jhijhak ya ghabrahat nahi hui tumhare saath, jo ladkiyon ke saath hoti hai... na kabhi tumne nakhre dikhaye ya koi tamasha kiya." He stated in one go.

"Tamasha?" She raised her brows.

"Haan woh karti hain na ladkiyan... baat baat pe rooth jaana... nayi, nayi, farmaishe rakhna... apni har baat manwane ke liye rone lag jaana... har galti ke liye ladkon ko hi dosh dena... koi bhi baat... " He stopped abruptly, seeing the seething look in Preeti's eyes.

"Tumhe bada pata hai ladkiyon ke baare mein? Samose khate khate yeh research karte the kya? Kaunsi ladki ke nakhre uthaye hain jo yeh sab bol rahe ho?" She scowled.

"Beta Pandit, taala laga le muh pe... hoshiyari dikhane ke chakkar mein kahin shaadi se pehle talaak na hi jaaye." His mind voice warned him.

Next update tomorrow evening