Chapter 6 - Part 2 （Mehendi & Sangeet）
The Malhotra mansion was transformed into a vibrant festival of colors, laughter, and music. The scent of fresh henna mixed with the fragrance of marigold garlands, filling the air with the essence of celebration. The Mehendi and Sangeet ceremonies were combined into one grand event, a perfect blend of tradition and entertainment.
Inside the massive garden area, a canopy of fairy lights shimmered over the guests, casting a golden glow on the festivities. Ira sat in the center, her hands stretched out as the mehendi artist skillfully traced intricate designs on her palms. Her gaze occasionally flickered toward Aarav, who sat on the far side of the garden, engaged in a conversation with business associates, deliberately ignoring the chaos of the celebration.
But the true entertainment of the night wasn’t the bride and groom—it was their families.
The Family War Begins
Vihaan, Kabir, and Anika stood together, forming a perfect trio of mischief. “It’s time,” Vihaan whispered, a wicked grin on his face.
On the other side, Ansh cracked his knuckles. “Malhotras think they own the stage? Let’s show them what the Sharmas are made of.”
The music shifted, and suddenly, the Sangeet turned into a full-blown dance battle.
First Round: The Malhotras Take Over
Vihaan, Kabir, and Anika kicked off the night with a high-energy performance on "Gallan Goodiyan" from Dil Dhadakne Do. The three of them danced like they owned the stage, pulling off coordinated moves while dragging along the elders—Rajesh, Hitesh, and even Virendra Malhotra, who surprisingly swayed a little to the beats.
The crowd roared with laughter as the usually serious Malhotra men tried to keep up with their younger family members. Even Aarav, who was pretending to be disinterested, glanced toward them, a flicker of amusement in his otherwise cold expression.
The Sharmas Strike Back
Ansh smirked. “Not bad, but let’s show them real energy.”
With that, he pulled Ira’s mother, Shreya, onto the stage, and the Sharma family broke into "London Thumakda" from Queen. The women twirled in their lehengas, their faces glowing with joy as they matched steps with the younger members. Even Ira, despite having mehendi on her hands, swayed slightly in her seat, laughing at her family’s enthusiasm.
At some point, Ansh pointed toward Ira, smirking. “This song is dedicated to our sister, who’s going to leave us soon. Dulhan hum le jayenge!”
The crowd burst into cheers, and Ira’s cheeks burned as her family playfully teased her.
The Final Battle: A Girls vs. Boys Showdown
Anika wasn’t ready to back down. “Enough of this. Let’s settle this properly—boys vs. girls.”
Kabir groaned. “You’ll lose, Anika.”
“We’ll see about that.”
The boys—Vihaan, Kabir, Ansh, and even some of their cousins—took center stage first, dancing to "Badtameez Dil" from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Their effortless moves and synchronized steps had the audience clapping along.
But the girls weren’t ready to give up. Anika, leading the charge, pulled Ira’s hand, forcing her to stand up despite her mehendi. “Let’s go!”
The girls countered with "Cutiepie" from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, twirling and teasing the boys in the process. Even Sunita and Nandini joined in, making the boys step back in surrender.
Aarav & Ira’s Moment
While the performances continued, Ira felt a familiar gaze on her. She turned her head slightly and found Aarav watching her, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
Their eyes met for a brief second.
Before she could react, Kabir suddenly grabbed Aarav’s hand. “Bhai, you have to dance too!”
Aarav’s brows furrowed. “No.”
Vihaan smirked. “Oh, come on. Even Dadaji moved a little. You’re the groom. You have no choice.”
The crowd erupted in chants of “Aarav! Aarav!”
For a second, it seemed like he would walk away. But then, to everyone’s shock, Aarav actually stepped onto the stage.
The music changed to "Sauda Khara Khara" from Good Newwz, and instead of dancing properly, Aarav simply walked over to Ira and extended his hand.
Ira blinked in confusion. “What?”
“If I’m being forced to dance, you’re coming with me,” he murmured.
Her heart skipped a beat, but before she could protest, he pulled her forward, his grip firm yet careful of her mehendi-covered hands. The cheers around them faded as she became aware of only one thing—Aarav’s intense gaze locked onto hers.
For the first time that night, she felt like she wasn’t just a part of a wedding function.
She felt like his bride.
The Night Ends, But the Story Continues
As the celebrations died down and the families sat together, laughing over old stories, Ira couldn’t shake off the strange warmth in her chest.
She wasn’t sure what it was—perhaps just the excitement of the wedding.
Or maybe, just maybe, it was the beginning of something she wasn’t ready to admit yet.