"Stop it guys lets get our bride to her groom. Are you ready Shristi?" Girls asked me. I took a deep breath and looked at them and said,

"Let's do it."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Damn... Her. I have been calling my girl for what seems like days but she isn't speaking to me.

Or more like she is not allowed to speak to me. I roll my eyes at that thought. I mean we are getting married in less than a week and they don't want us to talk with each other.

Something about rituals. I think they are making fun of us. I tried one last time but no use.

I threw this stupid phone away from me and sat on the bed with my arms resting on my knees.

God, I miss you Shristi. Thinking of her just makes me smile and also frustrated. I think love makes us like this.

I heard the sound of my phone ringing and immediately cursed myself where I threw it. What if it's my girl.

I jumped over where I threw that phone and finally, I got it only to be disappointed.

Oh... God, fuck it.

"Hello sir, Mr Rajesh called us when to fix a meeting with him. He says that it's kind of urgent." Ahmed my PA called me.

Well, I must say he is one of my friend and if he speaking to me in a formal tone means there is a client over there. He is one of the people who taunt me to no end and make my life miserable along with my other friends.

He has not yet seen Shristi cause I sent him away for some business trip. We both met in the hospital after my dreadful incident. We both were in a similar situation, 'love failure'

While I got cheated and lost my baby, he lost his love in an accident. So he decided to follow her, but God had a different plan and planned to meet us.

We both shared our grief and we both helped each other a lot. We thought we will never overcome this situation but here I am.

Captured and lost in my girl. Just one right person changed my world upside down in mere weeks.

I was lost in my world. I head Ahmed repeating his words.

"Dai... Fucker, if you make me repeat one more time I will lose my shit in front of our client. Answer the damn phone!" He whisper-yelled at me.

" Shut the fuck up man. I heard you, just say him that we can meet him on Monday sharp at 10 a.m." I said to him.

"Okay, I will inform him and I will be a little late over there. Ammi( means mom)  is not feeling well and I had to take her to the hospital but will be back as soon as it's possible man." He said to me.

"Okay, but be there soon. Otherwise, you have to get shit from me." I said to him.

"Like I will wait till you give me shit. Fuck off, bro." He said and ended up our call. I chuckle at his antics.

That's when another lunatic entered my room.

"What the hell bro, it's already late. You have to get ready soon." My evil twins said to me or more like yelling.

"We only have two hours. Get your ugly ass off the bed and take a shower." Tarika said to me.

" one, we still have two hours. Two, my ass isn't ugly. If you don't believe me ask your soon to be sister. Third, get the hell out of my room you two." I smirked and pushed these two devils outside my room.

I heard them both shouting at each other and shook my head at them. Something's never change.

I looked up and was my engagement dress over my closet. My girl selected this one for me.

As soon as she looked at this one she fixed it but me, I want everything to be perfect for her and so I dragged her to every shop.

More like spending time with her. Our parents are like 'no! Both of you can't see each other' and shits like that and I had to make use of the time when I get to see her right?

Today is our engagement. Finally, I get to say her as mine. Thinking about her made me grin like a foolish person.

With that, I took a long steam shower. Half an hour later, I'm standing in front of my full-length mirror.

I think I look good enough for my girl. Can't wait to see her. I was styling my hair for the 10th time but not satisfied with it.

I was getting frustrated but then was distracted by the knock on my door. I swear to god if that's the evil twin I'm gonna kill them.

When I opened my door, Mom was standing in front of me. As soon as she saw me her eyes glistened in tears.

" Wow, my boy looks handsome in this attire." Mom said and pinched my cheeks.

"Yeah, He should be. After all, he is my son." Dad said standing beside mom and she glared at him.

"All set son?" Dad asked me. I just shrugged at them and they both laughed at me.

"I'm little nervous," I said while taking deep breaths.

"Yeah, I know how you feel, beta. Shristi is a good soul and it's rare to find a girl like her. Take care of her, whatever may be the problem face it along with her beside you holding her hand. Women support is important in our life. Without them, we are not here. Remember that son." Dad said to me.

"Shristi is precious to me and I won't ever hurt or let her go, dad. Trust me I will overcome everything with her beside me." I said to them and they both had a proud grin.

"Anyway, we came here to give you this as an engagement present. Here my baby boy." Mom said and gave me a small box.

I opened it and I couldn't help but smile at that gift. They always know what I want. I hugged them and they returned it.

"Thanks, but you don't have to give me this. Do you know, I can buy it right?" I said while examining my watch.

I don't even want to think about it. I have a craze for watches and my parents knew I love this.

I wore it and everything looks perfect.

"Okay, son. We leave in 15 minutes and get down soon." Mom said and ruffled my hair and I just shook my head at her.

God, again I need to set my hair. For someone so short she knows how to mess my hair. But to my surprise, I look good with ruffled hair.

I applied hair cream and it's done. I sprayed my favourite perfume. Then got my phone, wallet and made my way down the stairs.

Everyone was in the living room. By seeing them I could say that they are all excited and happy. Everyone except my aunt and her daughter.

I hope that they won't create any drama. I want this day to be happy and be with my girl and my family.

"Come on sir, we have to go. It's already late." Tarun said to me with his feet tapping the floor nervously.

"I don't know whether the engagement is for you or him. You are acting like a groom Tarun." Harish teased him and we all laughed at his impatience.

" Yeah, I want my brother's engagement to be smooth and happens right without any problems. As a brother, I must handle everything." Tarun said and I smirked at him.

"Yeah, sure brother. Thanks for handling everything buddy." I said and went near him.

" You know what? I know why you are this eager to get over there. Don't worry, she will be there along with her sisters." I whispered to him and his eyes widened.

He looked funny and I can't help but chuckle at him. I hooked his head in my arms and dragged him out.

My parents were laughing at us and I released him from my hold. He just glared at me but I could see a faint pinkness on his ears.

We all got in our car with everything things that have to be taken. With the last check, we started towards Shristi's home. I hope they are ready and within an hour we reached their home.

When I got out of the car, I could see my relatives as well as their relatives inside the house. But to welcome us, Shristi's mom and dad, uncle and aunt, their sisters were waiting with an 'aarathi plate'.

An: In India, it's a tradition to welcome our important guest with an aarathi plate. It's our way to greet someone with respect.

"Welcome to our home." Srishti's mom said with a huge smile on her face. She then asked us to get inside.

"How are you, my son?" My Father in law asked me and I just replied that 'I'm good

Then they introduced me to some people and everything was great.

" It's time, We can start the rituals. Mohan tell the Pandit ji to get everything ready." Shristi's grandma said and they nodded their head and lead us upstairs.

We planned to have the ceremony on the terrace as it's a wide and open area. Food is served downstairs. I must say even though their house is big enough, it looked packed.

I can only imagine what it might be for our wedding. Thinking about it made me smile. I swear to God, nowadays I'm in my dream world.

" What happened? Daydreaming again?" Asked my best friend Karan. I just punched his arm and greeted him.

"Hope you are good bro?" He asked me.

" The truth is I'm hell of a lot of nervous but I can't wait to get engaged with her." I said to him. My brothers and friends started to tease me.

I can't help but smile at their taunting. Soon I was called to the stage. The pandit Ji asked me to sit in the middle.

Mom and dad one side and the other side Shristi's parents. The rest of our family stood down beside us.

Few chairs were laid for other people to sit and watch our engagement. I must say, within a short period they arranged everything perfectly.

Now, I cant wait to see my angel, walk down in front of me.

"Poi, ponna alachituvanga." The pandit Ji said. ( Trans: Go and get the bride here.)

I was waiting to hear these words for what seemed like a lifetime. Our parents want the same pandit Ji (who literally spoiled my life) to perform all our family rituals.

As soon as Shristi came, my breath got stuck and my mouth hung wide open.

She looked so gorgeous and beautiful. Words stuck in my mouth, I'm one lucky son of bitch. I thought to myself.

Our eyes locked and she blushed looking at me. Everything about her was simple, natural and beautiful.

I couldn't hear anything and my eyes just follow her. They made her sit beside me. She greeted everyone with 'vannakkam'.

I couldn't take my eyes off her. She looked down blushing furiously. I couldn't help but smirk at her.

She definitely looks like a sparkling angel. My angel.

Someone shook my shoulder twice, I growled at whoever it was and turn towards them. That's when I noticed everyone was watching us and had a teasing smile plastered on their face.

"Bro, you are drooling. Wipe your mouth." Tarun said and handed me a tissue.

I glared at him and threw it back. This caused everyone to laugh. I heard a few comments here and there.

'Aww, how cute they both looked together.'

'Clean bowled by beauty.'

'He is so in love with her.'

'Whipped buddy.'

' Go! Bride! Go! Knock him down with your magic.'

My cheeks started to slightly heat and at the same moment, our eyes met. I must say, I'm clean bowled by this beauty.

'How much I want to kiss her sweet red lips.' I thought to myself. I have to control myself, Mrithun position.

With that, Pandit Ji started to say few mantras and Read the invitation regarding our marriage.

It's a ritual where they read our marriage news before everyone. It's like confirmation that both the families are marrying their children.

With that, they bought our rings on a plate covered by rose petals.

I didn't even get to speak to her. We both were stealing glance and smile at each other like a crazy person.

"Now, you both can exchange your garland." Pandit ji asked us to.

We both stood up and faced each other. Our siblings gave each of us a beautiful white and pink garland.

She has to put this around my neck first. I stood tall in front of her and she looked at me and raised her eyebrows.

"Come on baby, Do it," I said to her and in return, she glared at me.

She attempted to put them around me but I moved away and stood on tiptoes so that she can't put them around me. I smirked at her and in return, she gave a puppy eyes.

I shook my head at her antics.

" Please Mrithun. For me?" She asked me with so much intensity. She knows I can't stand her requesting me and so I gave in only for her.

I bent down and she happily slipped it around me. Everyone clapped for us. Then it's my turn to put this garland around her.

When I about to put it around her, she was lifted by my brothers and her friends. They held her very high so that I can't reach her.

" Come on bro, you can do it right?" Harish teased me and every guy was smirking at me.

I looked at my girl and she was clutching those people as if they gonna let her fall anytime now. She was actually scared.

" Mrithun! What are you waiting for just put them around me? I can't be there up anymore. Hurry up." She yelled at me with a frightening look.

" Baby are you scared of heights?" I asked her suddenly thinking of her fear for heights. How come I didn't know about it.

" Romba mukhiyam paru? Put them around me." She screamed at me and this made everyone laugh at her. (Trans: very important right?)

Aww, she looks so cute when she is scared or angry. How much I want to kiss her cheeks.

I looked at her and tried to put them around but I can't reach them. These guys kept on moving and teasing me.

" Come on Mrithun, you can do it. Put them around her." The girls we cheering me and I can't help but smile at them.

With that, I moved slightly back and jumped a little bit so that I can put them around her and alas I did it.

Everyone cheered for me and my girl hurriedly got down and glared at the guys.

" A little warning could have helped." She said and glared at them but they were trying to hold in their laughter.

Now it's time for the rings. She took the ring from her mom and I took it from mine.

She asked me to give my hand to her and without any tantrums I gave mine and she slipped the ring.

She was looking at me all the while slipping the ring into my hand. Her eyes held full of promise and love.

She gave her famous breathtaking smile which has the power to get me on my knees.

Yes, I did go on my knees and held my hand out for her. Everyone hooted and cheered us. She was blushing from all this and placed her small hand into mine.

"I love you with all my heart, Shristi and with this ring, I promise to be by your side for the rest of my life. You are it for me, baby." I said and slipped the ring into her fingers.

I kissed each finger and finally place a long kiss on her palm. I got up and hugged her. I could hear everyone congratulating us and cheering us.

I brought her close to me and gave her a forehead kiss and whispered in her ears.

" You are finally mine."

"What the hell?" I heard someone shout at us.

**************************""************************

Authors note

They are engaged

Hey guys I hope you are all good and safe. Sorry caught up in work. Updates will be a little slow. I try to update more often. So until then have a great day.

Stay safe and happy and also wait for 'what the hell?'

#loveyourself😎

****************************************************