~ Love is important, but trust is the foundation. Without trust, love can never really bloom~

Recap: Kabir and Navya's Haldi ceremony.

The whole clan was busy dolling up for the most awaited night before the actual wedding, and the younger  generation, to be honest, was far more excited  for the Sangeet than the wedding.

It was Sangeet and Mehndi Night that day, and as much excited the females were for the fragrance of heena in their hands, the men's were no less, ready to show off their perfect dance moves. As the dusk descended into the night, the people started gathering one by one in the banquet hall.

Firstly the soon to be one couple was called, and all the eyes were on them, as Navya entered in a peach Indo-western gown, her hairs straightened and nude makeup with heavy earrings, while Kabir maintained his cool dude image in a black kurta, and a dark orangish jacket, with goggles.

Following them, other friends and family entered, the aunties enthusiastically sitting down for Mehndi while the men stood aside, drinking soft drinks watching their wives.

Coincidentally, Manik and Nandini entered a little late, but together, though they came from opposite sides, owing to last minute work both were indulged in. But once, their eyes caught each other, they were lost!
Nandini looked more than pretty in her off green lehnga and super gorgeous earrings. Not to forget, she had her hair down, just the way he liked. Even Manik looked nothing less than a prince in his off white sherwani, clean shaved look and an extra charming smile.

Before they could drown more in each other's orbs, the loud sound of the DJ brought them out of their trance. The music had began, along with which, Navya's mehndi also had started. Kabir was busy stealing glances of his lady love while one by one the relatives were setting the stage on fire. Then all of a sudden the lights went off and when it came back, the stage was occupied by Kabir's and Navya's parents. While the mothers were blushing, the father's were smirking, watching the shocked faces of their children, which went from surprise to awe as the song played!

Aajkal tere mere pyaar k charche har jaban per!

Achha?

Sabko maloom hai aur sabko khabar ho gyi!

Toh kya?

The whole crowd hooted and shouted at the song and  watching the signature steps on the stage. After a splendid performance, they came down only to be teased like hell by their children and friends. Kabir and Navya were ecstatic at the effort their parents took, and were smiling, teary eyed.

Within all the fuss, Manik eyed Nandini while she nodded and once again the light went out.
This time without the lights the music started, with the music started, and the romantic melody gave people goosebumps.

As the lights came back, Manik and Nandini were standing on the stage, Nandini in front of Manik and their hands up as in asking for dua.

As their hands descended down in a rhythm, the lyrics came into play.

Sajde me yu hi jhukta hu,
Tum pe hi aake rukta hu,
Kya ye sabko hota h!

Manik danced twirling Nandini and Nandini twirled with grace finally standing still in front of him and playing hide and seek around his shoulders she sang the further lines.

Humko kya lena h sabse,
Tumse hi sab baatein abse,
Ban gye ho tum meri dua...!

Manik smiled at her lines and yanked her closer to him while enclosing her waist and in a swift notion picked her up while she raised her hands up in the air smiling at her fullest.

Khuda Jane ki mai fida hu,
Khuda Jane mai mit gya!
Khuda Jane ye kyu hua h, 1
Ki ban gye ho tum mere khuda....!

Again the music followed and Manik took Nandini for a salsa. Their feet moved in a proper rhythm while Manik was holding her by her waist and she was taking support of his shoulder, both were drowning in the emotions they were portraying for each other.

Tu kahe to tere hi kadam k mai nisano pe, chalu ruku ishare pe!
Tu kahe toh khwabo ko banake mai baharo sa, ruka karu sirhane pe!
Hoooo...
Tumse dil ki baatein sikhi....
Tumse hi ye raahein Sikhi....
Tumpe Mar k mai to jee gya...!

Manik took her in a twirl while rounding her and she did with a peaceful smile on her lips and they ended with a perfect salsa pose!

As they ended, the complete hall burst into loud claps, praising them, while a rosy blush creeping up the cheeks of Nandini and a sheepish smile playing on Manik's lips, they were indeed a sight to watch.

But a pair of eyes more was watching everything in minute detail, who was not at all happy with what she saw. She knew it wasn't the bridesmaid and the best man performing, She knew her daughter well and the comfort level she was having with Manik was not friendship.

As soon as the Nandini finished with mehndi on her both hands, Damini, her mother came and dragged her upstairs - to know clearly what she already had an idea about.

She took Nandini upwards without anyone noticing it and locked the door of the room.

" Is there anything you want to share Nandu?", she straightforwardly asked her daughter, who was shaking with fear and eyeing the ground. Nandini was usually not afraid of her mother, except sometimes and this was one of those. In her excitement of sharing the stage with Manik, she had completely overlooked the fact that her parents were here too.

" Maa it's just that....it's ..", Nandini was shaking in nervousness although she was very free to her mother and also the more pampered daughter.

" It's just that you are madly in love with him or something like that, isn't it?", Damini completed the sentence for her daughter and Nandini nodded in response. Damini was not shocked. Being her mother, she could easily read her daughter's expressions, her thoughts and her dilemmas. She made Nandini sit in front of her and held her hand in hers.

" Nandini look at me beta, you do not need to look down. Falling in love is not a crime, but at same time, it's not for people like us. Do you think your father will accept your decision so easily? Or forget that, can't u see the status difference between both the families? Do you have ever considered the possibility that what if you both could not be together? Falling in love and confessing is easy beta, but what about your future? I have seen in your eyes as well as his, you both are getting too attached and too dependent on each other, this is not correct beta, atleast not till there is a sure possibility of you both sharing a common future. Getting it?", Damini said softly explaining her daughter the real and practical world. She as a mother had full rights to see the pros and cons of the relation her daughter was in. She wanted Nandini to be a little practical and seeing Nandini silent, she thought that she needs a little time to contemplate everything and hence she left her alone for some time.

As soon as Damini left, all those tears that Nandini was holding back since long started wetting the bed sheet and her dress as she broke down very badly. All her built in insecurities and fears that Manik had managed to heal resurfaced and Nandini could not comprehend what to do. She had always fantasized love and dreaded it at the same time. For the very same reason- she was afraid of the consequences! What if it isn't a happy one? She always felt that destiny had some issue with her for never ever even in most needed circumstances had destiny did her a favour. And today, although her mother had meant good for her, but she did woke up all her fears once again. And this time there was no one to tell her that everything would be okay. Kabir was busy and so was Manik. And since her turmoil was eating her up, her rational mind had stopped working.
She silently wiped her face and went downstairs where the sangeet function was almost wrapped off. Everyone bid their good byes and went as it was going to be a very hectic day next. Manik did notice something off with her but she shrugged him off saying she was tired.

The next morning was all in a hustle bustle with everyone running around for the final arrangements and the ladies calling for the makeup artist and finalizing their outfits. The bride had her beauty sleep and was all in her glory when everyone turned at her doorstep. After a very very hectic day, finally everyone got ready. Nandini was the first one to be ready, in a royal blue lehnga and as soon she finished dolling up, she ran to Navya to help her on her most precious day.

As she went to her room which was already preoccupied by Navya's mother, sister, cousins and aunts, she could not help but smile at their enthusiastic faces which were smiling inspite of the tears that were threatening to fall. She went up and helped them in the final touch up of the to be bride and when finally Navya turned no one could get their eyes off her. She was indeed the most beautiful bride ever.

On the other hand, at Kabir place, Manik was standing in front of the mirror looking at himself, ready in a blue sherwani that Nandini had selected for him and smiling when Kabir's voice interrupted him from behind.

"It's my wedding today not yours, if you remember!", He said sarcastically and Manik turned with a smile.

" Indeed it is...don't worry bro...it doesnot matter how much handsome I look...today the show is all yours!", Manik replied with a wink and Kabir instantly broke into pearls of laughter. After good 30 minutes, the groom was also ready to woo the bride with his looks!

At the specified time, the baraat went with lots of songs and dances to the bride's place where the bride's parents and relatives were ready to welcome the bride and his relatives. After the initial rituals it was time for the wedding rituals to start. Manik was waiting impatiently to see his lady love once and after a few more minutes of waiting, he finally saw Navya coming downstairs looking ethereal and beside her was Nandini, in all her beauty and elegance, smiling and taking to people around her but something caught his eyes immediately.

Something was missing - may be her genuine smile, may be the actual glow on her face! As soon as their eyes met, she immediately looked down that again confirmed his doubt. He mentally noted to talk to her as soon as possible but little did he know that one phone call was going to change all their lives again in a minute!