Sandhya Pov

I adored my own reflection in the mirror. I never imagined myself getting married this soon but here I am all dolled up in bridal makeup and heavy costume waiting for my groom.

Only few hours more. I don't know why? I am feeling very nervous. My palms are sweating continuously. I guess that's how every new bride feels like.

I heard the noises of bursting crackers followed by the loud sound coming  out of the bands. He is here!

"Adhya your groom has finally arrived.", Pihu said excitedly.

My heart rate increased. Oh God! Calm down Adhya. I fisted my hands to control my nervousness which results in sweating my palms even more.

"Akash is looking sooooo handsome. I envy you Sandhya.", Riddhi said and pouted sadly.

I blushed on her comment and lowered my head shyly.

I am excited to see him almost after three weeks but poor Akash he won't be able to see my face before completing all the wedding rituals. Why? Because according to the rituals of Goenka family I will have to cover my face from my veil. Hehe!

Their traditions are quite old fashioned but not their thoughts. It's just they respect the decisions made by their ancestors and that's why they denied to change the customs and still following them.

"It's time to go Twinny. Everyone is calling you.", Sonia said excitedly while entering inside the room.

I covered my face from my veil and stood up to go but paused.

"Wait! I want to pee.", I said.

I don't know how much time all the rituals and everything will take to complete and if in between I get the natures call then I will really be doomed.

I want to enjoy all my wedding rituals peacefully. So, it's better to empty my bladder and won't let that type of situation to occur.

"Okay let's go I will help you.", Riddhi said.

"Huh!", I reacted confusedly.

How she will help me? It's not like I am going to make any college assignments.

"Aree! With this heavy bridal outfit it will be difficult for you to manage alone.", She said.

Ohh! That's what she meant but I don't want her help. I am not comfortable.

"Ummm Riddhi! You don't worry I can manage.", I said sheepishly.

"Sandhya, I am also a girl. Why are you feeling shy?", She said.

"Yes Twinny she is right. Take her help.", Sonia supported her.

Now I regret, why did I opened my mouth? How to make them understand that I am not comfortable in taking anybody's help and I can manage on my own. I am a big girl who is going to be someone's Mrs within few hours.

Still, I went inside the washroom with Riddhi but before entering the toilet I said,

"Riddhi trust me I can manage. If I need your help I will definitely call you. Promise.", I requested her pleadingly.

"Okay! Go, I am waiting for you.", She said and chuckled while moving her head sideways.

Thank God! I sighed in relief and rushed inside the toilet before she changes her mind.

Soon, I finished my business and came out. Yes, I did face some difficulties but it's nothing like I can't manage by my own.

I noticed that the washroom is empty. Where is Riddhi? May be she is using another toilet.

"Riddhi!", I called.

I waited for few seconds for her response but didn't get any. I guess she went out. So, I also came out of the washroom.

The moment Pihu and Sonia saw me they grabbed my hand and pulled me with them. They literally pulled me as if it's not mine but theirs wedding. They are much more excited than me.
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I slowly entered inside the main banquet area with Pihu, Sonia and Roshini beside me.

Some guests turn around to have a look on me. Thank God that my face is covered or else they must have seen my panicked face because of all this sudden attention.

The loud noise coming out from the band matches the rhythm of my thumping heart beat.

I noticed my family members are busy in welcoming the groom and his family. I tried to see him but he is surrounded by the huge crowd and it's impossible to have a glimpse of him.

I stood still on my place and grabbed the sides of my skirt tightly. Suddenly the crowd moved aside and finally I got to see him.

Riddhi was right he is actually looking very handsome but where is she? I didn't saw her after coming out of the washroom. Might be somewhere busy on drooling over my groom. Hehe!

Akash took slow step towards the stage while Pihu and Sonia also escorted me towards the stage for garland exchanging ceremony.

The holy music 'Ram Ram Jai Raja Ram' began to play in the background which increased the intensity of my not so stable heart rate.

Sonia handed me the beautiful rose garland while Satvik gave him. We both came closer. I put the garland around his neck and everyone clapped but when Akash's turn came Luv & Kush along with Dheer picked me up.

Akash struggled and jumped a little bit with the garland in his hand but failed to reach my neck. I giggled on his failed trials while everyone shouted his name encouraging his willpower.

After enormous failed trials Satvik along with Saurya Bhaiya came for his rescue. They lifted him up and finally he succeeded on putting the garland around my neck.

We both stood beside each other and posed for the photographs. Akash entangled his hand with mine.

"I want to see you.", He wishpered slowly so that only I can hear him.

I remained quiet and giggled silently on his condition. I tried to freed up my hand from his grasp which is gaining unwanted attention of all the guests but he tightens his hold even more.

"You are trapped with me baby.", He said teasingly and I blushed.

We move towards the wedding mandap. The priest started chanting various shlokas in sanskrit. After few minutes he called my parents for Kanyadaan.

Grandpa and Grandma came forward and performed the Kanyadaan. I am glad Mom and Dad gave this opportunity to them. They were not able to fulfil their dream of performing the Kanyadaan of their daughter but because of me at least they get to perform it for their grand daughter.

We took seven rounds around the sacred fire and took seven vows of wedding.

Priest asked Akash to fill my maang (hair partition) with sindoor (vermilion). He can't see my hair partition because of the veil so, I guided his hand. He successfully filled my maang but before retreating his hand he pinched my nose mischievously.

I gasped. I wanted to glared at him angrily but this veil is ruining all this small fun moments which we could have enjoyed.

I can see the longing into his eyes to see my face but I can't do anything.

"I know you want to scold me. I am ready for all your lovely scoldings.", He wishpered closer to my ear and I blushed.

After few more rituals priest declared us as married couples and asked us to take the blessings of all the elders before starting our new journey.

Akash grabbed my hand and we went towards my grandparents. We touched their feets together and they kept their hands over our heads lovingly. Similarly we took the blessings of all the elders.

Akash searched for his shoes but failed to find them. He scratched the back of his neck confusedly.

I tried to suppress my giggle after watching his confused face. I know who's behind this.

"Kya dhund rahe ho jija ji?"

"What are you searching for Brother-in-law?", Sonia asked mischievously.

"O-oh!", Akash reacted understandingly.

"My shoes Shali ji (Sister-in-law).", He said sarcastically.

"Pehla thoda Jeb to halka kar lijiye jija ji"

"First reduce some weight of your pocket Brother in law", Pihu said teasingly and everyone giggled.

Binod Uncle came towards us and said,

"Mere bete ko paresaan kyun Kar rahi ho sab."

"Why you all are troubling my son?"

"I can handle these devil sister in laws of mine Dad.", Akash assured him.

"How much?", Akash enquired.

"51k", Roshini demanded.

"What! It's too much. I can purchase ten new pairs of shoes with this much money.", Akash said.

"I will only give 500 rupees. It's worth for that old pair of shoes.", He tried to bargain.

Sonia grabbed my hand and pulled me towards her.

"If you want your shoes along with your wife? then give us the amount or else sorry to say jiju you will have to return empty hand.", She warned him and I giggled. Nice one Sonia!

Now Akash grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him.

"For your kind information she is my wife and that is my shoes which you all has stolen.", He said and I blushed. Possessive!

They argued and bargained for few more minutes then finally settled the amount with 11k.

There is still some time left for bidaai. So, Mom took me inside the room to have some rest while Akash left to complete some more rituals where my presence is not required.

I sat down on the bed and lean my back over the bedrest. I am feeling very much exhausted. I closed my eyes to relax myself a little bit. My face is still covered by my veil. Soon the darkness engulfed me and I fall asleep.
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I opened my eyes and groaned in pain. Oh God! My head.

I checked my surrounding and found myself in some extremely dirty room. The room is filled with old, dirty and broken furnitures. How did I end up here!

I noticed that I am wearing a simple kurti and leggings. What! How's it possible?

I touched my head to check the vermilion. Why my hair is wet? Did someone washed! Realisation hits me and I widened my eyes shockingly.

I stood up abruptly but stumbled a bit because of the weakness still I composed myself and reached the gate.

I pushed the door with full force and much to my surprise the door opened instantly. I expected it to be locked.

Without wasting any second I came out of that room. I saw an aloof alley. I have never been here before. Where am I?

I started running in search of someone who can help me to know my exact location.

I heard the noise of loud music. I used my senses and tried to reach the area from where the sound of music is coming.

My eyes landed on a huge board which reads Akash weds Sandhya. It's my wedding venue.

I rushed inside and what I saw made the whole world around me stopped. Akash is standing on the stage with a girl dressed in my wedding attire. Her face is covered behind her veil. Who is she? and What is she doing in my place?

I closed my eyes tightly while trying to remember How did I ended up here in this condition? As far as I remember, After completion of all the wedding rituals Mom has took me inside to have some rest then Arrrrrr! Why can't I remember anything after that?

"Sonia what are you doing here? Wait! Why did you changed your dress?", Satvik enquired confusedly.

"Satvik I am not Sonia. I am Sandhya.", I said.

"Haha! Nice joke. If you don't like my company then say it directly. Why are you lying?", He said.

"Who is she Satvik? Why she is on my place?", I said while pointing at the girl standing on my place beside Akash.

"Sonia why..", I cut him in between.

"I am not Sonia.", I shouted irritatedly.

He looked at me weirdly not ready to believe that I am saying the truth.

"On standard nine you offered me to spend a night with you and I had slapped you very hard.", I said.

His eyes turned wide because of my revelation.

"Sandhya!", He reacted shockingly.

"Now you believed me!", I said sarcastically.

"If you...you are here then who is she?", He enquired.

"Dumbo! That's what I also want to know. What is she doing in my place and how did I end up here like this?", I said while gesturing at my attire.

I explained him everything how I slept in my room wearing my bridal attire and after waking up I found myself somewhere else in this simple dress.

Satvik also became confused just like me and we both rushed towards the stage to get our answers.

I stood up infront of Akash and that girl. I crossed my arms around my chest.

"Show your face.", I demanded.

"What happened Sonia?", Akash said.

I glared at him angrily and shouted loudly,

"SONIAaaaaaa...."

I am getting irritated by being called Sonia again and again.

While listening her name Sonia came forward and looked at me confusedly.

Not only Sonia each and everyone present there looked at me confusedly.

"Who are you?", Akash asked 'me'.

Note the word 'he asked me'.

I looked at him weirdly. Like seriously! He is asking me who am I? Instead of asking that girl who is standing in my place.

"I am your wife Mr Akash Goenka.", I said.

"No, I am his wife Mrs Akash Goenka.", Said that girl.

How dare she! Wait! Her voice seems familiar. Is she?

"Riddhi!", I said half doubtfully and half shockingly.

She lifted up her veil revealing her face. Oh God!

"Yes, Riddhi Akash Goenka.", She said.
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