Mere Apne4(AR) - Epi71-88 - Note on Pg147 - Page 59

EPISODE EIGHTY

Anjali smirked while Muskaan and Rahul looked at her as she explained, "Wo kya hai na, Armaan ko Mumma ne shaadi se pahle Riddhima ko dekhne ya milne se mana kiya hai... achchha shagun nahi mana jata na shaadi ke liye..." she fluttered her lashes meaningfully, revealing the reason behind his sudden discomfort, "Hai na Armaan, yehi baat hai na?"

"Ooo..." Muskaan hooted, "Par tune to Baby ko phir bhi dekh liya..." Armaan glanced at her baffled, so she added, "...Pictures mein." she pointed towards Riddhima's pictures hanging on the wall, "Kyun, tu itni der se uski pictures ko ghur-ghur ke nahi dekh raha tha?"

"Mom ne use directly dekhne se mana kiya hai..." he managed to snatch his car's keys from Anjali's hand and walked out of the living room.

"Ohh, to uski pictures dekhne se nahi, huh?" Anjali yelled at his retreating back while other two laughed aloud with her.

"Sahi sample hai mera ye bhai." Muskaan added laughing with others.

Armaan heard their comment. Shaking his head and smiling he drove away to his home.

~~~~~~~~~

Riddhima came back home with Atul about 15 minutes after Armaan left. She told Muskaan and Rahul excitedly about her wedding dress and the way her designer was nodding obediently to her instructions. Her excitement clearly showed how much she liked her wedding-dress. Anjali glared at Atul questioningly who gulped seeing her angry-squinting eyes.

"Don't worry darling, mujhe pata hai ki mujhe ghar wapis bhi ana hai..." he whispered in Anjali's ear, "Wo to Riddhima bachchi hai na, uska dil rakhne ke liye maine Designer ko bol diya ki uski haan mein haan mila le. Lekin you don't worry, hoga wohi jo tumne kaha hai... pakka promise." He pinched his throat kiddishly.

"Achchha hoga ki waise hi ho, kyunki agar Riddhima ki dress mein zara bhi gadbad hui na ya wo thodi si bhi kharaab hui na, to wo dress Armaan ki shaadi ke din main tumhe pahana dungi."

"Arey aisa mat karna yaar, warna Riddhima kya pahanegi?"

"Uske liye to main kuchh na kuchh arrangement kar hi lungi, par tum ye soch lena ki tum phir ladies Lehenga-choli mein kaise lagoge... wo bhi sabke saamne." She hectored.

Atul gulped again imagining himself wearing into a heavy bridal lehenga-choli and becoming a piece of great amusement for the audience. He knew Anjali's warning is more of a real threat and she can do what she said, and if she made up her mind, she will do it. Atul had no courage to make her angry, "Nahi-nahi Anjie Darling, meri ye mazaal ki main tumhaari baat na maanu, aise kabhi ho sakta hai kya? I promise ki Riddhima ki dress mein koi manipulation nahi hoga."

Anjali shook her head satisfactorily. She knew it from his expressions that he wasn't lieing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally it was eve of the D-Day. Armaan has never felt so restless like the way he was feeling now. It has only been around 6 days that he havent seen her and he was already feeling sick. Only he knew how he has spent these 6 days.

He knew that his family have noticed his restlessness and they were intentionally trying to ignore his gestures. But how could he voice out what he was feeling? Ever since his marriage got fixed, he felt like a teenaged-shy-boy all of a sudden. If he told anyone what he was feeling, it will only give Anjali, Atul, Dadi, Aarti and even Omang a chance to tease him, who seems to have joined the others ever since he has taken Riddhima as his own daughter.

Between all this, he also felt unusually relaxed and at peace. His family means everything to him and seeing them happy and cheerful made him the happiest person on the earth. Now, standing beside the window while staring at the stars in the sky, he was waiting for tomorrow.

Armaan was still confused about Riddhima and her attitude towards him. So many questions were still left unanswered. Initially, he was extremely desperate to findout their answers. He never wanted to marry Riddhima just for the sake of some emotional pressure. He wanted to make sure that she is willingly getting into this, and not due to some odd reason.

Though, revelation of some of the facts in the recent days, has somehow smoothened out his desperation a little. He has kept a close eye as well as ear on the people around him and figured out that everyone in both the families are joyous and happy about this relationship.

Even though he havent had a chance to see or hear from Riddhima, but the way everyone spoke about her, the cheerful faces of his family when they spoke and discussed things related to Riddhima over the phone and her involvement in the arrangements, it not only surprised him but also made him realize that she is marrying him on her own wish. But over and above everything, it was Rahul who became the reason behind his relief.

Armaan knew that no matter how big is the reason, Rahul will never let his sister enter into a marital-relationship out of her own wish. He had this ability to sense his sister's displeasure and dislike about things. If Riddhima had even a pinchful of doubt about it in a negative way, Rahul would have used all his strength not to let this happen. But he looks more than just happy about this wedding. It means he is convinced that Riddhima is willingly marrying Armaan.

Besides this, Armaan has spoken to Rahul asking if everything is alright, who has assured him that everything is fine. Also Rahul has somehow figured that he especially wanted to know about Riddhima's POV about this wedding. So, he reassured him that she is absolutely fine, comfortable and happy about all this.

Armaan couldn't ask about his biggest confusion regarding her oh-so-casual towards himself. Though, Rahul has sensed that too. Maybe that's why he told Armaan, 'just wave off things and dont worry if you see Riddhima behaving in a strange way with yourself. She is a little stupid and doesn't know how to react toward certain things. But trust me nothing is to worry about. Its just, she is like that only.' His conversation with Rahul has somehow relaxed him a lot.

Armaan walked back to his bed. Before he sat down, his eyes fell on his closet and his feet automatically took him there. Pushing the sliding door of his closet, he took out the keys to the inner chest of a cupboard. Next he was inserting it into the keyhole, twisting it open. An antic-styled-beautiful-wooden box lay at the backside of the locker. He bends to take it out.

Armaan sat on his bed with the box in front. Caressing it twice, his fingers moved towards the lock knob of the box. Twisting the knob to the box gently, he opened the lid to unveil its contents to the outside air. It had things that he has treasured since he was a little boy.

There was a wrist watch, a very small one with superman styled case, his first wrist watch, gifted by his Mother, Radhika on his fifth B'Day. He ran his hand over it. There was a punctured football that his father, Avinaash bought it for him when he was four. There were a few more things, gifted to him by his parents. Besides them, a ladies handkerchief that belonged to his mother and a pen of his father were also part of his precious collection. There were a few more things in there.

Armaan turned another knob, which pushed a section of the box aside exposing an inner pocket. He saw a picture of his parents, a picture of Atul with himself, another picture that had all his family members. There was a small piece of paper that had a hand made sketch of a pair of beautiful-green eyes that belonged to the stranger he met in Hotel Regal months ago.

He caressed those eyes in the sketch. Now he knew that these soulful orbs belong to the same girl he is getting married tomorrow. A recent addition was Riddhima's picture taken at Minnie's wedding when she was feeding Yash and Vaibhav, which he himself didn't realize when became a part of his precious treasure.

He moved a slid button and another compartment of box opened up. There layed a set of silver Ghunghrus, that he now knows belongs to Riddhima. Holding them between his fingers, he shook them lightly. The slight tingling sweet sound gave him a sense of pleasure. They sounded like music to his ear that had the power to relax his every muscle. Smiling, he kept them back.

Next he saw a small plastic box. Taking it out, he opened it to find a few dried flowers. His fingers caressed the flowers carefully enough so as to prevent anys harm to its dried-delicate petals. He realized that he has been treasuring those dried flowers for around more than 16 years. He never felt like trashing them out. Somehow, they inspired him, encouraged him, made him feel stronger at times when he needed support. Something made him keep them.

Armaan smiled again recalling the little girl from Ashram. The way she spoke, it was so innocently-cute and yet understanding, as if she knew what he was going through. She uttered only a few words, but those words gave him hope. Yeah, he too was no more than a teenager, a kid at that time, but he knew there was something special about that small incident in his life.

Now that he thought back, he realized that surprisingly it was after that incident, he regained his power to fight back with all problems and odds. It was after that he got the strength and inspiration to become what he is today... a strong and successful man.

He thanked the girl silently for coming to his life and giving him his strength back. Even though it was a very short meeting, and he barely looked at the girl, he could never forget that lovely face. Something about her has always stayed imprinted on mind as well as his heart. Armaan didn't know that the source of this strength is now going to come back into his life... as his wife.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The D-Day was obviously a day of madness for everyone, especially for Guptas and Joshis. Everywhere you see in both Ashiyana as well as at Rahul's house, people could be seen rushing from one end of the house to the other. None of the family members had time due to the load of work. With all the relatives wandering around the place, it was getting even more difficult for both families to pay much attention to the important rituals needed to be performed.

Holding onto the railing as he stood in the corridor in front of his room, Armaan watched everyone rushing in order to finish their respective tasks. He has been woken up early by Aarti today for an early morning puja. The reality was he couldn't sleep to begin with. All night, first he has been thinking about the little girl from his past then, later on his thoughts were shifted to the obvious one, Riddhima.

Armaan has asked everyone if they need his help in some work, but everyone refused and strictly instructed him to stay away from any sort of work as he is the Groom. Dadi and Aarti told him that his prime focus should himself for the day and not any kind of work. Its his day and he is not supposed to work. He has tried to pursue them to let him help in different ways, but all in vain. He might be a strong man, but not when whole of his family stood against him for something. Even Vaibhav didn't support him today.

Armaan sighed seeing Atul rushing in and out telling men to finish the decoration work, asap. Anjali was instructing another set of men taking care of cleaning and furnishing the mansion, and making some flower decorations alongside. Aarti was busy instructing chefs hired to make cuisine arrangements for the guest in the house. Omang was too busy instructing someone over the phone, while simultaneously taking to one of the relatives. Dadi too was kept busy by a few relatives. Vaibhav was the only one who couldn't be found anywhere.

Armaan looked around to see if he could trace Vaibhav. When he couldn't, he walked towards his room to find where the little naughty-devil is. He wasn't there in his room. Armaan brushed through all the rooms on his floor as well. He decided to check in the front lawn.

"Armaan Bhaiya, aap yahaan kyun ghum rahe ho, Maaji ne dekh liya to naraaz hongi." Chatur commented the moment he saw Armaan come downstairs. He was specially instructed by Aarti to keep an eye on Armaan. Even after being told over and again that he is not supposed to work, Armaan had continuously kept bothering everyone to lend his helping hand. So, tired of his nagging, Aarti scolded him hard and appointed Chatur to be kept an eye out for him.

"Abey..." Armaan was about to retort, but he saw Aarti was there at some distance. Changing his tone to a very sweet one, he added, "Chatur, mere sher..." he slapped Chatur's cheeks lightly, "Main koi kaam ke liye thode hi aya hu yahaan..." he showed him a spooky smile.

"Achchha?" Chatur looked at him doubtfully, "To phir yahaan-wahaan kyun ghum rahe ho?"

"Main wo..." again, stopping himself from raising his annoyed voice he added, "Main Vaibhav ko dhundh raha tha. Kahin dikhaayi nahi de raha na wo."

"Vibhi baba garden mein dusre bachchon ke saath khel rahe honge shaayad. Waise bhi unki chinta aap mat karo, wo sab main dekh lunga. Aap apne kamre mein jao. Maaji ne dekh liye to bhot daant padegi." Chatur pointed towards his room.

Armaan gritted his teeth inwardly. Chatur has already sent him back to his room 4 times earlier as well. Looks like he was taking his Bodyguard sort job a little too seriously. Giving Chatur a last glaring glance he went back to his room. There was no point arguing with this acting-cop today. If he said something or retorted, he will go and complain to Aarti, who today seem to be giving more ears to what Chatur says.

Again standing near the railing in front of his room, he let out a tired sigh. He felt so bored. There were around 3 hours to begin the pre-wedding rituals that involved him. What should he do now? Being a workaholic, he was getting a little too restless due to lack of any work. His phone and Laptop were also under Atul's custody as per Omang's instruction. He felt like he was on house-arrest in his own house. Then again, he glanced at his family busy with their work. Suddenly it striked him. He went back to his room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In Gupta House, Rahul was getting restless too. He had so much work to do. Being the only responsible man and brother of the bride, every work was piled-up onto his shoulder. Muskaan, who has entered in the last month of her pregnancy, was helpless to help him in any ways. She was still trying to help atleast by taking care of gifts and other sutff.

Shashank and Padma were doing what they could, but there was still too much needed to be done, nevertheless it was bride's house and more was expected as well as required from them.

"Arey yaar tujhe bola tha na ise wahaan lagana hai." Rahul pointed towards a wall holding onto a string of flowers. "...ye abhi tak yahaan kyun padi hai?"

The man looked behind him, and stammered, "Sir wo..."

"Sir-pair to tu baad mein karna, filhaal ye saari ladiyaan theek se laga jaake wahaan." He almost shouted interrupting the man. He was getting frustrated and felt helpless with so much work to do and not enough people to help. He wanted everything to be perfect; after all it was his Baby Sister's wedding. The relatives are barely of any help when it comes to work.

"Saab ye tokariyaan kahaan rakhun?" Another man holding a few baskets of fruits asked.

"Mere Sir pe." Rahul commented, "Tujhe bataya to tha ye sab peeche waale room mein rakhwana hai. Phir se kyun pooch raha hai?"

"Saab aapne mujhe nahi bataya." The man replied.

"To kisi ko to bataya hoga, jaake us se pooch." He turned to the first man, only to be stopped by another man.

"Rahul Saab, decoration ke liye aur phul mangwa du kya?"

"Yaar, jise jo karna hai karo, mera sir mat khao. Baar-baar ek hi baat poochh ke mera time mat waste karo." He shouted again.

"Rahul?" Shashank came to them on hearing his loud voice. "Ye kya tareeka hai baat karne ka?" Shashank turned to other men standing there and said, "Tum log jao, thodi der baad ana."

Rahul looked down guiltily, "I am sorry Papa. I got a little out of control."

Shashank nodded, "I understand bte. There is so much to do aur saara kaam tere sir pe hai. Baby ki khud ki shaadi nahi hoti aur Muskaan aisi haalat mein nahi hoti to wo dono milke tera kaam adha kar deti. Par kya karein, situation hi aisi hai. Lekin aise chillane se to kaam nahi chalega na. Aaj to tujhe aur bhi jyada thande dimaag se kaam karna hai. Warna baad mein log bekaar ki baatein banaayenge."

"I know Papa, par main kya karun. Ab bhi itna sab kaam baaki hai, aur..." he was interrupted by some commotion outside.

A man came and stood in front of him, "Sir, are you Mr.Rahul Gupta?" he asked. Rahul nodded silently, the man added, "Good Morning Sir. I am Elvis Bacon."

"I am s-sorry but... I couldn't recognize you." Rahul held his out-streched hand to shake.

"You don't know me Sir, but I am here for work." Elvis replied.

"See, as you can see that there is going to be a big family event here today, my sister's marriage to be precise. I really don't have time to talk to you about whatever work you have come here for. So please..." Rahul replied tiredly.

"Saab, ye mithaai ke dabbe aur laane hain kya?" Another man came there again, interrupting their conversation.

Before Rahul could say anything, Elvis said, "Let me help you with this. Pahle ye batao ki kitne dabbe already aa chuke hain?"

"Ji?" the man looked at him questioningly. Rahul too were puzzled, while Shanshank looked at him carefully as if trying to recall something.

Elvis smiled at Shashank knowing well what he must be thinking and understood Rahul's confusion, "Sir, I am here to help you with wedding arrangements."

"Wedding arrangements?" Rahul said, "But as far I remember, we didn't call you."

"I know Sir. But I have been asked to do so by one of your very close friends. He has instructed me to take off all the work-load from your shoulders, so that you and your family could enjoy your sister's wedding to the fullest." Elvis smiled.

"My close Friend?" Rahul's brows nitted, "But who could..."

"Alright, you go ahead with your work then." Shashank cut him off as he placed his hand over Rahul's shoulder and instructed Elvis to carry on.

Elvis bowed respectfully, "Sure Sir. Come in everyone." he called a few men and women, his multiple assistants, who were standing outside.

Rahul stared as he saw almost a dozen of men and women entering his living room and taking over various tasks. "Arey ye..."

"Rahul..." Shashank stopped him and signaled Elvis to go on.

Elvis then bowed again and took off taking the other men along with him.

"Papa, ye kya kiya aapne? Aise kaise aapne ise yahaan kaam karne ko allow kar rahe ho... Ye aadmi aur wo log kaun hai, hum inhe jaante bhi nahi. Aur pata nahi kis friend ki baat kar raha tha. Mere to kisi dost ne mujhe kuchh bataya bhi nahi." Rahul fussed.

"Aur bataayega bhi nahi." Shashank finally smiled recognizing the man called Elvis.

"Kya matlab? Main kuchh samajha nahi." Rahul probed again, "Papa, ye shaadi ka ghar hai. Itni sab kimti cheezein hain yahaan pe, aur aapne bina jaane aise kaise is aadmi ko andar aane diya? Aur aap muskura kyun rahe ho ab?"

"Bete, tu zara jyada hi tension leta hai. Ek kaam kar, jaake ek cold drink pee aur apne aapko thoda thanda kar. Phir araam se thodi der baith kar relax kar aur bas dekhta jaa, sab kuchh kaise ho jata hai." Shashank replied.

"Papa, aap pe Muskaan aur Anjali ka asar hone laga hai. Lagta hai aapne bhot time spend kiya hai un dono ke saath, in sab shaadi ke arrangements ke chakkar mein. Aap kya bol rahe ho aapko pata bhi hai? Aur agar main baith gaya to sab kaam kaise hoga?" Rahul asked.

"Arey kaha na ho jaayega. Aur tu ab apna mood theek kar. Tera relaxed rahna jyada zaroori hai aaj, warna enjoy kaise karega tu Baby ki shaadi ko."

"Lagta hai, aap pe Muskaan aur Anjali hi nahi, balki Yash aur Vaibhav ka bhi asar hone laga hai. Main yahaan aapse itni serious baat kah raha hu aur aap aisi behki-bahki baatein kar rahe ho." Rahul looked at him amazed at his casual attitude.

"Hey bhagwaan, yahaan main iski tension kam karne ki baat kar raha hu aur ye hai ki mera hi baap ban ne mein laga hai." Shashank held his head.

"Papa..." Rahul started then pausing for a moment, he started again, "...rahne do, main jaake Mummy ko batata hu, wohi theek karengi aapko." With that he went away leaving Shashank smiling. Around five minutes later, he came back with Padma in tow.

"Ye main kya sun rahi hu ji?" Padma asked.

"Kya sun rahi ho tum?" Shashank who was checking a few packets turned to look at her.

"Rahul kya kah raha hai? Aapne aise kisi ajnabee ko ghar mein kyun aane diya?" she glared.

Shashank glanced at Padma and then at Rahul, "Kar di na meri chugli..." then he took Padma aside and told her, "Padma, in logon ko main jaanta hu, ye sab barose ke log hain. Tumhe chinta karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Trust me."

"Par Rahul..."

"Rahul bekaar mein pareshaan ho raha hai... actually baat ye hai ki..." he then told her the truth.

After hearing everything, Padma sighed with relief. "Oh, to ye baat hai. To use bataya kyun nahi ye? Bekaar mein hi itna pareshaan kar diya mere bachche ko."

"Kyun main mazzak nahi kar sakta. Uska chehra dekhne wala tha waise... Aur tum bhi filhaal use kuchh mat batana. Thoda to mujhe bhi enjoy karne do na please..." he laughed.

"Aap bhi na... log beti ki shaadi ke din itni tension mein hote hain, aur aap itne relaxed ho and aise mazze kar rahe ho." Padma shook her head.

"Arey itna achchha damaad jo mila hai, jo damaad kam beta jyada hai. Isliye to itna relaxed hu aur mazze bhi kar pa raha hu. Main achchhi tarah jaanta hu ke meri bachchi us ghar mein humesha khush rahegi. Armaan use bhot pyaar se rakkhega." He explained confidently.

"Wo to hai." Padma couldn't agree less, "Achchha ab jao aur jaake baahar guests ko dekho." She commanded. Shashank smiled and went out.

Here Rahul was observing his parents talking to each other from distance. What are they talking about? Then after a few minutes, he saw Shashank going outside. Mummy was so worried earlier, now she is smiling. What has Papa told her? He thought suspiciously.

"Rahul, tu jaake dekh zara Beautician aur uski assistants ko lene Gaadi gayi hai ya nahi. Agar nahi, to jaake bhej kisi ko." He heard Padma.

"Mumma, aapne Papa ko aise hi jaane diya." He looked surprised.

"Arey haan. Aur tu chinta karna band kar. Ye aadmi bharose ke hain." She assured and walked away leaving a still puzzled Rahul behind.

Though after Padma's assurance his worries died down a little, but he was still suspicious about Elvis and his assistants. He continued his work, but his eyes kept following Elvis. Where ever he went, whatever he did, whoever he spoke to, Rahul kept a close eye on him. Shashank noticed it, but didn't say anything. He was enjoying this side of his son.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In Ashiyana, Armaan got something to keep himself occupied. His business phone might be there in Atul's keeping, but thankfully enough he had another number that seem to have overlooked by both Omang and Atul. It was that number using which he called someone and kept himself busy conversing and instructing him frequently for the task the guy was given.

He tried a few more times to go downstairs, but everytime he found Chatur blocking his way. He was bullying Chatur on one of occasions; however his luck wasn't on his side. Aarti saw him and scolded him for not obeying. She then threatened Armaan to lock him inside his room if he still didn't listen. After that, Armaan didn't try again.

He was called downstairs at around 11:00am by Aarti for his haldi ceremony. For a minute, he flinched uncomfortably seeing so many women in his living room. He turned to go back to his room, when Anjali pulled him back and made him sit in the middle of maybe around 50 women.

Armaan was shocked when he was asked to remove his cloths. On Aarti's order he nervously removed his shirt. Thankfully he was wearing a three-fourth loose pant, so he didn't have to remove that, but he refused to remove his vest. The ladies were obviously having a gala time seeing his troubled expressions.They laughed at his shyness. Armaan Malik was shying from women... it was definitely a breaking news.

Neverthless, the ladies then applied haldi all over his body while teasing him at the same time. Armaan made silly faces or smiled awkwardly as the ladies teased him by touching or pinching him occasionally besides commenting.

Armaan felt itchy and kept fidgeting in his place, trying to remove haldi from his body. But the women didn't let him do so. The moment he removed a little haldi, they would apply twice the amount at the same place, laughing at him.

'Inke ghar mein baap-bhai nahi hai kya?' Armaan thought sardonically.

An hour later, to Armaan's slight relief, a little amount of haldi was removed from his various body parts and placed in a separate bowl. He looked curiously trying to figure out why they were doing so, but didn't ask anything. He knew if he asked, he will have to go through another round of teasing.

Anyways, following Aarti's instructions, Anjali made a thick paste by mixing the same haldi that was removed from Armaan's body with some fresh one. It was this paste that was going to be applied on Riddhima later on. Dadi told Shambhu to take it to Rahul's house and hand it over to Padma for Riddhima. Shubhankar went to Rahul's place with Shambhu to offer that haldi.

While everything was going on, Armaan sat there thinking about all the rituals. He has heard Dadi instructing Shubhankar and Shambhu to take that Haldi paste to Rahul's house for Riddhima. Hmm, so it is for her, he thought smiling inwardly. A day ago, similar thing happened when Dadi had sent Mahendi for her. The only difference was, Atul and Anjali went with Shambhu to give that haldi.

Apart from haldi and few more rituals including applying oil all over his body was done. After Haldi, many other small pre-marital rituals were also performed, wherein ladies sang and danced on various traditional songs while blessing groom and his going-to-be-bride.

By the time ladies finished everything, Armaan was left in miserable condition with his body covered with haldi, sticky due to oil, his hair thoroughly oiled, a few other things like grass and rice sticking to his various body parts. His body was now sweating due to the heat of Prayer-lamp that was continuously being circled around his body by different ladies while they sang traditional songs.

'Why cant they turn on the AC?' Armaan thought looking at his miserable state.

Atul was enjoying all this from distance. Armaan had teased him to hell when he had to go through the similar rituals during his marriage. Now he was paying back. Atul has even asked one of the cameramen to capture everything carefully, especially Armaan's expressions.

"Beta, meri shaadi mein mera jeena haraam kiya tha na tune, ab dekh main kya karta hu... huhaahahaha..." Atul mumbled and laughed to himself, standing at the corner of hall. I can later on tease Armaan using those video clips, he thought wickedly.

As soon as the rituals finished, Armaan got up hurriedly from his place, only to be pulled back by Anjali. "Itni jaldi mein kahaan chale janaab?"

"Nahaane." Armaan pulled his hand back.

Anjali thought for a moment, then said, "Tch-tch-tch-tch... nahaane? Wo to abhi nahi ho sakta."

"Nahi ho sakta matlab? Saare rituals, rasmein wageraah to ho gaye hain na. Abhi Mom baahar jaane se pahle bol ke gayi." Armaan replied.

"Haan, bolke to gayi hain. Aur ye bhi sahi hai ki sab rituals bhi khatam ho gaye hain ab." She looked at Armaan looking at her expectantly, "Par unhone ye to nahi kaha ki tum naha sakte ho." She secretly winked at other ladies present there.

"Nahi naha sakta, par kyun?" Armaan whined.

"Kyunki ye bhi ek ritual hai. Jab tak ye saari haldi apne aap sookh nahi jaati, tum naha nahi sakte." Anjali informed.

"Abey... par ye sookhegi kaise, itna sara oil jo lagaya hai is haldi ke upar tum sabne." He looked down at his hands making a face, "Aur upar se ye AC bhi band karke rakha hai."

"Ooo, tu mere pyaare se devar ko garmi lag rahi hai?" Anjali teased while Armaan nodded, "To koi baat nahi, tum jaake apne room mein araam karo ab." Armaan grinned and got up happily again to be interrupted by Anjali, "par yaad rahe, tum ye haldi saaf nahi kar sakte... atleast tab tak to bilkul nahi, jab tak Mumma aake tumhe khud nahi kahti."

Armaan groaned and went back to his room stomping his feet, his hands held out like scare-crow as he walked taking wide steps.

The ladies laughed at his antics while cracking jokes.

"Hahaha, that was awesome Anjie darling..." Atul came and placed his arms around Anjali while laughing crazily.

The ladies along with Anjali stopped laughing seeing him there. Anjali glared at him while he was still laughing. Soon he realized that he was the only one who was laughing. He saw Anjali glaring looking at something in particular. He followed her gaze that was fixated on his arm he has placed around her shoulder. Quickly he pulled his arm back and gulped.

Seeing his reaction, the ladies started laughing again. Anjali too burst out laughing wihin next two seconds. She shook her head caressing his cheek and placed her head over her shoulder. Atul let out his holding breath and encircled his arms around Anjali and began laughing himself... this time with all the ladies.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Chatur, jaake zara dekh kar to aa Vibhi kahaan hai. Use nahlaana bhi hai abhi." Anjali told Chatur while counting a few packets in her hand.

Chatur who was still standing near the stair to keep an eye on Armaan, replied, "Bhabhi, main yahaan se nahi hil sakta. Maaji ne mujhe yahaan khade rahke Armaan bhaiya pe nazar rakhne ko kaha hai."

"Offo, arey Armaan neeche nahi aayega. Tu chinta mat kar. Tu bas jaake Vibhi ko leke aa." Anjali instructed again holding a few flower garlands in her hand.

"Par..." Chatur's protest was cut off by her as she glared at him. While walking out towards the lawn, he said, "Agar Maaji ne mujhe danta na, to main to aapka naam bol dunga."

Anjali glared at him again. Just as he turned out of the door, Aarti came there.

"Arey, ye Chatur kahaan gaya?" She looked around, "Ek kaam diya tha use, aur ye nikamma phir se gaayab hai. Ab Armaan pe nazar kaun rakhega?"

"Mumma, Chatur ko maine Vibhi ko dhundhne bheja hai. Use nahlana hai na, warna baad mein wo haath mein nahi aayega. Aur aap chinta mat karo, Armaan neeche nahi aayega."

"Anjali bte tumne to dekha hi hai na, subah se kitna naak mein dum karke rakkha hai is ladke ne." she complained about Armaan, "Chatur ki wajah se wo thoda control mein tha. Aur ab jab saari rasmein khatam ho gayi hain, to phir se kahin uska naatak nahi shuru ho jaaye."

"Mumma, maine kaha na aap chinta mat karo. Its my guarantee, ki jab tak aap nahi chaahogi, tab tak Armaan neeche ana to dur ki baat hai, wo apne room se bhi baahar nahi nikalega. Just relax." Anjali assured.

Aarti felt reassured at her assurance and went away. Anjali smiled wickedly looking at Armaan's room's door and then she also walked away.

Anjali gave a bath to Vaibhav and changed his cloths. She instructed him not to dirty himself again else he wouldn't be allowed to attend his Chachu's wedding tonight. Vaibhav behaved well after this dangerous threat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Same time similar rituals were being performed in Rahul's house. At around 01:20pm in the afternoon, Shubhankar and Shambhu arrived to give them Shagun-ki-haldi for Riddhima. Padma was already waiting for that. So, immediately after receiving Shagun-ki-haldi, she gathered all the ladies and called Riddhima to apply haldi. After her haldi and Oil ceremony, a few more rituals were done and then Riddhima went to take bath and changed into fresh cloths for a while.

On the other hand, now that Elvis and his assistants were taking care of everything, Shashank and Rahul were at much ease. Rahul was still suspicious as Shashank didn't tell him why he trusted Elvis and continued to keep playing. Shashank saw that besides keeping an eye on Elvis and his assistants, Rahul was much relaxed now.

It was now late afternoon... around 03:00pm. A group of beauticians came to Gupta house to help all the ladies dress up. About half an hour later, Riddhima was sent to the Parlour to get ready. Minnie accompanied her there along with her own dress.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the parlour, like expected, Riddhima whined and complained about things again and again.

'Please don't make this too bright... Please don't apply that... I don't like this... I wont feel comfortable in it... That color will look weird on me... It might not suit me... Keep it as simple as possible... I will look like a joker... I have never done that... I will do it myself later on... Please don't bother about it... I wont wear this... oh my god, what happened to my dress?... That designer didn't make changes as per my instruction..." and don't know what all. Riddhima kept making faces on every second thing.

Minnie groaned at her antics and was sick and tired of them. The ladies from the parlour were also getting frustrated. They looked at Minnie for some help. Minnie gritted her teeth, then an idea clicked her. She went and whispered something into Riddhima's ear, hearing which Riddhima's eyes widened in shock. Minnie knew she has hit the right spot. Then what? Riddhima sat quietly and didn't utter a single word after that, while the beauticians sighed with relief and started their work quickly as it was late. Riddhima has wasted their 2 hours already.

********************************************************************

********************************************************************