Khushi got up early and had her bath. She was getting ready, eagerly waiting to meet her groom with a bated breath. Her close friends from college and school were with her, helping her with the dress and make up. Her wedding dress was designed by the top designer in AR designs with Arnav's inputs. The designer was a good friend of Khushi too.
The wedding lehnga was a dark green and maroon one. It was accessorized with crystals and small tinkles. Khushi's hair was styled simply and her dupatta was pinned to her hair. Her face was glowing even without any make up and her eyes had a sparkle. Her friends had little to add to the beauty that was just shining across her face.
Khushi also wore matching bangles, a beautiful antique neck piece and the anklets Arnav had gifted her. She had not removed it from the instance he had put it on. Nor did she intend to remove the anklets anytime. With a final check, Khushi turned away the mirror to hear oohs and aahs from her friends. They were admiring her lehenga and her overall look.
Some of them teased her that Arnav wouldn't be able to take his eyes off her. Khushi blushed at their banter and got up to go down. She came down slowly through the stairs. The wedding was taking place in the huge living room. A small crowd had gathered around the make shift mandap. The whole Raizada mansion was alight with floral arrangements and wedding lights. There was glitter and color everywhere.
Nani and her close friends and some close friends of Arnav and Khushi had joined the wedding. Both Arnav and Khushi wanted a simple yet meaningful ceremony.
Arnav was already seated in the mandap. He felt her presence as always. Arnav raised his eyes to look at his beautiful Khushi. He was seeing yet another dimension of her, that of his bride. Arnav's heart swelled with pride and love. He felt he was the luckiest man to be sitting in the mandap, waiting for his Khushi. Arnav's eyes almost ate her up completely.
Khushi was lost in the look that was emanating from him. She felt mesmerized seeing her handsome husband to be. He looked absolutely stunning in a brown and off white kurta. With a turban in his head, and a tikka, Arnav was looking breathtaking and right now his eyes seemed to look deep into her.
Khushi's cheeks turned crimson and she lowered her eyes in modesty. At last she sat next to him and the wedding proceeded on. Arnav soon tied the mangalsutra around her neck and placed the tikka in her maang. Khushi felt her heart burst with emotions when Arnav tied the mangalsutra. Her dreams since childhood were coming true at last. She belonged to him and none could separate them. Khushi prayed for their happiness in her heart and gave him a shy smile as they exchanged garlands.
Arnav felt his heart contract when he made her his wife. He felt in peace. Now Khushi belong to him and only him. A masculine pride filled his entire body. He felt like announcing to the whole world that Khushi was his. Arnav and Khushi then went around the fire, taking the seven pheras. That officially completed their marriage.
Nani had tears in her eyes. She thought she could now be in peace. Both her children were there for one another and she need not worry now. Devyani missed her daughter and son in law a lot. She wished both the sets of parents could have seen this beautiful ceremony. It had been a quiet and an intimate affair. The ceremony was short and touching. No unnecessary frills or glamour was present.
The bride and the groom sought blessings from the elders and then took part in the wedding feast. Arnav and Khushi, with all their friends had a good time. They had a huge photo session with Nani, their friends, and others who were present. It was exciting as well as tiring. By evening, most of them already left and only two or three of their friends stayed back.
Though the press had tried to contact and come in to the wedding, Arnav would here nothing of it. He said he would release a press statement with his wife after a few days. The media had to settle for that and they co-operated.
Nani and the two of them visited a temple in the evening to offer their prayers and seek blessings. They all came back and the remaining guests also left. Dinner again was a lavish affair with sweets and various other delicacies. Devyani had not spared anything. It was the happiest day of her life. She regained some happiness that was completely lost after the death of her only child.
Arnav had got some calls from his business partners who wanted to wish him. He took the phone and moved to the living room. Khushi was in another heavy dress and she desperately wished to remove the heavy garments, and change to something comfortable. She informed Nani and went forward to go up. Nani smiled and kissed her forehead. She asked Khushi to go up.
Khushi finally had the much needed shower and removed all the jewellery. Only her mangalsutra adorned her neck and the anklets remained. She changed into a cotton night dress which was quite plain, considering it was her suhaag raat.
Arnav meanwhile completed his calls and went up to freshen up. He saw his room was already decorated with flowers all around. Arnav gave a bemused look and went into the washroom. He emerged wearing his usual t shirt and tracks. He wondered where his bride was. Wasn't she supposed to wait for him or something? With Khushi nothing happened normally, he thought with a chuckle.
Think of his angel and there she was! Khushi entered the room in her usual cotton night dress. She looked at him and then the room. It was looking totally different with the flowers and everything. Khushi didn't know what to make of it. Arnav was meanwhile leaning on the wall. He waited for her to say something first.
And she definitely did not disappoint him. "Arnie, what is this? You're room doesn't look like your room. And this bed, I don't like it."
He choked back on laughter. She must probably be the first woman in history to say she didn't like the marital bed. Well, to each his own. "Actually yes. It does take away the beauty of my room. But then we are going to begin a new journey today and what better way than to start with a new look." He smirked.
khushi's color rose. She flustered hearing him voice out their upcoming nuptial night. Khushi stopped moving and stood at the middle of the room. She was fidgeting with her hands and looked down, not knowing what to say next. Suddenly the room was charged with tension. Up until a minute ago she was talking to her childhood friend Arnie, but now she felt conscious in the presence of the handsome Arnav Singh Raizada, her new husband.
As if sensing her uncertainties, Arnav finally started moving towards Khushi. He took her hands that were fidgeting, and brought her into a warm hug.
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