RaBir FF - Hennaed Hands -COMPLETED Final Update on page 43 (9/21) - Page 33

Originally posted by: Princess.S786

Wow that was amazing
U r a awesome writer
Thanks 4 pm

Originally posted by: nividances

Just beautiful...

Poetic and poignant are two words that often come to my mind when I am reading your story. What a writer you are! Absolutely amazing!

Can't wait to find out what happens in the last part! Thanks for the PM and continue soon! 😊

Edit: CONGRATS on 1000 posts!! 👏

Originally posted by: parmarA

First congrate👏👏👏s Kelly for completing 1000 post and changing color as Goldie.

Originally posted by: hapo

I don't know wat to comment...

u were just awesome ...

i m still in the hangover of ur update...

the story was very well described...

I was waiting for ur update n finally read it...

Thanks for the update..

.👏👏👏

Originally posted by: cuteangelasya

Wow amazing update...

Luv the way kabir is describing the story...

Each n every ws giving me flashbacks n pics in my head..:D

Awesome one kelly

Originally posted by: sb1410

Awesome update
Congrats on changing colour

So this is it, the last update to my very first FF, Hennaed Hands. Thanks to everyone who read, encouraged and commented, as well as to all of the silent readers out there 😊 . It has been a really great experience!

I hope you all enjoy this final update.

Thanks Again,

Kelly

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"Nay, but if we get home soon, we may get to know the date of our engagement." He winked as he spoke, "I've got another story I can tell you if you care to hear."

"Our engagement?"

He smiled nodding, "Did you want to sit or head on back to the car?"

"Our engagement is being set?"

"Okay, the bench it is then." Guiding her back to the bench, Kabir sat beside his stunned love. Brushing a stray hair back from her face, he smiled, "Daadi wasn't alone when she came back from breakfast today. I had the privilege of meeting with your father this morning and after the worst night I've ever spent, he asked of me the one thing I couldn't oblige him in doing,"

"Your Grandmother has told me that if I deny your relationship with my daughter, that you will step away. Tell me Kabir, will you?"

"Unless it was the absolutely best thing for her, nay Uncle I won't. And I know she wouldn't want me to either."

"Kabir, sometimes what we want isn't necessarily the best thing for us."

" Ji Uncle, but it's not just about what she wants, it's what she needs and deserves. Any number of men can provide for your daughter, but I would challenge you to find someone who will love, respect and cherish Rachna more than I. The very best of me what I offer and I can assure you that you will find no one better for Rachna. Until my last breath she will want for nothing. Show me another who would be better for her, and then yes, I will walk away, but only then.

"Then why did you not prevent her leaving in the first place, Beta?"

Kabir looked at his Daadi and smiled, "Because Uncle, I thought it was what she wanted, not that she was running away from her engagement, and apparently sometimes I can be an idiot and act before learning the truth of the situation."

"I take it this is something that won't be repeated?"

"Nay Uncle, if nothing else I'm a quick learner, and I've definitely learnt from this very painful lesson."

"Thik Hai, Beta, thank you for your candor, but you must understand that I am entrusting you with the very best of me. I just needed to be sure. " Turning to Kabir's grandmother, he smiled and nodded, "Mausii if you don't mind, I think it's best if I call Shail over now, I agree that we should trust our children's choices and it's obvious that they are devoted to each other. I figure there's no time like the present to settle things."

Relieved, as he had never been, Kabir stood to thank Rachna's father. He bent to take his blessings and rose to speak.

"Uncle, if I may request to speak to Rachna first and then bring her home?"

"Ji Beta."

"You're not an idiot."

"Yes Rachna, sometimes I am. Only an impatient idiot would decide to go jogging instead of waiting for his love, especially when she sends a message that she will come home as soon as she could. I guess someone was looking out for me, because I did manage to get back just before you left. I'm not saying that I would have said anything different to your father, but knowing what had happened, that you were with me, did make it easier for me." Caressing her face, he raised it so she was looking at him, "But Rachna, most of all, I am sorry that my absence made you cry this morning."

She raised her hands to wipe her tears and laughed, "Don't worry KT, I cry a lot, you should be used to it by now." She leaned over to hug him, holding him tightly knowing that finally they would be together. "I'm ready to go home now."

Her Lehenga was a work of art. It suited her perfectly, as it should have, having been designed especially for her. It was more than she could have imagined, but even it paled in comparison to the love showing on her face for the man standing beside her, placing the delicate ring on her finger. And if the look her fiance sent her in return was any indication, she could have shown up in a burlap sack; it wouldn't have made a difference, as long as she was there. Their love stood as a testament for everyone in attendance as they completed their first ritual towards their eternal happiness.

Standing beside Rachna, Kabir leaned down to her to speak, "It's a very beautiful design, Rachna you did very well. Neeta looks absolutely radiant."

She shook her head, "Nay KT that's not the dress, that's love. I am so happy for the two of them."

"Soon that will be us, my love, are you excited?"

Rachna nodded "I really need to find out who her Mehndi artist was, it's very beautiful."

"Is it that important?"

"Definitely KT, you have had things a little too easy."

"Meaning?"

"I would have my mehndi very intricate, that's all" she replied blushing. "Oh, it looks as if Naomi needs saving from Shekhar's friend Abhi."

Kabir grabbed hold of her hand as she sought to escape, "Naomi doesn't seem to be under that much duress. Why don't you stay and discuss this elaborate henna design you want?"

"Nay KT, that's okay, we can discuss that later." She called as she darted away laughing.

Epilogue

Teej - 3years later

"Do you hear yourself, you've become illogical already, KT." Rachna's bemused smile told him how she felt, but she would soon get that he more than serious about this, he thought. His responsibilities had increased overnight and he would not shirk them. She laughed at him, "So, it's okay for me to do it but under no circumstances will.."

"Exactly, you were aware of what you were doing so it's totally different."

Rachna reached up to stroke his face as he sat beside her in the bed. "You are being awfully silly but, I'm too tired to even fight with you right now."

Immediately repentant, Kabir, looked to her anxiously. Rachna are you comfortable; do you need anything?

"I'm fine, honest."

"Rachna, you will tell me if you are not okay, don't even think about not letting me know."

The soft rap on their doorframe got their attention, "KT, please don't tell me you are bullying a new mother, I didn't think even you would do that... Woah, wait Rachna, don't you dare attempt to get up." Naomi dropped the package she held, and rushed into the room to her friend's side. She knelt beside her with the intention of a brief hug, but was soon caught in Rachna's firm embrace

"I'm exhausted not made out glass, hopefully you can convince this one of that." Rachna said indicating her husband.

"Consider it done." Naomi replied. She came out her friends hug and held her hands, examining the henna design. "Wow Rachna, this is exceptionally beautiful, well done."

"Well fasting for Teej was definitely out of the question, so this was the best I could do for my husband this year."

Walking over with the infant in his arms, Kabir shook his head, "Says the foolish woman who has the most blessed husband in Banaras this Teej. Naomi, meet your God-daughter, Aryia."

Naomi sat in the chair beside the bed, her face softening as KT placed the tiny infant into her arms. Admiring the poppet with her mop of dark hair and, her mother's beautiful dark brown doe eyes, she looked tearfully to her friends, "Oh, well done you two, she is just perfect." She turned her attention back to the baby, "Hello little one, Aunty Naomi is here and I'm going to make sure growing up you have all the fun that I'm sure your Papa has already banned." She looked up when Rachna laughed, "What happened; did I miss something?"

"Oh definitely, you literally just missed KT's edict that he would prefer our daughter not to ever apply mehndi; it's just far too dangerous due to its connotations as it applies to the opposite sex apparently."

"Really, wow KT, that's a good one!" Naomi cooed to the precious bundle she held, "Don't worry baby, Papa has been reading from the Sleeping Beauty parenting guide, but your fairy god-mother is here to save you from his nonsense."

"How's Abhi, Naomi, have you decided to stop running from him yet or do you still have him following you on your modelling and freelance escapades?"

"That has nothing to do with you being irrational KT. If I'm fortunate that I have the opportunity to travel for work, and he cares to visit now and then well.." She paused blushing, as she looked over to Rachna, who was smiling covertly back at her. Rachna shook her head slightly to indicate that she hadn't yet shared with KT what had been happening in Naomi's life; that KT's supposition held more truth than he knew.

"If I recall wasn't it the henna that first got his attention?" Raising his eyebrows at her silence, he nodded at the two women, "Exactly my point."

"Well maybe you should have thought of that before you commissioned the gift," Naomi curtly responded pointing to the package she had left in the doorway.

"Come on you two just play nice. And what gift, KT?"

Retrieving the package, Kabir walked back over to Rachna and presented to her. "Here you go, my love."

They watched as Rachna unwrapped the elaborately packaged box and removed the item from it. Her confused expression gave way to shock and then her face crumpled as she began to cry, "Oh my God, I can't believe..."

Gathering his wife near, Kabir reached to dry her tears, "I hope you like it Rachna."

Leafing through the leather bound book with its beautifully illustrated gold gilded pages, she traced the lettering on the cover "It's absolutely beautiful, how could I not?"

"So, like I said KT, what are you going to do now?" Naomi asked smugly, "I dare you to try and change that." She rose as the little one in her arms began to protest, "See even Aryia is agreeing with Aunty Naomi, isn't she, but I think she wants her Mummy now." Handing the newborn to her mother, Naomi paused to kiss both her and her mother, as she looked at them with total adoration. She turned to KT

"I'm thinking the first round has been gone to the girls, KT." She hugged him happily, "Congratulations, I know you will be the best Papa ever!" She wiped at her tears, and exhaled shakily, "Right, I figure one crying baby is enough for you two, so I'm going to get settled in my room now. I will see the two of you later, okay?"

Kabir and Rachna watched their dear friend's departure and turned to smile at each other. Rachna looked to the book, "Am I expected to skip over the important parts then?"

Kabir sighed, "No obviously not, but we will just have to add a disclaimer that's all."

"Accha?"

"Yes Rachna. Do you mind if I have the first read?" When her eyes welled yet again, Kabir took that as a yes, and settled on the bed, positioning himself so Rachna could rest comfortably against him, as she held their daughter.

"Now Aryia, we're going to begin with a word warning, Henna has very magical properties, and should only be applied with caution and only on very special occasions. Promise your papa that you will listen to your mother when it comes time for this, so that you use it for the right reasons." He looked to Rachna and raised his eyebrows smugly when his daughter gripped the finger held close to her hand.

"You do know that's just a reflex and she's not agreeing with you right, KT?"

"If you say so, Rachna. Anyway should we begin?" Ensuring everyone's comfort, Kabir wrapped one arm around his Rachna, who cradled their precious daughter. He turned to place a kiss on her cheek before opening the book and beginning. Lord Khadoos and the Princess Next Door... It all began during the festival of Diwali..."

End 😊