11 years later
"Surbhi, can you please tell Adil to stop pulling Mihira's hair?" Tanya complained.
"And get his sister to stand properly too?" Divya added while adjusting her camera on the stand.
"Come on, guys. Can't you see I am busy here?" Surbhi asked and picked up her one year old daughter.
She sang a lullaby, wishing for her kid, Arya, to fall asleep, but nothing was going like she had planned. She started cursing Aryan for her life and decided to call him to show how much their kids were troubling her. While her six year old son, Adil, wreaked havoc, her three year old daughter, Iraya, danced in front of the camera.
Tanya looked exhausted as she handled Surbhi's kids along with hers. Her four year old daughter, Mihira, was dragging Divya to click her pictures. Both mothers started fighting, ignoring Divya's complaints.
Only Rashi and I were sitting in peace, because one, Rashi had recently gotten married, and two, it was my wedding day, so I was getting ready with the help of make-up artists and a fashion designer.
I laughed as I saw Surbhi burst out in anger and stomp out, only to return a few moments later when Arya started crying again. My best friend shot me a glare and warned me that I would also have to go through it one day, and then Tanya and she would laugh to their heart's content.
"I don't think so," I teased.
Rashi giggled and Divya scolded her to help her in getting the kids together for the photoshoot because once they got their stomachs full, none of the toddlers would be able to keep their eyes open.
Finally, my friends got some relief when kids' fathers came to pick up their offsprings, and my bridesmaids went to get ready themselves. Aryan shot me a thumbs up before exiting with his small troop. I glanced back at my reflection in the mirror when my make up artists announced that I was done.
"Oh my god! Sandhu, I can't believe my eyes," Mom said as she entered my room with Avasthi Aunty.
Mom darted her gaze all over me and pulled me in a hug. I told her to save her tears for later, and she pinched my cheek. Dad and Avasthi Uncle also arrived soon, and Dad burst out crying without any warning.
"My Princess has grown up so much," he cried.
"I can't believe our Sandhu is getting married today," Nikhil's mom said in admiration.
I felt my throat constricting as unshed tears sprang up in my eyes; I shook my head and smiled at them. After distracting each other so that we wouldn't end up crying, my parents congratulated me and praised my friends once they got out of their rooms.
"All of you are looking gorgeous," Dad said.
"You too, Uncle and Aunty," my girl gang said in unison.
"The time has come. Are you ready?" Mom asked me.
I nodded enthusiastically and picked up my red lehenga. Mom adjusted my dupatta, and I took a huge breath before exiting the room, my loved ones following behind.
On our way, Parth, Shreyas, Ayush and my cousin, Jahnvi, joined me. Even though I had male cousins, I wanted Ayush to be there for the role of my brother, and he was more than happy to complete my wish.
"All set?" he asked.
"Yup." I grinned.
After reaching the mandap, Jahnvi announced my arrival and all eyes turned in our direction. My cousin nudged me and pointed towards the bridegroom.
(Wedding decorationsð)
Even after eleven years, I felt my heart sprinting and doing circus whenever I saw my Vedu Vada. And as I headed in his direction, I knew it was the same for him too. I took my time to register his image in my mind; he looked awesome in his light golden sherwani and maroon pagdi.
We had quite a distance between us, but I could see his cheeks sporting a cute pink tint as he reciprocated what I felt.
Beside him, Veer and his parents smiled at me. I nodded at them in acknowledgement and turned my attention back on my soon to be husband.
(Sandhya's outfitð)
(Ved's outfitð)
(Veer's outfitð)
I stepped up on the stage and stood in front of him. His lips curled up, and he took my hands in his. "I feel so blessed right now."
"Same here." I entwined our fingers.
"You are looking really beautiful."
"And you are looking like butterscotch ice-cream."
"Ahem!" Mayank coughed.
"What?" we asked.
He took the mic and pointed at our guests. "We get that you guys don't bother about your surroundings, but don't forget it is your wedding today."
Everyone burst out laughing, and Rajeev took the mic from Mayank's hand. He shook his head at his best friend and told Ved and I to take our time - it was indeed our marriage, so we could express our feelings however we wanted. I thanked Rajeev, and he gave a warning look to Mayank.
Both of them got off the stage; while Rajeev went beside his wife and his cousin Dhruv, Mayank continued goofing around. Our family and friends gathered around us, and soon, the rituals began after a short speech by Ved's dad.
Before taking saat pheras (seven rounds around the sacred fire), Ved tied the mangalsutra (sacred thread) around my neck and applied sindoor (vermillion) on my hair partition. Once Panditji (Hindu Priest) announced us as husband and wife, Ved kissed my forehead and hugged me tightly. We didn't leave each other and held on as if we were afraid of the moment to get over.
"Congratulations!" everyone yelled and burst out the confetti and threw flower petals on us.
We detached ourselves after Mom told me that we had to take everyone's blessings. Ved and I smiled sheepishly, but before we did what elders told us, we wanted to exchange some vows we made by ourselves. No one opposed us, and Veer stood between us like a priest.
Ved enclosed my hands in his and bored his chocolate orbs in my light brown ones. He waited for some time, his gaze taking in my full form. Finally, he exhaled deeply and shot me his gorgeous smile.
"You make me fall for you every second, my love. I am so fortunate to have you in my life, and I don't want to lose you ever. You are my girl, my best friend, my greatest competition, my role model, my Red Ranger, and I am really happy to call you my wife now, Sandhya Rai Rajput.
"I love you to the infinity and beyond - and forever. I will keep loving you till our last breaths and even after that. You are not my soulmate, Sandy Pandy, you are my soul."
I blinked my eyes rapidly and steeled my heart as it was my turn. I glanced at my friends and parents, and after Rajeev motioned for me to go ahead, I kissed Ved's nose and said my vow.
"Actually, I don't have any words to express what I am feeling right now, but thank you for accepting me the way I am. Even though I made you angry and frustrated, you never left my side and helped me in becoming a better version of myself every time. I love you, Princess. I didn't think that I would be able to love someone so much, but you showed me that it was possible.
"And I can proudly say that falling in love with you was the most beautiful blunder I ever made. I will keep troubling you because I know you are the only one who will never get tired of me. I also love you to the infinity and beyond, and will love you even if we reincarnate on some other planet.
"I promise I will do everything to keep you happy and safe. You can rely on me, my Natural Heater - I will always be there for you, just like your mom."
Ved's eyes became glazed, and I embraced him. Tears rolled down our cheeks, and our families let us get our emotions out as they were also crying rivers. Nikhil hugged us, and soon, the rest of our friends joined the hug. Shree and Karthik tried to crack some jokes to lighten the mood, and it did help to bring smiles on everyone's faces.
"So, what should I call you now? Didi or Bhabhi?" Veer asked.
"Whatever you are comfortable with," I said and patted his head.
"I will stick with Sandhya Didi." He grinned.
After receiving hugs from others, Ved and I moved to get our relatives' blessings. Then, it was time to get our photos clicked with every person who had graced us with their presence on one of the most important days of our lives.
Two hours later, my husband and I got some rest and were able to put some food in our growling stomachs. We enjoyed our time while dining with our loved ones, and a wave of nostalgia washed over us as we discussed our college time.
Fortunately, everyone was doing well in their life; we faced a lot of ups and downs, but we were able to overcome every obstacle as we had each others' backs. I was so immersed in the conversation that I didn't realise that I was getting called for the remaining rituals.
We got up, and after taking care of the rest of the stuff, it was time for my farewell. I was both happy and sad at the same time. Finally, I was going to spend the rest of my life with my love, but I didn't want to leave my parents behind.
I jumped in their arms and cried my eyes out. Mom and Dad hugged me close to their hearts and blessed me countless times. Then, my girl gang's turn came. We laughed through our tears, and then I hugged the guys. Shreyas made me promise that I would not shy away from sharing my problems, while Nikhil crushed me in his arms.
"I wish Lakshya bhaiyya was here," I said.
He nodded and broke the hug. "Take care of each other."
"Don't fight too much," Parth advised.
"That is impossible," Ayush joked.
"Kid," Rajeev said.
I smiled at him and hugged him and Mayank. My adoptive parents patted my head lovingly and told Ved not to make me cry. Ved assured them that he wouldn't give them a chance to complain. My friends engulfed me in a big joint hug, and then made way for my family.
"Take care, Princess." Dad kissed my forehead.
"Have a happy married life," Mom said and caressed my cheek.
"I love you both." I smiled.
Mom and Dad glanced at my spouse, and like always, he wrapped his arms around them. We got inside the car waiting for us, and I waved at my family from the window. Their bright faces got etched in my mind, morphing into an imaginary photograph which I stored in my heart.
The car started and zoomed towards my new home. Ved took my hand and kissed the knuckles. I giggled as he tickled my palm and ran his fingers on my wrist.
"Are you happy?" he asked.
I kissed him as my reply, and he smiled in the kiss. "Now you are stuck with me forever."
"And I love it."
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and left a long kiss on my forehead.
"I won't leave you - not even in your dreams," I said.
"Our dreams," he corrected.
It was the start of a new chapter in our lives, and my heart was full of happiness and excitement. I glanced at my husband, and then at our entwined fingers. Just like them, our destinies were tied up too, and I wished them to remain like that only - sweet, promising, and strong.