As it was decided that the wedding ceremony would take place ten days after the engagement, so the preparations were going on in full swing. There were only three days left in the marriage.The last seven days were really hectic for everyone because they had a lot of task to do like shopping, preparations and other arrangements like bookings and orders etc. Although they had less time to prepare all these things, but they managed everything perfectly in a short time of span.

It was sangeet ceremony today. Everything was arranged according to their taste. Decked in a color-coordinated light peach shade attire, both Sidharth and Shehnaz sat together on a white couch and were enjoying watching dance performance with a bright smile on their faces.

Rubbing her thumb on her henna clad palm, Shehnaz lost in memory lane that how she missed the previous sangeet ceremony and other pre-wedding rituals because she had to go for the shoot which was already completed but due to some issues she had to re-shoot some scenes and for that she had to go to another city. She did not want to go and top of that, it was the first marriage in the family so she did not want to miss anything but at the same time she did not want to look unprofessional. And the great thing was, her family understood it and supported her and asked her to go and complete her shoot.

Physically, she was on shooting but her mind was always stuck in the marriage only that, how will the family manage everything or do they need any help? Whether all the things is happening properly or not? Was her brother managing everything? She was hoping that her Badi Maa and Bade Papa is not getting hyper and her parents are not taking unnecessary stress etc., all these things always bothered her. So she always used to stick on the phone to help her family in each and every little thing. She always reminded Shehbaz to take care of the elders, and whenever he forgot to give them medicine on time, he always received good scolding from her. Remembering all this, she pouted.

She came out of the trance when her mother shook her and asked where she got lost.

"Kahin nahi Mumma. Aap kuch keh rahi thi?" Shehnaz asked.

"Han, woh main keh rahi thi, tumhare Papaji ne jo dopehar ko bag diya tha, maine pta nahi kahan rakh diya mil hi nahi raha" her mother said tense to which she smiled and placing her hand on her mother's, she said,

"Arre Maa don't worry. Woh bag living area mein padha tha, maine sambhal ke usko apne room mein rakh diya hai"

"Hayee meri bachi. Tu na hoti toh mera kya hota" her mother said caressing her cheeks.

Sidharth, who was listening mother-daughter duo, smiling shook his head and lost in the time, he and his family visited Punjab for the marriage.

At that time Shehnaz was not present there physically but she was there in every family member. Her name was on everyone's lips. He observed that every member of the family loves her so much and so attached with her that no work can be done without involving her. He also observed that not only her family, she also loves them immensely. Her love for them is beyond anything. The way she took care of every little thing, the way she helped every member of the family and the way she was handling everything even while away, that too through phone, it proves that how loving and caring she is.

He heard her voice for the first time when the family was sitting in the main hall and talking to her and the phone was on speaker. Everyone had something to ask and she was answering everyone patiently.

"Sana puttar mujhe puja ka thaal nahi mil raha, tujhe pata hai ke kahan hai?" her mother asked.

"Maate, aap preshan kyu ho jate? Woh maine hi sambhal kar rakha tha Dadiji ke room mein"

"Yar motto tu kab ayegi? Aur tune flowers kon se rang ke bola tha aur kaise lgane hai?" asked Shehbaz.

"Baz maine just abhi tujhe aur decorators ko design bheje hain, bilkul waise hi karna hai"

"Aap sab di se baat kar rahe ho?" Shehzan, who had just came, asked.

"Hello Zan. Kaisi hai?" Shehnaz asked hearing her voice.

"Mujhe tension ho rahi hai di. Main sangeet pe kon se color ka dress pehnu?"

"Isme tension wali kya hai bat hai? Mehndi ke liye green and haldi ke liye yellow final kiya tha na toh sangeet pe woh orange wala daal le jo hum dono sath mein le ke aye the"

"Oh han woh toh mujhe yad hi nahi tha. Thank you di"

"Sana beta kab aa rahi hai tu?" asked Shehnaz's both fathers together.

"Papa, bade papa tusi tension na lo, main jaldi aa jayungi. Acha chalo ab mujhe apna kaam jaldi se finish karne do aur han Shehbaz, Mumma or Rita Aunty ko time se medicine de dena and Mumma dulhan ko jaldi sone ko bolo nahi toh skin glow nahi karegi"

He was stunned to hear how Shehnaz knows about his mother's medication. But later while talking with his mother, he came to know that Shehnaz calls her and both of his sisters everyday and asks them about their well-being. He was surprised that how can someone be so caring. He was very impressed by her inner beauty and when he saw her photo, he was flattered by her outer beauty too.

After knowing and observing a lot about her, he was very desperate to meet her. He still remembers how he smiled to himself when when he got the news that she is coming after the sangeet ceremony. Shehbaz, who was supposed to pick her up, messaged him, when both of his sisters were teasing him.

'Can you please pick up Shehnaz from the stoppage?'

Reading this, a soft smile crept over his lips and after excusing himself, he left to meet Shehbaz.

"Aree Sidharth bhai, Aunty ne btaya ke aapko usi road se jana hai, toh kya aap Shehnaz ko bhi pick up karloge?" Shehbaz requested.

"Han sure! Why not?" he replied smiling.

"Thank you yar. Ab main phone ko silent karke aaram se so sakta hoon" said Shehbaz yawning.

That time Sidharth was very excited to meet her but he did not know that soon his excitement would turn into shock.

The moment he reached there and rolled down the window when she knocked, he was attacked by her. Without saying anything or looking at him, she just started pulling his hair. That experience was really scary and painful at the same time. He never thought that the girl who is loving and caring will be a wild cat too. He did not even think that their first meeting would be like this. Even today, when she touches his hair to massage, he gets scared for a moment. Although she said sorry many times but at that time he was so angry that he didn't want to hear anything from her.

He came out of the memory lane when hosts Shehzad and Neetu announced Shehnaz's name. He turned to face Shehnaz but got confused by not finding her beside him. He looked at the stage again when Neetu made an announcement,

"So are you ready for tonight's special performance?"

"Jo ke Naaz dedicate karne wali hai apne Sid ko" announced Shehzad.

He was surprised by this announcement because he had no idea about it. But he was curious to know what she was going to perform.

Then suddenly the lights goes dim. He spotted her when the spotlight came on her. He got surprised to see mic in her hand, as he thought she would dance.

On the other side, she was looking at him with a smile on her lips. She knew what he is thinking. So without making any suspense, she hold the mic tight and taking a deep breath, she started speaking.

"Sidharth, aapko yad hai humari pehli mulaqaat? Kaise maine aapke baal kheeche they, woh bhi zor se. And sath mein gaaliyan bhi di thi"

She giggled remembering that incident. Sidharth let out a chuckle when he heard everyone gasping.

"You know uss time main apni harqat ke liye bahut hi jyada embarassed thi. Kyunki mujhe laga tha ke Shehbaz hoga, aapko toh maine bilkul bhi expect nahi kiya tha wahan"

He just couldn't stop chuckling remembering her dozen explanations while she continued to speak.

"Lekin ab, jab bhi uss incident ko yad karti hoon naa, toh mujhe bahut hasi aati hai. Aap kitna darr gaye they and your expressions were..." she couldn't complete because she started laughing.

"Lekin as you know jo bhi huya, was planned by destiny and issi destiny ki wajah se aaj hum dono sath mein hain aur shadi bhi karne ja rahe hain" she spoke again making him smile.

"I'm so lucky to have you in my life. And aap mere liye kitne important hain, isko toh main explain bhi nahi kar sakti"

Seeing him smiling and shaking his head, she continued,

"Apni feelings ko words mein jyada toh express nahi kar sakti, but I think, jo song main aapko dedicate karne wali hoon, sab kuch explain kar dega"

Everyone was in awe.

He was adoring his girl with a soft smile on his lips. He blinked his eyes when he saw her eyes were asking for permission.

'Mile ho tum humko
Bade naseebon se
Churaya hai maine
Kismat ki lakeeron se'

The moment he gave permission, she breathed deeply and closed her eyes. Tightening her grip on mic, she began to singing. 

Feeling every word, she was singing straight from the heart. Through each and every word, she was explaining that how important he is to her and how happy she is to find a partner like him.

He, on the other side, was admiring her with so much love and the way she was expressing her feelings through the song, he was feeling overwhelmed.

'Teri mohabbat se saanse mili hai
Sada rehna dil mein kareeb hoke'

Every moment they have spent together, flashed before their eyes like a slide show. Recalling all those moments, a huge smile came on their lips.

They were silently promising each other that no matter what happens in life, they will always stay together, they will never leave each other alone. Their love will remain like this.

'Mile ho tum humko
Bade naseebon se
Churaya hai maine
Kismat ki lakeeron se'

She opened her eyes and directly looked at him, whose eyes were already fixed on her. The moment he gave her flying kiss, she lowered her eyes and a shy smile appeared on her lips.

Just then Neetu came and dragged him to the stage where Shehnaz was. Taking mic from her hand, neetu put her hand on Sidharth's and asked them to do a couple dance. She asked the DJ to play the same song while moving from there.

'Baahon mein teri ab yaara jannat hai
Maangi khuda se tu wo mannat hai'

Moving with the slow beats of the music and feeling her presence, he lost in the moment. Whenever she is with him, he feels complete in every manner. He feels so lucky to have her in his life and for that he always thanks his stars for sending her into his life. His eyes closed automatically and a soft smile crept over his lips, when she hugged him and kissed his chest as he finds great consolation in her arms. Her one hug is enough to make him forget everything.

'Teri wafa ka sahara mila hai
Teri hi wajah se ab main zinda hoon

Teri mohabbat se, zara ameer hoke
Churaya hai maine, kismat ki lakeero se'

His thought came to halt when she, with a smile, asked do you like the surprise but her smile turned to pout when he shook his head negatively.

Smiling, he pecked her forehead and said, "I loved it. Your voice is so soothing and jis feel ke sath tumne gaya aur jo bhi tum kehna chahti thi, directly dil ko choo gya" he said the last words pointing to the heart.

Listening to him, a bright smile came on her lips.

"Bye the way..." changing the dance move, he said further, "did anyone told you that straight hair tumpe kitne suit karte hain?"

"Lekin mujhe toh curls pasand hain" she said teasing him.

"Oh really?" he said placing his hand on her bare waist and then pulled her close to him.

The sudden move made her land on his chest. Her cheeks were turning red and heart was pounding due to the close proximity. She lowered her gaze and blushed even deeper.

Hearing her rapid heartbeat, he let out a chuckle and using his forefinger, raised her chin up. The moment their eyes met, they lost in each other.

'Mile ho tum humko
Bade naseebon se
Churaya hai maine
Kismat ki lakeeron se'

Everyone present there was admiring the duo and was taking pictures of them. Vikas was also capturing this moment in his phone and it was going live on Facebook.

Both Shehnaz and Sidharth were so lost in each other that they forgot everything and their lips were about to meet, when they heard the sound of clapping and they came to reality.

*

*

*

*

*

Phewww!

So how's this chapter? Are you enjoying reading this book?

And about your confusion, everything will be clear in the upcoming chapters.

So stay tuned and keep voting and sharing your reviews because it means a lot to me.

#HappyReading