Bani's POV

B: Mayuri?!

To say I was shocked to see her at my doorstep was an understatement. Veeranshu had explained to me that Mayuri meant no harm and that she was brainwashed by Chandini. So, I did not keep any hard feelings after that but I had not expected her to come to my room.

B: Aao Mayuri...kya hua?

Mayuri didn't say a word. She came forward, her eyes cast down. What I understood from her expressions was that she probably felt guilty. I tried to give her a reassuring smile. It wasn't her fault.

B: Mayuri please...Don't feel sorry if that is why you are here. You were manipulated and to be honest, I admire your dedication towards your friend. You thought you were being helpful.

Mayuri's eyes began to water.

M: I am so sorry Bani and thank you for understanding me..

She hugged me. Her perfume was definitely strange. It smells like...I don't know. Fruity? Flowery? I tried my best to put a finger on it before succumbing to darkness.

POV end

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M: Sorry Bani! But you shouldn't have come back.

Mayuri held a limp Bani in her arms and started to laugh. She was joined by another- Chandini. Chandini giggled and raised her hand to give her a high-five.

M: Arey pagal aurat! Pehle isse bed pr sulane me help kr meri...aur gate lock kr..

They put the limp Bani on the bed and Mayuri morphed into Jai. He gave an evil laugh to his cousin.

C: Thank you Jai! You are the best.

She came forward to hug Jai but Jai stopped her. He removed a broach from his clothes that was producing the aroma that could make any human unconscious. Since Chandini was also human, it would react on her as well. He carefully wrapped it in handkerchief and kept it in his pocket. Then he proceeded to hug Chandini.

C: You are the best brother Jai. Ab bs mai is Bani ki jagah kapde pehen kr baith jaungi aur...

M: Aur yahan koi picture chal rahi hai na jo Veer Bani ko purane zamane ke ghoongat me dekhr question bhi nahi karega...

The duo turned towards the door, surprised and shocked to see the real Mayuri standing there. Chandini tried to manipulate Mayuri again but this time, Mayuri shut her up.

M: I like Veer okay! It is just a crush! But what they have is beyond that. Did you see Veer after Bani left? No right! But I did and I have never seen anyone look so lost, so broken...so it is better if all of us stay out of their business okay!

Chandini got angry at Mayuri and threw a show piece at her. Mayuri caught it before it hit her and grabbed Chandini by her hands. Chandini turned to ask Jai for help but Jai had slithered away from the window because he knew Mayuri is a morni and his poison cannot harm her but she can easy have him for dinner. Mayuri smirked and closed her eyes. Her expression read- "Ab tera kya hoga Kalia, oops- Churail". She opened her green ones and threw Chandini out and warned her to behave.

M: Insaan pr vaar nahi krna chahti mai pr tum sudhr jao...Veer to waise bhi tumhari class lega hi..accha hoga agar tum shaadi hote hi aaj chali jao and don't you dare come back.

Chandini left fuming.

C: Is Mayuri ki toh? Isme kahan se ye mahanta ki devi jaag gayi? Aur pehle to mere us darpok nag ko dhoonti hoon...

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Bani woke up slowly. She recalled fainting in Mayuri's arms. She looked around and saw a tensed looking Meera and Mayuri look at her.

(Me- Meera. Ma- Mayuri)

Me- Bani tu thik hai na?

B: Haan di..mujhe kya hua tha..

Ma: Vo tum achanak behosh ho gayi...I was very scared and thank god tum thik ho...Shyd wedding stress ki wajah se...

Me: haan Bani...accha sun touch up kr le...neeche jaane ka time ho gaya hai..

Bani nodded and went to look at her in the mirror.

Ma: Meera di, thanks!

Me: Thanks to you Mayuri...agar tum Chandini ko yahan ate nahi dekhti to pata nahi aaj kya ho jaata..

Ma: I hurt them both unknowingly so I am glad I could rectify that.

Meera smiled. They had decided to not tell Veer and Bani anything about this since it is their wedding day and they will only get tensed. However, Meera told Tapish and asked him to keep a watchful eye on Jai the entire time while Mayuri was going to keep an eye on Chandini. They decided that tomorrow, before leaving, Mayuri would tell Vani what had happened.

Mayuri hugged Bani and mumbled a quick apology. She left the room to find Chandini and keep an eye on her while Meera stayed with Bani.

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

Veer smiled at his family. His brothers, college friends and Tapish were dancing with full energy on 'mere yaar ki shaadi hai'. Veer was sitting on a mare in front of the house. It wasn't necessary but Chandrakala told him to come with a traditional barat and Ritu also insisted. Thus, they had all left and made Veer sit on a mare and circled the area. Now they were back in the front yard and his 'baaratis' had been dancing non-stop. Ritu was smiling bashfully with the arti-ki-thalli in her hands. How she wished it was for her own daughter but the wedding energy was so high that she couldn't help but enjoy. Suddenly Naagin tune began playing.

Veer's family stopped and made a face while Jai continued dancing with more energy. Veer chuckled.

R: arey aap ruk kyun gaye? Wedding me to naagin dance must hota hai...kijiye kijiye...aap bhi kijiye na Singhania bhaisab..

Balwant gave a sharp look and made a face. It will be cold day in hell when I, the Cheel king will do naagin dance!

After much dancing and fun, Veer finally got off the mare and Ritu did his welcome. She grabbed his nose and he let her do so very easily.

P: phiss...bhai...kya yr..bade aram se hath aa gaye aap..

V: Arey I don't want any more delay..

D: uhem uhem!...besabri dekho koi...

V: Chup! Teri vo college wali...kya naam tha..haan tina...usse bulaya kya?

D: kya bhai?...

Daksh went away blushing and Ponky followed him to pester Daksh more. Veer reached the clearing. It was beautifully decorated with flowers and lights. It looked like a fairy land to be true. To Veer, it had been such a crazy day but he was glad the way things turned out. This way, they both also got to know about their childhood connection. He waited for Bani to turn up anxiously, butterflies dancing in his stomach for the first time.

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Bani was standing near the front yard entrance. A red veil on her face. Meera smiled at her in encouragement. Suddenly her entry song began to play and she entered slowly.

(You may imagine this entry on this song: Shagna di Shaam)

The melody filled the twilight sky and magic could be felt by anyone who observed the two- Veer and Bani. The moment Bani entered, Veer had eyes only for her. It took his everything to not rush to her but wait for her to reach him. A few minutes felt like a lifetime. Veer grasped her soft hands as she reached him and removed her veil. He took a sharp breath as he hungry took in the beauty in front of him. She looked unreal. Veer touched her face, as if to reassure him that she was there.

Bani was lost in Veer. The moment he undid the veil and their eyes met, Bani knew she was a goner. To be honest, no words can do justice to explain the spark between to two souls. 

They both stood there, truly drowned in each other for god knows how long when they were broken apart by Tapish and Meera.

T: I know Veer ki Tu poori raat Bani ko ghoorte hue guzaar sakta hai pr please, humara bhi toh soch...shaadi kr aur hume free kr de...phir teri biwi tere hawale, jitna ghoorna hai ghoorte rehna..

B: Jiju aap bhi... (blushes)

Mehek and Dehek, who were wearing identical orange lehenga, came with two varmalas and Veer and Bani stood facing each other. Veer's brother came near him saying that they will made it interesting by picking up Veer. Bani was struggling to reach the height. In response, Arijit and one of the guests named Raghav also came forth to support Bani. Seeing the two men were about to lift Bani, Veer quickly put varmala in Bani's neck and made her do the same.

B: Veeranshu!?

V: Ho gaya!...ab aap sb helpers jao...thank you...bye

B: Ye kya hua..

Photographer: Bhaiya, ek baar acting hi kr lo mala daalne ki...apne itni foorti ki, hum photo hi nahi le paye..

Bani slapped Veer's chest jokingly and held his mala. Thus, the photographer got his fake candid.

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The night moon shined brightly and everyone gathered around to witness the union to two soul mates. Veer and Bani sat in front of the holy fire. Veer was gazing shamelessly at the woman who was going to become his wife in a few moments. Bani stole shy glances at him and found him looking at her every time. The pandit began chanting the mantras and asked them to stand for pheras and began speaking the vows. After his each mantra, Veer followed and made a promise of his own.

(Italics- Veer. Bold- Bani)

1. Trust

I promise you to trust you always, every time. Mai tumpr har baar humesha bharosa karunga, kabhi koi bhi galatfehmi humare beech nahi aane dunga

Mai tumse vada krti hoon, I will also always trust you. Tumhari kissi baat pr shaq nahi karungi, bharosa rakhungi. Humare beech ka vishwas bohot ghehera hoga.

2. Growing together and support

I promise that we'll rise together. I will never be the chains on your feet but be the air beneath your wings. I shall support your dreams and your each aspiration will be mine. Hum saath me aage badhenge.

I promise to be your support too Veer, your dreams will be mine. I will always stand by you no matter what. Hum humesha saath me aage badhenge. Tumhari koi aisi khushi nahi hogi jo meri na ho, koi aisi chahat nahi hogi jisse main a bantu...

3. To care in all times and sharing load

I promise to be by your side; in sickness and in health. In good times and in bad. I will be with you always, no matter what life throws our way. Saath me, hum hr cheez ko handle karenge

I promise you Veeranshu, mai humesha tumhara saath dungi. Samaye chahey jaisa bhi ho, kismat hume kuch bhi dikhaye, tum mujhe humesha apne saath hi paoge

4. Love

I promise to love you forever. Beshart, bepanah and behad. Mera pyaar pr humesha tumhari hi davedaari hogi

Bani's eyes widened at his confession and began to water.

I promise to be yours too Veer. Completely and with my whole heart.

Bani didn't want speak the L- word out of nowhere in front of other before having said to him first but her eyes conveyed her love for him. Now, Bani comes front and started leading the pheras.

5. An unconditional friendship

I promise to be your friend always. You can always count on me. I will be your shoulder to cry on, your partner-in-crime and your best secret keeper.

I promise to be your friend too. Tumhara sbse acchi dost. No conditions or demands; just unconditional friendship.

6. Respect

I promise to respect you. Mai tumhari kadra karungi, tumhare emotions ko samjhungi and tumhe kbhi bhi for-granted nahi lungi.

You will be my greatest treasure. I promise to value you Sweetheart. You'll never feel inferior with me but will always be my equal. I will value your thoughts and ideas. Your say will be as important as mine, if not more. I respect you as a person will never stop doing so...

7. Happiness

I promise to keep you happy. I will try my best to bring joy in your life and help you through everything.

Sweetheart, mai chahta hoon koi bhi pain, koi bhi takleef tumse pehle mujhse takraye...tumhe chub hi na paye.I will strive all my life to keep all sadness away from your life.

With these vows  said and promised, the two sat down and Veer made Bani wear the nuptial chain and but sindoor in her hair line. She closed her eyes and a happy tear escaped. Veer wiped it off gently. People clapped and showered them with flowers. Everyone was tearing up seeing the union of the two. Everyone could sense them radiating love and happiness. Even Ritu wiped a lone tear. The only people unhappy aren't worth mentioning and were noticed by none accept Tapish and Mayuri's watchful eyes.

Veer stood up, smiling and gave a hand to Bani. Together, now truly as Vani, they seeked blessing of the elders. Veer was immediately hugged by his cousins and Meera hugged Bani. Everyone congratulated Vani whose eyes seemed to have glued themselves together. Veer held her soft hand, sending his love across to her as the newlywed Mr and Mrs. Singhania smiled at the people moving forward to congratulate them.

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AND they are married!!!! ❤❤

Thoughts? Also, it is the longest chapter of this book so far. Phew!😅

Ideally, this should be the happy ending of a wedding based story but we've got a long way to go. 🤞🥺