It was early morning. Everyone at Singhania farmhouse was sleeping. The engagement party had continued till late and today was Mehendi function after breakfast and sangeet at night. Everyone was trying to get enough rest to start of the day energy. The only person awake was Veeranshu. He somehow could not sleep. There was a thought plaguing his mind and he did not know what to do. He could not deny that he felt for Bani. Initially, he thought of her as someone who is beautiful and honest but the week of knowing her changed his perspective. She wasn't just beautiful on the outside, her inside was just as beautiful. She was pure, innocent and kind and he wanted her to be his. He knew he was marrying her but somehow, he did not feel right.

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Bani was wearing an emerald green suit. It had parallel pants in deep green color with golden embroidery and a matching strap-sleeved kurti. Her hair was braided in fish-style and her only jewelry was a pair of simple earrings. Mehek and Dehek told her to wear a different hair-do but Bani wanted to be comfortable and not be restricted in movements post mehendi.

The hall was decorated and both- Veer and Bani sat on the sides, facing each other. Bani sent Veer as smile and he winked at her. She blushed. The function commenced and both got busy. Veer didn't really want to apply heena but was told it is 'shagun', so he got two hollow hearts in the centre of his palm. In one he got the letter 'B' and in another 'V'. He admired his hands and idea. He looked across the room to see Bani was giggling at something Meera was saying and Tapish was trying hard to catch his fiancé's attention. Veer smiled and left the hall to check arrangements for the night.

Bani sat admiring her mehendi. She was sitting under the fan at the dining table. Most of the men had left to check on the arrangements or prepare for their dance. Mehek and Dehek were in their room, practicing. Meera and Tapish were outside, talking and Bani didn't want to intrude. A few women were in the hall, getting heena applied on their hands.

Bani smiled at the prospect of having Veer in her life. She heard bad things about him from her sisters and thought he was rude but from the time spent with him, she realized he was a good man. He was very caring and treated her with respect. It was new for her, to be cared for, but she loved the experience.

B: Veeranshu...tum kitne acche ho, mujhe tum bohot pasand ho....agar tumhari jagah koi aur hota to pata nahi mera kya hota. Thank god meri arrange maariage bhi ho rahi hai to tumhare sath....cough!..

Suddenly, she felt uneasy in her throat and looked for water but due to heena in her hands she could not pour herself a glass. She was struggling when she heard a voice.

" Bani babe! Let me help you.."

Bani turned, frowning. The person is Jai.

B: Kya kaha apne?

J: Bani bhabhi, let me help you....apne kya suna?

Bani shook her head, looking at him with a vary expression.

Jai poured her a glass. Bani asked him to put the glass on the table.

J: pr aap kaise peeoge? Mai help kr deta hoon...

Bani moved her head, saying no but Jai bought the glass forth. The glass was full and in the motion, a few drops fell on Bani's neck. Droplets soaked into the front of her kurti and Bani saw Jai's gaze fixated at the drop that drizzled down from her neck into her cleavage. She felt conscious and uncomfortable and turned away.

Jai licked his lips, lust clouding his mind. His 'good boy' act was failing him when Bani turned away. He smirked and got his handkerchief out and moved to face her.

J: Sorry Bab- Bhabhi...Let me help.

He moved his hand to wipe the drops when a strong arm caught it.

V: Chutku! Itni mehnat mt kr..thak jayega....Pehle hi kitna weak hai, kahin faint na ho jaye...puchh! ...jaa ab haan...shoo

Jai stared at him, angry.

V: Oye! I know tujhe bezaati krwana pasand hai lekin aaj mera mood happy hai.... ab jaayega ki mai been bajaun?

Jai left, annoyed. Veer turned to Bani.

B: Veer vo...maine kuch nahi..

V: Tum mujhe explain kyun kr rahi ho? I know you and my free-ka step brother okay?

Veer noticed the drops and got his handkerchief out to clean it. Bani noted how unlike with Jai, Veer's gaze didn't make her uncomfortable. There was no lust in his eyes. He wasn't thinking of her body, instead he was thinking of helping her only. Bani closed her eyes as she felt him press the cloth on her neck. She let out a heavy breathe and Veer smiled.

He helped her and was leaving when Bani stopped him and told him she was thirsty. Veer smiled and made her drink water. A while later, Bani was sitting at the pool when Veer approached her with a plate of food.

B: Veer ye sb?

V: Tum paani nahi pee paa rahi thi...khana kaise khati? Chalo ab khao..

B: Tumne khaya?

V: Mai baad me kha lunga..

B: Nahi, tum bhi issi me se kaho wrna mai nahi khaungi..

Veer smiled and fed Bani a bite. Bani chewed slowly and made him fed himself a bite too. They had their food together and talked for a while. Then, they left to get ready for the evening.

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

Bani was wearing a golden lehenga. Her hair was loose in soft curls and she looked angelic. 

(Ignore the guy in the background. The dupatta would be drapped differently. Her hair is loose and she has not covered her head with the drape)

She was sitting with Meera di, revising her dance steps. Bani stepped on her toes again.

M: ouch Bani!

B: Sorry di...so sorry...ye veer bhi na..couple dance ki zid krne lg gaya tha...ab ye step itne ade-tede hai ki...uff..I am sorry di

M: Veeranshu ka Veeeeer...kya baat hai..(smirks)

B: Di apka bhi uski tarah one track mind ho raha hai...poori baat to sunte nahi ho..

Bani complained and looked away, a slight smile on her face. Meera pulled at her cheeks and left. When Bani reached downstairs and her hand was immediately taken by Veer. He was wearing a black and gold Indian attire and looked hot. Bani looked at him, doe-eyed.

V: Sweetheart? Aise ghoorogi to tum khud ko control nahi kr paogi...mujhse lipat jaogi aur phir mai sb chod kr tumse lipat jaunga...iss sab ki beech sangeet kb nipat jayega, pata bhi nahi chalega.

Bani hit his shoulder.

B: Shut Up Veeranshu!

The guests started to pour in. There weren't many as Vani still wanted it to be a relatively private affair but Veer's friends and relatives came. Bani greeted them all alongside Veer.

Currently, Veer was speaking with his college friends. Chandani was standing with Jai and Veer instructed Daksh to keep a close eye on them, he didn't think they were up to any good. Veer's friend Mayuri came as well. She was wearing a purple crop top-skirt attire and a lot of men droolled at her sight. However, Mayuri paid them no attention.

M: Veer? Tumne to surprise kr diya ....ek dum se shaadi announce kr di...we've been friends for so long and still you did not tell me anything!

V: Mayuri! Welcome...I know you have complaints but sb kuch itna jldi hua...I didn't have time to think about it.

M: vo sb chod ...who is lucky girl?

Mayuri expressions depicted her envy. She wanted to see who had finally managed to capture the heart of Veer. All their college life, she pined for his attention. Unlike the playboy image spread by jealous girls, Veer actually never paid attention to anyone. Mayuri became his friend through a mutual friend and she chose to keep her crush a secret in fear of losing the friendship as well. Veer pointed at a girl in gold, her back was turned towards them.

V: She is Bani and I am the lucky guy...

M: accha...look are your expressions Veer! You are so wiped (Mayuri's fake laughed at her attempt to joke. She was envious but Veer was oblivious to her crush)..

Mayuri was cut off by a scream and Veer rushed towards the owner of the sound- Bani.

M: Ye itni important hai ki Veer mujhse baat krta hua beech me hi chaal gaya? He always made me a priority in our friend circle! aur aaj?!

Person: "Kya krta? Vo bichara pareshani ko seh bhi nahi sakta aur bahar fenk bhi nahi skta"

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Bani was standing near the entrance when she felt someone capture her into a bone crushing hug from behind. A scream left her throat and Veer rushed towards her.

V: Bani? You okay..

B: haan vo.. (she turned)..Tum?

N: surprise!!!!

It was Noor. Bani's neighbour and childhood friend. Noor had gone away for her studies and her arrival was a surprise. The girls hugged.

N: Meera told me! Tu to kuch batati nahi hai...hello jeeju...nice choice Bani..(winks)

V: hello! Choice to acchi hai Bani ki pr meri better hai...

He said, looking at Bani with love. Bani blushed and greeted Arjit who had also come. Veer looked at him but since Arijit had done nothing weird, he let his little jealousy bubble die. After all, he was marrying Bani and Arijit looked genuinely happy for her.

Ritu: Bani! Hone wale pati ke samne aise doosre ladko se chipki hui hai...tujhe

V: Chachiji...(he interrupts her) I trust Bani. I know aap isse kya kya nahi bolti but that has to stop. Mere samne bolti ho to mere peeche pata nahi kya kya bolti hongi aap. Bani can talk to whoever she wants to...agr apne fir meri Bani ko judge kiya to mujhse bura koi nahi hoga....

Ritu's eyes widened in shock and she left in a hurry, chuckling awkwardly that 'I was joking'. Bani looked at Veer, tears in her eyes and silently whispering thank you. Veer kissed her knuckles and guided her to the sitting area.

The function began. Daksh and Ponky danced on 'Vele', Veer joined them in for a bit. Tapish and Meera did a sweet couple dance. Mehek Dehek did a dance number on 'bole chudiyan'. Noor and Arijit danced on 'ankh maare' and Veer's college friends did a group performance as well. Jai went to do a dance performance as well but his partner, Chandini had disappeared in anger when Chandrakala told her that Veer will marry Bani and there is nothing she could do to help.

At last, Vani gave a beautiful performance on 'Dil ibadat'. Everyone was mesmerized by their dances and clapped. Ponky hooted and screamed 'once more'. Bani blushed and hid her face on Veer's chest. Later, everyone started to have a dance party. Even Ritu dragged Mahesh and danced for a bit. She tried to pull Balwant as well but Chandrakala shooed her away. Everyone had fun and left.

Veer guided Bani to her room and kissed her palm.

V: You looked so beautiful today.

B: Thank you Veer. You look great too, you always do.

V: You sure you won't let me search my name in your hands..

B: Yes, not today..

V: fine.!..I can hardly wait.

B: we are anyways getting married tomorrow.

V: Not soon enough...

B: One more night.. (smiles)

She shyly moves and kisses cheeks.

B: Goodnight Veer.

Bani chuckled at a frozen Veer and left. Soon, Veer came out of his trance and said goodnight back to the door and left.

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

It was late night. Veer was pacing in his room. He had just come back from her balcony.

An hour earlier: Veer was pretending to enjoying the crumbs and fruits. Only his sweetheart could offer a cheel such a food. Nevertheless, the kite ate the fruits. He listened to her praise him to 'cheelu' and felt happy inside. She  become emotional praising Veer for standing upto her Chachi for her. She  spoke a little about her feelings and then said how she trusted Veer and had full faith in him. It triggered something and Veer flew away ubruptly.

Now, Tapish was frowning at a tensed Veer.

V: I cannot marry her....

T: What? Are you for real? You are having cold feet...dekh ye normal hai..

V: Pr mai normal nahi hoon...I am a cheel, she is human...screw the deal and screw dad's blackmail, mai ek cheel hokr usse kaise shaadi kr skta hoon???...dad ko bhi sochna tha!..

T: Veer, isme galat kya hai? Icchadari jeev krte hai insaano se shaadi...Nag vansh me to it is prohibited lekin taboo hone ke bavajood vo shaadi krte hai to humare clans me to allowed bhi hai...problem kya hai...mai bhi to Meera se shaadi karunga na

V: Problem ye hai ki vo jaanti nahi hai ki mai kya hoon...

T: To bata de?

V: Bhai...agar vo mujhse door chali gayi to? Mujhe hate krne lgi toh?

T: Veer...ek taraf tu shaadi cancel ki baat kr raha hai and doosri taraf dr raha hai ki vo door chali gayi toh?

V: ugh! mujhe kuch samaj nahi aa raha..

T: Veer, sun...usse bol de...ek rishte ki buniyaad jhutt pr mt rakh.... maine bhi Meera ko confidence me lekr apne Vulture hone ki baat batai thi..I was very scared but trust me, jb vo tujhe fully accept karegi na, jo khushi, jo peace mehsoos hoga...iske aage ye dr kuch nahi hai.... and she adores you, everyone can see that...have faith in her and yourself.

V: You are right bhai! Mai kl sb bol dunga usse..

With a resolve in his mind, he slept. As veer tried to keep his nerves at bay and sleep; a certain set of ears who happened to eavesdrop on their conversation, smirked.

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xoxo

This chapter has a new entry that wasn't mentioned before- Noor.

Noor Khan: Bani's neighbor and childhood friend. Pursuing a course in architecture. Human.