|| Arjun SS: Woh Humsafar Tha..|| [Part 10 Pg 37 And 38] - Page 21

Part-7 The Next Morning.. The Pandit Had already left after announcing the date.. The marriage was supposed to take place just after 3-4 Days. And with that, The Inhabitants of Rawte House had busied themselves wid the preperations of the Upcoming Wedding. Well, It wasnt that much of a grand affair but still.. And Here We Had The Clueless Arjun-Devika in a battle of their own hearts and minds.. Arjun, had gone down to the office but he wasnt able to concentrate.. Aratrika wasnt there today which was a relief for Arjun.. Cuz Sumwhere he knew he wudnt be able to face her.. And Devika, Well! Her condition is not unknown to all. She took her carbon pencil and Tried to Sketch on the Canvas.. But her fingers didnt create that allure which was evident in all her paintings.. She kept the pencil back in its case and tried sum strokes of colour on the Same Canvas.. But it wudnt create that either.. Just then the door opened

and Suryakant walked in.. "Jee Kaka? Kuch kaam tha kya?" Devika asked. "Haan! Kaam toh tha, par mujhe nhi kisi aur ko! Dekho toh tumse milne kaun aaya hai? Suryakant stepped aside for Devika to see.. A woman in her late 40's walked in. "Aatya?" Devika spoke up. "Devi, Meri Bacchi." The woman went forward and hugged her.. "Aatya." Devika cried hugging her. "Mujhe maaf kar do Meri Jaan! Dada Aur Vahini ka pata chala mujhe! Par phir bhi main tumhare paas nhi aa saki.. Mujhe maaf kar de!" Sugandha cried too. Sugandha Deshmukh Devika's Aatya. Sister Of Amit Kirloskar.. "Par Ab main aa gyi hunn na? Ab dekhna, Tera lagan main kitni khoobsurati se karungi.. Bappa se sirf ek hi prathna hai ki tujhe sirf khushiyaan hi khushiyaan mile.." Sugandha spoke, wiping Devika's tears. "Bohot Khush hunn main.. Arjun se accha Humsafar tujhe mil nhi sakta. Dada ne bilkul sahi faisla kiya tha." Devika nodded slowly.. "Kal raat ko mujhe Dada (SK) ka phone aaya tha.."

Sugandha Deshmukh.. "Unhone mujhe bataya ki teri aur Arjun ki shaadi hai.. Mujhse raha nhi gya aur Pehli flight lekar aa gayi Singapore Se Mumbai.." She replied luking fondly at Devika. "Shukriya Kaka!" Devika gave a soft smile to Suryakant. "Koi baat nhi beta.. Tumhari khushi ke liye kuch bhi.." He kept a loving hand on her forehead. "Khush Raho." He blessed her.. "Chalo, Tum dono baatein karo. Main aata hunn.. Bohot saara kaam hai Bhai..!!" He smiled and moved out. Later That Evening.. Devika was in her room when she heard sumone opening the door.. She turned thinking it to be Suryakant, But the visitor suprised her.. It was Vidisha. "Kaki aap?" Devika spoke as she went up to her.. She bowed down and touched her feet. Vidisha blessed her. "Aaein Na? Baithein. Kuch kaam tha aapko?" She asked. "Haan, kaam toh tha! Tumhare liye Kapde Aur Zevar hain

Maria? Saare gifts udhar rakh do.." Vidisha ordered pointing towards a certain direction. "Yes Mam!" Maria nodded and ordered the servants. In walked all the servants carrying huge gift packs.. God knows what was inside them.. Devika lukd around. "Yeh sab tumhare liye.." Vidisha spoke. "Jee Mere liye? Par Kyun?" Devika asked, clueless. "Kal tumhari haldi hai Devika aur phir shaam ko mehndi.. Rawte Khandaan ki hone wale bahu ho tum. Mere Shaandar Arjun ki hone wali patni.. Aise hi thodi na jaane dungi tumhe. Maana ki iss shaadi me tum dono ki khushi nhi hai par phir bhi.. Rasm toh Rasm hoti hai.." Vidisha replied. "Yeh hai tumhara Shagun.." She added. Devika was quiet not knowing what to say.. Sugandha too had walked in till now. Vidisha sat down on the bed and asked Devika to sit too.. "Devika, main jaanti hunn ki jo kuch bhi ho rha hai bohot jaldi me ho rha hai.. Par ab yeh utna hi sach hai ki tum mere Arjun ki hone wali ho.. Aur maine hamesha socha tha ki uski shaadi bohot dhoom-dham se karungi.. Woh toh

ho nhi saka.. Par phir bhi saans hone ke naate mere tumhari taraf kuch farz hai jinhe main poore karna chahti hunn. Main chahti hunn ki kal tum inhe pehno.." Vidisha spoke to which Devika nodded quietly. Vidisha brought out a velvet casket.. "Main hamesha se chahti thi ki Arjun isse khud apni mangetar ko pehnaye, par since Magni ka koi option hai hi nhi.. Yeh bhi main khud hi tumhe deti hunn.." Vidisha added and opened up the casket. Inside it was a beautiful diamond ring.. She took it out and slipped it in Devika's ring finger. "Aaj se tum mere Arjun ki.. Aur yeh tumhare paas hamesha rahega.." Devika's Ring.. Devika again nodded quietly.. Was there any option left for her? She lukd at Sugandha who nodded, smiling.. "Umeed Karti hunn ki yeh angoothi tumhare paas hamesha rahegi.. Yeh Angoothi iss baat ka saboot hai ki tum Sirf Aur Sirf mere Arjun ki ho.." Vidisha spoke up.. "Ab tumhe aaram karna chahiye.. Kal Haldi

hai.." Vidisha spoke and got up to move outside.. She left and Devika sat down again.. She lukd at the ring which now glittered in her finger.. At last, she got bethrothed to the man she hardly knew and this ring wud probably be on her finger till Eternity.. She sighed and hid her face in her palms.. Fresh tears formed in the corner of her eyes.. Why? Why? Why was she getting married to the man who didnt even knew her let alone loving her.. Wait Love? Where did that come from? There was no love in this alliance of commitment. Nor there wud ever be..!! They wud be 2 strangers together for the rest of their lives.. Later That Night; Suryakant's Study.. On Sugandha's Rqst, Suryakant had called over Arjun in his study.. Vidisha And Suryakant were present too.. Arjun walked in clad in his Pristine White Kurta And Shalwar.. "Baba? Aapne bulaya?" He asked to which Suryakant replied, "Sugandha ko tuse baat karni thi.." Arjun lukd at Sugandha as he had been introduced to her as he came back..

Sugandha got up and walked towards him.. "Beta, tum jaante ho Devika ka iss duniya mein mere alava aur koi nhi hai. Agar Vahini hoti toh shayad wo yeh tumhe deti.." Sugandha brought out the same ring casket which Devika had wid her. "Yeh Vahini ne apni mehnat ki kamayi se apne Zavai ke liye banwayi thi.. Aaj vahini toh nhi hain par main bhi toh Devika ki maa jaisi hi hoon na? Toh isliye aaj main yeh tumhe deti hunn.. Socha tha, Mangni pe dungi par woh toh hua nhi isliye.." She took out the ring and gently slipped it into Arjun's Finger. "Khush Raho!" She blessed him, smiling happily. Arjun bowed his head in gratitude and passed a weak smile. Arjun's Ring.. "Aaj se Tum Aur Devika Ek ho. Bas ab Shaadi ki derr hai.." Suryakant smiled, keeping a hand on his son's shoulder. Arjun gave a faint smile and lukd down at the ring.. It wasnt as costly as his mother had given Devika.. But was Beautiful! Well, Its Final!

The Next Afternoon.. Rawte Mansion was decorated Simply but Beautifully.. The House was filled with only close knit relatives of the Rawte Clan. Media And Celebrities were kept Away from all the functions.. The Atmosphere was finally building up a bit as the relatives had arrived.. The Haldi Rasm was about to start in a few seconds.. The servants ran around from here to there to complete their errands... The guests were served wid Proper Refreshments.. Finally, The Bride walked in.. All turned to luk at Her.. Praises for her beauty and simplicity were heard and Arjun was considered to be Lucky.. Devika, accompnied by Sugandha was made to sit on the dais where She was supposed to sit... Adorning A Simple Yellow Saree wid Almost No Jewels, She lukd Alluring. Her Black Hair was left open adding onto her beauty and her pretty face, devoid of any makeup... She sat down, her eyes lowered. Her Thick eyelashes covering her Beautiful Eyes.. As soon as She was settled.. The Groom too walked in.

From The Other Side Ofcourse.. Dressed In a White Kurta and Light Yellow Dhoti.. He lukd Charming. Vidisha too made him sit on the Dais. The Bride-Groom were to have their haldi together, But There was a partition between them in the form of A Yellow Coloured, Sequined Net Curtain.. The Ritual began and one by one all the women applied The Turmeric Paste to both Bride-Groom.. First they were applied on the cheeks, then arms, hands, elbows and finally the Feet. After the ritual, both were taken for a bath.. Where Devika was bathed by Scented Rose Water and Rose Petals.. After the bath, she was taken to her room as she had her Mehendi in the Evening.. Arjun too had gone thru the same.. Thus, The Haldi was done away wid banning both The Bride-Groom not to see each-other till Marriage. Suryakant watched it all and sumwhere he felt himself getting a little light as the weight he had on his heart was easening up a bit.. Just Tomorrow, He wud finally fulfil the promise of his dearest friend. He Smiled In Relief..

That Evening; Rawte Mansion.. The Main Hall was now filled wid The Beats Of Dholak as The women sang praises for The Bride-Groom.. Sugandha was making Devika ready for the Ceremony.. Wid the last touch, She kissed her forehead.. "Bappa kare, Tumhari mehndi ka rang itna gaadha aaye ki Arjun tumse Zindagi bhar pyaar kare!" Devika nodded, giving a soft smile.. She walked into the hall, accompnied by Sugandha. Luking Beautiful In A Sea Blue Anarkali.. Her Minimum Jewels and no Makeup made her luk even more beautiful.. She was made to sit on the dais.. Vidisha first applied a small dot of the Henna Paste as the Shagun on her palms and The Henna Girls were allowed to take over, Who made sum intricate designs on her hands.. Meanwhile, Arjun was working away on His Macbook.. Clad in his Simple Loose White Shirt and Blue Denims.. Tomorrow was the day for Him.. Not Only Him But For Her Too.. An idea came into his mind. He closed his Macbook and called Maria. A few minutes later, Maria came in..