" You are my today and all of my tomorrows and hence, the adventure begins "

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Dreams come true

Like a gem studded sky, woven seamlessly into the fabric of night, in an intricate fashion. 

A thread of beautiful possibilities, strewn together. 

Just like the radiant sun, blushing deep into the sky, as it rises from it's slumber. 

As magical as the moon bestowing upon it's pale light and the sun showering its brilliant warmth, dreams that are woven into the universe mystically with much yearn, will bear fruit beautifully. 

The wedding procession led by Karan had reached Malhotra farmhouse with much pomp and zest touching the sky. They stopped and parked themselves in front of the massive entrance, decked in marital glory. As the groom's side waited outside, the bride and the wedding guests hurled themselves outside the gate, to catch a glimpse of the baraat frenzy, half of what they had already caught up on social media, thanks to the viral Instagram stories. 

Alia's parents came forward along with some of her elder relatives, cousins and industry friends. Soni carried the aarti thaali to welcome her son in law (to be in a matter of hours) accompanied by few other elder women from her family and the industry. Karan smiled at them and greeted bride's parents before turning back to face his team. 

"That was a spectacular procession you all. Super proud of our young and elderly, for participating and grooving much to all of our horror and surprise" a wave of chuckles crashed across. "now that we've reached our ultimate destination, let's show them our Groom Power, with the best of what we've got. Shall we ?" Upon his question, a loud roar cheered from the groom's side while the bridal folks looked in anticipation. 

Sidharth blushed constantly throughout the procession like a ripened tomato. His family had went a top notch wilder, after ganging up with his male friends. As he finally reached their farmhouse, at his wedding venue, his eyes raked over the stunningly decked villa and it's premises. He could hear the waves knocking upon the boulder, almost as if they could feel his heart galloping inside his chest. 

Alia, I can't wait anymore .....

His soul pleaded internally as he gazed up to the window, from where he estimated his bride to be, would be seated, all decked up, waiting for him and their son. 

Meanwhile his bride settled herself at last on a comfortable chair, drowned in her bridal glory, tired with the amount of craft work done to her from head to toe. Her eyes, almost droopy with exhaustion, yet a strange spark flaming in her, rested upon the massive window, sadly covered by film sheets, hazing her view. It was done deliberately so that she doesn't peaks in to catch up on the outside frenzy and most importantly, the groom procession. 

Rituals were strict and so was her patience, that seemed to die with every minute. 

"Can't I open that window, Pooj ? I need some air okay ?" her voice pretends to be thinner, in an attempt to coax the ladies, dominating her room and head. Pooja glanced at her and then back to the mirror, adjusting hair pins on herself and Shaheen, who now sat in front of the vanity mirror, doing her last minute make up.

"Pari, Shrez ? Pleaseeeee" she pleaded trying to get some attention from the girls, busy with their own dress up game. "Aloo please thodi der aur baba. You'll see him anyway tonight. He's yours for life so why this jald baazi ? Calm yourself for a while and have some orange juice while we get ourselves dressed, theek ?" Pari cajoled her with a pin in her mouth, as she adjusted her lehenga's dupatta while Shraddha frowned over her dress plaits. 

With a frustrated sigh, Alia closed her eyes for a minute, trying to calm herself just like everyone told her to. As she immersed her chaotic thoughts into her inner pool of stillness, she heard the jingling of metal trinkets and children's giggle, loudly barging inside the already stuffed room. 

"Didi, come let's go downstairs. Baraat is here. Jeeju looks like a Prince Charming on horse." 

Her eyes snap open as she heard those words. On horse ? 

Jeez, so he opted for a horse instead of a car, in this electronic age. 

"Whaaat?! They're here already ? How come I didn't heard any loud noise ?" squealed Pari as she quickly wore her wedges. Shraddha's mouth went wide as she remembered "Ohhh no wonder Siddy said that the room's here were made keeping in mind to shut outside noise completely. But we need to rush then... Pari be quick na! Anu, Riya, Dp, Yami, chaloooo."

In a flash the girls rushed out of the room, leaving a sour faced bride behind. 

The squealing bunch dashed outside the villa, towards the entrance, almost forgetting their star status, as they ran with all their might in their heavy attire's, just to catch a glimpse of the baraat and their friend on horse. "Shra can you slow down please" whined Anu and the rest as they tried to match their rabbit like friend's energy. 

They at last stopped right behind Alia's parents and elders, standing all packed to invite them inside. As they managed to catch their breath and to adjust their maang tika's and heels, their heads snapped ever so casually at the man mounted upon the royal looking horse, grunting at them it seemed. 

"Oh my God" Riya had her face and eyes widened in shock as she surveyed the entire situation. Sidharth saw the girls watching him with mischief and disbelief, which made him scowl in turn, rolling his eyes. "Siddy on a horse ! Man, let's capture this for our babe" grinned Deepika as she craftily clicked some great shots of the groom, while pretending to check her makeup. She quickly sent them to Alia, while giggling with the ladies. 

Meanwhile the baraat boys were already immersed in their dance ritual. Not bothering to invite the girls to join. "Hey look them being such brute's! They're practically ignoring us" snapped Yami, observing Varun shaking his bum with his eyes closed and a naughty smile that seemed to trigger her more. 

"We're friends of Sid as well so we don't wait for mortals to invite us. We attack, what say girls ?" to Riya's smug statement, the girls smashed their hands up in the air and dived right inside the big dance circle, shocking the boys. They mingled well with the elder women from the boy's side. "Shreeek" screeched a little but too familiar voice and they found their tiny Addu, dressed up like a little groom himself, waving at them from where he sat - on the shoulder of Aditya. 

Like the protective mother hen's they were, they scolded Adi to put him down. Pari held him in her arms and they all took their turns to dance with him, boo-ing at the boys and kissing his squishy cheeks. "You were on our side babu" pointed Ranveer to a laughing Armaan, enjoying the attention and the festival like mood. "But they are also my friends na ..." his innocent reply earned him another round of sloppy noisy kisses from the girls. 

"Time for Prince Charming to descend from his throne" announces Harshad, as his brother turns red, if that was even possible. With a little help from his cousins, Sidharth dismounts himself from the horse, heaving a breath of relief at being done with that 'scary' part. He walks up like a king, as the crowd parts for him. 

"Look at our hottie!" smiled Anu as she nudged at him playfully. Pari and Shraddha, warded off any possible signs of evil glances, in a traditional way. They gazed at him with joy flooding their eyes. "At last, your here for our Alia ...looking this gorgeous" Shraddha, had her eyes moisten a bit as she smiled wide to cloak her emotions. Pari rubbed her back and stroked Sid's cheek with affection. "Perfect groom for a perfect bride" she commented with sincerity. 

"And a perfect child" said Arjun as he held Armaan, watching the scene unfold curiously. 

"That's true for sure" agreed Sid as he swallowed a lump in his throat and moved ahead to meet with his new family - his in laws. He is greeted by the warm smiles from the Bhatt's and their industry friends. Soni and Mahesh, come a bit more further with a plate carrying a lit lamp (or arati), and a garland. The 'mini parade' are welcomed with a special rice toss, known as akshat by her parents and relatives, at first. 

Soon after, bride's mother welcomes the groom with her plate of lamp, rotating it in a circular motion. Her eyes welling with happiness and pride. Sidharth is able to absorb their warmth and pain of giving away their dearest daughter. He smiles back in return, assuring them. Soni does a little aarti of Armaan as well, applying a red tilak (or dot) on him and his father's forehead alongside throwing few pieces of flowers and rice at them.

Her father puts a garland on the groom as mark of respect and approval. And some of their uncles and aunts do the same to his side of relatives, to welcome them. "Humein kaun pehnayega ?" whines Ranbir as he inspects the girls, urging them to follow the same. "Sorry no garland for extra's" snapped Anu as the girls laughed in victory. 

The traditional Hindu wedding has a mixture of old rituals with a couple of fun elements. One being, pulling the groom's nose by bride's mother as she welcomes him inside. After a lot of "pakdo uski naak" nautanki and Sid along with his guy friend's trying their best to save his pinocchio nose from the embarrassing assault, Soni became successful in pulling him inside the gate, with a slightly wincing yet laughing Sid behind. 

As the groom's side entered the backyard of their own farmhouse, they were taken aback by the arrangement and the sheer elegance encapsulating their space. They had of course been part of the wedding but the decor and management team were from Alia's friend's side. Sidharth had his mouth open in astonishment as he took in the sight before him. 

This looked straight out of a fairytale and he was going to enter into one, in a matter of minutes. 

Their guests stood up as a mark of respect to the groom and his family. Sidharth accompanied by his parent's, relatives and friends, walked through the red carpet, streaming in the middle, like the royals they looked. All eyes were on the glowing groom, who looked even more charming and elegant than before, if possible. 

He climbed the mandap stairs to sit on the chair assigned for him while some priests took their seat opposite to him. His eyes took in the entire venue in a glance and from where he sat, he caught the perfect glimpse of how marvelous everything looked. As he sat, drinking in the beauty of his wedding location, his friends stood beside him with a mischievous grin. 

"You all won't do anything stupid today, promise me" he ordered with a dry chuckle. He knew them better than they did themselves. They were after all known for their pranks and chaos. "Of course we won't. Haina guys ? Today's the most iconic day in the history of Indian culture, and not just cinema" spoke Ranveer in between his oreo shake gulps. Sidharth shook his head with a smile. "Itna bhi over mat kar mere bhai" he laughed. 

"Everyone's here, from films, politics, sports, almost every field out there. Paps are going insane outside just to catch a glimpse of you both and the ceremony. #SidliaKiShaadi is the current No 1 trend on twitter and Instagram is flooding with our stories and clips. You both are creating absolute history here, okaay ?" chirped Riya putting her arm over Anushka. "Let me go and have a look at Alia. She and Karan have spammed me with missed calls and messages." Abhishek hopped out to meet the bride in waiting, to solace her as her closest friend. 

Sidharth traced the way he left with a sigh. How lucky is he, he thought. 

"Tension nahi lene ka, bhabhi will soon take her place next to you" winked Ayan, placing himself on the arm rest of groom's chair. "What if she has second thoughts ?" Varun licked his spoon of ice cream and stated without flinching. Hearing this caused a slight commotion within the group as they fake horror-ed their expression including poor Sid, who looked like he was close to passing away. 

"Chup karo! Say everything shubh" scolded Pari. "No but he has a valid point. What if she wants to back off at the last moment ? See I've seen and heard it from other friends that their wives had second thoughts about the whole idea of marriage, just few minutes before their entrance! This is a major moment re, tension toh hoga na" Ranbir casually added into Sidharth's fright. 

"Phatt rahi hogi bichari ki" said Arjun, plopping on a chair meant for the parents. Sidharth could feel his heart give away at the statements made by his friends. What if she really back off ?! 

She won't, right ?

"Aye you duffers, in case you all forgot, Sid and Aloo are already married under law. And they have a kid to seal the deal. So it's pointless even if she/he panics. They can anytime take a flight and leave all of us wondering here, and they'll still be husband and wife. Hah, on your face!" claimed Adi, rubbing his friend's back, leaving the rest in a state of shock. "Adi's making more sense than you ever did in a lifetime" teased Deepika, pointing at her husband! 

Meanwhile back in her room, the bride looked pretty nervous and frenzied at the thought of dashing downstairs soon. All her close friends had ditched her to be with Sidharth! While her school friends stayed back to help her calm down and to control the ladies commotion inside the room. "You're looking like a dream, my child" Karan gazed at her in a whisper, his eyes twinkling with tears already. His face gave away his amazement at how beautiful she looked. 

"Look at you! So gorgeous and so grown up. Kal hi toh aayi thi mere paas. And now you've got us Armaan and you are about to take the biggest step of your life baby girl. Congratulations." He put his hand on her head to bless her, a daughter he never knew his heart needed. Alia's eyes began to churn tears and her heart shivered with so much intensity that she felt paralyzed. 

"Karan, I'm so scared" her voice barely came out as a whisper. She hid her face in his arms, as he rubbed her back to soothe her. "Sh.. hey baby, you've got this okay ? Why should you be scared ? Look at me! He's not some stranger we are tying you with. He's apna Sid, your Sid! He's already yours but this is just an extension of that union. You both got Addu and us." His words did something to calm her nerves. 

"Where's mom and dad ? and Addu ?" she asked in anticipation. Trying to find them in the room. "Here they are" stated Abhi as Alia's family rush up to see her. Shaheen held Armaan in her arms. "Sorry jaanu, we got slightly caught up with the guests and of course, our in laws and Sid's family" smiles Soni with warmth on her face. She and Mahesh stand behind their daughter's chair and gaze at her refection on the big mirror, lovingly. 

They say nothing and stroke her veil clad hair, gently. 

"My princess is all grown up. She's a gorgeous bride" her father blinks back his tears as his wife strokes his back alongside. "Ya she is, after all she's our baby. Proud of you Ally." Her mother's whisper made her heart churn. " Mamma is sooo pretty! Like a doll, she's my doll." Armaan claps his hand as he leans in from his aunt's lap to watch his mother, all decked up like he has never seen before. His eyes widens in surprise. 

Alia gives a full blown smile at her son's remark. She takes him up on her lap and smothers his face with kissed. making him scrunch. "Eww no mamma. No lipstick, remember ? Everyone's watching." Elders in the room broke into amusing fits as they watched the mother son duo. With a pout his mother apologized

"Sorry my love. I won't dare go against your order. But tell me, did the boys treated you well ? How was the baraat ? Did you enjoyed ... How was uh daada looking ?" Her cheeks reddened naturally as she asked him what she needed to know.  While everyone cleared their throats in a gnawing grin, Armaan proceeded to nod his head. "I loveeeed it mamma. We danced, and daada came on horse! He's pretty and naani put this on me" he showed them the tiny garland around his neck, proudly. 

Alia kissed his cheeks in joy. "You look so royal with the garland. So Addu is our chief guest haan ?" He grinned and blushed a bit. "Alia, it's time" reminded Pooja as she came in with their brother Rahul, her boy friends and few cousins to help them with the bridal march. Taking in a much needed breath, she closed her eyes and exhaled peacefully. It was her time. Their time.

Opening her eyes, she found herself surrounded by the one's she held close to her heart. Their faces shining in the light of the love. Her parents pulled her up from the chair while her sisters and girl friends, made sure the wedding lehenga stayed neat and wrinkle - free. Overwhelmed with all of their affection and care, Alia swallowed her sentiments and smiled confidently at her poeple. 

"So, let's begin the epic march, shall we ?" asked Adi as he gave his hand for her to take, bowing at her like a gentleman. She took it gracefully, giggling at their sudden shift of izzat. The bridal party quickly did their formation before they began their procession. With Alia in the center, Her brother and Varun leading in the front on both her sides, a vermillion red - bead studded dupatta covered her from above, held by the rest of the boys and her cousins. Armaan will walk first with a basket of flowers, incorporating a white wedding theme. 

Then a bevy of her bridesmaid, including her school and industry girl friends would make two parallel lines, walking ahead of them with a lighted lamp, paving way for the dream bride. 

Karan and Mahesh, both Alia's soul and biological fathers respectively, would each hold both her hand and walk with her, her mother and sisters closely behind. They had done just a single rehearsal of the march amidst all the function chaos but were sure of handling this with utmost grace befitting of their dearest Alia. 

"Let's attack Team Boys and scare the shit outta them! What say generals ?" yelled Ranveer in his goofy spirit, earning him a collective guffaw. "You toh shut up only. Ditched me for Sid and now comes back with his stinky army to hold my hand. I disown you Singh." Pouting first, the boys laugh at her complain. "We belong to both the team na .. had to be there for both of you, like the great friend we are" commented Bunny with a smirk. 

"Ya cool, so let's proceed" chipped in Rahul, cutting their nonstop rant. 

Within a heartbeat, both her father's hold her hand in a firm yet gentle grip, reassuring Alia of the ride ahead. With gentle steps, they descend down the main spiral staircase of Malhotra Farmhouse and as they stepped down, she could see her guests partly through the large french glass windows and the main entrance of the villa, left ajar for them. 

A soft breeze wafted in along with the change in music, steady and slow. 

Her heart beat rode like the rhythm of an upbeat song. Making her head spiral all of a sudden. Figuring her fright, Mahesh whispered to his daughter "Calm down sweetie. It's your day, your time to shine. Think it of as your bestest shot ever in front of the camera. You won't feel nervous then. You've got this. Shine my love. We are all here." That melted most of her hyper worries.

The bridal procession reached the point from which they had to keep walking until the altar. Red carpet awaited them with fiddle. Little Armaan with his equally adorable basket full of flower petals, led the group, creating a lot of flashes and squeals from the guests and photography team. Followed by the pretty arrival of Alia's bridesmaid's. With Armaan and the girls sprinkling flower petals on the carpet, the sight made for a very aesthetic visual. 

Aao sunao tumhe ek kahani
Aao sunao umhe ek kahani

jahaa Ka tha Raja, waha ki thi Rani 

The atmosphere shifted into a romantic aura, like the spell of first spring, blossoming flowers. Alia had specially asked for this particular ost to be played as her bridal entrance song. A perfect narration of their story. 

Sidharth had his eyes trained on his flower son and the bridal march, making him stand in awe. This was it. She would appear in a matter of seconds and he could already feel his heart ready to leap out of its cage. The song she selected was a surprise to him and it made their intimate moment of hour, even more surreal. 

Mohabbat ka qissa, sab hi ka tha hissa 

thi chandi ki gudiya, tha sone ka gudda

Flower girls aligned themselves on both sides of the seating row, paving clear way for the groom to at last, see his bride and her royal entrance. 

As Sidharth held his breath for a second, he saw it all. 

Under the red roof of her beautiful veil held by her brother and their boys with a clear face of pride and love for their princess, walked his Queen, holding both her father's hand. 

Nazar lag gayi jaise iss dosti ko
tha gudda deewana, thi gudiya deewani ...

At that very moment when all he could concentrate was her, wrapped in a thread embroidered Sabyasachi customized peach bridal lehenga with a maroon velvet dupatta covering her head, accessorized with the most precious jewels, his moon looked up. 

Their eyes met and he thought he saw heaven ! 

His breath and sanity abandoned him. His eyes widened to the point of no return. Smashing his coherent senses into fragments that could never be glued, Sidharth stared at his lawfully wedded wife, soon to be his spouse in every sense. 

He couldn't breathe. Everything froze. So did she. As she met her gaze with the one who meant her universe. The altar was still far from her vision but she could make out his appearance and his facial expression. He resembled a King, ready to welcome his Queen. She watched him with equal amazement but the clear smitten look on him, made her cheeks to go impossibly red. 

With her husband on the altar and their son next to him, she felt like her world fell in place. 

Her universe had slipped into a perfect harmony. This was all she needed. All she dreamt of. 

Bahut pyaar hai yeh, ya takraar hai yeh

jo roothey ga koi, to iqraar hai yeh

With the confidence emanating from their families, friends, their guests and her groom, Alia broke into a breathtaking smile. Her eyes glowed like a jewel under rays of sun, splitting it's radiance to every corner of the room. Basking in the love and gasps arising from all around, she held her head high, chin up straight, walked with the grace and liquidity of a born Queen.

Never for once did their eyes broke. 

Tilting his head a bit, Sidharth adoringly gazed at her with his own full blown smile. 

Ajab silsila hai, mohabbat toh dekho

Yeh uska deewana, Woh uski deewani !

A tale of wonder, look at their love;  she's his admirer and he, her mad lover. 

Holding his hand, she climbed the mandap to stand next to him, facing her man. His orbs glistened with unshed tears and so did hers. They had waited long enough for this day. As groom and bride. 

"Shall we begin the ceremony ?" asked the head priest, observing the couple and their families, much besotted with each other. Both parents smiled at each other and gave their nod. They led their respective child to the middle of the altar, where the couple had to sit. 

Sidharth couldn't still pluck off his eyes from the love of his life. She shone under the radiant yet subtle golden ray of the sun, almost as if blessing them for eternity. Her skin blossomed under the pale rays, like a golden rose blooming in all it's glory. He couldn't believe they had actually crossed all their hurdles and hardships to have finally reached this stage. 

The stage where all their dreams would come true. 

Alia had never blushed this insane, all throughout her life. Sidharth's heated gaze over her, rumbled her soul in a way she could never comprehend. They've been living together since the last five years and yet, he had that magnetic power over her. It wouldn't fade ever, would it ? "Thank you for choosing me ... your breathtaking." His deep voice echoed somewhere in the darkest chamber of her heart, putting her in a mushy mess.

"Thank you for being mine. You look nothing less than a beautiful prince."  She said with all the courage she could muster, all of a sudden feeling too shy. 

Their little moment of privacy was soon snatched by the strong crash of the shores, easily watchable from where they sat. They looked afar to see the wedding come alive with colours, a crazy multitude of guests, flash game of the paps outside and their family-friends coccooning them around. This was more than what they could weave. A surreal fairytale. 

"Haaye main maari jaawan! They look so perfect" gushed some random aunty from the boy's side, inching closer to bless the couple. She pulled out few fresh currency notes from her desi pouch and with a circle of notes above the couple's head, she warded off evil powers. "Call Mukesh Ambani to do more of that. We need some serious help to protect our babies from buri nazar. Where's he ?" called out Varun, mockingly searching for the Ambani's, making their group cackle. 

Soon their folks up on the mandap settled in their respective seats aligned in an outer circle, for them to have a closer view of the ceremony. For the guests, six massive LED screens displayed the wedding scene, making everyone sigh longingly at how perfect it was.

The ceremony begins with a prayer to Ganesha, the god of beginnings and good fortune and the remover of obstacles. A group of priests began their chanting and prayers around the fire kindling in the center, a symbol of purity. 

Offerings are made with fire as a witness. Few moments of prayers and loud shloka chanting later, bride's parents are called in to inch near. Mahesh and Soni shift closer to their daughter's side and forward their hands to hold hers from beneath. It's time to give her away, kanya daan! 

With an emotional yet satisfied gleam, Alia's parents place her hand on to Sidharth's as a sign of giving her away. They share an assured smile knowing very well how safe and happy their daughter was and would remain forever with him. Meanwhile Shaheen and Pooja tie each an end of Sid and Alia's sash and veil respectively, together in a perfect knot. And in doing so, unifying both the families together in a perfect binding. 

Rahul, bride's brother next comes up to offer three fistfuls of puffed rice to his sister as a wish for her happy marriage. Each time, the bride offers the rice to the fire. This offering is known as a homam. All this while Armaan watches his parents from Arjun's lap with a happy face, bewitched by everything. Next it's time to exchange garlands, the only ritual their friends waited for! 

"Ah! That's our call. Get up everyone, c'mon quick! Choose your team and let's do this our way" Ranveer rose up from his seat in a hurry, followed by their group. Thrilled and excited for jaimala. While the elders laughed at their zeal, Sid and Alia became nervous. "If you make me fall, I'll disown you" warned Alia, clearly distressed at the thought of being picked up by their friends. Ignoring her warning, they divided themselves and were ready to begin the tussle of garlands. 

"Jai ho" yelled Ranveer before he, Varun, Ayaan and Rahul picked Alia on their shoulders, high in the air, making her shriek a little. "Araam se haan" reminded her girl friends and mother to the high on steroid boys. Next was Sid, with the help of his brother and the rest of their boys. He clearly towered over her even up in air! 

"Haw, what even ! Your too tall for this baba, you don't even need this ascension" groaned Alia as she eyed him giving her a victorius smirk, chuckling in his deep baritone. As per the priest's call, it was time for the bride to put her garland over groom. She leaned a little to try but Sid being the tall giraffe he is, clearly made it a hard task. The more she leaned, the more the boys pulled Sid away, creating a hilarious scene. Both the guests and the families seem to be enthralled by the fun. 

"Go mammaa" cheered Addu, clapping for his mother. She gave him a quick flying kiss and eyed her husband in a manner only he could get. He found it too amusing anyway and had to give up eventually. Sidharth bowed his head in front of her, with a gentle smile. He would do it, again and again, but for her alone. The act made all the girls turn into a mush, some even whispering how lucky was Alia! 

Touched by his gesture, Alia put her floral garland around his neck amidst loud cheering. 

"We should have switched the team" jokes Bunny. "Dekh bhai next is your turn, don't be so recklessly fool in love" warned Adi, annoyed by Shraddha's 'you-are-a-loser' tease. Sidharth laughed wholeheartedly at this and eyed his woman, who held so much mischief yet love for him. It pleased his soul very well to know how addictive she was, even after all these years of togetherness. 

"Please be fast or else I'll drop your wife" joked Fubu, with Pari rewarding him with a whack. "Don't you dare" grinned Sid. He leaned down from his tall empowerment to garland her, only for her men to sway her to the other direction, making Alia giggle with abandon. She never had this much fun, ever before! This was what a wedding should be, of pure joy. She was thankful for their decision to tie an official knot with the one's who mean the world to them. 

"Let him do na bete" groaned her mother and Alia thought to give them some chill. "Okay boys let him please" she said and they gladly stopped their teasing. She bowed her head just like him and he quickly put his garland around her, pecking her forehead in a flash as well. The crowd went berserk at this adorable act and Alia couldn't meet his eyes all of a sudden. 

Their friends put them down at last. Sidharth cleared his throat to make her look his way but she became too coy of a bride. The priests announced the next step - tying mangalsutra. A necklace of bead, placed on the bride by the groom to receive blessings throughout their marriage. Sidharth's mother had specifically crafted a customized mangalsutra for her daughter in law. It was a diamond studded in black bead necklace with a tiny rose gold heart hanging in the middle. 

With the help of her sisters making it easier for him to slide in his hand, Sidharth begins to tie the necklace around her neck. The act was simple but too personal and intimate. She was letting him tie her mangalsutra, something she had always dreamt about. It personified love and intimacy between them for her and she couldn't help but let the blush take over her cheeks. 

After he was done, the priest announced the main ritual of any North Indian Hindu wedding. Saptapadi  in which the bride and groom have their garments tied together—typically the bride's veil and the groom's sash, they make seven circles around a ceremonial fire, each round signifying a specific blessing they request of the gods. The main significance of the saptapadi is establishing friendship, which is the basis of a Hindu marriage.

The couple walk around the ceremonial fire with poise. With each round, they reminisce their older days of romance, their moments of togetherness, joy with friends, time with families and ultimately life with their son in Paris. As they took seven rounds around the fire, people around showered them with fresh petals as a mark of blessing.

Armaan and Ranveer were more into throwing petals at each other while the rest of them, dreamily watched their friends, taking their vows of eternity. 

"Now we've reached the closure of our sacred wedding ceremony. Beta, you have to put sindoor on her and you will be declared Husband and Wife." The priest smiled wide as he laid down the final instruction. Shraddha frowned at this and asked a bit too loud "what would be the procedure for those who already are husband and wife ?" Pari nudged her to keep quiet while the priests and their families giggled, making the couple shy to their roots. 

"They can leave the altar with their wife immediately for honeymoon" laughed Karan, sending hoot of laughter across the venue. 

Alia and Sidharth peeked at each other in a subtle hint of blush. 

Their moment of dawn was nearer than before. They would finally be unified as one, in a matter of seconds. It created an elegant calmness within them, shutting their inner chaos to mute and let their love and years of dream, weave it's masterpiece. 

A tiny open box of sindoor, a red/orange powder to be applied on the bride's parting of hair as a mark of her new status as a married woman, is forwarded by Sidharth's mother. Giving Alia a pretty glance, to ensure she's ready for the last deal of their wedding, he digs in to pinch a little of the sindoor on his fingers. 

Parineeti and Shraddha, adjust her maang tika for Sidharth to put sindoor. With their hearts beating as one, submitting to their moment of love, Sidharth applies the red sindoor on the parting of her hair while Alia closes her eyes for a brief second, emotions brimming her head. 

His fingers rested on her parting for a moment, letting the significance of what they were doing, sink in well. 

As they held their breath together for a while, he hesitating at first but willingly retracted back only for loud and wild jubilation to arise both from inside and outside the gate. News spread quicker than air to the paps waiting outside, patiently for the announcement. It was official. 

Two individuals who held on to their love, won today.

Sidharth and Alia were now husband and wife. 

Mr and Mrs Malhotra, forever. 

She opened her eyes to meet his in an equally overwhelmed state. His eyes blinked thrice to hold back tears that pooled around him, ready to fall. She mirrored his emotion, holding in her tears, gaping at her husband, officially hers for the world to know. So did he at his wife. 

Their mind revolved with memories of their past, both bitter and sweet, moments that made them who they are, that paved way for this day. Those who stood for and with them, were the one's who clapped and gazed at them right now, under a million stars, cheering loudly for them, with these many people as their witness. 

Freezing their time, they stared.

With everything around them drowning in a pool of blur, they stared.

Stars and the moon came out of their hide to bless them. 

Clouds and the soft breeze, lulled around them in a magical symphony. 

It was as if all their dreams had transformed into a mystic reality. 

With gratitude brimming in their hearts, they gazed deep into each other's eyes, thanking their stars for aligning their fate together, at last. 

For this iconic journey of love and friendship, from being mere co -stars to best friends and to now husband and wife, also parents to the most beautiful tiny human ever. 

This was a journey of a lifetime. 

DREAMS 

WOVEN 

BEAUTIFULLY 

~*~ < FOREVER > ~*~

NOTE :   This has to be my longest and perhaps the hardest write-up, not because I had to convey almost every possible and whatever was left in me into this chapter, but because I had to end ...! 

I had to put a closure to what I carried with me for the last five years!

The baby I nurtured and cherished. Protected and defended. 

I was expecting for a 10k perfect word limit finale chapter but then went along with what my heart said. This chapter was what I had expected to be THE BEST of mine, within DWB, it didn't came out that well I suppose .. took me half a month to visualize and draft this. It just wasn't coming right but I'm glad I got it done, however be it. Guess that's an early symptom of a closure call ...

I skipped conversation/friends/family parts so that this chapter could focus more on what the book stands for majorly - SidLia :) Part 1 therefore had more of those and Part 2 here is inclined towards the journey and the feelings of our couple. 

Forgive me if I've messed up the wedding rituals/explanations/order. Wanted to do an elaborate explanation of the same but then my head wouldn't oblige to dive more. 

And at last we got the BOOK TITLE in our finale chapter <3 So how was the ending ? I hope this was worth the journey we've had with Dreams woven Beautifully, as a family. 

Biiiig thank you to my friend Suchita for the gorgeous edits! They make it more special. Just a tiny reminder/correction : their wedding date is -2/8/2022 ;) And minus my face morphed, our babies and the gang look so amazing!!! 

Now I won't be bothering you guys with delays anymore xD We're now left with an epilogue, Q/A chapter (send in your queries if any related to the book or myself) and maybe a final note ...

Will edit the book (without messing up with my evident writer growth) soon after I publish the epilogue and the rest of y formalities. I will definitely make the initial chapters worth reading for new and old readers hahah xoxo 

To those who stood with DWB, myself, without a fail, cheering me up ... PAT YOUR BACK, GUYS! YOUR TEH REASON WHY THIS BOOK IS BEING COMPLETED :) Assemble here y'all ;)

To my fellow, still existing SidLians, thank you for existing. I honour your heart. 

I can't believe this is over! Cause in my head, I gotta update for DWB every month! It was a part of my life since 5 years! Ugh ....

This journey of dreams was possible thanks to you my babies. Blessings and light will reach you soon. Thank you for making me a writer, an appreciated and loved one. I've learned so much from this experience. DWB will always be my baby dearest, my heart. 

My heart's numb but I think this is how life works. You gotta let go of some to find something new. So I've successfully completed two of my SidLia fanfiction books here - Love Revisited (Short Story) & now Dreams Woven Beautifully.

Noor - e - Qalb and Fairytale (Ranlia OS) will be my only ongoing books from now onwards. Would mean a lot if you could start reading/ following those books as well. They are a hundred times better and mature than this one (my writing style I meant). And I would appreciate if you could come again someday and re-read this book :-) 

To this journey, to our love, to Sidlia, to The Gang and to our DWB, I toast my cup! 

18th April, 2015 ~ 13th October, 2020 ~ FOREVER ~ 

Grateful for the memories and all the love. Sending my tightest hug and love.

Jemimah James :)

Proud author of Dreams Woven Beautifully <3