SwaSan FF ~ Journey Towards Beautiful Destination
An Extravagant Affair 2
The short journey to the party hall was filled with silence except for the sweet sound produced by Swara's anklets. Both stole glances from each other when they thought the other wasn't noticing. The flashing of cameras and floating of questions in air reminded them of their arrival in the venue.
They walked down the steps, together hand-in-hand with a smile that played on their lips. Answering the questions, however weird and useless they may be, and posing for photos that would be printed on the main page of every newspaper that next day took them more than half an hour.
Gadodia family (with an exception of Sharmishtha. Does Shobha count as a member of the gadha...oops sorry Gadodia parivaar) stood in one corner sulking over the fact that it would have been Ragini who would have enjoyed the attention and cursed Swara for enjoying it. Alas, nothing was in their hands, not what happened nor what will happen.
Swara and Sanskaar made their way out from the hustling crowd of guests, friends and business allies, who wished them for their marriage and reached their family members. Taking the emders' blessings, both moved to the podium that was placed in the centre of the room.
They watched, seated in their throne chairs, various professionals coming together for delivering applaudable dances. From traditional ghoomars to the peppy songs where the family members shook their legs, range of dances varied. Sanskaar was almost biting his smile seeing his 'ever-so-strict' bade papa being forced to dance by Adarsh and Laksh. Rounds of applause rang in the hall as the performances came to an end.
The guests moved in a line, to the stage showering the couple with loads of gifts and blessings. Both thanked the guests and accepted that came their way gladly. Sanskaar suddenly felt edgy looking at a particular guest who walked to them. He passed a smile, a fake one too tiny to get noticed but one which did not go unnoticed by Swara.
The lady, dressed in an off-shoulder purple party gown, smirked inwardly sensing the growing uneasiness of Sanskaar.
So, I still do affect him the way I used to before three years. She thought doing a victory dance mentally.
"I must say, you're very fortunate Mrs. Swara to have a husband like him. Saying with a personal experience, you know. She winked before getting down. Swara was taken aback with the lady's statement and found herself in a more confusion witnessing her husband's reaction to it. She had to know, she thought determinedly.
Swara could only pass a smile in return before both posed together for a pic. Sanskaar made sure Swara stood beside him. The possessiveness was evident on his face and in his actions as he held her waist securely not letting even her fabric touch the lady.
The night almost came to an end. The guests began moving out when the youngest son of the Maheshwari clan grabbed a microphone, testing it before starting with his speech,
"The night is not over yet, ladies and gentlemen. We have a pleasant surprise for our bhai and bhabhi. And we would want all of you to be here while we reveal it.
Lakshya whispered into Uttara's ears before she ran away inside, giggling. Several minutes later, she came back with a huge thali covered with a velvet cloth. She gave the platter to Annapoorna who in turn moved to the couple.
"Hum chahte the ki humari teeno beton ki shadi dhoom-dhaam, puri rasm-e-rivaz ke sath ho. Par...chodo. Dukh dene wale baaton ko bhula dena hi theek hai. Unveiling the platter, she forwarded a pair of boxes to them which they took.
"Yeh ek tohfa samjho ya ek rasm, hum chahte hain ki aaj tum dono ki sagai ho. She continued, with a smile. So rightly said by Lakshya, the couple were surprised with the gift.
With their entire families surrounding them, both exchanged the rings. Guests cheered for the newly-wed couple. But amidst them was a person who walked out of the hall, seething with anger.
The hall of Maheshwari mansion quickly got cleared as the guests began nmoving, congratulating the couple once more. Everyone retired to their rooms, exhausted by the events. Cleaning could be done later, was the only thought that ran in everybody's mind.
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There ends the chapter. Consider this to be a small gift on the eve of New Year. A day more for new year to begin. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year in advance, this is Nivi signing off. Loads of love.
