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Arohi's POV

Aai was going crazy as she shouted at a few people about the arrangements. I shook my head a little and let out a sigh looking at the girl who was applying Mehendi on my hand. She chuckled looking back at me.

"All mothers are the same." She said smiling widely. I let out a laugh.

"I guess." I said shaking my head a little.

I saw my girls dancing with their boys as they laughed away. Jenny was trying to make Aai understand something by throwing her hands around in the air.

Ruhi was in Rohan's arms as he danced along with her and she clapped and laughed. I let out a laugh looking at those two cuties. it's very rare to see Rohan along with kids. When Ruhi was still in the womb, it was Rohan who declared that he wanted a niece and not a nephew just like how he has declared that he wants a daughter and not a son.

He was happiest and grinning widely when Arjun declared to him that he had a niece. He took the earliest flight and was in hospital in no time. I chuckled at the memory and looked at my hand. The girls have done a beautiful job with Mehendi and I'm satisfied with the outcome. It's just like how I wanted it to be.

I didn't want to write Mr. Arrogant's name in my hand but Jenny gave me a smirk and whispered something in the girl's ear who was applying the Mehendi. I saw them chuckle as the girl nodded at Jenny and she vanished in the crowd, not before blinking at me. I gave in to let her have her ways as there is no point in arguing with her. She will anyway have her ways.

I don't know where exactly she has written the name or anything as I couldn't see it in the design so I guess more than Rohan, I need to search it before and at the moment I don't think I'm anywhere closer. I gave in when Aai came and sat near me with a wide grin. I smiled looking back at her.

"Are you done shouting around?" I asked raising my eyebrows.

"I don't shout for no reason. The arrangements weren't complete." Aai said frowning and looking around again. I let out a sigh along with a chuckle.

"Aai, it's okay. They will take care." I said with an assuring smile.

"See these photographers now..." She said again and made an attempt to get up but I stopped her.

"Aai, they know their work. Let them be." I said. She gave me a glare and looked at Rohan.

"I will talk with Rohan as there is no point in talking with you." She said with a complaining face. I shook my head with disappointment.

"How's my Mehendi?" I asked grinning widely at her, changing the topic.

"Beautiful. Just like you." Aai said pulling my cheek as I giggled. She sat again beside me.

"Girls, do remember to apply the best design for my Aai." I said.

"Definitely." Bhavana apparently her name is who nodded with a smile at us.

"And Aai, you won't protest." I said with a frown. I let out a laugh shaking her head a little.

"Why would I? It's my only daughter's wedding. I will enjoy to the fullest." She said taking me by surprise. I gave her an impressed look.

"I love you." I said snuggling to her.

"Don't get emotional now. Your makeup will get ruined." She said putting her arm around my shoulder.

"Who cares? I'm emotional." I said snuggling with her further.

There wasn't much make-up on my face. Shradz made sure to keep it light with just defined eyes while Nikki styled my hair in a half crown braid with loose waves. My lehenga was also pretty simple and quirky with printed designs paired with a crop top. I didn't wear any other accessories other than an oversized earrings. I was really comfortable in the outfit and was actually glad about the same. My other ceremony outfits except for Haldi are going to be heavy. This is the simplest and most comfortable outfit I'll wear in the wedding.

"You will still be in Mumbai and nothing will change." Aai said and I looked at her with a complaining face.

"Aai, don't you think that it should be another way around?" I said with a frown.

"Like I should be the one talking your lines?" I said making Aai let out a hearty laugh.

"Aunty is the coolest after all. She is happy that this girl is finally getting married away." Jenny said hugging Aai from the back. I rolled my eyes at her.

Ahana and Sara followed her and got seated on my other side with smiles on their faces.

"You are looking so beautiful." Ahana said hugging me tightly. I chuckled.

"Not more than you, Diva." I said teasingly and pecked on her forehead. She giggled.

"I want to apply too." Sara said taking the booklet for design.

"Where are the other girls? Is this Mehendi thing just exclusive for the bride? Who will apply to us?" Jenny said in a complaining strict voice.

"That's why I was shouting at the arrangements." Aai said with a frown. I let out a sigh. Ahana and Sara ignored the chaos as they got busy selecting a design for them.

"Ma'am, they are coming. We thought of starting to apply on the bride before as it will take time." Bhavana said as she looked at me for help maybe.

"It's okay." I said giving her a small smile.

"Aai..." I said gesturing her to be calm. What will happen if Mehendi gets applied a little late? We are here till tomorrow anyway.

"We will select some cool designs till then." Jenny said handling the situation a bit for me. Aai let out a sigh but agreed with her making me feel a little relieved.

**********

My hands hurt!

I have been in the same position for so long now that it hurts. Many guests are already done with their Mehendi and some are still applying it.

Bhavana was applying Mehendi on my legs as hands are already done. I still can't move them as the Mehendi has still not dried.

I saw Jenny, Ahana, and Sara giving poses to Raghav and Abeer as they clicked them. Poor Arjun was busy handling Ruhi.

Rohan came and sat beside me as he gave a gentle peck on my cheek. I smiled looking at him.

"My hands hurt." I said pouting at him. He chuckled.

"I can't exactly help with that." He said putting his hand around me. I inclined towards him a little getting into my most comfortable place.

Rohan chuckled as I frowned a bit at him. He looked handsome in his beige sherwani and dhoti pants. It was the first time I'm seeing him in traditional look and I was loving what I was seeing. His hair was perfectly set and his beard was trimmed. His kohl lined eyes made him look even more hotter and I was loving it on him.  

"Apply a little to him as well." I said smirking at him. Rohan threw me a horrified expression.

"What?" He gave me am unbelievable expressions making me and Bhavana laugh a little louder.

"It's a tradition." Bhavana said and I nodded at him.

"Who says that?" He asked getting annoyed.

"Should I call Aai? She will explain to you." I said raising my eyebrows. Rohan let out a small sigh.

"Fine. Just a small one to the side and it shouldn't be visible." He said with a frown and extended his hand forward.

Bhavana took it and drew a small filled circle in the middle on his palm. He looked at it taking his hand back. The expressions on his face were priceless and I could hardly contain my laugher.

"I don't believe this." He said giving me unbelievable expressions. I let out a laugh and moved forward pressing a kiss on his cheek.

"You are doing many unbelievable things." I said with a sly smile. He just shook his head a little making me smile further.

"Are you sad?" I asked randomly. I just wanted to check about his family. I didn't get to ask him since morning. Rohan looked up from his hand and let out a sigh looking at me.

"For what?" He asked even when he knew it very well.

"Your parents?" I asked looking carefully at him.

"I never expected them to come." He said with a shrug. It made me relieved to see he is fine. I just wanted to confirm that thing. I gave him a gentle smile which he returned as placed a kiss on my cheek again making me giggle.

"Rohan, just feed me something. I have been sitting here since morning. It's afternoon now and everyone is eating before me." I said with a frown. Rohan chuckled.

"Starters?" He asked.

"Yes, please." I said nodding my head. He nodded back at me and got up.

"Hold on." He said leaving.

I saw Bhavana had a playful smile on her face. I raised my eyebrows at her to which she chuckled.

"I have been shipping you two ever since you announced the duet albums." She said giggling and getting embarrassed a little. I chuckled at her innocence.

"That long?" I asked. She nodded.

"Yes. I mean I adored you and then he is Rohan Nanda. I was happiest when I got to know you two are dating." She said and I smiled wholeheartedly.

It's good to know there are people who adore me being with Rohan.

"You are cute." I said and she blushed a little.

"I'm just living my fan moment." She said with a shrug as I let out a small laugh when Rohan came back with a plate.

"Here." He said taking the seat beside me again.

"Do you want too? You have been sitting with her." He asked looking at Bhavana. I smiled looking at the sweetest human being sitting beside me who still try to hide his soft spot from everyone.

"No, I'm fine." She said and I could feel the little awkwardness and shyness. I shook my head a little with a smile still on my face.

"Just go and eat something. We will continue later?" I said.

"Umm..." She looked a bit reluctant.

"It's okay. Really." I said assuring her. She smiled at me. She has been sitting here at the same place doing her job so if I'm hungry then she should be too.

"I will be back in 10 minutes." She said getting up. I nodded at her.

"It's okay. Take your time." I said and she left after giving me a nod.

Rohan started feeding me with those Indian starters and I started bickering to him as always. He annoyed me in between with the nonsense he spoke and sadly I couldn't even hit him as my hands were covered with this beautiful Mehendi.

The photographers asked us to give some romantic poses and Rohan started getting cheesy. Well, I didn't complain. I laughed loudly when the gang joined us and started teasing by giving some weird poses surrounding us.

I was ready with my Mehendi in the next few hours. Some women and men started playing Tabla and other traditional instruments with some folk music. It was so soothing and so beautiful.

My smile widened seeing Aai and Baba danced a little but Aai shied away when Rohan and Arjun whistled. We broke into laughter. Rohan got her back on the dance floor as Jenny, Hana and Sara joined her making her feel comfortable. Ruhi was clapping her hands getting excited being in arms of Vivek as he said something to her and swayed to the music making her dance. Suhana sat with me holding little Aarush safely in her arms as she watched the fun unfolding before her with a big smile.

Soon after Sunanda Aunty joined and stole the whole show. I didn't know she was this good. She looked truly happy and enjoying every bit. I'm really happy for Rohan as he has truly got a family of these people who genuinely care for him.

I just sat there looking around the madness when Ahana came to pull me. I could have given the reason of my Mehendi but it was already dried. I danced along with the girls on the sounds of Tabla and Peti with people shouting around making me feel shy a little but no one let me off the stage.

Soon after Rockstar joined along with his boys and got too much appreciation from all the sides. He also sang along with those women their traditional folk song impressing everyone around and making me adore him a bit more. There truly is no one as passionate about music as him. Not even me!

He just inspires me and surprises me every other day. That's one of the many reasons to respect him.

Some of my relatives played Fugdi. Fugdi is a Maharashtrian and Goan folk dance performed by the women in the Konkan region during Hindu religious festivals. This dance style is said to have been created from a few ancient Goan traditions.

I saw Jenny getting so excited to see this dance formed and I anticipated what might come next. As to add that fear, she actually pulled me on the floor and held my hand tight.

"Don't leave, Aro." She said and started going into circles. I have been used to do this on Ganpati and many traditional festivals but I am not sure about Jenny. We took the speed and in no time Jenny stopped.

Just like I thought, she held her head.

"OMG, it hurts. How you people do it?" She said as we started laughing at her.

Ahana was pretty good with it and Sara didn't dare to try. My relative aunties pulled Rohan to do the same and he excitedly took part making them impressed.

Lastly, it was mandatory for me and Rohan to do that. He smirked at me and held my hand tight. I gave him a challenging look and people cheered for us as to who will take a step back first. I was quite impressed with Mr. Arrogant and I was the one take a step back when my head started spinning a little.

Rohan hugged me tightly from the back not letting me fall and pecked on my cheek as the crowd shouted making me blush.

I was shocked beyond words when Aai and Mavshi along with Sunanda Aunty sang a Marathi song 'Navrai Mazi Ladachi Ladachi G' meaning for those who don't understand Marathi My new bride has been pampered and loved. I had tears in my eyes but I laughed right away when Jenny, Ahana, Sara and a few of my cousin sisters and brothers joined them in dancing and singing.

I clapped and shouted loudly along with Rohan and Raghav on my side.

Soon after that emotional performance, the mood got changed when the 'Zingat' song from the Marathi movie 'Sairat' started playing loudly. No matter how they remade this song in Hindi, it still can't create the magic of this original Marathi song. We started dancing crazily. The crowd didn't stop dancing and asked to play the same song again and it did.

I was laughing like a maniac to see Rohan, Raghav, and Abeer dancing with Rohan throwing irritating glares to them in between. One thing I would honestly and proudly admit is that I haven't seen Rohan dancing this crazily and happily ever. Maybe it has something to do with his love for this song or maybe the wedding magic but either way, seeing him like this made me happier.

Aai and Sunanda Aunty shouted at us to go back to our rooms after dinner was over as we have to get up early tomorrow for the Haldi ceremony followed by the Wedding. It made me a little nervous to think about it but I guess I will manage.

I was making my way to my room with Rohan telling me about how much he enjoyed and loved the traditional thing when Sunanda Aunty called us outside in the garden.

We gave her a smile and got seated on the chairs opposite her. She smiled at me and cupped my face, pecking lightly.

"I am really happy that Rohan has chosen you as his life partner." She said with a smile. I smiled but couldn't say anything to that. Rohan kept looking at us.

"Just stay like this always and no matter what is waiting ahead in future handle it together." She said and we nodded.

"Also one more thing I wanted to ask you both about." She said further and put her one hand on mine and another one on Rohan's hand. He was taken aback a little and I could read that on his face.

They might have gotten on a little better terms but they haven't expressed themselves to each other before. I smiled.

"Call me Maa like how Aryan and Ahana call me. Though Ahana has many names for me I would be happy if you both do it." She said making me smile wider. I looked at Rohan who had his eyes fixed on the ground. He was trying hard to not break in front of her.

"Rohan?" Maa asked looking at him. Rohan sniffed but didn't move.

"I'm sorry too." She said and he shot his head up.

"No, don't say that. I'm just happy and..." He tried to explain his emotions but failed as he stopped and contained himself. His emotions. I had tears in my eyes with a small smile on my face seeing those two like this.

"Thank you, Aun..." He said and let out a chuckle shaking his head. I let out a laugh blinking those tears away.

"Thank you, Maa." He said looking at her with so many emotions. She smiled back at him and put her hand in his cheek.

"Thank you so much." He said holding her hand tight as a few tears left his eyes. Maa wiped them away and shook her head gently.

"You don't have to be. I got my son back. That's all I ever wanted." She said with a small smile.

"He took away one from me and no one could feel the void of Aryan but I can't push away the other son I have gotten, who took care of me all these years silently." She said further

"I won't say thank you or anything." She said eyeing Rohan who chuckled. I smiled wiping my own tears.

"I'm sorry." Rohan said in a low voice.

"Rohan, we should now look past it. I'm happy that my son is getting married tomorrow. Now I have gotten another daughter who is a little responsible unlike the other one." She said with a frown making us laugh a little. She laughed along with us holding our hands tight in her.

"Stay happy and together like this forever." She said moving her gaze between me and Rohan.

"Come on, wipe up your face and go take rest." She said as we nodded at her and got up along with her.

"We have a long day tomorrow." She said. I saw Rohan a little reluctant as he was debating with something.

He finally let go and moved forward engulfing Maa into a warm hug. She smiled a little as she put her arms around him and patted his back.

"I love you." Rohan said.

"I love you too." She said with a smile as I saw tears left her eyes.

I took a deep breath and moved my gaze around to not break with them when I saw Ahana and Abeer at some distance smiling widely. I smiled looking at them as they returned it and wiped the happy tears away.

************

I am glad to have followed Aai's advice and slept early as people woke me up way too early.

I got ready in the green saree with red golden borders after taking a hot shower in this cold weather. Nikki dried my hair and tied it in a sleek bun with gajra flowers. Shradz gave me a smokey eyes and nude lips as for make up and drew a chandra bindi or moon bindi in between my eyebrows.

My girls soon helped me get accessorized in traditional jewelry. I wore nath, which is a nose ornament in unique design woven with pearls and studded with white stone in the middle. For necklace, I wore a traditional pearl choker and a mohan mala, which is a long golden beaded necklace having 8 layers of golden bead strings. I wore a pair of jhumka earrings and mundavlya, a unisex ornament having pearl studded string worn across the temple of the forehead with two vertical pearl strings dropping down from the two end to gracefully flank the face.

Once we were done we made our way for the first ceremony which is Chura ceremony where there was no need for any men so they are still getting ready for Haldi ceremony. I don't know what kind of getting ready is this than sleeping till late. I never liked that idea actually.

Anyway, right back to my special days. The Chura ceremony is basically with the women singing Marathi wedding songs in the background, the hands of a Marathi bride are adorned with green glass bangles during the Chura Bharne or Chura ceremony.

A bangle man is called which was arranged by Jenny actually and I couldn't be thankful, and the friends and relatives of the bride-to-be choose glass bangles of themselves as well. And because the green colour symbolises freshness and creativity, the bride-to-be's mother helps her wear those green bangles.

It is only after a month of getting married that the Marathi bride is allowed to remove this Chura.

I smiled showing off my hands filled with green glass bangles and making them even more beautiful was the dark brown Mehendi on my hands.

It was a short, simple and sweet ceremony which got over in just a couple of hours and I loved it.

I rushed upstairs to get changed into plain yellow saree for Haldi ceremony. It didn't take me much time to get into my Haldi look as it was simple. I just wore the saree and let my hair down without any make-up except for a stone bindi resting between my eyebrows. I wore a simple stud earring and kept my green bangles on as I was not suppose to take them off. It was so relaxing to have those heavy ornaments taken off and I felt comfortable in my simple, light weight saree.

I made my way outside with all the girls. It was too early and it was too cold. Rohan was wearing a simple white off-white kurta. He gave me an impressive smile as I got seated beside him on the sitting arrangements made for us.

Rohan smirked looking back at me as I smiled a little. I gave him an impressive look seeing him in a plain kurta as it's rare to see him wearing something this traditional. He gestured me with eyes about how beautiful I looked and I blushed a little. His smirk and the look in his eyes were telling me loads of things that wouldn't have approved by me and the rest of the family. So I just gave him a teasing smile. He chuckled as photographers clicked the moment. The flash took us out of our small world and reminded us that there are still people around who are waiting to start with the ceremony.

The ceremony started with our mother's applying the Haldi on our faces but it didn't end on quite good terms with everyone literally throwing it on us. Rohan took this chance and rubbed my face with that yellow mixture on my face. I was literally a mess. I gave him an angry glare as he laughed away. I was so ready to throw the whole bowl on his but before that, the boys pulled up his kurta from above making his tattoos flaunt on that bare body. He was looking hot with just Dhoti covering his lower body. With great difficulty I contained myself from drooling over him. 

The boys joined by Jenny and Ahana started painting him in yellow the next moment making me smile with containment.

The music was melodious with a few Marathi wedding songs playing in the background as we danced covering in yellow. Rohan and I wasted no time in painting Aai, Maa, Baba square, and Ben in yellow as well. Square as there are two of them and we call them both as Baba. Ben was looking the happiest amongst all as he was experiencing the madness of Indian wedding for the first time.

He was excited when we asked him to join us as he thinks Indian weddings are no less than a festival in itself and I won't disagree with that. I just love my tradition and roots. I saw Ben applying the Haldi on my both Baba's and they were no less in showing their excitement.

Raghav and Abeer started running everywhere when Rohan and Arjun started chasing them with Haldi plates in their hands. I and Sara covered Ahana and Jenny while my little princess clapped for me and I rubbed just a little bit of Haldi from my cheek on hers. She clapped getting excited and happy. I smiled looking at that innocent soul.

This Haldi just turned out into some festival of just yellow color. Everyone was a mess and laughing loudly. Rohan and Arjun managed to empty the bowls on Raghav and Abeer. The hotel staff was laughing like crazy and we didn't mind when we threw some mixture on them as well. All in all, I was the happiest person to be alive on earth today.

Everyone hurried into their rooms to get changed for the wedding which was supposed to happen in just a few hours. I got out of the washroom and sat on the bed drying my hair with a towel. It sure took me a lot of time to get rid of the yellowness of my skin but I won't complain as I enjoyed every moment of it.

It was a tight schedule as we just planned for 3-day ceremonies keeping the weekend in mind so everyone can attend.

I am excited and nervous and loads of thoughts are going inside my head. I am again missing that one person in my life. I kept the towel aside and took out my vallet from bag. I want to talk with him and tell him how happy I am right at the moment. This is the most beautiful day of my life and I want him to be part of it as well. How can I forget him on this special day?

I smiled looking at that smiling face and moved my hand through it.

Everything is going well, Rahul. Don't worry about me. Today is my wedding and I am happy. I am going to marry the love of my life, finally. Literally, I am so happy that sometimes it makes me feel a little guilty about my own feelings. But then, you wanted a life like this for me, right? That's why you thought it's better to leave me alone in this world. I still don't understand your decision and I don't know if I ever will. But I was still broken and I couldn't understand what you wanted for me until he came along.

He held my hand tight and made me feel better about myself. You left me for my good and he kept holding on me for making me better. He understood me and accepted me wholely. Wholely, with you, because he knows that you are a part of me. He understands me even when I am not able to understand my own self on some days like this. I love him. I love him so much and I don't think I would ever be able to repay him for all the things he did for me and my sake. I don't know how difficult it must have been to know that the girl you love is still somewhere holding on to her first love. He calls me brave but I think the otherwise. I think he is brave enough to love me.

I won't ever hurt him and I won't ever leave him. No matter where he goes, I will walk beside him holding onto him, forever and ever! Because I love him...

______________________________

My heart was broken into million pieces
Yet he said he had all time in the world
to provide pick it up...
He knew I will never be same
Yet he said he wants to love the me which
knows the pain of a broken heart
which knows the agony of a failed life
And that is why I love him
With all my broken heart and with all my
tortured soul...
______________________________

So that was all for now. The wedding celebrations began.

Let us know what you think about this one.

VOTE if you liked.

We will be back with the final chapter.

Till then, bye.

Loads of love. ❤️