Arnav Singh Raizada was not happy. He was wearing a Midnight Blue sherwani, an exclusive creation by AR Designs. He had refused all the other traditional colors, white, red, maroon, and even yellow. His Di had refused his choice, black. They had finally agreed on Midnight Blue, which was close enough to black and yet not quite. Arnav was not satisfied.

"Di, why couldn't this be black?"

"Chhote, black is considered a bad omen." Anjali was busy adjusting their family's heirloom necklace around his neck. She then proceeded to pin a broach on the traditional turban that adorned the heads of grooms. Fully decked, Arnav, reminded her of her father. She smudged some kohl out of her eyes and smeared it behind Arnav's ears.

"May Devi Maiyya protect you from evil," Arnav smirked.

"You know what I feel about all these rituals," gently taking his sister's hand into his. "I should have stuck to my demand of getting married at the Registrar's office."

Anjali smiled. She knew exactly what Arnav thought about all these rituals. And yet, she knew why Arnav had agreed to a traditional Indian wedding. Because Khushi had wanted it. When Arnav had casually asked her about her idea of the perfect wedding, she had told him. And now, Arnav wanted to gift her the perfect wedding.

Anjali remembered the day when she, along with her husband had gone to the Gupta house to hand over the shagun, gifts for the bride from the groom's family.

"Shashiji, Garimaji, from today, Khushi is part of the Raizada family," she said as she placed the decorated plate with all the gifts on Khushi's lap. Before she could continue, her husband turned to the family and said: "Shashiji, Garimaji, we would very much like it if the wedding took place in the next two weeks along with Payal's."

Shashi and Garima exchanged glances. Their financial situation wasn't that good at the moment. With Shashi on bedrest and the sweetshop not doing so well, Payal's wedding was being funded by Khushi's salary. How, then, could they afford another wedding on the same day? They didn't have the economic stamina to deal with the additional expenses. And what about dowry? Sure, nobody asked for anything but that didn't mean they didn't expect anything. It would be rude if the girl went to her future house with nothing but the clothes on her back. And then there was the status of the Raizadas. The Gupta's couldn't just give them any gift. It would have to be something that matched their status. Could they afford something like that?

Sensing some hesitation at Shyam's suggestion, Anjali asked: "Is there a problem?"

"No, Anjaliji," said Garima hastily. She didn't want them to think they were unwilling. But then there was so much to think about before they could say yes. "It's just that the wedding... within such short notice... I don't want to sound like a prude but the expenses..." Shashi held Garima's hand to stop her from speaking any further. He looked at Garima, his eyes saying what he couldn't voice. If Khushi's happiness lay in the wedding, they would find a way. They had the house, the shop, they could mortgage their assets, but they wouldn't let money stand in the way of their daughter's happiness.

Both Anjali and Shyam saw through it all. And they smiled.

"Shashiji, Garimaji," began Anjali, "we have a tradition in the Raizada family. The groom gifts his bride something on the wedding night. Arnav wants to gift Khushi the wedding. So if you'll allow us, we would like to pay for the wedding completely."

"And come to think of it," added Shyam, "since both the sisters are getting married on the same day, why don't we take care of all the arrangements? That way Shashiji and Garimaji don't need to worry about anything. The Sheesh Mahal has just been recently renovated and I think it will be the perfect venue for both the weddings."

Anjali smiled. She exactly understood why Shyam suggested what he did. Arnav and Khushi had first met at the Sheesh Mahal. That place had been lucky for her Chhote. He'd found his happily ever after. It only seemed appropriate that his happy married life should start there as well.

Garima was overwhelmed by the gesture. Khushi was really lucky to find such a beautiful family. Shashi smiled too. The heavens had finally heard his prayers.

*****

"The baraat will be here any minute. Garima get ready with the thaal," Madhumati screamed. Tucked away in a corner room that overlooked the main hall where the wedding rituals were taking place, Khushi's breathing hitched. She dared to look up once again, and see herself in the mirror. She had designed her own wedding dress and had forbidden Arnav to look at the design.

Now that she looked at herself in the mirror, she didn't know if Arnav would like it.

The dress was inspired by the one Ratna had worn on her wedding day, the threadwork on Khushi's bridal dress an exact replication of the one on Ratna's. It was all red, Arnav's favorite color - a well-guarded secret of the Raizada family, that she'd been recently let into.

Khushi had chanced upon Ratna's wedding dress, during one of her visits to the Raizada Cottage with Arnav. The cottage had become their secret hangout, where they spent time with each other without the interruptions of the world. It was in this cottage that Arnav had slowly let her into his life, his childhood, his memories, and every time he spoke, she fell a little more in love with him. She had learnt that Arnav was a Mama's boy. At that moment she'd decided she would pay homage to his mother on their wedding day. She hoped her surprise made him happy, that he felt his mom's presence right beside him on this momentous occasion.

The heavy jewelry that adorned her ears and neck belonged to her mother in law. Anjali had come by an hour ago to present her with it.

"This always belonged to my Chhote's bride. I'm handing it over to its rightful owner." Anjali was nostalgic. Circling her hands around Khushi's head, Anjali cracked her knuckles on her forehead. "May Devi Maiyya protect you from the evil." She'd then made her way out to take her place next to Arnav. Shyam and Anjali were performing all the wedding rituals from the groom's side.

As Khushi walked down the staircase, guided by her friends, she recollected all her moments with Arnav. The accidental fall during the fashion show. The indecent proposal. Her appointment as a Trainee Designer. The numerous falls, only to find herself in his arms. Their train journey. Her feverish attempt to bring Arnav back to life. Italy. The jealousy. The confession. The proposal. She dared to look up and her eyes were instantly captured by those of Arnav's. It was clear he was mesmerized by the vision that she presented.

When Madhumati indicated that Khushi was walking down the staircase, Arnav had casually glanced at her direction. He was unprepared for the vision that greeted him - a coy Khushi dressed in his favorite color, walking down the staircase with a graceful smile on her face. His thoughts transported him back to the images of a girl wearing green who had walked the ramp at this very same Sheesh Mahal and accidentally fallen into his arms. If he ever started believing in destiny he would thank it for that one moment that changed his life forever.

"Khushi," her Buaji's voice broke her reverie. "Come quickly. Panditji is waiting to continue with the rituals."

Khushi walked down the last few steps and stood in front of Arnav. When the two exchanged garlands, the attendees clapped. But the two of them were oblivious to the noise. All they could see was their beautiful future together. This was just one step in a journey that would take them across the seven seas.

*****

Shyam and Anjali stood side by side, regaling in the beauty of the moment. Anjali sent a silent thank you to the universe for righting everything in her brother's life. Her Chhote had finally found love.

The priest asked the two of them to sit next to each other. Arnav smiled as Khushi cupped her hands over his, while the priest continued chanting holy rhymes. They took their wedding vows in front of the sacred fire, promising to love and cherish each other, till death do them apart. Then Arnav filled Khushi's parting with vermillion and placed the mangal sutra around her neck - a tiny necklace - black beads threaded with a yellow thread. To Khushi, it meant the world. Arnav and Khushi were officially married - united before man and God for eternity.

Arnav looked at Khushi and smiled. He'd never believed in the institution of marriage. He'd never accepted the institution of marriage. And yet, at this particular moment, with Khushi by his side, there was he felt as if there was nothing more sacred than the institution of marriage.

He looked up. He now believed, just like Khushi did that his parents had become stars. And then he looked at Khushi. His mom would've definitely approved of her. She was happiness personified.

*****

The night had set in. The presence of the odd guest reminded the family of the weddings that had taken place. But the signs were fast disappearing. The main hall was getting a clean sweep. It would soon look just the way it did before.

The palace still shimmered like a bride. Bright yellow fairy lights, decked every inch of its exterior; an announcement to the city that it was experiencing a glimpse of its former glory. That it had lived once more albeit for a day.

The inhabitants were tired. Walking down the long corridor of Sheesh Mahal, all by herself, Khushi knew what came next. Her first night with Arnav as man and wife. Truth be told, she was more nervous than excited. Her mother had given her plenty of advice, none of which made her feel any good about what was to come. She had momentarily considered hiding in one corner of this humongous palace and spending the night in oblivion. But her bridal attire was heavy enough to warrant her a change of clothes. And so she began walking slowly towards Arnav's room, albeit with more apprehension than excitement.

As she slowly made her way, one step at a time towards her destination, she met up with Shyam, who for some strange reason was walking around with an empty serving plate in his hand.

"Hello Jeejaji," she said, yawning. She was tired. It had been a long day.

Shyam looked at Khushi walking down the corridor all by herself and frowned. "It's your first night. Someone should have walked you to Arnav's room." He sounded displeased.

At that moment though, Khushi didn't care. Her head was beginning to hurt because of the weight of her jewelry and her feet ached. She wanted to change. And she didn't have the patience to wait for someone to get free. She knew where Arnav's room was.

"It's okay Jeejaji, everyone was busy. We've had two weddings today."

Shyam paused for a second before putting the plate he was carrying to one side and said: "I'll walk you."

"No Jeejaji, that won't be necessary." But one look from Shyam and Khushi stifled her protest in her throat.

The two walked together silently, the sound from her bracelets and anklets rhythmically disturbing the tranquility of it all.

When they reached Arnav's room, Khushi politely thanked Shyam and reached for the door. Just as she was about to push the door open, Shyam stopped her.

"I know Khushi that the two of us barely know each other but as your Jeejaji and someone who's been married for seven years now, I want to give you some advice.

Khushi stopped. She'd had plenty of advice from her mother and Buaji about what a new daughter-in-law should and shouldn't do. Although she was in no frame of mind to listen to any more of it, she didn't want to sound rude. So she took her hand off the door handle and turned her attention to Shyam.

"Happily ever afters don't just happen. There is no magic formula. You have to work hard for your happily ever after.

"Staying happily married is like tending to a green plant. It requires the right amount of water, sunlight, soil, nutrition. But no one knows what the right amount is.

"What I'm trying to say Khushi is that, yes you're married to Arnav today, but that doesn't mean you have to change yourself, your likes and dislikes overnight to suit the man you married. It doesn't mean you stifle your dreams and ambitions to prioritize his. And it doesn't mean that you put your old relations on the backburner for the sake of new ones."

Shyam took a step forward and placed his hand on Khushi's head.

"Don't change, Khushi. Be the girl who Arnav fell in love with. But don't force him to change as well. Keep your personal space, but allow him his space too. Don't bend over backward for him, but don't expect him to do it for you too.

"There is no secret sauce to a happy marriage. And yet there is. Just keep at it. There will be good days and bad days but as long as there is respect, you'll sail through beautifully."

Khushi was touched. Her mother and Buaji had spent hours the night before telling her how she needed to mend her ways after marriage. She was going to be a Raizada daughter-in-law and it would be expected that she behaved in a mature and sensible manner. Her crazy antics would no longer be tolerated or excused. That she would have to carry herself in a manner befitting her future family. That she was the honor of her new family and that she would do well to remember that before she decided to do anything. How wrong they were. Tears of gratitude flowed through her eyes, as she bent down to take her brother-in-law's blessings.

"God bless you, my dear. Now go in and call it a night. I'm sure you're tired."

As Shyam turned to leave, he spotted Anjali standing a short distance behind with a glass of milk in her hands. She quietly walked up to them and handed the glass of milk to Khushi, before looping her hand into Shyam. She was already head over heels in love with her husband. She didn't know how she could love him anymore. But that day she did just fall in love with him a little bit more.