Chapter 13 : Taal Se Taal Mila

The courtyard of Suryagarh Palace looked almost magical under the warm desert sun.

The ceremony had been arranged in the open sandstone amphitheatre courtyard of the palace — exactly like the image — where tiered stone seating curved around a central ceremonial space. Golden light poured into the courtyard, making the honey-colored stone walls glow softly.

The music filled the palace with festive energy.

Soon the families began to gather.

Siraj and Ayush walked Rudra toward the center seating, teasing him the entire way.

“Few days more your bachelorhood to be over, bhai” Siraj joked loudly.

Ayush laughed.
“Hahah....”

Everyone chuckled.

From the opposite side of the courtyard, Palki entered.

Her sister Suhana held one arm while Aarohi walked beside her, both grinning mischievously.

“Don’t worry,” Aarohi whispered to Palki.
“We’ll make sure Rudra gets ten times more haldi than you.”

They reached the center where Rudra was waiting.

The elders gathered first.

Preeta stepped forward holding a small brass bowl of haldi.

The courtyard grew quieter for a moment.

She smiled warmly at the couple.

“May this haldi bring prosperity, protection, and happiness to both of you.”

She gently applied the first haldi on Rudra’s cheek, then on Palki’s hands.

Rishabh stepped forward beside her and playfully smeared a little extra on Rudra’s face.

“Khush raho aur sadda sukhi raho,” he said.

Everyone laughed.

One by one, the elders followed.

Arvind and Shweta came next, blessing the couple while applying haldi gently.

Rahul and Diya followed, Rahul deliberately smearing a huge streak across Rudra’s forehead while everyone laughed.

Sasha said "Rahul bhai aur laago haldi"

Then Sasha step forwarded smeared more haldi on her nephew herself.

Randhir and Juhi followed next and applied, Randhir made sure he would also not be left behind to smear Haldi on his on nephew

"Rahul, Randhir kuch aaya? Tum dono ke haldi ke din bhi meine yeh hi kiya tha aur abh tum dono ka laadla mere haath se nahi bachega"

Both their fathers laughed when they recalled their Haldi ceremony.

Mayank and Shaira applied haldi with warmth, whispering blessings.

Sameer and Shristi joined next, then Dev and Rhea, each adding more turmeric until both Rudra and Palki were already beginning to look completely yellow.

Then the next generation arrived like a storm.

Ishaan and Maira stepped forward first.

Maira pretended to be gentle — but suddenly smeared haldi across Rudra’s nose and more haldi on his hands.

Ishaan burst out laughing.

Shayaan followed right after.

“Sorry bhai,” he said dramatically before applying an enormous streak of haldi across Rudra’s neck.

Ayush first applied Haldi on Rudra and then he applied a tiny handful of haldi and proudly dabbed it onto Palki’s arm and while applying haldi on her, his eyes became teary eyed and hugged her.

"Ayushh" , she said while becoming emotional herself.Preeta and Rishabh were overwhelmed with emotions seeing their kids getting emotional

Maysha giggled as she applied haldi softly.

Aarohi and Suhana teamed up.

They smeared haldi across both sides of Rudra’s face.

Siraj dramatically announced,

“Haldi attack!”

Everyone erupted in laughter.

Reva and Milind stepped forward with warm smiles.

Reyaan and Juhi followed.

The courtyard had now turned into pure chaos.

Haldi bowls were half empty.

Flower petals flew everywhere.

The bride and groom were almost entirely yellow.

Finally…

Only one person remained.

Maan.

He walked slowly toward them.

Everyone instinctively grew quiet.

He looked at Rudra and Palki for a moment.

Then with a small smile, he gently applied haldi on both their foreheads.

“Stay this happy forever.”

The moment ended softly.

But the quiet lasted barely two seconds.

Suddenly the dhol-tasha beats grew louder.

DHAM! DHAM! DHAM!

Someone shouted—

“Dance time!”

Ayush pulled Siraj into the center first.

Soon everyone joined.

Rahul and Mayank began dancing with full energy.

Shaira and Maira twirled together laughing while Diya watched them all, but Maira pulled her in.

Aarohi and Suhana pulled Palki to her feet.

Even Rudra tried dancing despite being covered in haldi.

Flower petals rained down as the dhol players increased their tempo.

The entire courtyard of Suryagarh Palace had transformed into a burst of music, color, laughter, turmeric, and family joy — the perfect beginning to the wedding celebrations.

Rudra and Palki took some photoshoots of their haldi ceremony pictures after getting changed for their sundowner party after the haldi.

*

The magnificent ballroom of Suryagarh Palace was transformed into a vision of royal grandeur for the evening. Beneath the warm, cascading glow of crystal chandeliers and deep crimson drapes, an ornate stage was set. The bride and groom, Palki and Rudra, sat like royalty on plush velvet chairs, their faces glowing with anticipation.

Stepping into the spotlight, the host took the microphone, his voice echoing smoothly across the vast marble floor. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I humbly welcome you all to a night of music, magic, and celebration—the Sangeet ceremony of Rudra Sharma Kothari and Palki Luthra!"

The crowd erupted into applause.

"To begin this auspicious evening," the host continued, "we have a very special performance. Sending a beautiful, soulful Ghazal our way is the groom's sister, Maira."

Before taking the stage, Maira gracefully walked over to her mothers, Shaira and Diya—who were also her revered musical gurus—and touched their feet to take their blessings. Settling onto the center of the stage with her elegant veena resting in her lap, she shared a quick nod with her old friend, Mahesh, who was seated beside her, ready at the tabla.

As Mahesh's fingers tapped out a rhythmic beat, Maira closed her eyes and began to sing.

man aanand aanand chhayo

man aanand aanand chhayo

mityo gagan ghan andhkaar

ankhiyan me jab suraj aayo, aayo, aayo

man aanand aanand chhayo

man aanand aanand chhayo

uthi kiran ki lahar sunhari

uthi kiran ki lahar sunhari

jaise pawan gangajal

arpan ke pal har singaar madhu

geet sinduri gaayo

man aanand aanad chhayo

mityo gagan ghan andhkaar

ankhiyan me jab suraj aayo, aayo, aayo

man aanand aanad chhayo

aanad aanand chhayo

man aanand aanand chhayo

Her melodious voice washed over the ballroom, instantly casting a spell over the audience. In the front row, Maan and Ishaan sat completely mesmerized, unable to take their eyes off her.

Watching from the side, Shaira’s eyes welled up with happy, emotional tears. Seeing her daughter command the room so beautifully was overwhelming. Feeling her emotion, Diya reached over and gently squeezed Shaira's hand.

"I know, Shaira," Diya whispered, a proud smile on her face. "Seeing our girl sing Asha ji's song so perfectly... it touches the soul. If only this generation truly appreciated classical singing, our girl would surely be the next Lata Mangeshkar."

Shaira simply smiled, nodding her head as they both turned their attention back to their daughter’s flawless performance.

man aanand aanand chhayo

man aanand aanand chhayo

man aanand aanand chhayo

man aanand aanand chhayo

maan sarovar magan kampan
maan sarovar magan kampan
nabhdarpan ki jhaanki
taa me abikal adhkhul lochan
pran hans utar aayo
man aanand aanand chhayo
man aanand aanad chhayo
man aanand aanand chhayo
mityo gagan ghan andhkaar
ankhiyan me jab suraj aayo, aayo, aayo
man aanand aanand chhayo
man aanand aanand chhayo

As the final, lingering note of the veena faded, the room erupted into a standing ovation. The host stepped back onto the stage, beaming.

"What a beautiful and soulful performance, Maira Khanna. Truly breathtaking. And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, let's keep the energy high! Coming up next is a performance by none other than Maira's beloved parents—Mayank and Shaira Wadhwa, alongside Rahul and Diya Sharma!"

Mayank didn't just walk onto the floor; he owned it. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he glided toward Shaira, his voice full of charm as he sang:

"Baliye de mukhde de dil lalchaave..."

He didn't stop there. Moving with a playful, effortless swagger, he stepped right behind her. Shaira stood her ground, a confident smile playing on her lips as Mayank leaned in close, singing first into one ear and then the other:

"Laungda ve lashkaara jaan le na jaave..."

Beside them, Rahul and Diya were a vision of elegance. They moved in perfect harmony, their rehearsed steps smooth and fluid as they joined the verse, adding a layer of sophisticated joy to the performance:

"Baliye de mukhde de dil lalchaave... Laungda ve lashkaara jaan le na jaave!"

"Dekhe bina dekhe tenu raha bhi na jaave... Roop salona tera sono changda!"

Then, the beat dropped for the chorus. Both couples snapped into perfect sync, their movements sharp and energetic.

Mayank lunged forward, his focus entirely on Shaira as he sang with a flourish, "Dupatta tera..." while Rahul mirrored the move for Diya, his expression soft and adoring, "Dupatta tera... Haaye!"

The four of them became a powerhouse of energy for the main hook, their footwork perfectly timed to the heavy beats:

"Dupatta tera"

"Dupatta tera"

"Dupatta tera nau rang da... Haaye ni mera dil mangda!" x 2

"Dupatta tera...ah ah ah"

"Dupatta tera.."

Mayank sings near Shaira's ear

"Woahhh"

And when Mayank sings the chorus again, she blushes turns the other-side

"Dupatta tera nau rang da... Haaye ni mera dil mangda!"

As the music transitioned, Shaira took center stage. She moved with a glamorous, effortless poise, looking directly at Mayank as she sang her heart out:

"Jaan meri jaan hoy teri sadke... Teri sadke haan teri sadke!"

Diya followed, her dance light and airy as she twirled toward Rahul, her eyes pleading playfully:

"Jana naiyo jana kabhi mainu chad ke... Mainu chad ke kabhi mainu chad ke!"

Rahul caught her in a graceful spin, his voice rising with a promise:

"Saari khushi duniya ki tujhpe lootaau... yeahh... yeahhh!"

Not to be outdone, Mayank began to trail Shaira as she walked across the floor with a queenly air. He followed her every step, his movements desperate and devoted:

"Aaja teri raah me main jindagi bicha du..."

Just as she reached the edge of the floor, he reached out, catching her hand and pulling her back into his space with a sudden, romantic jerk. Shaira landed against him, laughing, as he finished the line right in her face:

"Roop salona tera sona changda!"

The entire ballroom was on its feet, clapping along as the two couples came together for the grand finale.

"Dupatta tera

Dupatta teraa

Oooh

Dupatta tera nau rang da... Haaye ni mera dil mangda!"

"Dupatta tera nau rang da... Haaye ni mera dil mangda!"

As the final "Haaye!" echoed through the hall, Mayank and Shaira struck a bold, dramatic pose, while Rahul and Diya finished with a sweet, classic embrace. The hooting and cheering were deafening—the parents had officially set the bar incredibly high for the night.

"Let's hear it for the parents!" the host cheered as they struck their final pose. The host’s voice then boomed,

"Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome Maan and Maysha, along with Ishaan and Maira, to the floor!"

Maysha took her position in the center. At first, she stood with her back to the audience, moving slowly and gracefully.

"Bole chudiyan, bole kangna"

Then, in a sudden, fluid motion, she turned, covering her face with her hand up to her eyes, peeking out at Maan with a gaze full of mischief and love.

"Haai main ho gayi teri saajna"

Maan stood a few feet away, his arms folded across his chest, watching her with a confident, adoring smile as she danced around him.

"Tere bin jiyo naiyo lag da main te margaiya""Le jaa le jaa, dil le jaa le jaa, le jaa le jaa, soniye le jaa le jaa"

Maysha glided closer to him, her movements becoming more spirited.

"Aah aah aah aah, aah aah aah""Bole chudiyan, bole kangna, haai main ho gayi teri saajna""Tere bin jiyo naiyo lag da main te margaiya""Le jaa le jaa, soniye le jaa le jaa, dil le jaa le jaa, ho"

Now it was Maan’s turn.

He stepped forward, matching her energy with a smooth, powerful dance style.

"Bole chudiyan, bole kangna, haai main ho gaya tera saajna"

He reached out and playfully caught the end of her dupatta, pulling her toward him until they were standing face-to-face.

"Tere bin jiyo naiyo lag da main te marjaawa""Le jaa le jaa, soniye le jaa le jaa, dil le jaa le jaa, ho"

In the front , Ishaan was cheering loudly, his face beaming with joy, while Maira looked on, her expression a mix of surprise and silent calculation.

Off in the corner, the tension was breaking Ayush. His jaw was tight, his fists clenched as he watched the undeniable chemistry between Maan and Maysha.

Unable to take it anymore, he turned and stormed out of the hall into the cool desert night to catch his breath.

As the instrumental break played, Maan and Maysha continued their flawless choreography. Ishaan tried to jump in, eager to join the fun, but Maira held his arm, trying to keep him back—until the beat pulled them in.

Maysha led the next verse with a sparkling energy:

"Haai haai main marjaawa marjaawa tere bin""Ab to meri raatein kat ti taare gin gin""Bas tujhko pukaara kare, meri bindiya ishaara kare""Hoye, lashkaara lashkaara teri bindiya ka lashkaara""Aise chamke jaise chamke chaand ke paas sitaara"

Forced by Ishaan's enthusiasm, Maira finally joined the center of the floor.

"Oh oh, oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh""Meri paayal bulaaye tujhe, jo roothe manaaye tujhe""O sajan ji, haan sajan ji, kuch socho, kuch samjho meri baat ko"

Ishaan took over, singing directly to Maira with a heartfelt smile:

"Bole chudiyan, bole kangna, haai main ho gaya tera saajna""Tere bin jiyo naiyo lag da main te marjaawa"

All four of them then moved in perfect synchronization for the chorus:

"Le jaa le jaa, soniye le jaa le jaa, dil le jaa le jaa, ho"

As the music softened for a soulful moment, Maira leaned down and touched Ishaan’s feet in a traditional gesture of respect.She takes his blessings touches her forehead and then her sindhoor parting, rested her head against him.

However, her eyes weren't closed—she was staring directly at Maan, a silent, warning gaze that declared she belonged exactly where she was.

"Apni maang suhaagan ho, sang hameshaa saajan ho"

Maysha broke the tension, singing to Maan with a bright smile:

"Aake meri duniya mein vaapas na jaana""Sehra baandhke maahi tu mere ghar aana"

The boys then took the lead, their steps heavy and rhythmic.

"Oye soni kitti soni aaj tu lagdi ve, bas mere saath yeh jodi teri sajdi ve"

For a split second, Maan’s gaze drifted toward Maira as he sang,

"Roop aisa suhaana tera, chaand bhi hai deewana tera."

Maysha noticed that he was lost and immediately and waved her hand in front of his face, snapping him back to her. The girls laughed and danced away together.

"Jaa re jaa oh jhoothe teri galla hum na maane""Kyoon taarife karta hai tu humko sab kuch jaane"

Rahul stepped onto the floor then, his hands raised in a blessing for Ishaan and Maira.

"Ho, oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh, ho oh oh oh oh"

"Mere dil ki duaa yeh kahe, teri jodi salaamat rahe"

Diya joined in, wrapping them in a warm group hug as the rest of the family watched.

"O sajan ji, haan sajan ji, yunhi beete saara jeevan saath mein"

Maan stood still for a moment, the jealousy visible in the way he watched the family huddle around Ishaan and Maira. But the dhol started up again, and Rahul pulled everyone into one last grand circle.

"Bole chudiyan, bole kangna, haai main ho gaya tera saajna"

The ladies flooded the floor, and the palace echoed with the final, joyous roar of the song.

"Tere bin jiyo naiyo lag da main te margaiya""Le jaa le jaa, soniye le jaa le jaa, dil le jaa le jaa, ho""Le jaa le jaa, soniye le jaa le jaa, dil le jaa le jaa, ho""Aaja heeriye, oh, jaa jaa ranjhna, aaja heeriye, jaa jaa ranjhna""Le jaa le jaa, dil le jaa le jaa, le jaa le jaa, soniye le jaa le jaa"

As the youngsters cleared the floor to enthusiastic applause, the host called out the moment everyone had been waiting for. "And now, for the stars of the evening! Let's welcome our bride and groom, Palki and Rudra, to the dance floor!"

The couple stepped down from their royal seats, the playful beats of Nachde Ne Saare blasting through the speakers as they danced with pure joy.

Palki took the lead with effortless grace and a mischievous glint in her eyes. She danced toward Rudra, teasing him with her expressions as she lip-synced:

"Munda thoda offbeat hai

Par kudiyan de naal bahut sweet hai

Munda thoda offbeat hai

Par kudiyan de naal bahut sweet hai

Dhongi sa yeh bada dheeth hai

Viral ho gaya yeh Tweet"

Rudra laughed, sliding into the center of the floor with a smooth, confident swagger. He matched her energy perfectly, answering her back with playful charm:

"Par fool wool karne mein cool

Tu badi tezz kataari hai

Shagan teri ki, lagan teri ki

Humne kardi tayaari hai"

The couple then came together, their movements perfectly synchronized as they led the entire room into the high-energy chorus:

"Nachde ne saare ral milke

Aaj hil dulke le saare ke saare nazare

Nachde ne saare ral milke

Aaj hil dulke le saare ke saare nazare

Khasma nu khaane!"

As their song reached its crescendo, Rudra waved his hand, gesturing for everyone to join them.

The DJ didn’t let the energy dip for a second. As the final notes of the parents' dance faded, a booming, familiar dhol rhythm shook the ballroom. "Gallan Goodiyan!" someone shouted, and the floor was instantly flooded. The minimalist elegance of the palace was now a backdrop for a riot of color and movement.

Shayaan was the first to break out, sliding across the marble floor to face Rudra. With a wide, mischievous grin, he began to lip-sync with high-octane energy:

"Main daalun taal pe bhangda, tu bhi gidda paale

Chal aisa rang jamaade hum, ke bane sabhi matwaale…"

Not to be outdone, Maysha skipped toward Palki, her movements graceful yet spirited as she took over the next lines:

"Mann kahe ki main le aaun, chaand aur taare saare

Inn haathon par main chaand rakhun,

Iss maang mein bhardoon taare…"

She executed a perfect, shimmering twirl, and just as she came around, Maan was there. He stepped into her orbit, his eyes locked on hers as he joined the song:

"Hello, hello, tu floor pe kab hai aayi? Ye lo, ye lo, badi solid masti chaayi!"

Maira watched them from the edge of the circle, her expression unreadable, but she wasn't the only one watching. Shayaan, ever the protective brother, spotted Maan’s proximity. With a playful but firm nudge, he shooed Maan a few steps back, wagging a finger as he took over:

"Hello, hello, too much hai tumne lagayi! Ye lo, ye lo, control karo mere bhai..."

The siblings, Shayaan and Maysha, then seized the center of the floor, leading the entire crowd into the explosive chorus. The sound of hundreds of hands clapping and feet stomping in unison echoed off the high ceilings.Hearing the loud cheering and everyone enjoying Ayush came back to the dance floor and was pulled by Shayaan to join in dancing with when they started to dance on the second chorus.

"Dhak dhak dhak dhak dhadke ye dil... Chan chan bole Amritsari choodiyan!

Raat badi hai mastaani

Koi dilbar jaani karle gallan goodiyan" x2

As the music transitioned into a vibrant instrumental break, the elders took their turn. Arvind caught Shweta’s hand, pulling her into a classic Bollywood sway as he teased her with the lyrics:

"Ye nain matakka tera, oye mujhe bada tadpaave,

Tu dekhe toh ajj vi dilbar kudiye teer sa ek chal jaave"

Nearby, Rishab was doing the same for Preeta, his eyes full of a lifetime of affection:

"Aaha, aaha,

Karde bin piye sharabi, chehra tera gulaabi..."

Seeing their parents’ romantic moments, Ayush and Rudra jumped in. Ayush steered Rishab and Preeta closer together, while Rudra did the same for Arvind and Shweta, both boys singing out:

"Hello, hello, dil dil se connect karna! Ye lo, ye lo, ye baatein direct karna!

Dhak dhak dhak dhak dhadke ye dil

Chan chan bole Amritsari choodiyan

Raat badi hai mastaani

Toh dilbar jaani karle gallan goodiyan"

Oye, oye, marjana oye…

Dhak dhak dhak dhak dhadke ye dil
Chan chan bole Amritsari choodiyan
Raat badi hai mastaani
Toh dilbar jaani karle gallan goodiyan"

The energy reached a fever pitch as the men took over for the Chanaa Chanak sequence. They formed a boisterous circle, their heavy steps creating a rhythmic thunder.

"Chanaa chanak tera pan dunga nak main toh

Chanaa chanak tera pan dunga nak main

Hoi, main kabootar phaseya ki hor

Koi phase ki na, phase ki na

Phase ki na, hoi phase ki na…"

In the middle of the masculine energy, Shristi danced like a whirlwind, her laughter ringing out over the music.

"Chanaa chanak tera pan dunga nak main toh" x 3

"Chanaa chanak tera pan dunga nak"

"Hoi, main kabootar phaseya ki hor, koi phase ki na "x4

Her husband, Sameer, let out a piercing whistle that signaled the rest of the men to join in, the sound piercing through the joyous roar of the crowd.

As the tempo shifted slightly, Ishaan found Maira. He danced toward her, his movements dedicated and full of charm:

"Ye baat na maine jaani, kyun itni khush hai diwaani..."

Maira responded in kind, her voice (and heart) seemingly in sync with him for the moment:

"Ye baat hai sabne chaahi, mile janmon ka humraahi,

Yahaan hua hai kuch aisa he

Samjhe na samjhe na oho…"

Ishaan then again sings for her

"Ab main jaana, keh rahi ho, kya fasaana hoo ooo"

And Maira then completes his line by singing.

"Pyaar karne, se bhi mushqil, hai nibhaana hooo…"

They moved together, portraying the perfect couple, but the chemistry was like a magnet for Maan’s gaze. Standing just outside the circle, Maan’s jaw tightened, a flash of undeniable jealousy crossing his face as he watched them.

While the dance floor was a whirlwind of energy, Sasha was on a mission of her own. She had been watching the groom, Rudra, from across the room, waiting for the perfect moment to make her move. As the music surged, she glided through the crowd and intercepted him just as he was laughing with others.

Sasha, with an affectionate but firm grip, grabbed Rudra’s attention. She pulled him toward her, leaning in with a playful, knowing wink. She began to lip-sync and dance around him, her gestures making it very clear that she expected to remain a priority in his life:

"Hello, hello, don’t mind mera yeh kehna...""Ye lo, ye lo, zara mere touch mein rehna!"

Rudra chuckled, instantly understanding the message—she was making sure he wouldn't forget his bua or stop keeping in touch once he started his new journey with Palki. Sasha twirled him into the center of the crowd, her face beaming with pride.

With the whole family finally on the floor, the final chorus erupted. Rudra and Palki were at the center, surrounded by their loved ones. The fairy lights above seemed to pulse with the beat as everyone—from the youngest cousins to the elders—sang at the top of their lungs:

"Dhak dhak dhak dhak dhadke ye dil,

Chan chan bole Amritsari choodiyan,

Raat badi hai mastaani, koi dilbar jaani karle gallan goodiyan!

O haaye, aha aha aha aha…

Dhak dhak dhak dhak dhadke ye dil
Chan chan bole Amritsari choodiyan

Raat badi hai mastaani
Koi dilbar jaani karle gallan goodiyan…

Raat badi hai mastaani…

Dhak dhak dhak dhak dhadke ye dil
Chan chan bole Amritsari choodiyan
Raat badi hai mastaani

Koi dilbar jaani karle gallan goodiyan…

Aha aha aha aha, o marjaana oye".

Reva was watching from them all from the audience and clapping for them.As the final "O marjaana oye!" rang out, a shower of gold rose petals fell from the balcony above, covering the laughing, breathless family in a sea of gold. The Sangeet of Rudra and Palki had reached its spectacular peak.

Finally Rudra and Palki took posed for couple pictures from their sangeet