Disclaimer: All the rituals in this part are taken from a website. Any mistake I do apologize! I have no intention to hurt anyone's feelings or beliefs.

Night,
Murthy farmhouse,
Nandini was sitting on the window seat looking at the light of the moon glowing on the lake behind the house, deep in her thoughts.

Nandini's nightwear 👇

She came out of her thoughts when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked back to see her mother standing there. She gave a faint smile to her and Ishita settled beside her.

I: *caressing her hair* Kya hua gudiya? Kya soch rahi ho?

N: *hugging and sobbing* Amma darr lag raha hai.

I: *smiling* Aisa hota hai pari, har ladki ko hota hai!

N: Amma aapko bhi hua tha kya? I am really scared. Kya mai yai sab ache se nibha paungi? Will I be able to be a good wife? A good daughter in law? A good sister in law? Aap logo ke bina kaise rahungi mai? Mein aap sab ko bohot miss karungi! Aapke jaise kon muje choti choti seekh dega, lap mai sulayega? Appa ke jaise kon mujhe humesha aapse aur bhai se bachayega, pamper karega? Bhai ke saath wo haar baat pai ladayi, wo late night ice cream dates, wo heart to heart talks... I am gonna miss all this! Kya mai hamesha aapke saath nahi reh sakti?

I: *smiling with tears* Pagli, aisa nahi hota gudiya! Yehi rit hai, har ladki ko jana hota hai! Aur tu to aise bol rahi hai ki hum tumhe kahi dur bhej rahe hai, Mumbai mai hi to hai tu. Rahi baat miss karne ki toh we will miss you too! But tum shaadi kar rahi ho, humse rishta nahi tod rahi! We are always there for you aur tum aisa kyu nahi sochti ke hamare saath saath aur bhi kitne sare naye rishte judenge tere. Nyo aur Raj bhai toh tuje apni beti hi mante hai, Cabir tumhe apni behen manta hai, Naira tumhari choti behen hai pehle se hi aur Manik... beta woh tumhara jeevan saathi banega, no matter what he will always be there for you, to support you, protect you, care for you and love you.

N: *smiling* Thank you amma! Pata nahi kyu ab bhi darr lag raha hai, par now I feel a bit better. Amma maine kabhi rishte nahi nibhaye because aap the hamesha but ab mujhe yeh sab karna hoga and you know what I just want to be like you, perfect! *hugging her* I love you amma!

I: *hugging back* I love you too kanna!

Raman/Abhi: *standing at the door* Aur hum?

Nandini ran and hug them too. They had some family time and after that called it an early night as they had to wake up early tomorrow morning after all it was the most important day of their Nandu!

Wedding day morning,
Murthy farmhouse,
It was the day of our Manan's wedding and as decided a Tamil wedding will take place in a beautiful temple in early morning followed by a Punjabi wedding at evening. Murthys and Goenkas in Murthy house were running here and there looking after last minute whereas our bride was being made ready with the help of beauticians, Navya and Keerti in her room.

Nav: Are waah Nandu tumhari mehndi ka rang to kafi dark aya hai!

Ke: Navya, kehte hai jiski mehndi ka rang dark ho na uska hone wala pati usse utna hi zyada pyaar karta hai.

N: *blushing* Pls na don't tease me!

Both the ladies laughed. Soon she was ready decked up in a silk white and pink saree with golden border looking breathtakingly gorgeous. Ishita entered the room and her eyes filled with tears seeing her daughter in bridal look. She went forward, kissed her forehead and hugged her blessing her heartily. They then went downstairs where all praised her. Soon they settled in the car and headed to the temple where the wedding will take place.

On reaching the temple, Nandini was taken in a small gauri temple for Gauri puja by Swarna, amms and Ishita. This is a ritual that is performed by the bride only. After the bride has been dressed up, she offers her prayers and performs a short puja to the Gauri idol wishing for a happily married life ahead.

While Nandini was doing the puja, Malhotras arrived at the temple, all beaming in happiness of their Manu's wedding. Manik was explained that he must grab umbrella, walking sticks and some food items to go off to Varanasi or Kashi, renouncing all worldly attachments to pursue religious studies.

M: *shocked* What? Lekin mai apni shaadi chod ke Varanasi kyu jau? Aur phir Nandu ka kya hoga?

All burst out laughing hearing him whereas he made a bad face still tensed about it. Raman than explained him about the ritual 'Kashi yathra' and he nodded in understanding and relaxed himself. He did as he was asked, and Raman then intercepts him outside the temple and makes him see the virtues of the domestic life as opposed to hermit one. Raman then promises Manik to give his daughter, Nandini to him in marriage. Manik accepts this proposal and returns to the temple to get married. The umbrella is to be kept with him throughout the wedding to remind him of the decision and his duties thereby. They then proceed to the Mandap and all were awestruck at the beauty of it. It was covered with white and pink flowers looking exquisite. It was personally taken care of by Abhi for his baby doll's wedding and all praised him for that and adored his love for his sister.

Mandap 👇

(Ignore the chairs below the stage)

Aye Ho Meri Zindagi Me Tum Bahar Banke
Mere Dil Me Yuhi Rahena Tum Pyar Pyar Banke

Nandini was then brought to the Mandap by Abhi and Raman, both holding her hands from each side. As soon as Manik saw her, his breath hitched. She was the epitome of beauty for him. He could see nothing but her. He did sense her nervousness but as soon as she lifted her lashes to look at him her nervousness subsided. He gasped a long breath in order to bring himself back, his eyes not leaving her face until she was made to sit next to him. She looked in his eyes and he passed a reassuring smile to her making her relaxed.

Nandini 👇

Manik 👇

Panditji asked them to stand up for 'MaalaiMaatral' which is the first step of the wedding. Malhotras were confused about the meaning of the name of the ritual but thankfully panditji knew Hindi and he explained about it being equivalent to varmala. Manan stood up but Cabir was pulling Manik back annoying Nandu who was making the cutest pouts possible making a grin break on our hero's face. After few minutes of seeing her struggling, he stopped Cabir and bend his head in front of her. Everyone hooted for him whereas Nandini had tears in her eyes. She put the garland in his neck, and he did the same making all applaud.

Ankho Me Tum Base Ho Sapne Hazar Banke
Mere Dil Me Yuhi Rahena Tum Pyar Pyar Banke

Manan were then taken to a swing for onjal where the couple is made to sit on a swing which is rocked gently. The women of the family surround the swing and sing Oonjal Pattu songs. Only Ishita, amms and Swarna sang as others didn't know it. The elders of the family come one by one and feed the couple milk and banana and bless them. Women from both the families carry out some rituals to ward off evil energy.

Mere Sathi Mere Sajaan Mere Saath Yuhi Chalna
Badle Ga Raang Zamana Par Tum Nahi Badalna
Meri Maang Yuhi Bharna Taare Hazar Ban Ke

They were then asked to step off the swing and the end of the Nandini's saree is tied to the end of Manik's stole. Raman then bends down to wash Manik's feet when he backs off.

M: Papa, yeh aap kya kar rahe hai?

Ra: Beta yeh ek ritual hai in which I must wash your feet and its important.

M: What? No, I can't allow you to do this! Aap mujhse bade hai, how can I allow you to touch my feet?

Everyone smiles at this praising Ranika for giving best values to their children and Ranika felt proud of their son. After a lot of arguments, when Manik still did not agree, Abhi smiled and went forward, tapped Raman's shoulder gaining his attention. All looked at him and he gestured Raman to move, then bend down and washed Manik's feet. All smiled at this and Ishra felt proud of their son. Panditji explained that through this ritual the groom is viewed as representative of Lord Vishnu.

Aye Ho Meri Zindagi Me Tum Bahar Banke
Mere Dil Me Yuhi Rahena Tum Pyar Pyar Banke

Manik is then seated on the floor at his designated spot. Raman sits facing him, Nandini is seated on her father's lap and a coconut is placed on her hands. Raman then supports his daughter's hands and offers the coconut to Manik together. Ishita pours holy water over the coconut. Thus, through this formal ceremony, Ishra gives Nandini to Manik and requests him to take care of their daughter for the rest of their life. Manan's hands are tied with a sacred thread to seal their union.

Agar Me Jo Rooth Jao To Tum Mujhe Manana
Thama Hai Haath Mera Phir Umar Bhar Nibhana
Mujhe Chod Ke Na Jana Waade Hazar Karke
Aye Ho Meri Zindagi Me Tum Bahar Banke

After completion of the Kanyadanam ritual, Ranika presents Nandini with a nine-yard silk saree symbolizing their acceptance of her into their family. Manik is then asked to apply vermillion to her hair parting which he does. A tear drops from her eyes at that moment feeling content which he carefully wipes off making her smile. The Thaali is blessed by panditji and Manik ties the Thaali, south Indian equivalent of a mangalsutra, around Nandini's neck. The first two knots of the Thaali is put in by Manik while the third and the final one is put in by the groom's sister, Naira.

Mere Dil Me Yuhi Rahena Tum Pyar Pyar Banke
Ankho Me Tum Base Ho Sapne Hazar Banke
Mere Dil Me Yuhi Rahena Tum Pyar Pyar Banke

After that they stand up for saptpadi, Manan holds each other's hands and go around the sacred fire seven times. Vedic mantras are chanted by panditji which outlines the seven sacred vows of a marriage. This ritual marks the symbolic beginning of the couple's journey as husband and wife. Panditji then announces them as a married couple and ask them to take blessing from the elders. Manan looked at each other with content smiles. They then first went to Kiran and Yash and bend down to take their blessing who blessed them happily followed by Amms and Suhasini. Then they went to Ranika who instead took them in a hug and same goes with Ishra. They also took Akshara-Naitik's and Swarna-Manish's blessing. Younger clan just pounced on them after that congratulating them.

It was 11am by the time all the rituals were finished. They had their brunch only after feeding the poor in the temple as per Nandini's wish. Everyone settled in the car and Manan were made to sit in a separate car with the driver. Whole throughout the journey to farmhouses, there was silence in the car, a peaceful one with their hands entwined. Both were trying to sink in the fact that now they are married, they are Mr and Mrs Malhotra! 😍😍

Author's note: Hey guys, how's the update? Liked it? What part do you like the most?
Honestly, one of my favourite part! It just feels so pure! Punjabi wedding in the next one! 😁😁

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Lots of love from Vaish