The house was decorated just as the bride and the groom would prefer for their marriage ceremony. There was a lot of hustle bustle, The house was filled with happy noises of the guests, children were playing in different groups making their parents run behind them ensuring their safety. Soft music was resonating in the vast hall from the huge music system that was installed in the hall.

Khushi was in the room getting the last minute touch up done. A few of her friends and Arnav's were there with her keeping her company as well as teasing her to their heart's content.

Arnav was sitting in front of the Sacred Fire as the mantras were being chanted doing everything as instructed.

"This is for the prosperous married life of the couple. May no evil eye fall upon the blessed couple." The priest blessed Arnav.

"Now you can call the bride" He instructed

Arnav's eyes brightened at the mention of his hazel and his face lit up with a dazzling smile. His eyes went towards the stairs on their own accord which was readily noticed by Anjali who smiled mischievously and nudged Payal who was fortunately for her and unfortunately for Arnav was standing just next to her.

"See there. Your impatient Arnav Bhai" Anjali whispered in Payal's ear.

Payal immediately looked in the said direction and saw Arnav smiling to himself. She made her way towards the altar

"Arnav Bhai" Payal tapped his shoulder lightly

He looked at his side to find Payal staring back at him with a mischievous grin. Arnav raised his brow at her

"Well.. I just wanted to ask what is making you smile so widely?" Payal asked Oh-So-Innocently

Arnav nodded thoughtfully a smirk replacing his earlier innocent smile and then scrunched his brows thinking hard.

Payal slapped her forehead mentally as she got an inkling of what was to come, regretting trying to tease his brother in law

"Just remember, you called for this" Was what Arnav's face read at the moment as he opened his mouth to answer his Sister-in-law's question.

"The same thing which was making you smile or rather blush beetroot red roughly nine months ago" Arnav answered with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Payal's cheeks turned pink as she lowered her eyes in shyness.

"She'll be here soon" Payal said smiling

"I can't wait to see her" He confessed genuinely.

"There's no way I can tease you, Is there? Who is so brutally honest about it?" Payal asked in disbelief

"Me" Arnav smirked

Payal huffed in annoyance and walked off towards the stairs to get Khushi, Arnav chuckled lightly at her retreating figure.

Minutes felt like hours as Arnav sat there waiting for his Khushi to show up, He felt his hands sweating with anticipation and nervousness and suddenly, His heart picked up the pace of a bullet train, He looked up at the top of the stairs only to see Khushi looking ethereal in a beautiful blood red bridal lehenga. Her cheeks turned red feeling an intense gaze at herself

She was lead downstairs accompanied by a large number of giggling girls along with Payal, Lavanya and Anjali who made her sit next to Arnav.

"Stop gawking at me like that" Khushi whispered softly her eyes lowered in shyness

"Can't help it baby, Not when you're looking so smoking hot, That too in my favourite colour!!" He whispered back

"Stop it Laad-Governor!!" She tried to glare at him but seeing him looking so adorably lost in admiring her she could do nothing but blush profusely

"Stop admiring each other, ArShi. You have your whole life for that" Lavanya said breaking their bubble and making Arnav glare at her angrily

"It's time to exchange the garlands" The Priest announced "Please stand up"

Arnav stood up from his seat and helped Khushi in standing up which she was unable to do on her own due to the heavy lehenga.

"It's so heavy" She complained under her breath

"But beautiful" Arnav said smiling

Ratna and Garima handed Khushi and Arnav the Garlands.

"First the Groom shall make the bride wear the Garland" The priest instructed

Arnav moved closer to Khushi with a smile and raised his hands to make her wear the Garland when NK and a few of Khushi's cousin brothers lifted her off her feet making her squeal in surprise and him groan in irritation.

"What the-??" Arnav blurted out earnings a soft giggle from her. Arnav stood on his tiptoes to try and make Khushi wear the garland but as soon as he reached a little near her the boys pulled her a little more up

"Guys.. Please" Arnav sighed after his nth attempt making a cute puppy face

"That should be enough children, Put her down" Came the voice of Garima and Shashi making the boys sulk at the couple and terming them as spoilt sports before gently placing her on the stage.

Arnav put the garland around her neck smiling widely.

"Now the bride can put the garland around the groom." The priest said.

Khushi moved in his direction but before she could even raise her arms Arnav was pulled off his feet by Akash and his brothers. Making the hall erupt in hoots and laughter.

Arnav smirked down at her while she made a crying face looking adorably cute. Suddenly, She felt herself being lifted by her brothers

"You can't win Raizada" Nk cheered

Khushi smirked at the surprised groom of hers

"Why did we not think of this??" Arnav whispered

Khushi made Arnav wear the garland and the couple was finally made to stand on their own feet.

"Kanyaadan ki rasam ke liye aage aayein (Come forward for the Kanyaadan Ritual)" The priest said. Garima and Shashi came forward to perform the Kanyadaan Ritual (A ritual I have never seen getting performed, And internet wasn't much of a help either. so spare me with details)

"The groom's elder sister has to do the Gathbandhan (Tying Khushi's dupatta end with Arnav's shawl end)" The priest instructed

Anjali came forward to do the needful with a wide smile on her face and tied the ends of both their clothes in a tight knot.

"Now the Saptpadi (The seven steps around the sacred fire) is to be done. The husband should walk in front of the wife for the first four rounds" The priest said. Arnav moved to stand in front of Khushi taking her hand firmly in his own and the couple completed the first round and the priest explained the promises that the bride and the groom give to each other.

Of course in hindi but here's the English translation

'O' bride you have walked one step with me. Now we have become friends; hence you will become provider of food.Help me to fulfill my vowed religious observances (vrats). May we have children and may they have a long life.'- The groom Promises as the first round comes to an end

'O Beloved! I have had the good fortune of acquiring you due to the various types of merits acquired by me in various births.'- The bride promises

In the second round of Saptpadi the groom promises-

'O bride, you have walked two steps with me; hence may you become one who will give me strength.'

The Bride promises-

'I will look after your entire family, from the infant to the aged and will be happy with whatever I get for my sustenance.'

The third round, The groom promises-

'O bride, since you have walked three steps with me, may you become one who will increase my wealth.'

The Bride Promises-

'I will always abide by your directives and will regularly cook delicious food, vegetables, etc.'

"YOU'RE NOT MY MAID KHUSHI" Arnav wanted to say

"I know" Khushi pressed his hand in understanding

The fourth round, The Groom Promises-

'Since you have walked four steps with me may you increase my happiness.'

"That you're going to" Arnav thought with a smile

The Bride Promises-

'I will embellish myself with clean attire and will indulge in sexual play with you through acts with the mind, speech and body.'

Arnav smirked internally visualising his hazel's red cheeks and wide eyes

The Fifth Round, The groom promises-

'Since you have walked five steps with me, may you give birth to children.'

"WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL IS THIS? Does marrying a woman give a guy magical powers?? Looks like that" Arnav mused

Khushi chuckled

The Bride promises-

'I who face sorrow bravely and remain pleased in happiness will share both your happiness and sorrow and will never indulge in adultery.'

The sixth round, The groom promises-

'Since you have walked six steps with me may you give me pleasure in all seasons'

The bride promises-

'I will happily perform all your household chores. I will also serve my in-laws and will respect other relatives. I will stay wherever you stay. I will never deceive my beloved and will never get deceived by him.'

The seventh round, The groom promises-

'You have walked seven steps with me, hence our friendship (relationship) has become strong.'

The bride promises-

'O beloved! I will assist you in the rituals of sacrificial fires (homa-yajnya), etc. and will obey you with regard to Righteousness (Dharma), wealth (artha) and desire (kama). Here, in the presence of the deity of fire (Agnidev), the Brahmans, my parents and relatives you have become my master and I have offered myself wholly unto you.'

With this the Saptpadi ended with the couple promising each other an eternity of love compassion care and concern.

The priest instructed Arnav to fill vermillion in Khushi's hairline and make her wear the mangalsutra finally making them husband and wife in all senses.

"Congratulations wifey" Arnav husked softly

"Congratulations hubby" Khushi smiled hugging Arnav

Arnav and Khushi made their way towards the elders taking their blessings to start their new lives