Bani woke up early and studied her surroundings. Wooden floorboards and the smell of earth invaded her nose. She recalled yesterday's events and sprang with a sudden burst of energy.

B: Meera di! Oh shit! Meri shaadi hone waali hai...aaj sagai hai meri...I cannot believe this.

Meera woke up rubbing her eyes.

M: Bani? Kitni excited hai tu bhi...beshrm ladki!...bohot zyada jldi nahi hai tujhe teri Veeranshu ke pass jane ki...pakka arranged hi hai na shaadi ya tujhe pyaar ho gaya hai?...

Bani blushed red and went inside the blanket again. Meera chuckled and hugged her.

M: Ek ghanta aur so jaa...abhi time hai...

And the sisters resigned back to happy dreams.

..................................

Veeranshu Singhania was stressed. Anyone with eyes could point that out. He was barking orders and ensuring everything was right on time. Tapish entered laughing.

T: Itni subah subah kyu itna panic kr raha hai bhai....sb thik hoga...

Veer hugged Tapish, his really close friend. Infact, Tapish was technically his cousin. Veer's mom and Tapish's mom were really close. They were like sisters and thus they both grew up seeing each other as brothers. Tapish was older then Veer. Both their mother died in the same fire and since then, the boys stood up for each other. Tapish's dad sent him away for studies when he was still in school as he felt Mumbai had too many memories of his mother. Tapish came back after his masters and ran his own business.

V: Tapish I want everything to be perfect for her. The very best. We decided to keep it small, family and close friends only. Reception rakh denge baaki logon ke liye ...but small wedding bhi mujhe perfect chahiye...

T: I understand Veer but aise subah subah parade karne se kuch nahi hoga...saare workers ko aane dey...don't fret yar!

P: Wahi to hum bhi kl se samjha rahe hai bhai ko...

Ponky and Daksh met Tapish and they all pulled Veer's legs for being so worried. A while later, Bani came downstairs with Meera. She was wearing a simple chikankari-kurti in pale peach color with white parallel pants. She looked simple and charming. Veer's hands itched to take some kohl out of her eyes and put a dot on the base of her neck like he sees woman do on TV. He wanted to hide her away.

Meera went staright to Tapish and stood by his side. Both greeted each other.

B: Good morning!

T: Good morning...meri hone wali- adi gharwali...

V: Abey oye!

Tapish laughed, purposely trying to irritate Veer.

T: Galat kya bolla...pehle meri adi gharwali banne wali thi Bani...tune beech me line cut kr li...

V: (thinks) jahan baat meri Sweetheart ki ho na...wahan me beech me line kya, beech me koi insaan ho toh use bhi cut kr doo....

T: Kahan kho gaya?

V: Kuch nahi....mai soch raha tha ki us hisab se meri bhi to adi gharwali hui....Meera...ji..

T: Oye..

V: Jali na? Ab pata chala..

M: Kya tum dono baccho ki tarah shuru ho gaye ho...aaj kitne kaam hai...

V: Wahi na...mai bhi keh raha tha...

T: Veer...Meera...kaam hai lekin ho jayega..pehle aram se breakfast krte hai..phir kaam pr lag jayenge...

Tara, Vani and Donky all sat and had their breakfast. They chit chatted for a while. Bani felt a little conscious due the attention Donky were giving her. Veer told her that they were just curious about her and to let them be. Bani gave them a small smile and they beamed at her. Bani felt genuinely happy, like she had a family.

They were done with their food when Balwant came downstairs with Mahesh. Ritu was still sleeping and Mehek and Dehek were in their room. Jai was going to come in today with his mother and cousin.

Balwant and Mahesh sat and started discussing preparations. Donky cross verified the responsibilities the youngsters took. Balwant nodded appreciatively at Veer, knowing how efficiently Veer was taking care of things. They all started to go for their respective work.

B: Veeranshu...suno

V: Bolo sweetheart...kuch chahiye?

B: Vo mai pooch rahi thi koi kaam ho to bata do...mai kbse aise idle baithi hoon....kl bhi sirf tum hi mehnat kr rahe they...

V: Shhh....tumhara calm hai relax karna aur acche se ready rehna ...okay..

B: Pr...

At that time, Daksh came in with a man and told them that the designers were here. Veer asked Bani to go and she did.

...................................

Bani spent some time with designer. She picked an outfit for the night and also confirmed what to bring for other function. She did not know much about fashion but Mehek got very excited with outfit planning. Bani was glad to see that they were not acting bitter but Meera was conscious. She cross-checked to see what they finalized for Bani. The stylist assured that he had Bani's measurements and now that he had seen her, he would know what would look best on her. He left in the afternoon. The engagement party was in the night and Bani figured that she could start getting ready around 5:30-6:00. It would give her more than enough time.

She had her lunch with Meera who then went to help Tapish. Bani thought to not waste her time and check in with Veer if she could be useful. She was about to leave when she saw Donky supervising decorations. In fact, Daksh was himself correcting flower placements.

P: haan, thoda sa tilt kr...bs perfect...

D: Bhabhi ke liye sb perfect hi hona chachiye...

P: I am so excited Bhai...humari bhabhi aa rahi hai...Hum dono ka Veer bhai aur badepapa ke baad ek aur family member!!!!

Bani frowned. She knew Veer didn't really accept Chadrakala and her son but was it the same case with them too? Was she not good or were the Singhania brothers closed off? She decided to not judge till she met her herself. She asked a passing worker if they had their food because she did not see anyone during her lunch. She nodded negative.

Bani frowned, worried. She went into the kitchen and set two plates for Daksh and Ponky.

B: Daksh bhaiya? Pankaj bhaiya? Aap dono thoda break lelo aur khana ka lo...

P: How sweet bhabhi but please...haath jod kr request hai....call me Ponky...Pankaj sounds old..

D: haan bhabhi aur please ye formal tarah se baat mt kijiye...we are a family already. Shaadi to apki Veer bhai se hogi lekin hum apko already family maan chuke hai.....please...mujhe daksh aur isse Ponky bulana...

Bani nodded and gave them their plates. She hesitated at first but soon let go of her fomal tone and chatted happily with them.

B: (laughing at something Ponky said) Veer ko batati hoon mai ki kaise tum uski acting krte ho..

P: Arey nahi bhabhi...aap to humari side ho na...

B: Accha vo choro...Veer kahan hai? Usne khaya?

D: Shayad nahi khaya hoga bhabhi...vo hume decor ka kaam dekr khud supervise kr rahe they doosra kaam...fir unka stylist aya....abhi shayad pool side honge baaki kaam go through kr rahe honge...

Bani nodded and took their leave. She went into the kitchen and started to set up another plate for Veer.

Person: oye...you...

Bani turned to see a familiar face, she could not point it out exactly but she had seen him from before. The person squinted his eyes and recalled. He had collided with her when he was running away from Veer and his brothers. It was Jai. He recalled her vulnerable face and soft features. Her cleavage had urged him to explore more but he had to run. His eyes studied her body and a look of disappointment flashed when he realised that she was wearing a dupatta today. Bani sixth a sense, a sense gifted to women, began to alarm her. She felt conscious. His gaze did not feel innocent.

B: Excuse me? Aapko kuch chahiye?

J: yes, you..

B: What?

J: I mean you give me water..

B: Okay...

Bani gave him a glass of water and Jai purposely held it over her hand. Bani shivered with discomfort. She did not like his touch. She wondered who he was. She took Veer's plate and quickly started to leave. Jai followed after her and held her hand.

B: Excuse me?

J: Excused.

B: Aap kon ho?

J: Your boss..

Bani frowned. He must be Veer's relative and thinks that I work here. Bani shook her, trying to clear the misunderstanding.

B: aapko galatfehmi hui hai...

J: Who are you to think you can answer me back hun?

Bani was flabbergasted. Jai wasn't letting her speak.

B: aap suno to ek baar..

V: Itni izzat mt do iss do take ke insan ko

Bani looked at Veer and an involuntary smile took over her face. She walked towards him. Jai clenched his jaw.

J: Tameez bhool gaye ho kya? Bade bhaiya! Kissi ke bhi samne kuch bhi bologe...Ballu ko bolna padega...

Bani looked at him strangely.

B: Ye kon hai Veeranshu?

V: No one of importance.

He spat at Jai and guided Bani away.

They reached her room and he started to leave. Bani held his hand and took him in.

V: Irada kya hai?

B: Shut up! Khana kha lo...tumhare liye leke aa rahi thi mai...

V: sweet!

He pulled at her cheeks and Bani pouted. He ate his lunch and left.

.................................

Bani wiped the sweat off her palms. She looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. Meera came in wearing a deep blue saree and complimented Bani.

B: I look fine na di?

M: Fine? You look amazing Bani!

Bani blushed.

M: bs.. ab look complete ho gaya...ab tu aur bhi sundar lag rahi ho...

Bani looked down. She was wearing a pink lehenga with silver embroidery and embellishments. The skirt part was flow-y and the top was sleeveless. A matching dupatta rested on her one shoulder and a choker necklace with simple jewellery completed her look. Her makeup was simple and hair was in a half up-do with flowers in it.

(this or feel free to imagine of your choice)

Mehek and Dehek came into the room. They were wearing matching crop top and skirt set- one in blue and another in green.

D: Bani...you look nice.

M: Money talks...

Meera: (softly to Bani) inki baaten mt sunna...samaj nahi hai inhe....compliment dena bhi nahi ata...

Bani nodded.

D: Arey mai main baat toh bhool hi gayi..tumhe neeche bulla rahe hai...

M: It's time to pawri!

B: Pawri?

M: You are so old fashioned Bani!

Mehek rolled her eyes and left. Dehek followed.

Meera: Chor na...chal ab..

............................

Veer was standing near the staircase. The hall was beautifully decorated and the sweet smell of the flowers flowed. Veer kept glancing upstairs.

T: aa jayegi meri adi-gharwali..

V: Bhai!

T: haha!...ab tujhe bachpan se jaanta hoon lekin tujhe aaj pehli baar aise chidta dekh raha hoon to chedunga hi na...

Veer made a face and looked up. Bani slowly descended downstairs. Her face was glowing underneath the warm lights and she looked like an angel descending down from heaven. She took in the hall and Veer saw appreciation in her eyes. He felt glad that she liked it. Her eyes scanned through the crowd when they landed on his. She gave him a heart warming look and Veer reached out for her hand. Their gaze locked and everyone else faded into the background. Bani felt Veer looked dashing in his black tux.

They both were so lost that they had to be shaken by their family to come into reality. Veer took her along and introduced Bani to Tapish, his good friend- whom she already knew as Meera's fiancé. Veer and Bani greeted Balwant, Mahesh and Ritu. The men gave them both genuine wishes and despite her aversion of Bani, Ritu managed to give a grin as she did not want to make it seem like she wasn't good to Bani.

Chandrakala came to talk to them, Chandini in tow. Veer wanted to turn away but Balwant gave him a look.

V: Bani...ye hai Chandrakala Singhania, Mere Dad ki wife and Chandini ko tum janti hi ho...meri cousin sister.

Chandini made a face at being called sister.

B: Namaste Aunty.

C: Please beta...we are a family, you can call me maa...

Balwant shook his head and Bani looked at Veer whose nose flared. He looked at Balwant.

V: Ask her to not push it.

He guided Bani away.

V: I don't like them.

B: I noticed.

V: I wish I could delete them...

B: Veeranshu...Veer...Tonight is not about them..

V: You are right...let us not think about them.

After an hour of socializing and dinner, Bani and Veer exchanged rings. They were simple bands with Vani scribbled inside them. Bani had asked for simple rings that she could wear all the time. She felt big rings looked too much. Veer complied with her request. Many woman would frown at not getting a big enough diamond and here was his wife, content with a plain band. Veer got a simple ring but with tiny stones. Veer's ring was similar minus the stones.

They smiled at each other while everyone cheered.

V: Waise you look so good sweetheart!...You took my breath away..

B: You don't look bad either

V: Ye konsa compliment hua..

B: Compliment ke badle compliment zaruri hai?

They were interrupted by someone.

J: Bade bhai...milwaoge nahi apni hone wali biwi se...mai bhi to bhabhi se milu...very bad! Mai bahar gaya to apne mera wait bhi nahi kiya..

Veer turned, clearly pissed. Jai's face lost some color. It was because he looked at Bani. Great! The girl he was lusting after just had to be Veer's soon to be wife and off limits.

J: Namaste Bhabhi Ji...sorry subah mujhe laga aap house help ho..

Bani looked at him slightly shocked. He sounded so different now. Maybe Veer was right when he said that Jai was very manipulative. She gave him a formal nod.

V: Chal introduction done...ab jaa yahan se..

He turned to Bani and asked her to dance.

B: Mai...maine aise dance kabhi kiya nahi hai kissi ke samne..

V: Trust me..I will not let you fall..

Bani smiled and both lit the stage on fire. They danced the night away, celebrating their engagement. People clapped and cheered but that got drowned in the sea of emotions they were feeling. Veer eyes shined with love. His smile widened as he realised his real feelings. He twirled the beauty in his arms, his heart promising a forever.

(ignore the outfits)

.................................

xoxo

Precap: Pre-wedding functions