Sorry for not updating last week guys! 😳 Was terribly busy! Here's part 5! Hope you all enjoy it 😛
A special thanks to "Aspirex" and "Mansi_47" for being ardent readers of this SS and for bugging me to update 😆 Thanks guys! 🤗
This update is dedicated to every reader of this SS who already has or will go through Bidai one day Insha'Allah 😳 I'm in the 2nd category 😆
***
Shantivan was dressed like a glittering bride with fairy lights twinkling on every tree and wall of the huge mansion. The atmosphere inside the house was almost chaotic with people running around decorating or making sure the preparations were being done up to mark. The lounge had been converted into what looked like an elegant and splendid marriage hall with satin-draped chairs and tables arranged around the mandap, which was set at a slightly elevated position at the centre to ensure better view to the guests. White blossoms and red roses hung in garlands all over the place, dripping with long lines of white gossamer ribbons, their fragrants infusing the air with a wonderful scent that was almost intoxicating.
Asmara's room was crowded by her entire family. The make up artist had arrived and it was only a matter of seconds before all the guys would get shoo'ed away. Arnav and Khushi were doing all they could to keep their daughter happy, to not slip and show how much this was costing them. They were not going to ruin their daughter's happiness with long faces on her most special day.
"Ready to see your wedding dress, sweetie?" Arnav asked his daughter with a smile who nodded earnestly.
"Of course Dad! I'm dying to! Its funny how almost everyone in this family has seen it except me! My friends think I'm crazy when they ask about my wedding dress and I tell them I don't know myself!" She laughed. "And then I quickly explain its because my father and brother insist on keeping their creation a surprise!" Asmara beamed, pride and love dripping with her every word.
"You know your friends probably envy you for having such a talented and awesome brother!" Ashar smirked.
"You flatter yourself too much, Bhaiya!" Asmara retorted knowing fully well he was right and how impressed all her friends had been when they had learnt that her father and brother were designing her wedding outfit themselves.
"Ok, close you eyes princess." Arnav instructed as he motioned Khushi to get the dress from the wardrobe.
"Hope you'll like it!" Arnav added in a slightly uncertain voice.
"You'd better! Dad and I spent hours designing it!" Ashar threatened, chuckling. "Its the only work we've been doing in office for the past month! Dad wanted his little Princess to be the most beautiful bride on Earth. I told him for that, we'd have to design you a new face as well!" Ashar guffawed and Anser hit him on the head to stop teasing Asmara. Anser was pretty sad about her leaving too, both being best friends practically since birth.
"Ashar stop pulling your sister's leg. Asmara sweetie, you can open your eyes now!" Khushi sang out excitedly.
Asmara heard Mahera and Aashi's squeals of delight and quickly opened her eyes to gasp in shock and wonder. It was without a doubt, the most beautiful and elegant looking dress she had ever set her eyes upon. It was a Maroon and Champagne coloured lehenga, traditional but somehow managing to look one of its kind.
The blouse was champagne coloured with heavy work done on its sleeves, neck and bottom while the lehenga and dupatta were a bright maroon with intricate silver and gold zarri work done all over it. The beautiful gem stones studded all over the dress glittered and shimmered with each and every small movement. Asmara was speechless.
"Do you like it, sweetie?" Arnav's worried voice jarred her out of her staring session.
Asmara turned to look at her brother and father, both looking at her with identical expectant expressions and she didn't know what to say. The dress was so beautiful it had robbed her of the ability to speak. She just didn't have the right words to explain how much she loved it. Tears of extreme happiness flooded her eyes as she threw her arms around them, hugging them both tightly.
"Sweetie? You didn't like it?? I can get you another one right away. I'll... I'll call Aman! Don't worry! Everything will be fine." Arnav blabbered on, in a highly panicked voice.
Before Asmara could reply, Ashar answered his father laughing wholeheartedly, "Calm down, Dad! Of course she likes it! You see, Asmara has a slight glitch in her brain, she cries when she's extremely happy. And when she's happy, her pea-sized brain is too busy rejoicing to think of an answer so she just jumps at the person in front of her. So... whenever she pounces at someone, its safe to assume she's very happy." Ashar explained, sniggering when Payal caught hold of his ear and smacked him lightly on his head.
"I love it, Dad! Its... Its perfect! She whispered while Arnav patted her head lovingly, relieved.
"Oh hello! I designed it too! The colour combination was entirely my idea." Khushi cleared her throat loudly at this. Her son wasn't being hundred percent true because the maroon colour bit was Khushi's idea.
"Well, I deserve some thanks too." Ashar grinned cheekily at his sister, spreading his arms for a hug as well.
"You deserve a slap!" Asmara said, showing him her hand. "I've a glitch in my brain, do I?" She asked in a playful manner but went up to him nevertheless, letting him give her one of his usual tight one arm hugs.
"Excuse me?" The make up artist intruded at that moment. "I need to start getting the bride ready. Can all the boys please leave?" She asked them sweetly.
"Of course. I understand how difficult and time taking it will be to transform her into something presentable." Ashar said nodding seriously while the corner of his mouth twitched. Fawad and Hammad laughed loudly at this.
"You'll never grow up!" Anjali laughed ruffling her favourite nephew's hair.
"I want my daughter to be the prettiest bride ever, ok?" Khushi told the make up artist, kissing Asmara's forehead.
"Mum, she's going to do make up, not magic!" Ashar spoke up once again, snickering.
"Anser, do me a favor, will you?" Asmara turned to her cousin cum friend. "Punch in Bhaiya's teeth in for me!" She instructed making everyone laugh.
"Would have gladly done it if it wasn't your wedding tonight. The bride's brother has to look presentable!" Anser reasoned winking and before Ashar got think of a good come back, the make up artist shoo'ed them all out.
***
Arnav was trying to make some conversation with the guests absent-mindedly when a sudden hush over the crowd and a gentle squeeze of Khushi's hand on top of his, informed him of his daughter's arrival. His eyes moistened on seeing his little girl dressed in a bridal attire being led down the stairs by her cousins.
She looked beautiful, there was simply no other word apt enough to describe her.
It was obvious at first sight that her dress had been designed with only her in mind. The colours set off with her skin perfectly making it glow like cream and roses. Her brown eyes, framed with thick lashes shone with joy and excitement. Her shimmering maroon lehenga flowed down her slender body like a waterfall, flaring out subtly at the bottom making her body look elegant and graceful. Arnav felt tears prickling his eyes.
Asmara's eyes seemed to be searching for them as she scanned the hall anxiously and on spotting them, her face lit up with a dazzling smile, just like the one which graced her face whenever Arnav and Khushi would go to pick her from her school when she was a child.
Khushi stepped forward as she gently engulfed her daughter in a long hug, her eyes brimming with tears, not uttering a single word - afraid that she'd burst into tears if she dared open her mouth. She kissed her forehead before placing a tikka on her neck to protect her from the evil eye.
After Khushi stepped back, Asmara launched herself in her father's arms before he could even take a step forward making the crowd go aww.
"How do I look, Dad?" She asked him as soon as she pull away.
In answer, Arnav turned to Khushi and asked, "Remember I always used to say you were the prettiest bride I had ever set my eyes upon? Sorry, but today our daughter stole that title away from you..." He said in a hoarse voice, smiling with misted eyes and Khushi nodded vigorously fighting her own tears.
"Yes," Ashar piped in, "When she was walking down the stairs, I actually thought the make up artist sent some other girl down here by mistake! This beautiful looking bride just doesn't look the girl we picked from the trash bin all those years ago." He laughed as his sister gave him a frown before he giving her a hug carefully, not wanting to tear or ruin anything.
"Is this OUR Asmara Di?" Hammad turned to his twin, his mouth hanging visibly open, his eyes twinkling.
"Nah!" Fawad answered, waving his hand as if discarding the thought, "This one's too pretty! The last time I checked we were the only goodlooking ones in the family." He smirked at his brother and Asmara laughed shaking her head, used to their antics.
Ahsan was already standing at the mandap waiting for his bride. Dressed in a cream sherwani with gold and maroon intricate thread work done on its collar extending all the way down its front and wearing a maroon turban, which set off very nicely with his fair but tanned skin, he looked exceedingly handsome.
Arnav and Khushi then proceeded to walk their daughter towards the mandap where Ahsan offered his hand to Asmara to help her up the two steps, leading to the mandap and Khushi felt her eyes brimming at the lovely scene.
As Asmara stood beside Ahsan there was no doubt in anyone's mind that they made one of the loveliest couples ever.
The ceremonies started almost immediately. Arnav felt something clench his heart painfully when Asmara looked at him before putting the garland around Ahsan's neck as if seeking his permission and he nodded with a soft smile while winding his arm around Khushi, seeking comfort as he felt a lump rising in his throat.
His mind seemed hazy and clouded as he watched all the ceremonies taking place with a preoccupied mind. The only thing he registered completely was the Kanyadan, when he had placed his daughter's hands in Ahsan's sure hands after seeing the reassuring look in Ahsan's olive green eyes and his gentle encouraging nod. He would've said something if he hadn't been choking on the painful lump in his throat and fighting to keep his tears at bay.
The only thing that kept him going was the blissful happiness on his daughter's face and he knew he had made the right decision no matter how much it was costing him. He would live with it, if it kept his daughter happy.
Before he knew it, all the rituals were taken care of. The Pherays would have been funny if he wasn't so overcomed with grief. Fawad and Hammad were throwing the roses with such precision that all of them seemed to be bouncing off the back of Ahsan's head.
And before he was ready for it, it was time for her Bidai as everyone made their way towards the decorated car which would escort her to her new home.
He felt Khushi resting her head on his shoulder, seeking comfort and he wound his arm tightly around her as they watched their daughter with misted eyes, saying her final goodbyes to their whole family, getting kissed and hugged and gathering their blessings.
Asmara now launched herself in her brother's arms who hugged her back fiercely, tears brimming his eyes and the painful lump in his throat making it impossible for him to speak.
"Bhaiya, I love you very much, you know that, right?" She asked him in a small voice against his chest and he just nodded, unable to speak.
"And Bhaiya take care of Mum and Dad, especially Mum because she'll be too busy worrying about Dad to take care of herself." She added.
"You stop worrying about everyone, kid! You do know that when you start talking about such sensible stuff, I get worried about what has happened to my sister?" He teased her hoarsely.
"Bhaiya!" She whined softly, smiling a little through her tears. "You'll never change!"
"You say that like its possible!" He smiled half-heartedly, trying to swallow the lump in his throat but failing miserably.
"And bhaiya," She continued in an undertone, "Get married! I know no one can replace me but Sarah will be a nice compensation!" She said with a smile dawning on her face and Ashar couldn't help grinning with misted eyes as he whispered in a secretive voice, "Don't make me chase you outta here kid, This is not my bedroom, you know!"
Asmara laughed lightly, smacking his arm before turning to her mother and enveloping her in a warm hug, saying nothing as she knew no words were needed. After gently extracting herself from her mother's arms, she added in a shaky voice with a glint in her tear filled eyes, "Please Mum don't make too many Jalebies tonight, ok? I don't want old, leftover Jalebies when I come back home for Pag Pherays!" she said, making Khushi laugh through her tears and nod her head.
"Dad!" Instead of throwing her arms around him like she usually did, she rested her head on his chest letting him engulf her tightly in his arms and resting his head on top of her's.
"Dad, I don't want to go away from you!" She said in a broken whisper.
"I don't want you to leave, either." he replied in a thick voice, his jaw clenched while tightening his arms around her.
"Well, we can always send Ahsan Bhai back all by himself!" Fawad said shrugging his shoulder causally but his eyes glinted mischievously causing both Arnav and Asmara to crack a smile.
Releasing her from the longest hug so far, Arnav placed a loving kiss on her forehead and Asmara's eyes twinkled as she said softly with a frown, "Daddy, your cheek is so scratchy!" before smiling and blinking furiously to keep her tears in check.
This was something she used to complain about as a kid.
Arnav laughed a hard chuckle as he hugged her again and he asked her the next question that would always follow the previous one, "Do you want me to shave it?"
"No, I like the way you are!" She answered smiling as a lone tear managed to trickle down her cheek as she placed a kiss on his stubble.
"I love you Dad. Forever and ever." She whispered.
"Me too sweetie! Always have and always will." Arnav replied in a voice so choked up with grief that it was low as a whisper.
Meanwhile, Ahsan came forward to say his goodbyes. Ashar hugged him as a friend before saying with a laugh, "This is the first and the last time Asmi's crying because of you, ok? After this, if you make her cry, I'll make you cry!" Although the words were uttered with a laugh, there was a clear underlying warning that no one missed.
"Yes bhaiya! I don't doubt that at all. I'll take care of her. Don't worry." Ahsan answered smiling reassuringly. He had picked up everyone's names the same as Asmara called them.
Khushi blessed him after Ashar, kissing his forehead and saying, "I fully believe you'll keep her very happy otherwise I would've never agreed to this marriage in the first place... Just... never prove me wrong." She added and Ahsan nodded, his eyes shining with sincerity, "Never Mum. I promise."
Arnav hugged his son in law tightly, before looking into his eyes and saying in a thick voice, "She's my little Princess, you know. I'm giving away my most precious thing to you. Always remember that... And take care of her." He ordered, "And always remember what I told you." Arnav added.
Ahsan nodded as Arnav's voice from their first meeting echoed in his head, "Always be that type of man with My daughter that you would want your own daughter to be with!"
Ahsan smiled giving him a reassuring look and said in a voice dripping with so much honestly and sincerity that Arnav couldn't help trusting his every word, "Dad, I love her more than anything in this world, more than life itself. I'll always take care of her. And besides, I don't want to get my face broken, do I?" He smiled, giving Ashar a pointed look and Arnav smiled.
Arnav helped his daughter into the car that was decorated with more flowers that trailed in streamers along its length and long gossamer ribbons while Ahsan got in from the other side.
The engine purred as the car came to life and started moving slowly. Asmara waved out the window and called out, 'I love you all' as the whole family smiled and waved back furiously. Fawad and Hammad were busy throwing flying kisses her way.
Arnav could feel the tears making their way down his face and Khushi's light sobs. He wanted to reassure her but how could he when he was the one who needed reassurance himself? When his own heart was crying?
He just wound his arms tighter around Khushi who hugged him back fiercely, both seeking support as well as providing each other with the same.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Ashar roughly wiping his eyes as he waved back to his sister, a fake smile, which looked more like a grimace, intact on his face. He noticed Sarah discreetly movingly forwards and grabbing his hand making Ashar look down and give her a small but genuine smile making Arnav smile ever so slightly as well. Looked like his son had found his soul mate as well.
He turned his attention back to the car when it stopped slightly and in her bridal attire, Asmara leaned out of the window and said, "Tata Daddy!"
Arnav couldn't help the throaty chuckle that left his mouth even with the tears streaming down his face. He could hear Khushi's half choked laughter beside him too. This was something she used to do every morning before leaving for school.
And for the first time Arnav was hopeful that this wasn't going to be as bad as he had anticipated...
***
Phewww! Done! 😳
So how was it guys? I sure hope you all enjoyed it 😛 For now, this is the last update but if I get time, I'll give you another part 😃
Edited by SmileyStar - 13 years ago
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