khanak sat surrounded by her cousins and friends infront of the mendhi artist as the she made an intricate design on khanak's hand. Her cousins and friends were either watching her mendhi being done or having theirs done by other mendhi artists. "What's your fiance's name?" "I'll write it on your hand for him to find on your wedding night." Aria who sat beside her elbowed her and giggled. khanak blushed and answered "Shaan." Her mom was rushing around giving instructions to different people regarding refreshments and such. Her thaiyiji and chachi sat with some other women playing a dholki and singing. Cousins and friends danced and laughed around khanak. It was her mendhi, and in two days she would be marrying Shaan. The thought brought a smile to her face.
By now most women were on the floor dancing and at one point khanak's cousin Priya grabbed her arm and pulled her on to the dance floor.
mere haathon mein nau-nau chooDiyaaN hain, thoDaa Thahro sajan majbooriyaaN hain
milan hogaa abhi ik raat ki dooriyaaN hain
mere haathoN mein nau-nau chooDiyaaN hain
mere haathoN mein nau-nau chooDiyaaN hain, thoDaa Thahro sajan majbooriyaaN hain
lambi-lambi te kaali-kaali raatoN mein
kaahe chooDiyaaN khanakti hain haathoN mein
lambi-lambi, ho lambi-lambi te kaali-kaali raatoN mein
kaahe chooDiyaaN khanakti hain haathoN mein
na aanaa tu nigoDi chooDiyon ki baatoN mein
lambi-lambi te kaali-kaali raatoN mein
le jaa vaapas tu apni baaraat munDeyaa
main nahin jaanaa, nahi.n jaanaa tere saath munDeyaa
le jaa vaapas, ho le jaa vaapas tu apnii baaraat munDeyaa
main nahin jaanaa, nahin jaanaa tere saath munDeyaa
sataayegaa jagaayegaa tu saari raat munDeyaa
le jaa vaapas, le jaa vaapas tu apnii baaraat munDeyaa
main nahin jaanaa, nahin jaanaa tere saath munDeyaa
khanak laughed as she ran off the dance floor. Walking back to her mendhi artist she saw Shaan's sisters and mom walk in. Smiling she made her way over to say hello. "Rashi, Sara, look at how beautiful my bahu looks." said Shaan's mom as she hugged khanak too her. Rashi and Sara both nodded smiling at khanak. khanak wore a royal blue sleeveless raw silk salwar kameez with just a little bit of pink thread work around the square neck. The duppata was two shaded in pink and royal blue and hung loosely around her neck. Her hair was pulled back from her face with her diamond studs and Shaan's diamond pendent as her only jewelery and she had kept her make up minimal. She looked beautiful in her simplicity.
"Thank you" khanak said. "Bhabi let's see your mendhi." Sara asked. khanak held out her hands. "You know they say that the darker your mendhi is the more your mother in law will love you." Rashi said teasingly. "I already love my bahu, I don't need to see the darkness of her mendhi to love her." Shaan's mom said sweetly. "She's made my Shaan so happy." "What more can a mother ask for." khanak gave her a shy smile. "And besides I've known khanak all of her life she's already like a daughter to me." khanak's mom came along welcoming the trio and khanak returned to having her mendhi done. Once finished khanak's mendhi was beautifully and intricately done in an Arabic style. It went all the way up to her elbow and was already starting to get pretty dark.
The wedding geet and dancing continued late into the night. With everyone spending lots of time on the dance floor. The older women started their boliyan and giddha and the younger girls watched with fascination until khanak pulled her mom in and they did a round of giddha together. Laughing and pulling everyone else in too. The night was full of laughter and jokes and lots of good food. By the time the last guest left, the girls were exhausted. khanak went up to her room and Aria helped her change into shorts and a tank top. Careful not to touch her mendhi which was dry but would be kept on all night so that it became as dark as possible. "Goodnight" Aria said as she left the room closing the door behind her. khanak yawned and had just gotten into bed when she heard her phone. There was only one person that would call her at this time she thought smiling. Shaan. "Hi" she said into the phone as she got into the bed. "Hi" Shaan replied. "How was your evening?" she asked. "Good, the guys and I spent the evening out on the deck, barbecuing and having a few drinks." "A few" khanak asked as she heard a slight slur in Shaan's voice. "Okay, maybe more then a few." he said laughing. "How was your night?" "Great," "the sangeet was so much fun and I love the way my mendhi turned out." "So what are you doing right now?" he asked. "Nothing I just got into bed." she said. "I see," "so what are you wearing?" he asked softly in his slightly slurred sexy voice. "What am I wearing? she asked. "Shorts and a.." "Shaan!" she said trying to sound angry. "Behave!" Shaan laughed. "You know I had to try." he said. "But that's okay soon I'll know exactly what you're wearing and more importantly what you're not wearing." "Oh my god" she yelled and then lowering her voice. "Shaan, I swear you are so besharm." she said feeling a blush creep up her neck. Shaan chuckled. "And that's one of the things you love about me." he said.
khanak smiled to herself. She did love her besharm Shaan. "Two more days and you'll be all mine." He said as his voice got softer and sexier. "And remember what I promised you?" "Promised me?" khanak questioned. "Yeah, remember..2 weeks, you ,me and our bed, or the shower or the sofa or..." "GOODNIGHT Shaan!" khanak said as she quickly turned off her phone and turned her face into her pillow. Laughing and at the same time trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach. Because, she knew Shaan always kept his promises.
Shaan woke up slightly hung over. His friends had plied him with alcohol but he hadn't minded since they had been celebrating his upcoming nuptials. He looked around and saw that the dancing had already started. Truth be told his dad had been so happy about the wedding he'd been having some sort of party at the house for the last week. Who would have thought that after their first not so great, who was he kidding, horrible meeting. Who would have thought him and khanak would have fallen in love and now were getting married. Thankfully their fathers had forced the issue or him and khanak wouldn't be so happy right now and getting ready to celebrate the most important day of their lives.
khanak walked in carrying her wedding lengha. There had been one last fitting this afternoon. Talk about cutting it close, but it had turned out perfect. Even better then the first one she had chosen. Her friends from Vancouver had gone sight seeing today and would be back in time for the Haldi ceremony. Her cousins and Aria were running around helping with last minute details and the parents were everywhere. Cooks sat in front of large pots of sweets, stirring and frying. Fresh flowers were being arranged in vases. It looked like a wedding house. Running upstairs she hung up her lengha and then called her make-up artist to confirm what time she would be arriving the next morning. That's when she noticed a vase with a beautiful bouquet of red roses in it. Walking up she read the card.
"I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. See you tomorrow Mrs. Singhania."
Love Shaan.
khanak face lit up with a smile. How sweet she thought holding the little card against her chest and twirling. She grabbed her phone and dialed Shaan's number. No answer. She left a message. "I got the flowers, I love them and I love you." she said. Hanging up khanak went downstairs to see if anyone needed her help.
khanak sat wearing a simple light yellow sleeveless cotton salwar kameez, her hair pushed back into a ponytail. Everyone had almost finished applying the haldi. She smiled up at her dad as he took some and rubbed it on her arm. Her smile began to waver as she stared at him. She was getting married, she hadn't lived at home for a while but now it was permanent. Her home was going to be with Shaan now. She really wouldn't even be on the same continent as her dad. As her dad left her brother came up. She had to hold back the tears that stung her eyes as she looked at her brother. The one that always protected her and took care of her. As far back as she could remember
Live was changing forever and even though she was excited she was also sad. As the haldi ceremony ended and khanak went up to clean herself off she leaned against her door brushing away the tears. She would miss her family she thought. "khanak di!" called Priya from outside. "Are you ready?" "I'll be right down." khanak said walking to her bathroom and washing her face.
Once downstairs her cousins grabbed her arm and sat her down, she gave them a confused look. Then her mom and dad came and sat next to her. khanak's friends from Vancouver including Aria walked onto the dance floor. Nothing was said but when khanak met Aria's ayes she could tell they were filled with tears.
Mehndi lagaake aayi
Haai
Bindiya sajaake aayi
Oye hoye hoye hoye
Mehndi lagaake aayi, bindiya sajaake aayi
Choodi khankaake aayi, paayal chhankaake aayi
Ho, ab geet milan ke gaana hai
-
Gaana hai, gaana hai
Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai - 3
Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai
-
Haan, mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai
Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai - 2
-
Gudiya patole the meriyaan nishaaniyaan
Yaadon reh jaaniyaan
Bachpan beeta jawaani aayi, hoye
Bachpan beeta jawaani aayi
Saajan ka sandesa laayi
Saiyyaanji ki sej ko jaake
Phoolon se mahekaana hai
Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai - 2
Haan mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai
Jamdiyaan mohe piya to paraaiyaan ho jaandiyaan
Piya mar jaaniyaan
Pal mein naata tod chali main, hoye
Pal mein naata tod chali main
Baabul ka ghar chhod chali main
Ab to piya ke des mein
Saara jeevan mujhe bitaana hai
Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai - 2
Haan mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai
Oh oh oh, aah aah aah aah
Beti ki taqdeer ka likha, haai
Beti ki taqdeer ka likha padhke mamta royi
Kisi ne isko janam diya aur le jaaye ise koi
Ho, sajdhajke aaye baaraati, laaye ghode haathi
O, teri shaadi ke mauke pe milke sehra gaayenge
Sada suhaagan rahe tu banno, tujhe duaaein de jaayenge
Aaj ki raina hum logon ko jhoom jhoomke gaana hai
Oye hoye!
Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai - 2
Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai
Haan mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai
Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai - 2
Movie: Lajja
khanak silently sobbed with her head on her dad's shoulder and his arm around her. Her mom stroked her hair as she too silently sobbed. khanak looked up into her dad's face, which was wet with tears. "I love you dad." she whispered. He closed his eyes and then nodded and smiled "I love you too beta." Their wasn't a dry eye in the place as everyone watched this emotional moment. "khanak, beta" her thaiyji said kneeling down and wiping her tears from her face. "It's okay, no more tears." "Your family will always be here for you." khanak nodded still crying. "Hey who's made my favorite niece cry her chachu said coming up and pulling khanak up too. Riya and Lavanya both walked up wiping away their own tears. "Chachu!" "I thought I was you favorite?" said Lavanya with her hands on her hips. "Di, chachu said I was his favorite." "Oh Oh," he said looking at khanak. khanak smiled through her tears. "All three of your are my favorite, but just you three, you're the special ones. he said smiling. The girls stared at him with their hands on their hips. "Chachu, you said I was your favorite!" Raj said walking up. Everyone looked at eachother and burst out laughing.
"Aaj mere veer the viyah." played loudly as Shaan walked off the dance floor smiling. The haldi ceremony had gone quickly with lots of teasing and leg pulling and then the dancing started. Everyone was on the dance floor. A dholi had the music pumping. People were breaking out into sponataous boliyan and Rashi and Sara were going crazy whenever a "Bhabhi or Brother boli came on. Shaan grabbed a drink and stood next to Akash. "Great party, man," Akash said. "Good looking girls too." Shaan raised his brows and looked at Akash. "Don't even think about it." Shaan said. Akash frowned. "You're always blocking me man, I have mad skills." "Girls fall all over themselves to get to me." Shaan let out a laugh choking on his drink. "More like fall all themselves running away from you." "Shut up or else I'm going to talk to your wife about this." She realizes that I'm a very sensitive individual and has told me not to put up with any abuse of any kind from anyone." Shaan let out another laugh. That sounded like khanak. "Stop being a girl!" he said as Rick came up and dragged them both onto the dance floor. Shaan laughed and then shook his head as he watched his cousins hoist his dad up on their shoulders. The party went full swing until Shaan's mom sent everyone either home or to bed. Afterall there was a wedding tomorrow!
khanak woke up the next morning to quiet. She couldn't hear a noise outside her room. Everyone must be asleep yet, she thought glancing at her clock. She saw it was 5:00. Her hair and make-up artist wasn't coming for another hour. She got up and went and sat on her window sill which looked out onto their garden. The air was already quite warm and she could hear the birds chirping. She hugged her arms around her and smiled to herself. She was getting married today, to the man she was in love with. Today infront of god, their families and their friends her and Shaan would be forever one. Their relationship would change forever and by the end of today she would be his wife. She felt a lump in her throat. It felt like they had waited forever for this date. Even though her and Shaan had only been together for about 8 months it felt to her like she'd known him her whole life. It was silly but now she almost couldn't remember a time when he wasn't there. Maybe because he was always there for her, as her friend, her confidante, her strength, her voice of reason, her lover. Sighing contently she leaned her head against the wall and continued to look outside for a few more minutes. Enjoying the calm before the mayhem started.
Shaan, looked at himself in the mirror straightening the cuffs of his uchkin. khanak had picked out the uchkin and knowing Shaan's taste she had made sure it wasn't over done and looked elegant It was goldish cream silk with red, green and gold embroidery on it. The shirt underneath was a deep red which contrasted beautifully with the goldish cream uchkin jacket. The outfit fit his broad shoulders and powerful arms perfectly. His turban was a red bandhni with a trace of gold. His dad walked in smiling. He patted Shaan on the back. "Ready" he asked. Shaan nodded. "I know I don't say this enough," "but son I've very proud of you." "Today you and khanak getting married, well it's one of the happiest days of my life". "I know you two will have a wonderful life together." Shaan smiled and reached over and hugged his dad.
khanak smiled for the photographer as he snapped yet another picture of her. The make-up artist had just finished with the last touch up and looking at the mirror khanak smiled at herself. Her lengha was beautiful. It was a deep red net lengha with cut work throughout, the cut work was detailed with antique gold embroidery and red and green beading. Rhinestones added an extra sparkle to the lengha. Around her neck she wore a large a kundhan set with matching chumka earrings, and a tikka. Her choora was antique gold and red with a hint of green. Her hair was done up in an intricate updo and her make-up highlighted her beautiful eyes and her full lips.
"Di, you look like a princess." Riya said admiring khanak. "Thank you." "You all look wonderful." "Is everyone else ready?" khanak asked. "Yup, now they're just making sure everything is ready for the ceremony." "The panditji is here. " "The panditji is here." khanak said taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Priya ran in, "JIJU is here." she screamed excitedly. Well he's close, we can see the baraat. The girls all started talking excitedly. "Let's go see." they said. "What about me khanak said." "Di, we'll report back on how handsome jiju looks." khanak smiled. "Are you okay by yourself?" Aria asked. "You're itching to go." khanak laughed. "Go but come back and tell me what's happening. " Aria nodded and ran out with the other girls.
"They're here!" Aria said excitedly. "I just saw Shaan jiju he looks so handsome." "Your mom performed the arti and everyone is downstairs now." "Your dad and his dad were so happy." "You should have seen the way they were hugging." "So cute." khanak closed her eyes and smiled. "Oh my god, I 'm getting married to Shaan." she said excitedly to Aria. "I know!" Aria said practically jumping up and down. A few minutes later Priya and Lavanya also came to report what was happening. "Aria di we need to locate those shoes early," Priya said. "Jiju is not going to take our khanak di without paying us a hefty sum." Listening to them khanak started to pace, she was starting to feel nervous now. Looking up she saw her thaiyiji and chachi walk in. "khanak beta you look absolutely stunning." her thaiyiji said smiling. khanak thanked them and smiled nervously. "khanak they're ready for you." her chachi said. khanak nodded. The girls all took turns hugging her. Aria last. "Next time I talk to you you're going to be Mrs. khanak Singhania." she said excitedly. khanak, nodded all the while smiling nervously. Aria gave her a hug and hurried out of the room. khanak looked at her aunts who now stood on either side of her. "Ready" she said. They walked out of the room and to the top of the stairs.
Shaan looked up at his beautiful bride and was spell bound. She was stunning. He couldn't take his eyes off her as she walked down the stairs with her aunts. At the bottom step her friends and cousins joined her to walk behind her to the mandip. khanak sat down next to Shaan, stealing a quick glance. He looked so handsome she thought, the uchkin she had picked for him suited him perfectly. "You look beautiful." she heard him say and she gave a tiny small. The ceremony started.
khanak's dad rose to do the kaniydan. Then the pheres started, and khanak and Shaan make their way around the agni. One after the other each phera ended until they reached the seventh and final one. Shaan's sister Rashi passed him the sindoor which he put into khanak's maang. khanak smiled softly to herself. This had always been her favorite part at any wedding she went to. Then Shaan slipped a mangalsutra around her neck. As the pandit ji continued his hymns khanak thought to herself, I'm a married woman now. The ceremony ended and khanak and Shaan rose to take their parents and other family's blessings. khanak smiled at her friends and cousins who looked so happy and excited.
Shaan grabbed khanak's hand as he lead her over to their seats. "Hi Mrs. Signhania." he said leaning over as they sat down. "Hi Mr. Singhania" khanak said softly. "You look incredible." he said softly looking at her with his gorgeous chocolate brown eyes. "You look pretty incredible yourself." khanak said smiling. Shaan returned the smile. "You're finally mine." he said softly picking up her hand and bringing it up to his lips. "Jiju you've already started." Aria said cutting in. khanak and Shaan both smiled at her. "Congratulations to the bride and groom." she said hugging both of them. "Thank you saali ji." Shaan said with a boyish smile. "Do you two need anything?" Aria asked. khanak shook her head. At that point more and more people started approaching them to congratulate them and the photographer wanted to take some pictures of just the two them. Both Shaan and khanak got busy in all that and didn't have a chance to speak again until the meal was served. "Can you believe we're married?" khanak asked as she took a bite of her rice." "I thought this day would never come." he said grabbing her spoon and taking a bite. "But now that the ceremony is over and we're married we can fully concentrate on other matters." "Other matters?" she asked. "What kind of matters?" "Very important ones but it's too much work to explain them, so I'll just have to show you tonight what those important matters pertain to." khanak blushed and shused him. Shaan gave her a naughty smile, picking up his spoon he fed her some more rice. "I love you Mrs. Singhania." he said gazing into her eyes. "I love you too." she said happily.
"Okay how about 2000 rupees?" Shaan teased as khanak's friends and cousins asked for their money in return for his shoes. "2000!" is that all that our sister is worth?" khanak stared at Shaan. "2000!" "He better be joking!" "Shaan I think 2000 is pretty cheap." Akash piped in. "Who's side are you on?" Shaan asked as everyone laughed. "How about 20,000 rupees?" Aria said. 20,000! Shaan said "from 2000 you're jumping right to 20,000." "You can come work for me anytime Aria I like the way you negotiate." he said. "Is khanak not worth atleast that much?" "And look at how many us there are?" "20,000 rupees will be barely anything." Aria said trying to sell Shaan on it. Shaan gave her a mischievous smile. "How about 3000 rupees." "How about we keep khanak." Aria replied back. "You can have her when we get the other 17,000 rupees." she said. "I'm not leaving without my bride." he said looking at khanak, making her blush. "Alright how about 50,000 rupees and you girls sing me a song, hand me my wife and give me back my shoes." "In that order please." he teased. "50,000!" Aria said excitedly. "We could do that." Rounding the girls, they whispered amongst themselves and then broke into the worst round of "yeh dosti hum nehee chorangay." Shaan winced. "Okay how about if I give you another 10,000 to stop singing." Everyone laughed as Shaan took out the money and handed it to the girls.
khanak looked around at everyone with tears in her eyes. She was leaving. Seeing her dad, she let the tears fall freely as he held her, crying himself. Her mom kissed her forehead and held khanak tightly against her. She wept as her brother teary eyed himself wrapped his arms around her telling her to be happy. Her aunts and uncles all took turns wishing another daughter of the family happiness in her new life with her loving husband. She cried hardest in Aria's arms. Her sister, her best friend. Both girls clinging to each other. khanak's cousins each with a rose in hand made their way to khanak. She accepted each rose and hugged them tight. "I love you all." she said as she pulled away. She waved goodbye to the people she loved most in the world as Shaan helped her get into the car. They all looked back at her with tears in their eyes. Shaan said goodbye to everyone, hugging khanak's mom and saying he'd take good care of khanak, to her dad. Then he too got into the car and shutting the door they drove off.
Shaan put his arm around khanak kissing her forehead. "Babe, don't cry." he said squeezing her shoulder. "I hate seeing tears in your eyes." khanak pulled away looking up at him. "I'm going to miss them." she said. "I know baby, but we can visit them and they can visit us anytime." "I know." khanak said wiping her tears. Then suddenly she looked at him. "Can you believe we're married she asked in shock?!" "You're my husband." she said smiling. "Yes and you're my beautiful wife." he said pulling her closer and giving her a soft kiss.
khanak and Shaan arrived at Shaan's house to huge fan fare. Fireworks, dancing, a dhol playing. Shaan's family and friends stood waiting for them. At the door Shaans' mom performed arti and then khanak took her first steps into her new house as Shaan's wife. Shaan's mom hugged her telling her how happy she was. Rashi and Sara led khanak to the living room and made her comfortable. Close family sat around her introducing themselves. Shaan watched as khanak laughed over something his cousin said. She was so beautiful he thought, inside and out. How did he get so lucky as he shook his head and smiling ruefully, he swore to himself that he would always do everything in his power to keep khanak happy. khanak looked up as Shaan walked up and sat down beside her. Whispering "should we go upstairs now." She gave him a "are you crazy?" look and turned her attention back to his family. The evening progressed and Shaan checked his watch 10 times. Everyone was busy talking amongst themselves. "Bhai, I don't think the time has changed that much since the last time you checked your watch 5 minutes ago." Shaan glared at her and then he yawned. "I'm exhausted." he said standing up. He casually motioned for khanak to get up. khanak looked at him and then ignored him. "khanak, he said you must be tired too." "It's been a long day." "I'm fine." she said smiling." He glared at her. Rashi burst out laughing. "Oh my gosh bhai is so anxious to get you alone Bhabhi." khanak blushed and then turned around to give Shaan an admonishing look. Now everyone knew what he was trying to do. "
"Bhabhi," Rashi said finally feeling sorry for her brother. "Your suitcase has been taken up to yours and bhai's room." "We'll put bhai out of his misery and take you up." khanak excused herself as Shaan looked on. Walking into the room khanak saw beautiful pink roses and lit candles in all different sizes everywhere, the bed was covered with rose petals and a bottle of champagne and 2 champagne glasses sat next to the bed. "Do you need anything?" Sara asked. "No, I'm fine." khanak said. "Well have a good night, we hope you atleast get SOME sleep." Rashi said giggling. And with that they were gone leaving khanak alone.
Current Affairs
Real Estate
