Please excuse any mistakes; not proofread.
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Chapter 61:
The area was thankfully empty; it would mean less editing later on to remove any unwanted distractions from the background. Akshat surveyed the surroundings as his assistant got busy with the equipment and set up. There was a small stretch of sandy beach, just about 50 feet deep. The high tide was expected by mid-day; it would completely engulf the sand, so they would have to wrap up any shots on the beach before that. The sand morphed into small round pebbles, which lined the entire shoreline like a barrier, protecting the dark gray walls of the abandoned seaside castle-like structure that stood about 500 feet from the water. He had just finished taking notes when he noticed his clients walking towards him.
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Rachna is wearing this; the stole is draped loosely and pinned over her left shoulder, covering her left arm.
Kabir is wearing this.
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Rachna locked eyes with her husband, her fingertips clasping his hands, her lips automatically curving upwards into a soft smile. *Snap*
Kabir placed his lips onto Rachna's forehead, his eyes beaming with happiness, his arms cradling her face softly. *Snap*
The couple walked together hand-in-hand skirting the edge of the foamy waves, leaving their footprints in the packed sand, an aura of comfortable intimacy surrounding them. *Snap*
Kabir stood in the wet sand with his pants rolled up to his ankles and his back towards the ocean. Rachna stood in front of him, balancing as she stood with her feet on his. Both of his hands were at her waist to keep her steady, while her left hand clasped his right arm, displaying the ring on her finger. *Snap*
They both stood knee-deep in the water, about a foot of space separating them. Rachna laughed and ducked as Kabir splashed a handful of water towards her. She lost her balance and flailed her arms; he caught her just in time and pulled her closer to himself, his lips hovering just above hers. *A series of snaps, capturing the splash and the subsequent movements*
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A quick lunch break was taken, after which both Rachna and Kabir changed out of their casuals, donning a more formal look for the second set of pictures, wearing their respective attire from the wedding two years ago.
Rachna is now wearing this.
Kabir is wearing this.
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Rachna stood against the dark rocky wall, an unmistakable blushing glow painted on her face, her eyes lowered with shyness. Kabir stood in front of her, pressing his left palm into the smooth rock as he leaned towards his wife, whispering into her ear. *Snap*
Kabir stood with his arms folded across his chest, one leg propped against the wall. Rachna posed a few feet in front of him. He watched as she twirled slowly, her lehenga billowing majestically around her. The photographer arranged the frame to show Rachna in the foreground, Kabir peeking out from behind her. *Snap.*
They stood together, her hand on his shoulder, waiting for the signal from their photographer. He dipped her back and held her waist securely. *Snap*
The sat together, their backs resting against the rocky wall; her ring was nestled between some pebbles in front of them. She closed her eyes, letting out a soft sigh, as he touched his lips to hers. The photographer focused his lens on the ring, the couple appearing hazy in the background. *Snap*
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"The raw shots look great Akshat. I can't wait to see the finished pictures."
Kabir clasped the photographers hand in firm handshake, while Rachna smiled, nodding in agreement with her husband's words.
"I'm glad you liked them. I'll probably have them edited in a few days and then you two can select which ones you want enlarged for the displays."
"Sure, that sounds perfect."
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"Rachna, is that all your bags beta? Everything is in the car?"
"This is the last one Sneha mausi."
Sneha smiled and breathed a sigh of relief as her niece came into view, rolling a small suitcase behind her. She handed it over to Akash, who carried it out of the house and placed it into the backseat of the car. He called out for Sneha, when he saw that she was still inside.
"Sneha, hurry up please. We're already 20 minutes late."
Sneha pulled on her heels on as she spoke some instructions to Rachna hurriedly.
"Okay Rachna. Everything for lunch is in the fridge; just heat it up and eat on time. I already called your designer and she said that your wedding and reception outfits should be ready for pick up later today, but please make sure that the fitting is absolutely perfect before you make the payment. The check is in the leftmost drawer of my desk so bring it with you when you go. And remember..."
"Bas Sneha mausi, you've already explained everything to me five times since this morning. I know. I have to pick up the clothes from the designer, receive Raghu mama and his family from the airport, and make sure Gunjan eats on time. The check is in your desk, lunch is in the fridge, my jewelry is in the safe, the key is under your pillow, et cetera, et cetera. Now hurry up and go; you're already late."
Sneha smiled as her niece pushed her out of the house and closed the door. Akash drove off quickly once his wife was seated beside him; they arrived at the Tripathi mansion a half hour later for the lagan ceremony.
(Author's note: The lagan vidhi is performed in some regions of northern India. It is a religious ceremony that officially kick starts the wedding rituals. It can happen up to 15 days before the actual wedding, or as it happens in modern times, just a few days before the wedding date. A few people from the bride's family, generally her parents, an older sibling, or close relatives, go to the groom's house and present some auspicious tokens to the groom to put a seal on the relationship. The bride's family is then treated to a meal by the groom's family. Bhajans (devotional songs) are then sung every night at both the groom's and bride's house to pray for the couple's well-being.)
A tent had been set up in the front lawn, a few hundred chairs set up in rows under it. Servants milled about, serving drinks and appetizers to the guests who were already seated; more appeared to be arriving with every passing minute. A small space for the lagan pooja had been set up in the center, with white mattresses arranged in a square to seat those who would participate in the rituals.
Prakash welcomed Akash and Sneha with a garland of fresh marigolds and led them into the house.
"Namaste Akash ji, Sneha ji, please come in. Pihu and Murli are already here; you two are a bit late."
"Sorry about that. It was just so hectic getting everything packed and ready at the last minute."
Prakash chuckled. "Yes, I can understand."
They walked into the formal living room, where Pihu and Murli sat chatting with Karan.
"Please, take a seat. I'll just have someone bring in a few snacks."
"Nahi nahi Prakash ji. Let's get started with the lagan vidhi (lagan ritual) first. Is everything set up under the tent?"
"Yes it is Akash ji. Let's head out there then. Pihu beta, Murli beta, you also come. Karan, you go and get Kabir."
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Kabir sat on a low-lying stool, as the priest, sitting to his left, chanted loudly. Prakash sat behind his son on the mattresses that had been arranged around the havan set-up, along with a few distant male relatives and close family friends. They had all been, to put it mildly, taken aback by Prakash sudden reemergence as well as the unexpected invitation to Kabir's wedding, but the discussion of the former matter had been postponed, upon Prakash's insistence, for the days after the wedding.
Sneha and Akash stepped forward, following the directions of the priest, placing a turmeric-dipped coconut into Kabir's hand, along with some flowers, a few grains of rice, and an envelope containing Rs. 21,000. The priest then tied a string of kalava onto Kabir's right hand, sprinkling a few drops of Gangajal (Ganges water) onto his head using a clump of fresh grass. The male guests from the groom's side each came up turn-by-turn and gave their blessings to Kabir, placing envelopes of money into his lap. The priest finished his chanting, indicating that the lagan vidhi was complete, after which Kabir stood up and touched the feet of all the elders who had blessed him during the ritual.
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"Ma, are Rachna's bags in the car?"
Sneha looked up from her plate and nodded at Kabir as she handed him the keys, noticing that he seemed slightly disturbed and stressed. Before she could probe any further, he took off with a few servants to unload the suitcases and boxes.
"Ramu kaka please shift everything from this car into mine. Thanks."
Kabir waited in the idling car as three servants quickly transferred all of Rachna's belongings into his car. Just as he was about to drive off, he heard his father's voice call out from behind. Prakash walked over to stand next to the driver's side of the car as Kabir rolled down his window all the way down.
"Where are you going beta? And what are all these suitcases for?"
"These are Rachna's things papa. I'm just having them shipped out to Benaras ahead of time."
"Benaras? Why beta?" Prakash looked at his son, a mixture of confusion and shock on his face.
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ā¤ļø Nivi
Edited by nividances - 10 years ago
Real Estate
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
