It was a blessed reunion. True it had all the makings of the dramatic weddings we see in serials, with a heart broken girl who had fled to Switzerland after her father had threatened to ruin the Khandelwals, a vicious mother (and mother-in-law) who had thrown a fit and threatened to divorce Sunil if her son went ahead with the marriage, a thoroughly excited brother who had sworn to himself that nothing could hinder his one and only sibling's marriage and happiness, and his furious, good-for-nothing wife who, despite her livid state, donned the most in vogue low cut sari ever, looking stunning, except for that face she made which made her look like she hadchewed a bitter tablet.
But it was a blessed wedding! Blessed for the couple in love. Blessed for the two people who, finally, got a chance to take the vows which actually meant the world to them. It was blessed for Khanak and Shaantanu.
Oblivious to everything that had happened in the last few days, Khanak and Shaantanu had decided that nothing, not even the strongest of storms could stop them from getting united again. It was this clarity of the dreams they shared, that made them unite in such a meaningful institution. Sunil had thrown an awesome wedding bash, complete with all the wedding traditions and a reception to follow, inspite of Madvi's threat to divorce him. Shaantanu withdrew from his mother after he had found out that she had switched the letters. He knew he'd forgive her in the end; he loved her too much, he was his mother's boy and would always be. But, somehow, he felt, it could wait. Akshay had booked tickets for Switzerland and had informed Shaantanu in such an excited tone, you would have thought he himself was going for his second honeymoon! Khanak's parents and Suraj's family was present too, politely wondering why on earth their daughter had to get married a second time!
Both Shaantanu and Khanak were glowing! Shaan in a white kurta and Khanak in a Pink sari. Shaan thought his heart 'skipping a beat' was an understatement when he laid his eyes on Khanak as she walked towards the mandap. His heart was doing a somersault beating left, right and centre!It was then that he realized he felt nervous. Nervous?Why though? He thought! It was such a strange feeling! " Focus Shaan beta focus" he thought as Khanak sat next to him and gave him a wide smile which he lightly returned. "What's wrong with me? I love this girl I'm marrying! It's not an arranged marriage!Why am I so nervous?" As the pandit asked to place Khanak's hand on Shaan's, Shaan realized his hands were sweating. He hurriedly wiped them with his kurta, thoroughly confused and went ahead with the ceremony. And so all the rituals took place amidst happiness and laughter which reigned above all furiousness and bitterness.
As Shaan made his way towards his room, his first meaningful Suhaag Raat, Akshay caught up with him.
"Oyay Hoyay Kahan ja rahay ho meray bhaeee??" he said teasingly.
" erm'kya mutlub bhaiya, I'm goingto my room", Shaan said distractedly. He couldn't place it, but he was feeling really uneasy.
" You mean yours and Khanak's room'haan?" smiled Akshay
" Yea" Shaan did not meet Akshay's eyes and felt shocked at himself. Akshay was quick to notice.
"What's up bro?" said Akshay. "Anything wrong?". The urge to burst out laughing was just too much for him.
" Nahi bhaiya", lied Shaan.
" Errr'.Shaan", Akshay's voice was a whisper " Er'you DO know what to do right? I mean'"
"Kya mutlab bhaiyaa" , cut out Shaan , flustered. " If you must know'I'" Shaan looked up and saw Akshay laughing and felt angry. "Why in the world are you laughing?!" Akshay tried to suppress his laughter and said "Have you seen yourself?! Just go to your room and check out the mirror!" saying this he left Shaan to his confused thoughts.
" You know sometimes I think Khanak is right!" Shaan loudly said to himself as he saw Akshay leave. " I really am a burthal! Better check myself out in the mirror now" he sighed.
He entered his room preoccupied in is thoughts, not noticing Khanak sitting on the bed, and made a beeline for the mirror. In the lamp light he studied his reflection in the mirror and Khanak scrutinized him simultaneously. As he straightened his pagri/sahra Khanak appeared behind him and smiled widely.
"So?" She paused "This is it, isn't it?" she said continuing to smile. Shaan turned, saw Khanak and smiled slightly. "Why in the world do I feel myself blushing now??" Shaan thought and questioned himself furiously.
"Kya hua?" Khanak asked concerned.
" Err'kuch nahi" Shaan attempted to smile. "Dude! You need to get a grip!" said his conscience. This is the day you have been waiting for burthal! Just grab her and kiss her! What is wrong with you! Ok let's try again. Easy now! As he pondered, he realized he fumbled with his hands. Urgh! Be a Man! If Akshay Bhaiya finds out he will disown you!Seriously! Slowly, he raised his hands to place them on Khanak's shoulder but before he could, Khanak raised hers and slowly took off his pagri, causing his hair to go all messy. With one stroke of her hand, Khanak straightened up Shaan's hair sending shivers down Shaantanu's spine. Before he could attempt to hold her hand again, her hands reached the back of his neck to take off his phoolon ka maala ( garland of flowers).In the process her nail brushed his kurta's buttons and one of them, the top most, just popped open. "What the'" thought Shaan but Khanak seemed not to pay attention. Shaan was completely dazed and dumbstruck. She traversed down his arms and held both his palms in hers. Shaan looked up in Khanak's big, beautiful ,smiling eyes and thought "Finally! Now is the time!"
As he attempted to move forward, Khanak turned Shaan's palm and unclipped his wrist watch. Shaan moved back, shocked. "Khanak'yay tum'kya karahee ho?" Khanak just smiled and Shaan continued " You do know that I am the one supposed to be doing this right?", Shaan tried to make his point. Khanak kept smiling and finally said "Pata nahi aapko kya horaha hain, main'main chah rahee thee app thora'thora relax karay".
Shaan smiled back and said "Oh, ok". Khanak then suddenly placed her palm on his cheek and again he was completely taken aback. Immediately his eyes flew towards the door which was ajar. "Woh'.darwaza'. khula hain", Shaan said slowly, completey distracted. Khanak's eyes started showing concern again.
"Errr'.aisay kya dekh rahee ho? Woh main jaldi main darwaza bund karna bhool gaya" hesitated Shaan and went straight to shut the door. As he shut the door he took deep breaths. He turned and for the first time realized that Khanak was just in her wedding sari and mangal sutr, no ghoonghat and no jewellery. Khanak kept staring at Shaan as she tried to reach a conclusion about what was going on in his mind. Finally, she decided to give him some time to think.
"Main change kar k aati hoon" she said. As soon as she entered the changing room, Shaan started pacing the room. "What is it with this girl?? No wait'what is it with ME? Oh C'mon Shaan beta, you rehearsed this night around 100 times in the last 2 days alone! This is ANYTHING but romantic! Khanak toh Sharma bhee nahi rahee! Yahan mujhay uss ka ghoonghat uthana tha aur wahan who mera Sehra utar rahee hain!! Phoolon ki maala utar rahee hain!! Button??!! Yay mujhay kya hogaya hain?!Main kyun' Ok ok relax Shaantanu! Tum Shaantanu Khandelwa ho! Tum KUCH BHEE kar saktay ho! Be a man!"
When Khanak came out she was wearing a lilac night gown, her hair was lose over her shoulders and she smiled at Shaantanu. He looks so cute in the white kurta and shalwar, she thought. But what is wrong with him? Mujhay hee kuch karna paray ga'yay toh bilkul burthal hain! She walked towards him and as she did Shaan made up his mind to'speak his mind. " Er'Khanak'woh main'woh mujhay'woh'" but his voice died in his throat as Khanak placed her arms around Shaan's neck, took her mouth towards Shaan's ear and whispered "Appko sharam aa rahee hain?" Even though her tone was questioning, she already knew the answer. Shaan felt flustered at her guts " Jeee nahin!" he replied, not meeting her eyes again but smiling.
Khanak came closer, her arms still around Shaan's shoulder and said "Toh phir main itni dair say aapkay galay main haath dali khari hoon aur apkay haath toh meri kamar (waist) tuk bhee nahi ponchay!" Shaan felt thoroughly embarrassed and enveloped his arms around her waist. Suddenly he felt that it felt'right. It had to! He was in love with her wasn't he? He stooped down to kiss her but then again Khanak was too quick for him. She went up on tip toe and kissed his fore head. He looked down, closed his eyes and blushed, then whispered " Khanak, you're unbelievable! You know that right!?" She kissed his nose and didn't answer. She kissed his right cheek, still on tip toe and Shaan didn't stop her. He kept his eyes shut lightly and continued to enjoy himself. She kissed his left cheek and her hold around his neck tightened as did Shaan's hold around her waist. Gradually she attempted to lower herself, trying to aim at her next stop. This time, however, Shaantanu Khandelwal was too quick for her. Before she could so much as put her feet firmly back on the carpet, Shaan pulled her ever so close and planted a huge kiss on her lips! So much for being all 'sharmeela' at his Suhaag Raat , he thought triumphantly.
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