Chapter 62
Abhishek was pacing back and forth in the living room, his brows were knitted together making stressed lines on his forehead. While Aditya was sitting on the sofa, tapping his foot restlessly on the floor. Arush was looking at both of them with eyes filled with questions.
"Bhai, bhaiya kab aayenge?" Arush asked.
Abhishek looked at him briefly before continuing his pacing, "I don't know." He muttered.
"Bhaiya gaye kahan hain?" Arush further asked, his voice was small.
"Mujhe kya pata wo kahan gaye hain mujhe bata kar nahi gaye hain." Abhishek snapped.
Arush buried his face in Aditya's side after the harsh rebuke. Aditya rubbed his back to comfort him.
"Bhaiya ko call kariye na." Aditya said.
"Itni der se wahi kar raha hoon nahi lag raha unka call." Abhishek replied, his voice was tight with tension.
"Pata nahi kahan honge subah se ghar se bahar hain... kabhi bina bataye nahi jate." Aditya mumbled, controlling his emotions.
"Bohot gusse me nikle the ghar se, bhai bhi unhi ke saath the aur ab dono ka hi call nahi lag raha... mujhe bohot tension ho rahi hai." Abhishek said, pacing here and there in the hall. His eyes were darting at the entrance at every moment.
After fifteen minutes, they heard the screeching of tires indicating Advait had arrived. They glanced at each other before running to the entrance. Their faces were relieved with happiness as soon as their eyes landed on Advait.
Arush ran to him hugging his leg followed by the other two, Abhishek and Aditya wrapped their arms around his torso.
Arush, "Bhaiya kahan chale gaye the aap?"
Aditya, "Hume kitni tension ho rahi thi"
Abhishek, "Ek call to kar hi sakte the."
They complained, Advait hugged them back without answering. Shreya smiled looking at them, while her grandmother squinted her eyes.
"Boliye na kahan gaye the aap?" Abhishek asked looking up from his embrace.
Advait was already in stress, he shifted his gaze to his savior and he stepped in.
"Bacchon pehle Advait ko andar to aane do phir baat karte hain." Reyansh said and they pulled back from the hug, Arush held Advait's hand and started taking him inside.
Everyone settled in the hall, Abhishek looked at Shreya, "Di aaj Sunday hai mai aaj nahi padhunga." He almost whined thinking she had come for his tuition.
Shreya glanced at Advait who took a deep breath before saying, "Abhi, Shreya yahan tumhari tuition class ke liye nahi aayi hain." He said.
Abhishek furrowed his brows.
"Actually me and Shreya... I mean we... we are getting married." He dropped the bomb.
Abhishek and Aditya's face were unreadable but Arush slipped away his hand from Advait's hold, looking at him with doe eyes.
"You're joking." Arush mumbled looking up at him.
Advait looked at Abhishek and Aditya before crouching down to Arush's level, he gently cupped his face, "I'm serious, Aru. I'm getting married to Shreya." He said, his voice was soft.
"But you promised us that you'll never marry." Arush sobbed.
Advait was out of words, he had anticipated this reaction from Arush. Shreya sensed the building up tension, she stepped forward and placed his hand on Advait's shoulder. Arush glared at her hand and removed it from Advait's shoulder.
"Mere bhaiya ko touch mat karo." He snapped with teary eyes.
"Aru, aise nahi karte." Advait scolded.
He started crying snaking his arms around Advait's neck, "Nahi aap shaadi nahi karoge aapne promise kiya tha mai aapko shaadi nahi karne dunga." He sobbed.
Advait rubbed his back, "Shh Stop crying, pehle meri baat suno rona band karo." He said rubbing his back continuously.
Arush was not ready to leave him, he shook his head while burying in his neck, "Nahi sunuga kuch nahi sunuga." He replied.
Abhishek pulled him away from Advait's embrace, "Kyun ro raha hai isme rone wali konsi baat hai?" He asked narrowing his eyes.
"Aap door hato mujhse." Arush pushed him slightly and ran upstairs.
"Aru..." Advait called him but he already disappeared in the hallway.
Advait clutched his head between hands, Reyansh placed his hand on his shoulder in a comforting manner, "Stress lena band kar, maan jayega wo." He said.
"Abhi, Adi tum dono ko to koi problem nahi haina?" Tia asked.
They both shook their heads with wide grins, "Problem? We are very happy... Hum to Shreya didi ko kab se apni bhabhi banana chahate the." Abhishek replied.
"Yes mujhe to Shreya didi bohot pasand hai meri masti me bhi mujhe support karti hain." Aditya chirped earning a glare from Shreya.
"Mai Aru se baat karta hoon." Advait stepped ahead but Shreya stopped him from behind.
"Advait!" She said, he turned back.
"Mai ek baar baat karke dekhun?" She asked with hesitancy.
He thought for a moment before nodding and they both went upstairs leaving others in the hall.
Aditya looked at Shreya's grandmother and whispered in Reyansh's ear, "Who is she?"
"Your bhabhi's grandmother." Reyansh replied.
Aditya made an 'O' of his mouth after receiving the introduction.
"Tum log betho mai shaadi ke arrangements kar ke aata hoon, Aru ko to Advi mana hi lega." Reyansh said.
"Whatt?" Abhishek and Aditya shouted in unison.
"Shaadi ki arrangements kar ke aata hoon... Matlab?" Abhishek asked.
Reyansh sighed before revealing "Shaadi aaj hi hai thodi der me."
"Hein par itni jaldi kyun?" Aditya asked, widening his eyes.
Reyansh glared at Shreya's grandmother who glared at her return and he passed her a tight lipped smile.
"Tumhari bhabhi ko tumhare bhaiya se shaadi karne ki badi jaldi hai islie... Now no more questions." Tia spoke up, ending the topic.
Reyansh left from there, Abhishek settled beside Tia whispering in her ear, "Ye aunty itni der se sabko ghoor kyun rahi hain?"
"It's her favorite hobby." She replied dryly, loud enough for her to hear.
"Yaar maine to kapde bhi select nahi kiye." Aditya mumbled grabbing Abhishek's and Tia's attention.
"Yahan itni tension hai isey apne kapdo ki padi hai." Tia shook her head.
Abhishek's gaze went to Amrinder and Kalyani who entered the mansion, they both were at their friend's place. Kalyani looked at everyone with firm eyes, studying everyone's face.
"Hello dadu." Tia said, getting up from her seat.
"Hello beta, how are you?" Amrinder asked lovingly.
"Patakha as always." She winked.
Kalyani scoffed.
"Aap kaun?" Kalyani asked, looking directly at Shreya's grandmother.
"Mai Shreya ki nani hoon." She replied, her voice was firm.
Kalyani and Amrinder glanced at each other, before they could ask anything Tia jumped in, "She is here for marriage." She said.
"Whatt?" Kalyani raised her voice in disbelief, "Is umar me ye shaadi karengi?"
Aditya and Abhishek laughed and Shreya's grandmother glared at Kalyani.
"Nahi nahi dadi, inki shaadi nahi... Ye to yahan Advait aur Shreya ki shaadi ke liye aayi hain." Tia clarified.
"Advait ki shaadi?" Amrinder said with shock, "Wo bhi Shreya ke saath?" Kalyani added almost disgustingly.
Tia nodded.
"Aur ye kisne decide kiya?" Kalyani asked incredulously.
"Jinhe shaadi karni hai unhone." Abhishek replied as a matter-of-fact.
Kalyani glared, "Nahi ye shaadi nahi ho sakti mera Advait shaadi karega wo bhi us Shreya se... kabhi nahi." She said.
"Well, shaadi to un dono ki hogi wo bhi aaj hi." Tia replied.
"Par beta yun achanak aise shaadi?" Amrinder asked.
"Acche kaam me der kyun karni dadu." She replied.
Kalyani glared.
"Mai iss shaadi ki permission kabhi nahi dungi." She declared.
"Aapki permission maang kon raha hai?" Aditya retorted.
She fumed in anger, "Badtameez bacche.. mai tumse baat nahi kar rahi."
"As if I'm dying to talk to you." Aditya said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
Abhishek and Tia stiffled their laughter.
On the other side of the mansion, Advait and Shreya were standing outside Arush's room. Advait's forehead creased with tensed lines, he was feeling helpless from inside. Shreya sensed his distress, she gently held his hand in hers pressing it firmly in reassurance.
"Aap yaheen rukiye... Mai baat karti hoon." She said, Advait nodded and she stepped inside.
Arush was sitting on the bed, pressing his knees to chest and his face was buried between his arms. His little body was shaking with sobs, her heart softened at the sight of the little one's state.
She carefully stepped forward and sat down on the bed in front of him. Arush looked up sensing the shift in the bed. He glared at her innocently making her smile at him.
"Aap abhi tak gaye nahi?" He asked, his voice was trembling.
"Aru..." She started to say but he cut her off.
"Aap jao yahan se... Mai bhaiya ko aap se shaadi nahi karne dunga." He declared firmly crossing his arms over his chest.
She made a dramatic sad face, "Itni buri hoon mai?" She asked with a pout.
Arush looked up at the ceiling lost in deep thinking and shook his head after a minute, "No, aap acche ho." He answered.
"Phir aap mujhe apne bhaiya se shaadi kyun nahi karne de rahe?" Her pout deepened.
"Nahi karne dunga." He shook his head with determination.
"Par kyun?" She whined.
"Phir wo aap se sabse jyada pyar karenge mujhse nahi." Arush jutted out his lower lip, his eyes wide with fear and unshed tears.
"Aisa aap se kisne kaha Aru baby?" She softly asked.
Arush stood up on the bed in defiance to make his point, "Maine movie me dekha tha sabko apni wife ko sabse jyada pyar karna chahiye... Aap bhaiya ki wife ban jaoge to wo bas aapko pyar karenge." He raised his voice.
Shreya slapped her palm on her forehead. She gently tucked on his hand to make him sat down on the bed.
"You're right. Sab ko apni wife ko pyar karna chahiye." She said and Arush's chin quivered.
"But iska matlab ye nahi hai ki aapke bhaiya aapse pyar nahi karenge. Dekho, mai aapke bhaiya ki wife hongi... unki life me meri alag jagah hogi. Aap unke cute se bacche ho aapki jagah alag hai." She said.
"Mai iss ghar me ya unki life me kisi aur ki jagah lene nahi aa rahi hoon baccha. Mai to bas apni ek jagah banana chahti hoon, jaise aap unke liye ho waise hi mere liye honge. Mai bhi aapse, Abhi aur Adi se utna hi pyar karungi jitna aapke bhaiya aapse karte hain." She added, her voice was soft.
"Kisi ek ke life me aane se kisi dusre ke liye pyar kam nahi ho jata. Aapke bhaiya aapse humesha utna hi pyar karenge jitna wo abhi aapse karte hain. Mai kabhi unke dil me aap logo ki jagah nahi lena chahti bas khud ke liye ek choti si jagah banana chahti hoon." Her eyes teared up slightly.
Arush's face turned softened in understanding. He thought for a good time before asking, "Par bhaiya sab se jyada pyar mujhse hi karenge na?"
Shreya's face broke into a smile as she nodded. Advait entered the room, he was listening to all this from the door and stepped inside at the right moment.
"Bhaiya aap Shreya didi se shaadi kar lo. Ye bohot acchi hain." He said, jumping down from the bed.
Advait and Shreya smiled looking at each other. Arush gestured to Advait to bend down and he did.
"Bas aap mujhse sab se jyada pyar karna." He whispered in Advait's ear making him chuckled and lightly flicked his head playfully.
~________________________________________~
A pavilion was set in the middle of the hall.
The havan kund was set in the middle for the rituals.
Pandit ji was doing preparations for the wedding.
Reyansh, Tia, Abhishek, Aditya, Arush with Vanya and Sia standing near the staircase waiting for the entry of bride and groom.
Reyansh's parents, Raj and Simran were also presented there, they both were very happy for Advait and Shreya.
Tia's parents were out of the city so they couldn't make it.
Amrinder was busy talking with Raj while Kalyani was fuming in annoyance.
Shreya's grandmother's face remained stoic, her lips were pressed in a thin line.
She didn't even talk with anyone since she arrived.
"Wow!!" Arush's voice grabbed everyone's attention, everyone looked at him. He was looking upstairs, others followed his gaze and their eyes landed on the groom and bride.
Shreya was standing at the top of the stairs in a rich red coloured saree.
Her hair were opened waving on her shoulders.
The golden embroidery of her saree enchanting her look, the red color was going well with her skin.
Her lips were coated in dark red and top lids of her eyes were shimmering.
Tia helped her in makeup and she was looking absolutely beautiful.
Her wrists were covered with a mix of red and golden bangles and her hand was entwined in Advait's hand who was looking absolutely handsome in his well fitted golden sherwani.
His wedding attire was perfect hugging his biceps making him look irresistible.
Reyansh arranged the sherwani in a very short time and it was perfect for him.
Advait's face was set in his usual stoic one but something softened was there in his face which was rare to experienced.
They both were looking perfect with each other, their hands fitted in each other's perfectly as if the puzzles of a same piece.
They both carefully started stepping down the stairs with Advait's helping Shreya as she was having difficulty in walking in a heavy saree.
His hand was firmly yet gently gripped her hand to support her in balancing to stepped down the stairs.
Everyone gathered around them as soon as they landed on the last stair.
"Wow di, You're looking so beautiful." Abhishek complimented.
"Bhaiya, You looking dapper." Aditya commented proudly.
Reyansh took Advait in a tight hug and whispered, "Dekh le abhi bhi waqt hai... mujhse jyada pyar tujhe koi ladki nahi kar sakti darling." He said in a teasing tone.
Advait scoffed and patted his back with extra force than needed making him yelp. They both laughed at each other, it was their love language to tease each other.
"Ek baat yaad rakhna Advait iss shaadi me mera aashirvaad kabhi nahi hoga." Kalyani spat.
"Maine maanga aapse aashirvaad?" Advait replied nonchalantly.
She gritted out her teeth and stomped away from there furiously. Amrinder didn't follow her and kept standing there to attend his grandson's wedding.
"Bohot sundar lag rahi ho, Shreya." Tia exclaimed hugging her tightly to divert her mind from the negative thoughts.
"Di is right, Shreya di oops bhabhi... You're looking gorgeous." Sia said.
Shreya blushed, a red hue spread across her face when Sia called her 'bhabhi'. Tia noticed it and whispered in her ear, "Sirf bhabhi sunne par itna sharma rahi ho, suhagraat par kya haal hoga tumhara." Her tone was teasing while she shook her head in a mock disappointment.
Shreya's face turned crimson and her eyes widened slightly at Tia's playful statement.
"You looking like a doll, Shreya di." Vanya said in her sweet voice.
"You also look like a doll Vanu... that too a barbie doll." Aditya spoke up.
Reyansh narrowed his eyes, "Mere baap ke saamne unki beti se flirt kar raha hai... Kisi ke baap ka dar nahi hai tere bhai me." He whispered gritted out in Abhishek's ear who was standing right beside him.
"Compliment hi to diya hai, bhai." Abhishek replied earning himself a glare.
"Var-Vadhu apna sthan grehan kar lijiye... Subh muhurat nikla jaa raha hai." Pandit ji spoke up.
Advait extended his hand in front of Shreya and she placed her hand on his, they both stepped in the pavilion and settled down on their places.
The priest loudly started chanting mantras, his voice echoing in the hall.
The groom and bride silently listening to all the mantras letting them sinked inside their souls.
"Ladki ka kanyadan karne uske mata pita aage aayein." Priest announced.
Shreya turned at Advait, her eyes already filled up with unshed tears.
She was missing her mother, She really wanted her to be there with her on her special day.
She wanted her to see her daughter in a wedding attire.
Her heart was yearning for her love and presence.
Advait placed his hand on hers and gave it a light squeeze to ground her, he was well aware of the pain.
A person's inner child always longed for a mother's love and who else can understand this pain better than him.
Raj and Simran exchanged a look of understanding and stepped forward. "Kanyadan hum karenge." Simran said.
Shreya looked up at them with teary eyes, Simran always treated her like her own daughter. Simran stepped forward and hugged her tightly, she pulled back and brushed off her tears, "Meri beti ki aankhon me aansu acche nahi lagte." She mumbled with the warmth of a mother's love in her voice.
Advait glanced at Raj and Simran with a grateful look and silently thanked them through his eyes. Shreya's grandmother's features softened a bit but she didn't say anything.
Raj and Simran both did the ritual as per the priest instructed them to do. Then the priest called the bride's sister to do the gathbandhan. Tia stepped forward and tightly tied the knot between them.
"Ab var-vadhu pheron ke liye khade ho jaiye." Priest ordered.
Advait stood up and helped Shreya in getting up too. They started taking rounds around the holy fire holding each other's hand. The priest chanted the seven vows and make them repeat. They repeated all the vows with the sincerity and letting the purity of them sink in their hearts and souls.
After the pheras, Advait applied the vermillion in her hairline, the red color fell down on her nose.
She closed her eyes letting the auspicious warmth settle inside her heart.
He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead and the hall erupted in the hootings.
Then he delicately tied the mangalsutra around her neck, the diamond in the chain shone brightly on her skin.
"Vivah sampann hua. Aaj se aap dono pati-patni huye." The priest announced.
The hall erupted in the loud cheers and hootings, but for Advait and Shreya everyone else faded away in the background. They both were lost in each other's orbs, silently vowing to share each other's happiness and pain and to love each other to moon and back.
~________________________________________~