Edited by: @RomanticZiggy

It wasn't everyday a woman get married. Radhika couldn't explain the feeling. She was nervous yet excited. Anticipating a new life. Everything was going to change; it was one thing to be a girlfriend but another to be a wife. She felt glorious, loved and utterly cherished. But, she wasn't scared; after all she was going to marry her love, her Arjun.

Radhika sighed and nearly yelped.

"Preeti."

"Sorry, I can't help it. The pin is going to hurt you if you squirm," Preeti explained to her in a tired, practiced voice as she once again tried to put the pin binding her scarf to her wedding dress.

"Do you know why she is so squirmish?" Geetika asked Preeti her tone carrying on a teasing light.

"Why?" One of Radhika's cousins voiced her curiosity.

Geetika went up to stand beside Radhika and nudged her gently," The next time she squirms just look at her face."

"My face, why?" Radhika resisted the urge to touch her face.

"Because, it heats up and that means," Geetika trailed off.

"She is thinking about...aha...Arjun," Preeti finished smiling.

Geetika smiled devilishly, “Already thinking of your wedding night, eh?"

"You fiend," Radhika muttered, swatting her arm as everyone around them burst into good natured laughter.

They continued to dress Radhika amongst enjoyment and galore teasing.

"Can I please see now?" Radhika asked them as they finally finished putting her makeup for her.

"Just a second," And Preeti turned on all the lights in her room," Now, you can."

Radhika turned and stood in front of the mirror marveling at her reflection. Was it really her? She couldn't believe it.

The dress was something she had always dreamed about. The intermingling of red, green and blue on her blouse looked ethereal in the light which caught on those wonderful beadings lined all across it. Her skirt flared out in a mixture of beautifully enticing colors elucidating intricate ethnic designing with delicate net scarfs draped over her head giving her a regal look. And if she slightly tilted her head she could see the diamond crusted butterfly pins holding her hair in a tight bun.

Her jewelry contrasted magnificently well with her outfit.

Radhika looked like a princess, she felt like a princess.

This was her day, her wedding.

She looked at her back and barely suppressed a giggle. Lined across the back of her blouse were dozen blue buttons.

"Giggle all you want now, Radhika. Arjun is surely not going to have fun unbuttoning those," Geetika chirped.

Radhika blushed. God, why was she reacting this way? It wasn’t as if Arjun and she hadn't shared that kind of intimacy before, it must be the wedding. Everything just seemed so pious, so pure.

Suddenly, Radhika realized she wasn't a child anymore. No, she was officially an adult who was in a very serious relationship; she was just starting to feel what it meant. She would have responsibilities; she would have to prove to everyone about her love. About being in love.

Radhika started hyperventilating.

Preeti and Geetika shooed away scores of their cousins, with an aim to help Radhika relax.

"You alright, Radhika?" Geetika asked her.

"Yes, I am getting married,"Radhika whispered touching her necklace.

Geetika hurriedly crossed to her and patted her back," Yes you are."

"Should I get something to drink?" Preeti asked panicking," Should I get someone?"

Geetika shook her head," No, it's normal. Just get some hot chocolate."

"Right away," a relieved Preeti rushed out.

"Thank you," Radhika whispered again. She was lost in her thoughts, it just felt right to speak softly.

Radhika walked upto her bed and spread her fingers on it.

"You're not having second thoughts, are you?"

Radhika shook her head frantically," Of course not. I can never. I love him. In my heart he has always been my husband."

Geetika waited for Radhika to continue. She had been married and knew the feelings that surmounted in a bride. It was always like a flash, a sudden realization. A direct hit.

"It's just so overwhelming," Radhika touched her neck.

Geetika placed her hand on hers," I can understand and I just want you to know we're blessed to have you in our family, Radhika. Welcome to the Khanna's."

Radhika hugged Geetika," Thank you, Geet..."

Before she could present her gratitude, they heard a knock on their door followed by a voice Radhika had not expected to hear.

"Geetika, are you there?"

"Arjun," Radhika uttered his name in a trance.

"Radhika," his voice floated towards her, touching her very core through the door.

"Arjun," she laughed and took a step forward when Geetika intercepted her move.

"Geetika, please," Radhika pleaded. Arjun was standing beyond that door. She just wanted to see him once.

"No, it's bad luck," Geetika shook her head.

"Geetika, don't tell me you believe that," Arjun spoke desperately. He wanted to see Radhika, inquire if everything was fine. He had seen Preeti scurry by him and had stopped her, asking her the reason for her hurry. She had told him about Radhika's panic attack, and he couldn’t stop himself from visiting her.

"I am sorry, Arjun but I can't allow," Geetika spoke firmly.

"But..."

"Arjun," Radhika stepped towards the door and when Geetika tried to block her, she reassured her with a nod of her head that she wouldn't allow him to see her. “Arjun, we can't see each other."

"Why not?" Arjun asked her exasperatedly.

"I don't want to start our relationship with even an iota of bad luck."

"Radhika, we can…we can talk through the door. Geetika, can you just open it a bit, I promise to not see my bride, scouts honor."

Seeing the look on Radhika's face, Geetika conceded. "No more than that."

"Definitely, thank you, Geetika, you're my best sister in law," Arjun said.

Geetika rolled her eyes as she helped Radhika walk up to the door,"I am your only sister in law, Arjun."

Arjun chuckled,"Radhika, can you give me your fingers," he spoke softly as his fingers became visible through the small gap.

Radhika smiled, let out a low giggle and grasped his fingers in hers. The touch soothing them both.

"Are you alright, my love," he asked her, his fingers squeezing hers.

Radhika sighed blissfully, could she be more loved, “Arjun, it was just a panic attack. I am perfect now."

"You always were, are and will be perfect."

"Arjun, I love you."

"Radhika, I love you too. I will be waiting for you to become mine," he entangled their fingers, “for forever."

Radhika nodded, leaned down and kissed his fingers as he swept them across her cheek.

"I will have to leave now, my love."

Radhika kissed his fingers one last time before she was engulfed in a big hug by a literally swooning Geetika.

...................

Geetika and Preeti left her alone for few moments. Radhika sat down, her heart, mind reliving all her memories.

The time when she was five years old and had bagged a trophy, the way her parents had hugged her; all those weekends when even as a teen in India she played with her parents in their back garden. She picked up stuffed animals, remembering who had given it to her and what occasion it was. The grown up love, her parents undying support, her parents whom she adored and worshipped; she would leave them behind but never too far. She won't allow that. She would visit them, make them visit her. Nothing would change. They would always remain within her, close, very close to her.

A tear rolled down her eyes as she looked out of her window towards the lawns, the way the moonlight sizzled over the tents littered around. She could see bouquets of flowers everywhere, candles, and lanterns highlighting them. It looked delightful, magical. Her wedding.

Arjun had done this for her. She had always known one day she would grow up, leave her parents’ house wrapping within herself all those fond memories while making new ones some with 'their' family and many with 'her' family as a woman married to her love.

Marriage did not mean relinquishment of old relationships; it simply meant cementing new with the already existing ones.

She smiled.

Just then, her door opened and Radhika turned.

Raj and Renu Verma walked into the room.

Her mother already had her eyes filled with unshed tears, “Raj, look at her," she turned to look at her husband, “she looks so beautiful." Her mother hugged her.

Tears made their way onto their cheeks as her dad walked to Radhika and engulfed them, his family in a hug.

"My little girl," Renu kissed Radhika on her cheek as she wiped her eyes.

Raj just looked at his wife and then his daughter," Our little girl."

................

Arjun stood on the pedestal, facing the walkway adorned on the sides by his relatives waiting for his bride.

His bride.

He wasn't nervous, he felt calm, at ease. Waiting for the moment when his love would forever be bound to him.

He looked around as he stood straight, he could spy his parents standing close to him, his mother looked at him and smiled, a smile full of happiness and joy.

Something that only a mother could feel on the wedding of her child. He smiled back at her and saw her wiping her eyes.

And suddenly as if the air itself had whispered in his ear, he knew she was about to make an appearance. Radhika, was about to walk into his life for forever.

The music changed and as he turned to look towards the aisle, his breath caught in his throat.

Taking a deep breath, Radhika took the first step, accompanied by her dad, her cousin sisters surrounding her, enlightening the way with scores of candles held on by them in beautifully decorated trays, and when she saw Arjun waiting for her, all her fears, anxieties washed away.

With each step, tremendous joy echoed within her. It took all her will to stop from running into his arms. He looked attractive, very, very attractive in the sherwani he was wearing and a bubble of contentment washed inside her. He was hers, only hers!

Arjun couldn't breathe. She looked beautiful; he didn't know how to describe her. Her beauty radiated outwards, encasing her within its warmth, not blinding everyone around her but bathing them in her glow.

He loved her so much. Arjun couldn't wait to make her his. His alone.

Radhika watched as Ethan stepped towards Arjun muttering something in his ear and she saw Arjun take in a deep breath. His eyes shined with love and at that moment, she forgot everyone. She could only see him; she smiled and couldn't take her eyes off when he returned her smile.

Raj stopped in front of Arjun, the rest of her cousins slid away to stand on the side. He kissed her daughter's forehead, took her hand and placed it in Arjun's.

"Take care of her," he whispered.

"Always," Arjun whispered back and Raj stepped back to join his wife, eyes filled with countless emotions.

Radhika stepped towards Arjun looking into his eyes, she found warmth in his gaze and when he slid his fingers over her knuckles, Radhika could feel his possessiveness, his pride and above all love...for her.

They gazed into each other's eyes as Arjun lifted her hand and placed a lingering kiss on it, “You’re beautiful, my bride."

Radhik’s eyes dropped down and she blushed in an adoring way only a bride was entitled to.

Soon they were joined by their mothers who presented them garlands.

Ethan looked at Preeti questionably.

"Oh, an exchange of garland signifies a unification of two souls into one. We use flower garlands bound in thread."

"Why flowers in thread?"

"Because Ethan, flowers symbolize happiness, excitement, aspiration, zeal and beauty, whereas thread is a medium to secure all these feelings and emotions." Preeti looked at Ethan and smiled,” Just as the thread never leaves the company of flowers, even though flowers after sometime lose their charm and luster, the same way wedded couple should never leave each other when they face ups and downs of life and must always move ahead with mutual understanding, love, respect, trust, faith and passion.”

Ethan smiled," That's a beautiful thought."

They watched as Radhika offered the garland to Arjun who bent down in order to aid Radhika's attempt.

Radhika looked at Arjun and gave him a shy smile. Arjun winked at her, his delight could not be explained, it could only be seen by all and sundry.

Arjun smiled and moved forward to garland Radhika. His fingers deliberately brushed across her neck, their gaze locked onto each other. The desire in Radhika's eyes flared up nearly consuming Arjun. His eyes flashed with a glint which was very male and possessive and he leaned forward, dropping a kiss on her cheek, flicking his tongue to taste her. Radhika gasped.

Arjun stroked her cheek with his finger, his gaze focused on her lips, the deepening color in her cheeks arousing him all the more.

He leaned towards her ear and brushed her earlobe with his lips as he murmured," Just a step away from being mine forever, Mrs. Radhika Arjun Khanna."

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

Hi, my beautiful people.

Happy New Year!

I am so very sorry for the delay. *smiles sheepishly* I really have no coherent reason except for…well, I went into a self-exiled hibernation and now I am back; hopefully, prettier and stress-free with a new resolution in mind. I resolve… I resolve to… I resolve to, uh, get my, … off-line work done, too...soon...promise! *crosses fingers over my magnificent heart*

God, I can really be so pathetic. *sighs dismally* but nevertheless, you all love me and I grab this opportunity to bask in your eternal…no *frowns*….ummm…okay…blissfully undying *winks* love.

Thank you! Please do comment. I adore hearing from you. 

Warmest Regards,

HIndia150