Shantivan, the home of the Raizada family. The brilliant mansion located in the prime location of high-class Delhi was usually filled with a calm aura as the daily routine played out. However, today was different. Since the crack of dawn, Shantivan has been the epicenter of chaos. Since the announcement of Akash and Payal's wedding, Shantivan has been anything but peaceful. Nani and Anjali were determined to pull out all the stops for every ceremony and ritual. With the engagement ceremony completed, the other festivities were just around the corner. They Raizada family had to pack and head out to Udaipur, and there wouldn't be time for them to come and decorate Shantivan for Payal's arrival. So they had to complete it all now before they left for Udaipur.
Shantivan was decorated like no other mansion ever had been. Strings of flowers and lights hung both inside and outside of the haveli. Bushes and trees were being trimmed before being decorated. Workers were on ladders, decorating the outside. Small candles were being placed on the pathway that led to the grand double doors. They would be lit to guide the new bride into the home. Inside the home was nothing less extravagant. Sheer curtains clung against the pillars, while fairy lights flowed along them. Streamers of flowers hung from the ceiling, while workers stood on tall ladders to clean the crystal chandeliers. Servants were running in and out of the house with items, and amongst all of this was Anjali. She was dressed in an aqua blue sari, and stood in the center of the living room, shouting orders to everyone in her path.
"Om Prakash, make sure the flowers are correctly set!" she ordered. "Hari Prakash, are the light working properly! And Jai-."
Anjali stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and smiled widely as she saw her husband, Aman. He was dressed in his three-piece gray suit with a white shirt and navy blue tie. He was looking rather dashing in his work apparel. Anjali's gaze softened as he dropped his hand from her shoulder.
He smiled at her and said, "Anjali, relax. Everything is being prepared."
"I know Aman," she said. "But I just have to make sure-."
"No buts. You shouldn't be overworking yourself."
"And I'm not. You're lucky this is all I'm doing."
"Anju."
"Aman."
He sighed in defeat, "Okay, but don't overwork yourself too much. I'm going to work for an hour or so."
"Make sure you are back on time."
"I will be," he laughed. "You will kill me otherwise."
"Wait! Where's Akash?"
"He's in the study. Nani is lecturing him on the upcoming ceremonies. Maybe you could talk some sense into him."
Anjali huffed in frustration, "Akash. Sometimes he can be just like..."
"I know," Aman placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. "Go handle him. I have to find my briefcase and then head out or else I won't make it back in time."
"It's upstairs on the side table, next to the couch."
"What would I do without you?"
Anjali smiled and blushed before she left Aman and went to the study. As she did, she made sure to check on the rest of the arrangements that were going on in the haveli. Nothing was going to be left to chance as this was Akash's wedding. Her smile slightly faltered as she began thinking about all the plans she had for her Chote's wedding. However, knowing his struggles with the past, she knew that it would most likely never happen. But with Akash, she would make sure everything was perfect. If only he would stop working for two minutes and partake in his own wedding!
Anjali reached the study and pushed the door open. She stopped in the doorway and crossed her arms across her chest, taking in the amusing sight before her. Standing behind the large mahogany desk was Akash, covering his face with his hands as he shook his head back and forth. On his right was Nani, urging him to stop working as his wedding was just around the corner. On his left was none other than NK, casually nodding in agreement with Nani, while trying to advise Akash to not stress himself out. Anjali tried her best to stifle her laughter, but it was no use. Who would've thought that a renowned lawyer could easily be brought to his knees by an elderly woman and businessman who still spoke in broken Hindi!
The tinkling sound of Anjali's laugh caught Akash's attention as he looked up from his hands. A smile broke on his face as he moved away from the desk and walked over to her. He had been listening to NK and Nani hound him for the last twenty minutes, and he had been praying for someone to come and save him. Thankfully, the answer came in the form of Di. He strode over to her and stopped right in front of her.
"Di," he said eagerly. "Did you need something? Please tell me you need something."
"I came to make sure you aren't working too hard," she replied. "But it seems that I don't need to check up on you."
"Oh no. You are saving me. Are you sure you don't need anything?"
"Hmm. Well..."
"Tell me. I'll do it," Akash lowered his voice. "Just get Nani and NK to leave me alone for a little while."
"Are you packed for Udaipur? Clothes and all? Our flight leaves in a few hours."
"Yes. I doubled-checked everything this morning."
"Why don't you go check to see if you have all your clothes for all the occasions? We'll arrive at The Mahal later this evening. Tomorrow is the sangeet and I don't want you to tell me that your sherwani doesn't fit properly...like last time!"
Akash scratched the back of his head, "I didn't mean to make you have to run around at the last minute."
"And during my mehendi ceremony too," Anjali pinched his cheeks. "Now go. I'll handle these two."
"You're the best."
"I know."
Akash practically ran out of the study. He couldn't help but smile as he was grateful for Di for saving him from listening to Nani and NK for another hour. As he made his way to into the main hall, he looked around at the decorations. A part of him still couldn't believe that he was getting married. It seemed like yesterday he was meeting Payal for the first time. Who would've known that a trip to Manali would lead to small meetings, which would lead to dates, and so much more. He still had a hard time believing that she had accepted his proposal. But here they were, just a week away from the wedding. He shook his head and smiled to himself. Everything was almost perfect, if only-.
"Akash."
Akash froze. He was on the first step of the staircase. His foot literally paused in mid-air. That's not possible. It can't be. Akash slowly turned around and looked at the entryway of Shantivan, where the sound of the voice had originated. His eyes widened and jaw dropped as he took in the sight before him in complete disbelief. As the reality of what he was seeing began to sink in, Akash grinned from ear to ear.
"Bhai?" he said.
There, standing in the doorway, was Arnav Singh Raizada. Dressed in a three- piece black suit, Arnav stared at Akash, overwhelmed. After eight years he had finally returned to Delhi to celebrate his brother's wedding. Now, seeing Akash before him, Arnav couldn't believe how much everything had changed. Gone was the shy chasmish; the man who was getting married was now a strong, powerful lawyer. A Raizada. But at the end of the day, he would always be his younger brother. Akash treaded forward cautiously and so did Arnav. Soon they were a few feet away from each other. Akash was the first to embrace him, surprising Arnav as he stumbled back slightly and chuckled.
"Woah, easy there Akash," Arnav said as he patted his back and pulled away.
"Bhai," he said. "I can't believe you're here. I mean...you actually came!"
"Why wouldn't I come? You're getting married, and that too, to Payal."
"But you're actually here. Wait one second, nobody is going to believe this," Akash turned around and shouted. "Di! Nani! NK! Hurry!"
Arnav's heartbeat accelerated. He hadn't seen his Di, Nani, and NK in eight years. He wondered how much they had changed. His heart thudded against his chest. He was anxious and nervous. He wondered what they would say, or if they would say anything. Just then, he saw the three of them rush out into the main hall, concern written on all of their faces. They all looked at Akash for a moment before they caught sight of Arnav. Nani, Anjali, and NK halted in their tracks, jaws hitting the floor as their eyes practically popped out of their sockets.
"Chote?" Nani and Anjali said softly in unison.
Akash spoke up, "He actually came! Bhai actually came! I told you NK!"
NK stood in silent shock, staring at Arnav.
Anjali practically ran over to Arnav and pulled him into a hug. Tears of happiness pooled in her eyes and she took in the sight of her Chote, who was now all grown up. Arnav hugged her back, taking in the familiar warmth that had comforted him in his younger years. Even after eight years, nothing about Anjali had changed. She pulled out of the embrace and cupped his face in her hands.
She smiled, "You're actually here. I can't believe it."
"Di you don't need to cry," Arnav sighed as he wiped her tears. "Why are you always so emotional?"
"Oh you don't know the half of it," Akash laughed. "She's extra emotional lately. Poor Aman has been having to deal with the mood swings."
"Mood swings?" Arnav questioned.
"Woh Chote," Anjali grinned. "I'm pregnant."
"What? Di...that's...that's great news. Congrats. I'm happy for you."
"Yeah, so she's been extra emotional. Be careful." joked Akash.
Nani walked up to Arnav, who hugged her just as he had hugged Anjali.
"I am so happy you came," Nani exclaimed. "Really. You don't know how much this means to me."
"I wouldn't miss this," Arnav replied before looking over at NK. "NK, what are you doing over there?"
NK walked up to Arnav and gave him a formal hug. This was different from the ones he received from everyone else. This one seemed distant, almost cold. Arnav pulled away and took in NK's appearance. Even to this day, he was still surprised at how successful a businessman he had become, especially since he was the goofiest amongst them. This NK, dressed in a white button down shirt, blue tie, and black pants, was completely different from the leather-jacket NK. It seemed that out of everyone, Nandkishore was the one that changed the most in his absence.
"It's good to see you man," Arnav said with a smile.
"Nice to see you too..." NK paused. "Arnav."
Arnav flinched a little. The fact that NK had called him by his actual name rather than Nanav' only confirmed the distance he felt earlier. NK took a step back and shoved his hands in his pockets. Arnav wanted to say something, to ask what the reason for the formalities was, but before he could Anjali spoke up.
"When did you arrive in Delhi?" she asked.
"Just a few hours ago," Arnav replied. "I had a car from the AR branch here in Delhi pick me up and drop me here."
"If you told us beforehand we would've had the driver pick you up."
"I knew you would all be running around, getting ready for the wedding. It was no problem Di. It's my company, after all."
"Hmm. Well then, now that you're here it's going to be double the fun. Are you driving with us to Udaipur?"
"Yeah, but I'm taking my own car to the airport. Just in case I need to come back to Delhi for some work."
"Really? Work?" Anjali whined.
"I made sure that they would only call me if it was really important, Di. Don't worry."
"Well hurry up and go change. We'll be leaving in a couple hours."
"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"
Akash laughed, "You look like a businessman, even on vacation."
"So?" Arnav grumbled. "Isn't that what I am?"
"Just go and change, Bhai," Akash leaned in and whispered, "Or else Di will get emotional. And trust me, you don't want to see an emotional, pregnant Di."
Arnav nodded in understanding.
Anjali clapped her hands together and smiled, "I'm so happy right now! Okay, we need to all get our bags in the cars. We have to reach today so we can prepare for tomorrow's function."
"Tomorrow's function?" Arnav asked curiously.
Nani smiled, "Tomorrow is Akash and Payal's sangeet."
**********
A lot went on in this update didn't it? Let me know what you think by leaving your comments and feedback below.
Next update: Akash and Payal's sangeet. Arshi meet!
Thanks for reading!
Jhanak
Shiv Shakti
193