Part 22 - Engaged by heart
Readers, am not sure how many of you are reading my FF anymore 😉, the comments are dwindling and am getting worried 😒. Anyways hopefully all of you are enjoying this fiction as much as I am enjoying it while writing.
The day of the engagement dawned bright and clear. Astha woke up with a huge smile on her face. She took out her mobile and saw her wallpaper. It was a photo of Shlok and her. "Shlok today we are going to be engaged. I feel I was waiting for you all along." She had a dreamy look on her face.
Kalindi entered her room. She noticed that her daughter was oblivious to her entry. A smile crept up Kalindi's face. "Astha enough of day dreaming. Today is going to be very busy. Chalo tho sahi."
Astha got up from the bed and gave a bear hug to her Ayi. "Ayi I am going to miss you a lot."
Kalindi gave a short laugh. "You would be practically moving next door and you're saying you're going to miss me?"
"That's the best part of finding the husband next door." Both of them giggled.
Shlok was very anxious. He was pacing at the Agnihotri mansion hallway. They were about to start to the venue. He wanted the engagement to go smooth without any hassles. "Where is Astha and her family? Even Sojal and family are about to reach." He clicked his tongue in impatience. Astha's mobile was switched off too.
"Bhai. They have already left. Don't worry. Otherwise you can kidnap your bride from her house and bring her here." He teased.
"Sounds like a good idea. I may directly elope with my bride and get married. At least it will save me the all the drama and hungama around the circus, I mean the wedding." They both laughed at the picture Shlok was painting.
They reached the hotel. They were welcomed by both sets of parents from the girl's side. Shlok was searching for one petite form. Astha was sitting in a corner. She was wearing a very beautiful, deep maroon designer sari with gold embellishments. With her long hair adorned with jewels and flowers, she was looking ethereal. Her beautiful hands were looking even more beautiful with the bangles. He also noticed that she wore the anklets and the waist chain he'd given. A satisfied smile came on to his face.
Sojal was looking no less. Her baby pink and silver sari added to her fragile beauty. She was also equally enthralling with the jewellery and the most natural smile on her face.
Guests had started arriving. The hotel was beautifully decorated with roses of all colors. The stage was set completely with red roses and satin curtains. In the middle was a huge dance floor, surrounding which lots of round tables were arranged. The side ways towards the stage were decorated with white roses. Golden curtains hung everywhere. Chandeliers shone with light. The huge hall was basking in the glow of the yellow lights.
Business partners, close friends, the staff of the institution, and friends of both the couple came to grace the occasion. The engagement rituals went on very well. The pundit asked both the couples to change their dresses as it was the custom. They went to their respective rooms to get changed.
Shlok and Varad were done quickly. They went in to check on their respective partners. Astha was struggling with the dori of her blouse when she heard the door open. Shlok stood by the door. "Shall we go?"
"Nahin. Can you call Sojal? I am not able to tie this."
Shlok came over and turned her around. "Shlok..."
"Shhh"
He tied her dori and hugged her from behind. He placed a soft kiss on her neck and took her hands to take her down.
Astha was flushed at the proximity and went down with Shlok with an accelerated heartbeat.
The rest of the engagement went in a jiffy. The four of them cut a huge three tier cake and exchanged rings midst thunderous applause.
Their friends wanted them to dance and put on some soft romantic numbers. Due to all the insistence both the couples inaugurated the huge dance floor.
The other couples then joined in. Lights were dimmed and the music became more melodious and romantic. Shlok placed his hands on Astha's waist and she held his shoulder. "You look beautiful in this green sari."
She blushed at his compliment. "You don't look so bad yourself."
He almost hugged her and she looked up at him with lots of love. "Are you happy Astha?"
"Yes" She sighed, and gave him a soft, shy smile. His smile in return was dazzling. Their hearts danced in unison to their bodies while the Gods showered their blessings on the lovely two.
Edited by ipkkndfollower - 12 years ago
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