YEH DOORIYAN-A SEHAN-SAHIL SS-COMPLETED-PARTS-1-15+EPILOGUE - Page 34

Originally posted by: MrDarcyfan

Thanks! I am working on the Epilogue and should have it up soon. I just have not had a lot of time lately. It's going to take a few more days! I want it to be good and memorable! :)

Part 15

6 weeks Later - Ibrahim Mansion - Week of Seher and Rehan's wedding.

Night of Mehendi Ceremony

Finally it was here. The week of Rehan and Seher's wedding. The Mehendi ceremony was tonight and everyone from the family were here. The family from London and Dubai had arrived 2 weeks before the wedding. They all wanted to help with the wedding and be a part of all the celebrations. They wanted to make sure that Seher got the wedding of the year. Aahil was bent on having a grand celebration, because for him this was a double celebration. His brother was marrying his sister in law. Also this was the wedding of the brother and sister in law of the Nawab of Bhopal. So it HAD to be the wedding of the year. Even Nazia and Shazia had flown down from America for the wedding. After all, it was Rehan's wedding too, and they had always thought of him as their second brother. Latiff was the most excited of all the family. He was so delighted that there was going to be a big wedding that he had not even complained about having extra work. He was genuinely happy for Seher and Rehan and very enthusiastic about dressing up for the wedding and all related functions.

Zain and his parents had arrived the week of the wedding too. He was never going to miss her wedding, Zain told Seher when she called him to tell him the news. He was one of her best friends and they will always remain so. Aahil had arranged for Zain and his parents to stay in one of the suits of their hotels in the city. But Zain had insisted HE will stay with the family in Ibrahim Mansion, and his parents can stay at the hotel. No one had argued about it. Zain was like a family member anyway, and they didn't want to treat him any other way.

Even Asma, who had moved to Delhi came to the wedding. She had married a fellow doctor Ehjaz Ishmael, whom she had met in the course of her work. She'd been shattered when she found out that Azhar and his family only wanted her family's money and also the fact that Azhar was not even a doctor. She had felt betrayed and made a fool of. She'd left town and moved to Delhi soon after graduation, and taken up a post in a hospital there. It was there she'd met Ehjaz Ishmael, a fellow doctor, and their friendship of one year had turned into love, and she had married him 2 years ago, and was very happy. Sanam had stayed in touch with her, because they had always had a good connection. Sanam and Aahil had gone to her wedding. So naturally she had invited her to Seher's wedding, and she had gladly accepted. She had arrived the week of the wedding, so she can take part in all the rituals. Both Sanam and Aahil had insisted, as they think of her as a family member. Her husband was going to join on the day of the wedding, as they both could not get time off to be at all the ceremonies.

Seher had never in all her life imagined that she would have a "Big Fat Indian wedding!" All that pomp and ceremony was SO not her! But her Api, Jeej, Badi Ammi, and Haya had insisted that this be a big celebration. Badi Ammi had said this was the last wedding for her granddaughters, so she wanted this one to really count. Neither of the previous two had been fully witnessed by her, because she had been sick at the time. So this was her chance to really celebrate and she didn't want to lose it. Even Sanam and Aahil seemed bent on a big celebration, and so was Haya, stating that this was the wedding of her brother and her cousin. So even for her this was a double celebration.

Even the rest of their overseas family were very excited. Ayaan chahu, Nikhat Bua, and Nuzat Bua had insisted that all the clothes for the bridal party and relatives will be paid for by them. Nuzat Bua was going to design her bridal dress, Rehan's sherwani and the clothes of the bridal party, which was the immediate family. She was a famous designer after all, with shops in Lodon, and Mumbai. Their uncle Haider had said that he will pay for all the flowers and the dcor, and the bride's jewellery. After all he was Seher's Mama, and this was his duty. Since they were the "Ladaki wala's" they were not going to leave their duty. They insisted that they all had a duty to their brother Asad and sister Zoya to do everything for their daughter's wedding. After all, they had not been able to do anything for Sanam and Haya's weddings. So they were going to do it all for this one. So Seher had just left it all up to them. Even Rehan had not wanted too much pomp, but he had soon been overruled by the rest and even he had given up arguing and told them to go crazy. He had agreed that they will turn up to all the events all dressed up, which looked like all they were going to be allowed to do? Both Rehan and Seher knew that they were pretty much going to be spectators at this wedding!

These days the only way they could get a minute alone was to sneak up to the Terrace. They had met there a few times. There is no way they could go to each other's rooms for a tryst, coz all the family were here and they would have been incessantly teased if either were caught coming out of the other's room. Even Sanam and Aahil found it difficult to go to their room or come out of it when they were both home without getting laughed at by someone, and they were married! After the Mehendi ceremony was over, Rehan had gone to the rooftop and texted Seher to come join him there. Soon after Seher had managed to get away from everyone and come to the terrace to meet Rehan.

Not long after Rehan and Seher had met on the terrace, Nikhat had come there too with her husband James, as this used to be one of her favourite spots in the house when she was a girl. She had arrived on the rooftop to find Rehan and Seher in each other's arms locked in a passionate kiss. She had almost thought of leaving quietly, but the cheeky side of her just could not let go of this opportunity. She had stepped more towards the terrace. Her husband had tried to hold her back but she had gestured with her eyes "No" and cleared her throat once. No reaction! She had cleared her throat very loudly then, and Rehan hearing a sound had quickly lifted his head and looked up, and as soon as he saw Nikaht, he put Seher away from him. Seher's face had flamed as Nikaht and James started to laugh.

"Kuch toh Sabre karo, dulhe raja...ab sirf kuch hi din baki hain Nikah ke liye!" she had said laughing harder when she saw Rehan blush. Rehan then looked at James, who he noticed was laughing at what Nikhat had just said.

"I understand everything she said" said James with a smile. "Muje Urdu atha hain! Nikhat ne muje sikaya. Right Jaan?" he said looking at Nikhat.

"Of course! How else will you understand all the things I say to you when we fight James?" said Nikat raising her browse. "Don't worry my love, I won't tell your Badi Ammi about this little "incident", or your Ayaan chachu for that matter!" said Nikhat with a smirk towards Seher.

"Nicky Bua...You're threatening me? And here I thought I was your favourite?" said Seher, her own browse raising.

"Don't tell the others!" she said in a mock conspiratory tone. But then she came forward and hugged Seher. "I am so happy to see you this happy my Jaan" she whispered to Seher. "Looks like you got the closure you needed? In the best possible way too!"

"Yes. I am so glad you convinced me that coming back was the right thing to do? I owe this all to you!"

"No you owe it all to yourself, coz you had the courage to face your past. That only you could do. All I did was suggest it!" said Nikhat as she let go of Seher and they smiled at each other.

"Looks like WE are not needed here anymore Rehan? Shall we leave the aunt and the niece to their moment?" said James looking towards Seher and Nikhat indulgently.

"No James, WE are leaving. We will leave these love birds to continue with whatever they were doing?" said Nikhat with a wink.

"Nicky Bua...you really are too cheeky? It must be the air in India? You were never this outrageous in London! What say Uncle James?"

"Ohh...Seher, you have NO idea how outrageous your Nicky bua is?" said James with a chuckle.

"James...PLEASE...not in front of the kids?" they all started to laugh at that.

Rehan was watching Nikhat, James and Seher, and smiled. It was clear that Seher was very close to her family overseas and they were very important to her. It warmed his heart to see how much they all loved her. She had finally got the family she had always longed for. The happiness that she deserved in life. The family and the happiness that she had lost thanks to his Mother! But he was determined NOT to think of her. He was not going to let her ruin their happiness. A happiness that had been so hard won! Maybe it was divine justice, that now he would spend the rest of his life keeping Seher happy. "Allah always had the best plans" Thought Rehan. Better than any of us can predict.

"It's not the air in India...though it does have a magic of its own! Woh kya kehetain hain? Yeh sab ishq ka asar hain meri jaan! Insaan kud ba kud shararat ban ja teh hain?" said Nikhat with a smile. "Let's go James! We can come here another night? Good night kids!" she said.

"Good night" both Rehan and Seher said in unison. James also bid them good night and they left.

"So...where were we?" said Seher, as she put her arms around Rehan's neck, but keeping her hands separated so as not to spoil her Mehendi.

"Isn't that supposed to be MY line?" said Rehan raising his browse.

"This is Seher not Shalini SIR" purred Seher. "I always get the best lines!"

"Looks like I will never get a good line for the rest of my life?" said Rehan pretending to be disappointed.

"Get used to it Mr Qureshi" said Seher, as she pulled his head down. "Now shut up and kiss me, so I can go back to my cousins and have some REAL fun!"

Rehan had been holding Seher's waist with his hands. Her waist was bare, because she was wearing a Lehenga. Suddenly his hands tightened on her waist as he pulled her closer. "Really Mrs soon to be Qureshi? Do you want me to, what do you call it? "Give you a Demo" of how much fun you can have with me?"

"Keep your tall promises for our wedding night "Sir!" said Seher with a giggle as Rehan bent down and sealed her lips with a kiss.

Meanwhile Elsewhere in Ibrahim Mansion

It was not just the engaged couple who had been having their fair share of romance! Sanam had her hands covered in Mehendi as well, so Aahil had dutifully fed her dinner with a fork, and all the family had teased them for being "Loved up!" They were now standing together near one of the alcoves overlooking the pool, just observing the crowd in the hall. Everyone was having a great time. That was clear. Sanam had an "A" adorning the middle of her right palm. She felt like she was getting to celebrate all the functions that she herself had missed out on through Seher's wedding. But she had no issue with it. After all, she had done all the rituals for her wedding with Anwar! How had that turned out? She shuddered to think what would have happened to her if she had actually married him? It was her luck that he had run away from the wedding. After all, in exchange for short term pain, she had achieved a lifetime of happiness by moving to Bhopal and meeting Aahil again.

Sanam knew the way she and Aahil had married had not been ideal, but the truth was, they had accepted each other fully. Even that night, when she had said "Qubool Hai" with a heavy heart, she had still said it with full honesty. She realised that now. Even Aahil had been totally committed to the fact when he said "Qubool Hai" to her. Of course she found out later that he had been in love with her the whole time, so that was the REAL reason he had given into Tanveer's manipulation at the 11^th hour. Aahil told her that the only reason he said "Qubool Hai" was because he had got an opportunity to make her his, and he took it. He said he didn't even really rationalise it to himself then. But that had been the actual truth. He said that if it was Nida there, when it came down to it, he was not sure if he could have gone through with it?

"So where is my name in all this?" said Aahil, taking Sanam's hand and looking at her mehendi, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"It's not your whole name Aahil. Just "A"! After all, it's not our Suhaag raat in two days, where you have to look for your name in my Mehendi?" said Sanam with raised browse.

"Isn't it a shame we didn't get to do all this?"

"I guess?" said Sanam shrugging. "Don't forget, I already did all this at my first wedding, and YOU Nawab Sahib did all this for your supposed wedding with Nida?" said Sanam with a laugh.

"Oh yes, your infamous wedding to that looser Anwar! Just as well we caught him and got your family jewelry back? Aren't you giving one of those sets to Seher as part of her bridal jewelry?"

"Yes! Thanks again Aahil, for hiring that detective to catch Anwar and getting him jailed for theft, and selling off my Dhaba land through false pretenses!"

"Don't mention it sweetheart! It was my pleasure to get that scumbag behind bars! Which is where losers like him belong!" said Aahil with venom. Even hearing that loser's name made his blood boil. First of all, he didn't ever want to be reminded that Sanam had been about to marry another man! A chapter he would like to forget ever existed. Just as well that loser had run off that day, if not what would have happened to him? He had NO idea! Without Sanam his life would have been totally meaningless! He didn't even want to think about a life without her. It didn't bare contemplation.

"Actually Aahil, we sort of DID have a Mehendi ceremony after all? I mean, on the night of Nida's Mehendi, remember how you rushed upstairs and you're Am...I mean Begum Sahiba went to call you down, your hand hit the bowl of Mehendi and it fell on my hand?"

"Do I ever? It's like that Mehendi had a GPS on it, and chose the right women? Something even I was not able to do at the time!" said Aahil with a laugh.

"Remember the racket that Nida made? God she was such a drama queen!" said Sanam rolling her eyes. "I never asked before, but do you know where she is now?"

"Yeah...actually I heard she lives in Singapore now? She married some business man there! He's like almost 60!" said Aahil with smirk.

"Serves her right, for chasing after MY man? Kamini!" said Sanam with a flash in her eyes.

"Language...Begum...Language!"

"YOU are telling me to mind my language Nawab Sahib? If I recall, you were swearing all the time when we first got married? I distinctly remember a time when your friends came to visit and you forced me to dance with you...and later, when you realized that Rehan and I had been looking at that old room...you were SO mad, and said "What the "F" were you doing in there with Rehan?" said Sanam with a pointed look at Aahil.

"You remember that part, but not what happened not so long after that?" said Aahil huskily, his eyes suddenly taking on a smolder. Sanam felt color run up her skin, as she was well aware of what he meant, but she feigned ignorance and said with a shrug.

"Did something happen? I think my memories of the rest of that night is rather vague?"

"Oh really? Do you want to come back to our room so I can remind you?" said Aahil with a twist of his lips. "Or better still, why not I give you a demo right here?" said Aahil, pulling Sanam back against his chest, as his head bent to nuzzle the base of her neck where it met her shoulder.

"Aahil...have some shame? Someone could come here anytime. The house is full of people?"

"So what? You're my wife, not someone else's?"

"Aahil...Please..." Sanam whispered.

"Mmmhhh...I do remember you saying that quite a few times that night?" murmured Aahil.

"You really are shameless!" gasped Sanam.

"And you love it baby!" said Aahil with a grin, continuing to nibble on her skin.

Sanam shook her head closed her eyes and sighed as if to say "I give up!"

...

Next Night - Sangeet ceremony - Ibrahim Mansion

Everything was set for the Sangeet ceremony that night. The house was decked up to the nines, and so were the people. Everyone was ready with their items and geared up to perform. All the couples were doing dances, and so where all the cousins and Zain.

Ayaan had set a theme for the evening. "Hits of the Khans!" He himself was an avid Salman Khan fan, so it went without saying he would give preference to songs from his movies. Nikhat and Ayaan being good dances, had roped in not just their own spouses James and Aliyah, but Nuzzat, Humeira, and their husbands Rohan and Haider to perform a medley together. Nikhat and Ayaan had recalled during practices how they had crashed Asad and Zoya's Sangeet and performed an impromptu number. They had told Sanam, Seher, Aahil and Rehan that the Sangeet had been a grand affair and the talk of the town for days. Ayaan said that Bhai Jaan and Zoya had danced to a Salman Khan Movie number "Sun Zara", and the crowd had loved it. They of course didn't mention that Rehan's grandmother Haseena had made a big spectacle out of the YouTube video of them all dancing at the Sangeet. Nobody wanted to remember that women and spoil the moment. Ayaan had talked of how beautifully his brother and sister in law to be at the time, had danced, and all eyes had been on them, as they always looked out of this world together. "The best looking couple those days in Bhopal, hands down, and the most in love as well!" said Ayaan with a reminiscent smile. It was very emotional for Sanam and Seher to hear all these things about their parents and their courtship.

Seher however diffused the emotions by saying that now that distinction goes to her sister and brother in law, who were not just the Nawab and Begum of Bhopal, but had once been judged "Best Couple of Bhopal" too, a few years ago. "Of course Api and Jeej always look like a millon bucks together, not to mention like sickeningly in love!" said Seher rolling her eyes, but her eyes held love and admiration for them both, as she looked at them indulgently. She loved them both so much, and she couldn't believe her luck that she was now home for life with not just the love of her life, but her sister and brother in law as well. She couldn't think of anywhere else she would rather be.

The whole family was gathered in the hall dressed in the colour scheme of the night "Blue and Gold". The scheme was set by Nuzzat, who designed all the clothes. Everyone was wearing Nuzzat Verma originals, including Lateef who was thrilled to bits with his designer outfit. The guests had started to come as well. Lateef was greeting everyone as they arrived and showing them in, and Sanam and Aahil were in the forefront welcoming everyone to the party. They were both dressed in Gold tones and looked every inch the golden couple. Seher and Rehan had chosen Blue. Rehan in Navy Blue and Seher in Baby Blue, they both looked amazing. A lot of the glitterati of Bhopal were there, as for the actual Nikah ceremony, it was only going to be the family and some close family friends only. Seher and Rehan had wanted the actual Nikah ceremony to be a private one, as the rest of the wedding was a very public affair. Aahil had said that they will have a grand reception two days after the wedding, for which all the who's who of Bhopal and other parts of India would be invited. Media were going to be at the reception, and even the Sangeet had an official photographer who was going to provide photos to the media. So they wanted their Nikah ceremony to be private. Naturally, this wedding was attracting attention as it was a wedding within the Nawab family. Like it or not, they were going to have to tolerate the interest.

All the cousins which included Haya, Zain, Asma, as well as Nazia and Shazia, performed to a medley of songs from the latest Bollywood offerings. The girls danced to "Lovely" and the boys danced to "Jumme Khi Raat", and they all danced together to "Yaar Na Miley", and "Mashallah". The crowd applauded wildly to their performance and it was very well received, being such a energetic number. Seher and Rehan watched on thinking they must have practiced for days to pull this off. They probably practiced at Haya's place, coz they had never seen any of this before. Haya's husband was at a shoot he could not get out of, so he could only make it on the day of the Nikah.

Then the senior couples dance came up, and they danced to some classic numbers. Ayaan and Aliyah to a Salman Khan classic "Chori Kiya Re Jiya" from Dabaang, Nikhat and James danced to "Dholana" from Dil To Pagal Hain, Nuzzat and Rohan to "Chunari Chunari" from Biwi No 1, and Haider and Humeira to "Jo Haal Dil Ka" from Sarfarosh. Ishaan cheered the loudest for his parents. They finished their medley with a group dance to the short version of "Bole Chudiya" from Kabhi Khushi Khabhi Gham with Nikhat and then Ayaan leading the way, and that went down a treat with the crowd, who continuously clapped till the end of their performance.

Then it was Sanam and Aahil's turn to perform and they chose a slow number.

*"Shukran Allah Wallah Alham Dulillah...Shukran Allah Wallah Alham Dulilla..."

Applause broke out, as the Golden couple, the Nawab and his Begum took centre stage as the refrains from the song started to play. The song and it's lyrics were very apt for them.

"Nazron Se Nazrein Mili To Jannat Si Mehki Fizayein...Lab Ne Jo Lab Chu Liya To...Aasmaan Se Barshi Duyaien...Aise Apni Mohabbat...Aise Rooh-E-Ibaadat...Hum Pe Meherbaan Do Jahan..."

Everyone cheered as Aahil twirled Sanam around to the lyrics;

"Teri Bahaon Mein Yeh Jism Khil Gaaya...Teri Saanson Mein Chain Mil Gaya...Kaise Rahein Abb Hum Juda...Ho ..Ho...Teri Paas Hum Itne Hue...Tere Khwaab Apne Hue...Kaise Hue Abb Hum Fida...Aise Uski Inayat...Mit Gayi Har Shiyaat...Hum Pe Meherbaan Do Jahan..."

Seher and Rehan watched them with smiles. Sanam even in her pregnant state had been game to dance, as she wanted to perform on their big day. They were glad they had, because everyone was thrilled to see the Nawab and Begum Dance together to such a romantic number. The entire place filled with thundering applause as their dance came to an end. Sanam flushed with pleasure. She had never danced in front of such a big crowd before, but she had really enjoyed it, and Aahil seemed well pleased with the response too.

Finally it was Seher and Rehan's turn. They chose the song "Rabata" from Agent Vinod. The couple of the night took the stage for their dance, the crowd cheered and applauded, as the song started to play. Rehan and Seher took centre stage and Rehan pulled Seher into his arms. The crowd cheered.

**"Kehte hain.....Khuda ne iss jahaan mein...Sabhi ke liye kisi na kisi ko hai banaaya...har kisi ke liye...Tera milna hai uss rab ka ishaara Maano...mujhko banaya tere jaise hi kisi ke liye...

Kuch toh hai tujh se raabta Kuch toh hai tujh se raabta..Kaise hum jaane, hume kya pata...Kuch toh hai tujh se raabta...Tu humsafar hai...Phir kya fikar hai...Jeene ki wajah hi yehi hai...Marna issi ke liye..."

Rehan twirled Seher around, and caught her back in his arms.

"Meharbaani jaate-jaate mujhpe kar gaya...Guzarta saa lamha ek daaman bhar gaya...Tera nazaara mila, roshan sitaara mila...Taqdeer ki kashtiyon ko kinara mila"

They moved away from each other and moved back to the middle, as Rehan lifted Seher up by the waist and twirled around. The crowd really broke out with whistles and applause at this. Rehan slowly lowered Seher to the floor.

"Kuch toh hai tujh se raabta... Kuch toh hai tujh se raabta..Kaise hum jaane, hume kya pata...Kuch toh hai tujh se rabataa.....Ab kya kehena...hum ko hain rehena...janthain bhula ke teri bahon main panaha leke..."

At the end of the dance, the applause was deafening, everyone was cheering for the couple, and instead of leading her away from the dance floor, Rehan led her to the middle and then let go of her hand and moved away, as a spotlight shone on Seher. She looked around confused when the refrains of the song "Mahi Ve" from Kal Ho Na Ho played. Suddenly Ishaan and then Zain materialised next to her followed by her male cousins. They were singing to her, and blocking her way as she tried to walk away similar to what Preity had done in the movie. Everyone cheered and Seher was getting into the dance as well.

Then suddenly the mood changed as the guys moved away and the spotlight fell on Seher again. Suddenly Badi Ammi was next to Seher, and she sang the lyrics;

***"Chanda meri chanda...tuje kaise main yeh samjaun...muje lagathi hain tu kitheni pyari reh...Khushiyaan jithni hain, sab dhoond dhoond ke laun, teri doli ke saang kardun sari ve..."

Dilshaad was looking at her with eyes filled with tears and Seher's eyes filled with tears, as they hugged each other and cried. Sanam joined them as well as all three hugged each other. There was not a dry eye in the room. It was a very emotional moment.

Then the song turned upbeat again, and everyone came on to the floor and danced to Mahi Ve, till the song ended with many cheers and applause from the crowd watching. Everyone could see the love between the family members and it was a pleasure to see. It was a very memorable night for the whole family, because this was the first time in 25 years, they were all together like this having a celebration and that too in Bhopal. They had never imagined after the things that had happened that one day this would be possible again. Especially not in their old family home. But it had happened. They thanked God that finally their family were together again. Ayaan, Nikhat, Humeira and Nuzzat, the original "Zingo Hotties" were standing together later chatting about old times, when Dilshaad came to them.

"Thank you Bete, for making this night so memorable" she said to them. "It was almost perfect".

"I know what you're thinking Dilshaad Ammi" said Ayaan. "It would only be totally perfect if Bhaijaan, Zoya and Abbu were here right?"

"No Ayaan, it would have been perfect if ALL our family was here, and that includes Shireen and Siddiqui sahaab" said Dilshaad with a sigh. They all looked at each other with varying degrees of sadness. (Shireen had passed away due to liver failure around 8 years ago. Dilshaad had created a good rapport with her after Rashid's death, and she had never held a grudge against her as she too had been a victim of circumstances, just like her).

"I am sure they can see us, and they are happy tonight too Ammi" said Nikhat, and they all hugged each other. It was an emotional moment for the remaining members of the original Ahemed Khan and Siddiqui families.

Next Day - Day before the wedding

Everyone had agreed that the day after the Sangeet would be a rest day, and then the wedding would be the day after. After all, they all needed a day to come down from all the ceremonies and the Sangeet had been particularly involved and exhausting. They all wanted to be fresh and ready for the big event. So almost everyone had slept in a bit that day. When Seher woke up, it was around 9.30am. She reached for her phone almost by reflex and saw there was a message from Rehan.

"Good morning beautiful", she smiled as she read the message. He has been doing all these little romantic things for her lately. To think he had once told her he was not good at this stuff? Well he could have fooled her. Suddenly she heard a knock on the door and thought it might be Rehan. Had he thought of coming to her room to surprise her? He had not been even attempting to come to her room after her family had turned up, coz if they ever saw him, he would never live it down. "Maybe he was feeling brave" Seher said with a laugh as she jumped out of bed, and pulling on her cotton robe, she went to open the door. But as she opened the door, it was not Rehan standing there but her Nuzzat Bua.

"Nuzzi Bua aap?" said Seher.

"Ha main. Kya main andar aa sakthi hu?"

"Of course...please..." said Seher opening the door for her. She then noticed that her aunt had some boxes in her hand. "What's that bua?" she asked.

"These...are something very special for you" she said handing them to Seher. It was two boxes. One big and one small. One appeared to be a jewellery box. Seher took them from Nuzzat. "Open them" said Nuzzat. Seher moved further back into her room, and she put the boxes on the bed, she noticed that the bigger red box had the distinct Gold writing on it "NV", which stood for "Nuzzat Verma", her aunt's designer brand. Seher opened that one first. It was a beautiful Red sari with a dainty gold, blue and green border, and had little gold dots all over it, all sewn with gold thread. It had a matching gold blouse and a red slip. It was a whole set.

"Nuzzi Bua...it's gorgeous" said Seher overwhelmed. Nuzzat smiled at her. She then opened the smaller case and it had a necklace and earrings. It was rubies and emeralds, and it was totally breath taking. "OMG...Nuzzi bua...this is just...it's too beautiful" said Seher looking at Nuzzat teary eyed. She stepped forward and hugged Nuzzat. They hugged each other for a moment. "It's a gift from your uncle Rohan and me. Congratulations beta" she said. "Thank you SO much" whispered Seher.

""Your welcome Beta...But...the reason I brought it to your room now, is coz you have to wear it right now" said Nuzzat.

"NOW? Why?" Seher said confused.

"Because we are going somewhere, and before you ask...it's a surprise!" said Nuzzat with a grin. "Now get dressed, you have half an hour! Chop chop" she said, as she took the boxes from Seher, and put them on her bed, and pushed in the direction of the bathroom. "Get dressed and come downstairs. Remember 30 minutes ok?"

"Ok Ok..." Said Seher laughing, as she went to the bathroom to get dressed. Nuzzat left the room.

30 Minutes Later - Downstairs in the Hall

Seher got dressed in the sari and jewelry. She tied her hair up as well, and she was looking very beautiful. She came downstairs. She looked around and there was no one to be seen. Then she saw her aunt Nuzzat and uncle Rohan come towards her. They were both dressed formally. Nuzzat in an orange sari, and Rohan in a dark brown Kurta. "Where is everyone?" asked Seher, looking a bit confused.

"Don't worry about everyone. WE are taking you out!" said Nuzzat.

"But where?"

"Don't worry Seher. We're not abducting you" said Rohan with a laugh.

"Let's go", Nuzzat said leading Seher towards the porch, where a car was parked with the driver waiting in it. They all got in, and the driver started to make his way out of the compound and soon they were driving into the city. As they kept driving, Seher thought the road was familiar, and then suddenly she realised where they were going. Just as she was thinking it, they arrived at their destination. She looked up as the driver stopped the car in front of the Big Ganesh temple in the city. She looked at Nuzzat who was sitting next to her quizzically.

"Are we going to sit here forever? Let's go in?" said Rohan from the front, as he got out of the passenger seat and he opened the door for his wife, and then he moved to Seher's side, as he gestured to the driver not to worry about getting out. Seher, Nuzzat and Rohan started to climb the steps to the temple. As they reached the top of the stairs, Seher's eyes widened at what she saw. Her whole family was standing inside the Ganesh mandir waiting for her. All the ladies were dressed in Sari and the guys in Kurta or Sherwani. Standing centre stage was Rehan, Aahil, Sanam and Badi Ammi. But what struck Seher was that the whole family were all dressed in Hindu style.

"Rehan? Api...?" she questioned looking from her fiancee to her sister. Rehan stepped forward and took Seher's hand, and led her next to the alter where the Ganesh murti was.

"Seher...I know how much faith you've had in Bappa throughout your life, and I couldn't just ignore that when we were planning our big day! I know you never said you want to do any Hindu rituals, but we are here today so we can get a blessing from Bappa for our married life. I wanted to do this in the morning, coz I know we are going to the Dargah in the evening, and tomorrow I can't see you till the wedding" said Rehan, looking into Seher's eyes.

"REHAN!" said Seher, totally overwhelmed. If she thought this man loved her before, then she had not known how much. He was willing to do something like this for her, even though this was not his faith? He KNEW how much Bappa meant to her. She had spent the last nearly 4 years embracing her Islamic faith and learning everything about it, because that was who here family was, and it was who SHE was. But she had never given up her faith in Bappa. He will always be a part of her. A part of her identity. He had been her constant companion for 20 years before she had found her family again. She couldn't break that bond.

"Yes Seher" said Sanam stepping forward. "When Rehan came and told me this, I knew it was the right thing to do! We all know how much you love Bappa, and he should be a part of your special day in some way?"

"Ha beta...We all want you to get his blessing. I will eternally be grateful to him, because he looked after my child when I couldn't" said Dilshaad with tears in her eyes. "Pandit ji" she said, as she turned towards the elderly priest who came forward, who had been standing to the side this whole time. "Aap Puja shuru Kijiye" Dilshaad said.

The priest started to chant something, and everyone stood quietly with their eyes closed and head bent. Seher had her hands folded in prayer. Soon the priest gave them all prashad. As Seher took her prashad, she turned to her family and standing in front of her.

"Thank you all SO much, for understanding my faith in Bappa and accepting it. Bappa and I were always a team, and he will always be a part of me. So thank you SO much for supporting my faith in Bappa. I know it can't be easy for you all..." Seher's trailed off.

"There is NO issue of that Seher" said Haider. "We are your family, and your faith in Bappa is a part of you. There is no need for any of us to feel bad about it"

"I agree" said Ayaan, and Aahil came forward and gave Seher a hug. "Now your Bappa has blessed your big day, I hope your happy Sali Sahiba?"

"VERY happy Jeej! Thank you so much!"

"Don't thank us! Thank your husband to be. HE is the one that suggested it?" said Aahil, looking at Rehan and smiling.

"Thank you Rehan. Thank you SO much. You have no idea how much this means to me?"

"I DO Seher, and that's why I wanted this to happen. But I could never have organised things as well as the family have. Thanks all!" said Rehan, smiling at all present. They all turned to leave the premises. Everyone started to make their way out, and Rehan and Seher lingered on for a bit longer. No one said anything as they noticed the soon to be married couple hanging back. Seher came closer to Rehan and slipped her hand into his.

"Happy?" asked Rehan, looking down at Seher.

"VERY happy! I love you Rehan" said Seher with her heart in her eyes.

"I love you too!" whispered Rehan.

"I know. Thanks for loving me so much!" said Seher with a smile, and Rehan just squeezed her fingers and smiled back at her.

That evening the whole family went to the Dargah as well, and did prayers for the couple and for the impending Nikah. Seher felt like her big day was now going to be complete. Her whole family had gone with her to get Bappa's blessing on her wedding, and now they all came to the Dargah as well, to get Allah's blessings. Seher had felt lucky last night during the Sangeet, when she saw how much love everyone was pouring on her. But today, she REALLY felt lucky. She felt like the luckiest girl on earth. 4 years ago, she had felt like she had nothing in her life worth living for. THEN she had met her whole family, and then Rehan. Now she had everything. She had so much to thank God for. He may have given her things late, but he had given her the BEST!

The Epilogue will follow very soon!

*Lyrics derived from the song "Shukran Allah" - Movie "Qurbaan" (2009)

**Lyrics derived from the song "Rabataa" - Movie "Agent Vinod" (2012)

***Lyrics derived from the song "Mahive" - Movie "Kal Ho Na Ho" (2003)

Ok, so this part got too long to be an epilogue, so I decided to make it a Part 15, and then Epilogue will be of wedding day and beyond. I am already writing it, and hope to have it completed by tomorrow. Hope you guys like the celebrations. I wanted to involve the whole family, and so it got longer than I expected.

As always, dont forget to hit "LIKE" and please comment!

Thanks

Mandy

Originally posted by: kyph21

totally awesome update mandy...

loved that rehan arranged for the temple blessings...

with the way the show is going...reading ur story is such a relief...

wish the CVs take ideas from u rather than the sick things they come up with...

Originally posted by: ak020203

Awesome.. Loved the update.

All family together.. Beautiful..

Thanks for updating..