It was the day of the wedding, Manvi was sitting on the bed with a complete sadness on her face. She definitely didn't dream of forced marriage and that too with a person who isn't the prince charming of her dreams.

Nitya was packing her things, she glanced at her and asked "mannu tujhe isme se kaunsi books chahiye?"

Manvi was lost in her own thoughts, Nitya understands her dilemma. She stands up and goes to her. She grabs her place beside her and keeps her hand on her shoulder. Manvi looks at her and apologizes "I am sorry kal maine tumpe chilla diya.."

"It's okay mannu.. Main samajhti hun ye sab jo ho raha hai tum apne sache mann se nahi kar rahi ho" Nitya said.

"Chod na.. Baaki sab khush hai aur kya chahiye?" Manvi asked trying to bring a fake smile on her face.

Nitya side hugs her and gets emotional as today she is going away from the house. They had shared everything with each other since childhood, they were like best friends more than the sisters. Manvi's eyes turned teary and she asked "you are gonna miss me?"

"No I will miss us" She replies.

"Koi baat nahi.. US se padhai karke wapas aao phir tumhari shaadi apne devar se kara dungi waise bhi bahut line maar raha hai wo aajkal tumpar" Manvi said in a teasing tone.

Nitya glared at her and said "wo kalerein girne ki baat ko seriously mat lena bilkul bhi! Aur hum bas ache dost bane hai"

"Nitu.. kya pata US mein tumhari mulakat Aniket se ho jaaye? Wo bhi toh US hi rehta hai na.. Main befikar rah sakti hun! And ho sakta waha pe tumhara chakkar hi chal jaye" she spoke imagining.

Nitya eyed her and said "ek toh tum filmein dekhna band karo.. Aisa real life mein nahi hota hai!"

"Maan le meri baat! Aisa hota hai aksar kisi arrange marriage toh dusri ki love marriage hoti ha,.. It's a proven fact" Manvi spoke showing on google.

"God! Tum aur tumhare facts! Ab fatafat se mujhe batao tumhara kaunsa samaan aur rakhna hai?" she asked.

Manvi sighed "jitna rakh diya bahut hai.. Bas ye books rakh dena" she said.

Nitya agrees, she thought "tera ye ehsaan kabhi nahi bhulungi main Mannu.. Just hope tu iss anchahe rishte se bahar aake.. Sache dil se Aaravji ko apna le warna zindagi bhar mujhe pachtawa rahega"

Sadhna enters the room and scolds "Manvi.. Shaadi aaj hai kal nahi! Abtak tum ready kyun nahi hui ho??"

"Maa relax.. Abhi time hai" Manvi said

"Koi time nahi hai mannu.. Ladki waale hai hum humhe sabse pehle mandap pahuchna hai.. Tum abhi ke abhi parlour ke liye nikal Aman ke saath" Prerna orders.

Manvi sighed "fine maa.. "

Aman carries her heavy lehenga and sandals. He said "dulhan ka bhai chahe bada ho ya chota.. Kaam karna hi padta hai"

Nitya and Manvi smile hearing his words.

Nitya said "chachi Manvi ka samaan pack ho gaya hai.."

Prerna looks at the suitcases and sighed "hey bhagwaan 9-10 bags!"

"Haan toh? Sab important hai.. Saath leke jaana hi padega" Manvi comments.

"Mannu tumne toh aise samaan pack kiya hai jaise kabhi wapas aane hi nahi waali ho" Prerna spoke with a smile and after a second she realised that is the reality.

Manvi looks at her mother emotionally, Prerna smiles "chal.. Jaa jaldi" she walks out hiding her tears as she didn't wanted to break down before the wedding.

Nitya says "chachi pyaar tujhse bahut karti hai mannu.."

"Jaanti hun.. Aman laadla hai unka lekin main pehli hun" Manvi replies. She goes out of the room with Aman while Nitya again cross-checks if she missed anything.

Malhotra Niwas

Thankfully, the renovation was completed on the day of the wedding. Karan and Anoop looked around and were extremely satisfied as the house looked so much better.

"Ek dum sahi waqt pe kaam khatam hua hai.." Anoop said.

"Haan bhai.. Warna jis speed se ye log kaam kar rahe they laga hi nahi tha Aarav ki shaadi se pehle ho jayega" Karan replies.

"Bilkul nahi hota chote papa! Mere seedhe saadhe dada ne kaam toh karne ko diya lekin unhe kaam karwana aata nahi hai logo se" Aniket junps into the conversation

Karan asked "Acha??"

"Ji.. wo toh maine contractor ko achi khasa 4-5 baar damkhaya hai! Warna toh daada toh uski meethi baaton mein aake payment kar dete kaam karne se pehle aur wo bhaag jaata" Aniket replies.

"Chalo kaam ho gaya badi baat hai! Lekin dulhe raja hai kahan pe? Tika karna hai phir gudh chadi.." Anoop asked.

Ishika shouted from the top floor "fupaji... bhai kamre mein nahi hai"

"Haaye daiyaa kahi hamara Aarav bhaag toh nahi gaya shaadi ke darr se?" Anita said shockingly.

Pooja sighed and said "Aisa kuch nahi hai! Ishika tumne thik se dekha?"

"Haan buaji.. Bhai room mein nahi hai" Ishika says again.

Everyone began to search for him but he wasn't anywhere in the house. Pooja panics "kaha gaya ye ladka?"

Nandini thought for a moment, she smiles "are aap log pareshan mat ho aata hi hoga"

"Choti maa.. Dada bahar gaye hai? Lekin he isn't allowed to go anywhere" Aniket comments.

"Uffo! Chatt pe baitha hai" Nandini replied.

"Acha?? Toh itni der se awaaz laga rahe hai sun kyun nahi raha hai?" Karan asked.

"Headphones," Nandini said.

Aarav was on the terrace with headphones in his ears, he was lost in his own thoughts. In a few hours he will get married to someone and his life will not be the same. This new addition will completely change his lifestyle and he hardly knows about Manvi. He sighed deeply, he looks at the time on his phone and it was 5 pm. He takes off the headphones and quickly runs down the stairs.

He saw his family members staring at him.

"Jee.. kya hua?" he asked.

"Kya hua? Shaadi hai teri aaj! Fatafat sherwani pehen phir pagdi aur tike ki rasam karni hai.." Pooja instucts.

"Offo maa.. Dada aise nahi jaane waala hai main do minute mein ready karta hun inhe" Aniket spoke coming closer to him.

Aarav warned him "nahi.. Mujhse se door hi rehna tum aur Ishika tease karna shuru kar dete ho har 2 minute mein"

"Toh aap ready hoke aao na warna puri shaadi aapko tang karenge hum" Ishika said.

Aarav immediately heads to his room while others laughed. Aniket had a deep feeling he isn't pleased with the wedding. The happiness, excitement, and charm a groom have was missing throughout the wedding process.

Anoop asked "Ani wo band aur ghode waale ka kya hua?"

"Papa wo log toh kabse aake bahar khade hai! Jaldi se ye tika ki rasam karo warna ye log bhi bhaag jayenge" Aniket comments.

"Aisa kuch nahi hoga! Saxena ji ke yahan humne khane ka intezam kiya hai na sabka.. Inn logo bhi waha khane ke liye bhej de tabtak hum tika aur padgi ki rasam bhi kar lenge" Anoop suggests.

Aniket agrees and quickly moves out of the house.

Nandini and Pooja welcomed all the guests, while Anita served the drinks to everyone. Ishika sighed "ye bhai toh dulhan se zyada time laga rahe hai.."

Aarav finally comes downstairs, Karan makes him sit on the couch. He places the turban on his head and smiles "Aaru.. bahut hi ache lag rahe ho tum!"

Pooja places black tika behind his ear "kisi ki nazar na lage mere bete ko"

Nandini asked "Sharadji kaha hai? Pehla tika toh unhe hi karna hai na"

"Wo kha raha hoga paan.. Sharad" Anoop shouted.

Aniket enters inside getting Sharad with him. Sharad does his tika first then followed by others. The band was already playing outside.

Aniket teased him "dada.. Bajh gaya aapka band baja"

Aarav eyed him but remained silent. They did the Gudh chadi ritual and headed towards the temple to perform the Prayers which was just the next street.

Aniket was busy arranging transport for some of the guests. He instructed the driver "hall se kumsekum 3 kilometer door utarna sabko! Waha se hum nachte hue baarat leke jayenge"

Aniket shouted "mamaji kya kar rahe ho?? Jaldi se van mein baitho aur pahuche.."

As the wedding hall was a bit far so they had to leave early so that they don't get stuck in traffic and delay everything.

Anoop asked "Ani.. tune shukla jee se car ki baat ki thi na??"

"Offo papa! Chinta mat karo sab waisa hoga jaisa humne socha hai! Aap niklo main dada ke saath aata hun" Aniket assured him everything is under his control. Anoop sits inside and the van departs.

Aniket returns home and sees Aarav helping Nandini fix the saree plates. Aniket hits his own forehead "dada.. Aap dulhe ho thoda sa toh bhaav khao"

Nandini replies "wo toh tum khate ho na.."

"Choti maa aapne hi dada ko bigadke rakha hai.. Chalo jaldi late ho jayega nahi ho" Aniket said.

The ladies leave the house leaving Aarav with Ishika and Aniket. Aniket pulls Aarav out with him and Ishika follows. There was some elder person left to see the house as it isn't auspicious to lock the house at the wedding.

They sat inside the cab and headed towards the hall. Aniket said "dada.. Bahut hi ache lag rahe ho aap! Bas agar iss chehre pe ek muskurat aa jaati toh baat hi aur thi"

Aarav smiled and said "wo toh hai hi Ani.."

Ishika giggles "bhai aap nervous toh nahi ho? Honge hi pehli baar inhe life mein ek ladki pasand aayi aur wo bhi girlfriend nahi seedhi wife banne jaa rahi hai"

Aarav thought "yahi toh dikkat hai.. Majburi mein musibat gale lagani pad rahi hai"

Finally, they reached the place and stepped downstairs. Aarav climbed on the horse and the baarati begins to dance. He smiled seeing everyone enjoying themselves, they slowly and steadily move forward.

At the Banquet Hall

Manvi was inside the room which was specially built for bride families. Prerna looks at her daughter and places a black tikka behind her ear "kitni sundar lag rahi hai dulhan banke.."

Manvi smiles through the mirror. It's difficult to pretend to be happy in front of everyone but sometimes there isn't any choice. Sadhna comes inside and said "Prerna.. Baarat aa gayi hai! Chalo darwaze pe swaghat karna hai"

Prerna said "nitya tu bhi aaja.. Asli swaghat toh tumhe hi karna hai"

"Ji chachi aati hun" Nitya spoke.

Prerna and Sadhna leaves and Nitya hugs Manvi. Manvi looks at her through the mirror Nitya says "waise bahut hi zyada khubsurat lag rahi hai meri pataka behen! Mann kar raha hai main hi tujhe udake le jau"

Manvi genuinely laughs hearing her words "better rahega wo" she comments.

"Tum apna photoshoot karo main baaratiyon ka swaghat karke aati hun" Nitya said.

Manvi teased her "Swaghat hi karna.. "

"Shut up mannu.." Nitya glared at her.

Manvi turns to her and held her hand "tum shaadi ussi se karna jise tum pasand karti ho.. Waise gurantee deti hun US se wapas aaogi na toh single nahi rahogi" she said.

"Offo.. yahan shaadi tumhari ho rahi hai aur tum mujhe tease kar rahi ho! Paagal" Nitya kissed her forehead and walks out of the room.

Manvi takes a deep breath and goes out for the photoshoot along with her friends.

The baraat was outside the hall, everyone was dancing like crazy well that's the beauty and uniqueness of an Indian wedding. Nandini and Karan danced, Aarav smiled seeing them together as they were perfect together.

Nitya along with her cousins, Prerna and Sadhna were standing to welcome the baraat. It has been almost half an hour, Aman sighed "offo kitna nachenge mere toh pair hi dukh gaye khade khade" he said.

Nitya smiles "jab tumhari shaadi hogi na..hum bhi yahi karenge" she told him.

Aarav finally steps off the horse and walked toward the entrance. He stops in front of the ribbon with was blocking his way to enter.

Firstly, Prerna does the tilak ritual and said "Nitya ab tum ye khud sort out karlo lekin jaldi karna dulhe raja ko itni der intezar nahi karate"

Nitya smiles and looks at Aarav "jiju meri laadli behen ko aap mujhse churake aise nahi le jaa sakte ho! Jurmana toh dena hoga"

Aniket replies "kaisa jurmana? Baikaida shaadi karke leke jayenge kyun dada?"

Aarav nodded yes but as per rituals he had to give Nitya shagun. Anoop passed the envelope to him and Aarav gives it to her.

Nitya accepts it with all his love and then forwards the plate decorated with rose petals and scissors. Aarav cuts the ribbon and Nitya feeds him the sweets giving him a warm welcome.

They stepped aside and everyone stepped inside the hall. Aniket stops in front of her and asked "dulhe ke bhai ka swaghat nahi karogi meethai khilake?"

Nitya smiles, she keeps the sweet plate in her hand "khud kar lijiye..." and walks away leaving Aniket in his dream world.

"Haaye.. Ye ladki toh jaan hi le legi meri" he mumurs.

Anita admired the hall, she said "haaye daiyaa.. Itna bada hall.. Shaadi aise ki hai toh dahej mein kya kya denge beti ko?"

Sharad eyed her and said "zyda muh na phad aapna! Aur haan muh band hi rakhiyo aaj toh.."

Aarav walks towards the stage at the end of the hall. It was decorated most elaborately, with a beautiful backdrop and a two-seater couch in the middle. The couch was reminiscent of a throne, with lush velvet upholstery and gilded trims. Aarav gets on the stage and sits at the one end of the couch.

The Malhotra family gets a picture of themselves clicked together..

Here, Manvi was outside the hall along with her family. She was standing under the dupatta which was grabbed by her both father and cousin. Nitya was standing beside her, finally, they entered when the song played. Aman and others danced to the song.

Everyone was on the stage, Manvi walked towards the stage and Aarav couldn't let go of his eyes off her. Nandini said "Aaru haath pakadke upar chada"

Aarav followed her instructions and forwards his hand toward her. Manvi eyed him and thought "dikhawa karna toh isse seekhe koi"

Aarav thought "aise kar rahi hai jaise duniya ki pehli dulhan hai.. Khud bhi toh chadke aa sakti thi na"

She finally keeps her hand on his and steps upstairs. She missed her balance and Aarav grabs her by the waist stopping her from falling down. Manvi eyed him in a state of shock, she looks on at him.

Aniket whistles at this moment, Aarav leaves her and both of them stand facing each other. The moment which is meant to be beautiful and special, for them was just a formality. Nitya gives the garland to Manvi while Aniket hands the garland to Aarav.

Aarav thought "muskura toh aise rahi hai jaise bahut khush hai shaadi se"

Manvi thought "jabse aayi hun ghure hi jaa raha hai.."

Pooja smiles and said "Aaru chalo varmala pehnao"

"Aise kaise maa??" Aniket said. He along with Karan others lifted Aarav up to add the fun in the ceremony.

Nitya smiled "acha.. Toh inhe lagta hai yahi apne dulhe ko utha sakte hai!"

Manvi's family and relatives lifted her up and Manvi puts the garland on him instantly. Aarav puts the garland on her.

They then sat on the couch for a family and friends' photo session.

Later on, it was time for their own photoshoot.

The photographer took them to a place specially decorated for photoshoot. Manvi and Aarav stared at each other.

"Sir.. please mam ke paas" he said.

Aarav stands closer to her and the photographer clicks. He asks him to hold her by the waist and make a pose. Manvi thought "mauka chodega nahi koi bhi touch karne ka..."

Aarav hesitated, he said "Aap aise hi kheech lijiye"

"Sir please.." the photographer requested.

Aniket jumps in and sighed "main jaanta tha mere dada se ye nahi hoga..."

Ishika said "bhai aapne toh hamari naak hi kata di hai! Chalo aise se pose karo"

Aarav smiles and had to hold her by the waist. Manvi eyed him with anger gaze and thought "agar ye log nahi hote na toh batati isko"

Aarav thoughts "mara nahi jaa raha hun tumhe pakadne ke liye wo toh majburi hai.."

"Haan haan majburi tumhari dikh rahi hai!" Manvi thought.

Finally, after lots of hustle-bustle, the photo session ended. Aniket and Ishika took them towards the dining area to have dinner.

Karan said "Aaru chalo.. Bahu ko khilao"

Aarav nods his head, he picks up the spoon filled with rice and turns towards her. Manvi eyed him and thought "I hate this biryani.. Phir bhi isne yahi uthaya! Ek baar puch hi leta kya khana hai mujhe"

Aarav thinks "ek chamach se khana khane mein hi itne nakhre.."

Manvi finally opens her mouth and eats the rice. Everyone claps, Sadhna said "mannu chalo ab jamaiji ko ye roti aur sabzi khilao"

Manvi made a face but then smiles in a second. Aarav noticed her expressions and thought "ek second mein rang badla isse seekhe koi.."

Manvi thinks "kya musibat hai ye.. Kaat liya isne toh?"

Manvi finally takes a bit of chapati and feeds it to Aarav. Later, everyone takes their turn to feed dulha and dulhan with a conversation and happy moments.

Aniket glances at Nitya who was sitting opposite him. Nitya smiles at him..

Ishika whispers in his ear "bhai.. Dushman hai! Humhe inse jhoothe bachane hai.."

"Fikar mat kar ish.. Itni aasani se dada ke jhoothe inke haath nahi lagne dunga" Aniket assured her.

Finally, it was time for the actual wedding rituals to begin. Aarav was taken to the mandap and everyone from the bride and groom's side was behind him. Specially Nitya and her cousins as soon as he will remove his shoes they will hide them. 

To be continued..