A perfect start ... OS

Finally it was all over, "I can't believe I'm wed" mused Ishita.

It was half past nine and she was waiting eagerly to get out of the heavy bridal sari & jewelry.

"Ishita, here you are, "

"What are you doing here ?

"You haven't even changed yet "

Suddenly she was surrounded by Vandu, Mihika and assorted relatives. They dragged her to the room and set about getting her ready for the nuptial night.

Soon she was dressed in a gorgeous baby pink silk sari, which draped over her figure gracefully. Her make-up was minimum and her hair was decorated with strands of fragrant jasmine.

"Wow, Akka you look absolutely divine" gushed Mihika

Just then her sisters-in-law Simmi & Rinki came along to take her for the final ritual of the day - the Suhaag Raat.

"We'll take over now, you girls can relax", said Simmi authoritatively.

"No way," shot back Vandu. "We are going to be around till Ishu's in her room"

Soon all of them were settled in the Bhallas' drawing room, waiting to escort Ishita to her bridal room.

The Bhalla & Iyer men were gathered in another end of the room and having an animated discussion.

"Bhabhi, one look at you & Raman bhai is going to floored" teased Rinki.

"I agree, you are looking gorgeous" said Simmi grudgingly to Ishita.

"But your bhaiyya is not going to anywhere close to my Akka, till he pays me ...

"Oi " cut in Simmi " We are the groom's sisters and he will give us the money, before entering the bridal room".

They went on arguing about who has more right on the bride & groom.

Unknown to them Raman was watching all this from a distance. He couldn't take his eyes off Ishita. She looked divine.

And more than anything she good-naturedly allowed all the ladies to have their fun teasing her. She really was sensible and mature. He was glad they had set aside their differences and decide to wed for Ruhi's sake.

Soon they were joined by Mrs. Bhalla, Mrs. Iyer & Vandu's mother-in-law, who was there just to put a damper on the happy occasion.

"Arre, How come the bride is without a ghoonghat ? cried Mrs. Bhalla. "Simmi go get that chunni we ordered especially for the Suhaag Raat. The Bride cannot sit on the nuptial bed without her ghoonghat"

So, the bright red dazzling chunni was brought and draped over Ishita's head & shoulders.

She looked resplendent and everyone oohed and aahed.

"You know Mummyji, Rinki and I have decorated Raman Bhai's room with red roses & jasmine & fragrant candles " boasted Simmi.

"My sister will overshadow everything in the room, you just wait, your brother will not notice anything but his gorgeous bride" retorted Vandu.

Vandu's mother-in-law could no longer take it, "I think all this is a waste" she announced loudly.

The chattering stopped and everyone looked at her in surprise.

Satisfied that she had everyone's attention, she continued nastily, "The nuptial night is arranged for a 'particular' reason. And we all know that Ishu cannot ... you know ..." she paused meaningfully. "So what is the use of all this ? " she finished grandly.

There was pin-drop silence in the room. Everyone was shocked at her insensitive and malicious remark.

Just as Vandu and Mihika stood upto protest,

"Enough", roared Raman, He strode up to where Ishita was sitting head hung down and tears stinging in her eyes.

"That'll do ladies, I think I'll take over from here. " He pulled out his wallet from his sherwani pocket and handed it over to his mother, "Mummiji, this is for my sisters and sisters-in-law, share it equally among them".

Addressing Vandu. Mihika, Simmi & Rinki he said, "Thank you all for the hard work you put in to make this night memorable for Ishita & me."

Looking at Vandu's MIL, he said grimly

"There is a 'reason' why the Suhaag Raat is arranged - my wife & I are starting our marital life and everything has to be perfect"

He walked up to Ishita and held out his hand, "Now, I must claim my bride"

A teary-eyed Ishita looked up at him and saw him looking at her tenderly with so much gentleness and concern and surprisingly possessively !

"Friends ?" he whispered.

Ishita smiled through her tears and said "Yes", as she put her hand in his.

And then she felt it ... she was home, and she belonged !

Drawing her to her feet, without warning Raman lifted her into his arms and carried her into the nuptial room amid applause and whistles from the overjoyed Bhallas & Iyers.