Check if you've read the previous update.

Unedited..

"Shubh Managala Savadhan", the priest chanted and the veil between Vivek and Naina was lowered. They both smiled at each other. Naina put the flower garland around Vivek's neck and it was Vivek's turn to do the same. However, Sidharth and Adith lifted up Naina to tease Vivek a little. Everyone around enjoyed the banter and had a hearty laugh.

Rekha asked Sana to tie the loose end of the veils of the bride and groom as a ritual (gatbandan) and she happily obliged.

As bride's brother, Sidharth poured the puffed rice into the Naina's hand which were placed over her groom, who then offered it to the sacred fire (Laaja homa). Rest of the rituals of the wedding ceremony followed smoothly.

As a blessing, everyone ushered Akshata (raw rice coated in turmeric and vermilion) on the newly married couple.

Sidharth nudged his elbows with Sana's to bring her out of her thoughts. Sana looked at him who was standing beside her. He poured some Akshata on her head and chuckled.

"Sidhaaarth.. what are you doing?", Sana whined stroking her hair.

"Troubling my better half..", he whispered.

"Don't you have any other work?", She asked rolling her eyes and walking away. Sidharth followed her and took a seat beside her.

"Hmmm.. Why are you angry?", he asked.

"Who? Me? Nope.. Why would I be angry? In fact, I am very delighted because you haven't spoken to me even once since the wedding began.", Sana said sarcastically.

"Oh! But I was busy with work sweetheart.", He gave reason for his missing.

"Yeah, I saw that. You were serving juice to Divya earlier.", Sana mumbled grumpily.

"Huh? Didn't you see that I served juice to her brother, Vivek as well? Why are you so jealous of her?", Sidharth asked.

"Because that b!tch tried to snatch you away from me. Did you forget?", Sana reminded.

"I really did. She is now my cousin's wife and is soon going to be the mother of his child. Now stop crying over her.", Sidharth replied

"You didn't even tell me how am I looking in this dress.", Sana complained with a pouty face.

"Wow!!", He checked her out from top to bottom causing her cheeks to go red.

"Damn! Sana? How could you marry such a loser?", Sidharth spoke with a shocked expression while covering his mouth with his palm.

"Huh?", Sana narrowed her eyebrows in confusion and stared at him.

"Yeah! I think you should just leave him and marry me because you know, I have been ogling at you since the time I laid my eyes on you in this outfit.", Sidharth suggests holding her hand in his.

"What? Have you gone nuts?", She pulled her hand away.

"No, I am serious.", He said holding her hand yet again.

"Yeah, of course!!", She scoffed in annoyance and got up to leave.

...
...
...

The wedding was over and all the guests left. The close ones stayed back to conclude the marriage by giving a send off to the brides with their respective grooms. Sidharth's family bid farewell to Naina with moist eyes. Looking at them even Shanti and Naveen became emotional.

"Oh!! Sana, I left my vest hanging on the terrace, can you please get it.", Sidharth said. He was loading a box of belongings into a vehicle, just as everyone was about to leave the wedding hall.

Sana nodded her head in agreement and went to the terrace. When she returned, she was puzzled to see no one in the hall.

"Maa.. Papa..", She went out to the front porch, but there was nobody.

"Sidhaaarth..", she called inspecting the surrounding.

"Sana..", came a voice from behind the pillar

"Adith Bhau.. where is everyone?", She asked looking at Adith, who rubbed the cigarette butt to the compound wall before disposing it.

"They just left. I was waiting for you. Sidharth asked me to drop you home.", Adith said.

"Hmm.. ", she hummed with a little disappointed face. Now that the wedding was over, she wanted to go with Sidharth.

Sitting behind Adith on the bike, she remembered how Sidharth had teased his crying sister while sending her off.

"Bhaiyya, are you crying?", Naina asked with welled up eyes.

"Me? Crying!! Nope, these are tears of joy, stupid. At last tonight, Sana and I are going to share the room.", He nagged his sister along with causing Sana's cheeks to go crimson.

"How shameless Bhaiyya.. atleast you could have faked to be sad infront of me.", Naina played along after giggling.

"Why should I? I am not like you, who is bubbling over with joy from inside on being married but faking tears. I am clear as real," He smirked.

"Hahaha.. look who is talking? The one who hid his marriage from everyone.", Naina teased him showing her tongue.

He hit her head playfully and hugged her before letting her go with her husband.

The bike stopped with a jolt breaking her chain of thoughts. She looked around to see an unfamiliar place.

"Bhau, what place is this?", Sana asked inspecting the surroundings.

"It's a temple, Sana. It is believed that whoever prays at the shrine, will soon find their soulmate and get married.", Adith said.

"Oh!! I can already hear the wedding bells ring.", Sana giggled.

"Stop making fun and promise me that you won't tell Sidharth about this. He will mock me for the rest of my life.", Adith warns making her laugh uncontrollably and nod.

"Zzzzzziiippp", Sana pressed her lips thin and gestured to zip her lips as a word to Adith.

"Thanks", Adith smiled and starts walking towards the temple gate.

"Sana? Why are you still standing there? Come along", Adith called turning back.

"Did you forget that I am already married? You signed in the witness box", Sana reminds.

"Well, you can still come and pray. There is no harm in doing so.", Adith said.

"Okay", Sana shrugged and followed him.

"Oh wow!! There is a little wedding ceremony going on here.", Sana looked at the little wedding set up. She saw the groom's feet peeking from below the veil.

"Yeah, wedding season!! You see?", Adith said.

"Hmmm..", she sighed.

She rang the temple bell, closed her eyes and folded her hand to the Goddess.

I wish I had the same kind of traditional wedding.

When she opened her eyes, she was flabbergasted to see her parents standing beside her.

"Maa, Babuji.. what are you doing here?", she asked.

"We came here to attend the wedding.", Shanti said.

"Huh? Do we know the bride or groom? Are they related to us?", Sana asked perplexed.

"Yes, The bride is our daughter.", Shanti said.

"What? Maa.. I am already married.", Sana looked stunned at her with wide eyes.

Shanti came forward and tied the white bedded ornament (mundavlya) on her forehead.

"Adith, call Sidharth.", Sana said terrified.

"Sorry, he can't come until the priest lowers the veil (antarpat). It won't lower until you cooperate", Adith said pointing at the veil.

"Huh?", Sana looked at the pandal once again and saw Sidharth's parents, Shiv, Naina and Vivek standing. Her eyes looked at the feet behind the veil and her cheeks heated up with blush to realise it belonged to none other than Sidharth. She looked at the Goddess with tear filled eyes, for her wish was granted instantly and thanked her.

Her mother and father accompanied her to the wedding pandal. She stood on the other side of the veil. Here knees shivered as she got goosebumps. She bit her lip and blushed uncontrollably awaiting for the veil to be lowered.

"Shubh Managala Savadhan", the priest chanted and her eyes glanced at her groom, Sidharth. He was wearing a matching mundavlya on his forehead.

She raised her hand to put a garland around his neck. He stood on his toe tip to tease her and she looked at him puzzled. She was 5'6" while he was 6'2" thus it wasn't possible to place a garland without his cooperation. Sidharth raised his eyebrows and she made a sad pout. However, the next moment, Adith and Shiv lifted her up.

"Hey buggers, you both are my friends..", Sidharth reminded them when Sana giggled and successfully placed the garland around his neck.

"Sorry, we are her brothers.", They both said in unison.

"Yeah baby!!", Naina jumped in joy earning a glare from Sidharth.

"Who is from my side here?", Sidharth asked looking at everyone. None raised even a finger.

"Your turn bro..", Adith said raising Sana even higher making it difficult for Sidharth to put a garland around her. Sana raised her eyebrows and teased him with her tongue. Sidharth frowned like a little kid. Sana tapped Adith and Shiv's shoulder to lower her.

"Bro, Let's strike a deal.", Shiv said.

"What?", Sidharth asked and Shiv gestures for him to come closer by moving his neck. Sidharth goes close to him.

"Booze party", Shiv whispered.

"Rascals..", Sidharth muttered and nods

"What's the deal?", Naina inquired and Sidharth looked at Shiv.

"Aaa.. ummm.. Vada-pav treat (street food)", Adith covered up which made Sana chuckle.

They both lowered her and Sidharth successfully puts the garland around her neck. The priest asks them to sit to continue the rituals. Naina ties their veil together into gatbandan.

"You planned all these?", Sana asked.

"Yep", Sidharth replied.

"When?", She asked.

"Yesterday evening. When I saw how excited you were with your heena, I realised that you were hiding your desires. I want to give you all the happiness Sana. I know it's not grand wedding but it's in our capacity. Besides look at the happiness on our parent's face. They won't complain now.", Sidharth said.

"Hmmm.. that's why you were avoiding me?", Sana asked.

"I didn't. I was just busy. Did you forget the turmeric we applied each other.", He reminds her.

"I love you.", She said looking at him emotionally.

"I love you too my love..", he said holding her hand sneakily and pressing it.

Adith came ahead as a brother to conduct the Laaja homa.

Sidharth and Sana took the seven vows taking seven steps (saptpadi), one step on each vow.

Sidharth put a black beaded nuptial chain around her neck and filed the partition of her hair with vermilion to conclude the wedding rituals

They seeked blessings of their elders. Sana's parents hugged her emotionally.
_____

To be continued..❤️❤️

Have you noticed? New cover.. ☺️