Thank you so much for the lovely response.
Part-8
Next day, finally the marriage rituals were going to startwith the Chunni ceremony and engagement. Raman had instructed everyone not tocome out of their rooms till he ask them. Everyone got the breakfast in theirrooms only. Everyone got ready for the ceremony on time given by Raman and werewaiting. Soon they heard him announcing through mike to come outside. Everyonecame out of their rooms and saw each and every corner of the house, inside andoutside, decorated beautifully and all arrangements were completed. Raman andhis siblings were waiting for their reactions, especially Preeta and soon allstarted praising the arrangements. Brothers went to get ready while seniorsgave a last check making sure that groom’s family wouldn’t have any complaints.Ishmi were with Preeta making her ready for the ceremony. After some time, the groom’s family came andBhallas welcomed them warmly who were impressed with the arrangements and couldn’tstop to praise it. Soon Preeta was called who came with Ishmi and the ceremonystarted. Bhallas introduced Ishmi to the family.
After ceremony, all went to their rooms to take rest whileRaman and Romi stayed back to get the area clean and arrange for theengagement. Ishmi thought to help them as they were working since early morningwithout a single minute break. They told them to rest for some time but theywere not ready when Ishmi insisted that at least they can rest till the timethey get the area clean and then they can arrange as per their wish and finallythey went.
In evening, both families gathered along with the guests andeveryone were mesmerized by the arrangements, especially the sitting area forbride and groom having the background of hearts and mannequins of a girl and aboy on either side. Soon the bride and groom were called and both exchanged therings. Both took the blessings and all congratulated them. There were fewperformances from both the sides and soon the ceremony ended after lots ofenjoyment and a dinner. Groom and his family left while bhallas and theirrelatives went to their rooms. Today again, Ishra met in the garden.
I – You are working since early morning without any break,running here and there and then also you are not sleepy.
R – In that case, I would like to tell you that a friend ofmine said once to me when I was advising her same that if a person works onlyby his mind then he may feel tired but if a person works by his heart alongwith mind, then he will not be much tired, So…
I – Got it. Meri dawa mujhi par..
Both smiled walking in the garden.
I – Vaise ek bat kahu, subah se try kar rhi hu par mauka hinhi mila…
R – Mauke ka kya hai madam, yeh milta nhi, paana padta hai.(both smiled) And before you say something, I would like to request you ki pleasesubah se main bore ho chukka hu arrangements ki tareef sun kar so please, don’trestart it.
I – But maine kab kaha ki mujhe tareef karni hai. In fact,tareef to tab karu na jab tareef ke layak ho… (she said making him to look ather) I was saying ki everything was nice (she said making a not so good face)but you can improve it. I mean you should come up with more interesting ideas.You can think till Romi and mihika’s wedding, we will try in their marriage. Isit okay?
She said making serious face hiding her smile and continuedwalking while Raman stopped and thought of her words. Ishita turned and askedwhat happened?
I – Sorry, if you got hurt but what to do. As a friend, Ishould get you know about your flaws also na. Isn’t it?
R (smiling) – Yes, of course. And you are absolutely right, Ishould improve. But you know what I must say you have a great talent of makinga serious face. Pehli bar tumhari is serious expression ka tumhe fayda hota butyou are failed. Tumhare is serious expression ke peeche ki hasi maine pehchanli. Why to try when you can’t tell a lie.
I – How do you got to know? I looked so serious.
R – Itna to tumhe jan gaya hu madam. And I observed you wholeday, you liked the arrangements.
He said moving forward but stopped listening to her,
I – Why did you observe me?
He turned and saw her looking at him seriously but he couldsee her curiosity. He smiled and said coming to her,
R - Why not? Can’t Ikeep an eye on my friend, if she is happy or not in this new environment? As afriend, isn’t it my responsibility to keep your smile intact? Aur vaise bhiagar tumhara mood off ho jata to tum vo gussa mujh par hi nikalti, dost samajhkar, meri dada dadi par nhi.
He said making her smile. Both continued their walk.
R – You are a part of this family now so tum bhi ab us listmein aati ho. Jinka khyal rakhna meri responsibility hai and I like to take myresponsibilities forward not moving back of it.
She looked at him for few seconds while he knew about it butdidn’t look at her knowing well that she will change her look.
I – You always say na that whenever you got to know somethingnew about me, you started adoring me more, you respect me more but today Iwould like to say that…. Jabse maine aapko jaanna start kia hai, aapki aslipehchan ko dekha hai, tabse meri aapke liye respect aur badh gayi hai, sachkahu to aaj pta chala ki Romi kyu hamesha kehta tha ki uski har good quality kepeeche aap hai, sach you are a true gentleman I have ever met, a complete comboof professional plus family man, jis tarah se aapne apni professional ke sathsath apni family life ko maintan kia hai, it’s really so good to see and Ireally wish, every man should be like you only. From the day, I came here, Iheard everyone praising you, every single person and really they wereabsolutely right. And last but not the least, I’m really happy for Mihika, shegot such a great family and yes…. I’m also very lucky to get a true friend inyou. Thank you so much for coming in my life.
She said smiling looking at him while he was also looking ather and was feeling so good hearing her genuine words for him for the firsttime. It was so pure that he was couldn’t control and tears came in his eyes.
I – I know bore kar dia par itna jyada?
Raman wiped his eyes and was searching for words but couldn’tform any words in his happiness to make her open so he just thanked her andpromised to keep their friendship alive forever to which she also promised thesame. Then both wished a good night to each other and left to their rooms.Raman was very happy, not because she praised him and may be somewhere shestarted liking him but because this is the first time she interacted with himby herself, she shared her views and feelings with him, this indicated that shestarted opening up with him which was his real mission. His grandparents toldhim that they liked her for him and ordered him to befriend with her which mayeventually make them to know each other and to like each other slowly but whenhe started knowing her, his main motive was to give her a true friend which sheneeds a lot as he had heard from Mihika that Ishita doesn’t even shareeverything with her sister, he saw her just working and living for her sister, hereally wanted to make her to live her life like a normal girl, she should notkeep her thoughts, views and feelings to herself only, she should live forherself also and finally she started doing the same. He hugged sleeping Romihappily thinking about her. He was happy with this only and didn’t care if shewill consider him as her friend only forever while he knew very well thatsomewhere feelings started growing inside him for her but he always keeps hisfeelings in control making sure not to hurt her in any way as he knew very wellhow much delicate she is regarding relationships. He didn’t even inform hisgrand-parents about his growing feelings from whom he never hides anything ashe didn’t want to give false hopes to them. This is the irony of his life thathe wants to make Ishita extrovert and in all this, he is becoming introvert.
At the other side, Ishita was feeling strange with his words,she always feels like he wants to say something and say it also but in differentway to keep her in comfort zone and he never let her feel awkward. Simply, he neverhides or tells a lie but presents it in a way which she likes and it neverhurts her. She felt like he is afraid of hurting her that to be by his wordswhich can break their new friendship which makes her to respect him more. Bothslept contented with broad smiles and thinking of each other.
Here I’m ending this part. I couldn’t come to the sangeet, just wanted to present their pov, especially Raman’s aim.
Precap– Mahendi and sangeet dhamaka.
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