It has been a week since Veer and Bani became one, became Vani in every sense of the word. They enjoyed the rest of the honeymoon in the peaceful Cali. They had trekked and swam in the lake. They visited local stores and got to know each other better. Veer explored every inch of her delicate body and she returned the favor with equal passion and love. When they came back, both of their faces were practically glowing with happiness and nobody liked to let go of the other even for a second.

Veer specially struggled with keeping his hands off his wife. Every time she was around, he needed to touch her. Even if it wasn't intimate, he felt a strong urge to always keep a hand at her waist. He urged her a lot to join his office but Bani knew very well that the real reason was because he always wanted her around so she declined but still went there often to help him out, with work and 'stress'.

Balwant was really happy to see his son this happy. Not only did Veer stop rebelling out like earlier but now that he was truly happy from inside, his actions and behaviour depicted the same. He had much more patience. Balwant truly was glad to have made the decision of selecting Bani for Veer.

.........Four months pass by.........

Bani got out of the shower and wore a beautiful and simple suit. She got their suitcases out and asked a staff member to take them. The entire family was going to Goa for Tara's wedding. It was going to be a beach wedding, since they both loved beaches and also, Tapish's family owned a resort in Goa which was booked entirely for the occasion. Balwant, Chandrakala, Daksh and Ponky left in a car while Bani was going to pick Veer from the office first. Veer had gone their early morning to make arrangements for the rest of the week but Bani knew better. Veer had done so that Bani will come pick him up and they both will drive together instead of Donky third-wheeling with them.

Bani got out of the car and went to his cabin. Veer had just sent the few last mails and guided Rajesh. Rajesh greeted Bani on his way out.

B: Hello Husband..

She pecked his lips but Veer pulled her in for a real kiss.

B: Oh hello! Tum kahin bhi shuru ho jaate ho na..

V: Kya karu...ab wife itni hot hai toh yahi hoga na...mujhe to humare bacchon ka soch kr dr lagta hai...mai bhi hot, tum bhi hot, kahin vo koi atom bomb hi na ban jaye...

B: mai kya karu mere pati ka!

V: Pyaar karo...

B: Vo to krti hi hoon, pr ab chale...neeche Daksh wait kr raha hai..

V: Kya?

B: Haan...Daddyji ne kaha dono car me teen teen log, equal- equal.

Veer made a face and Bani laughed. Veer understood she was only teasing him and poked her waist. Bani turned to leave first and he smacked her back.

B: Veer!

Bani and Veer got in their car and drove towards the airport.

B: Itni si journey me bhi tumhe privacy chahiye thi..

V: so?

Bani rolled her eyes and began driving. Veer began tracing her legs.

B: Veeranshu!

V: yes?

B: Kya kr rahe ho...let me drive!

V: So you concentrate on driving while I concentrate on you..

B: Isliye tumne khud drive nahi kiya na...

Veer didn't answer and put his head in her neck and inhaled her scent. He kissed her soft skin and lightly traced her ample bosom. Bani's breathe hitched and she parked the car in a hurry.

B: That's it! You drive..

She got out.

V: buzz kill (laughs)

They reached the airport to see the family had already checked their luggage and was waiting for them inside. They all boarded the plane and left.

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

T: Veer!...kaisa hai?...Hello Bani...Uncle..

Tapish greeted them all at the entrance.

V: Tapish bhai...aaj aap bhi shaheed ho rahe ho..

Bani shot him a glare.

D: mtlb bhai aap bhi shaheed hue they?

Veer mouthed a sorry to Bani and she looked away.

V: waise sorry Bhai. Hum apke side se nahi aa skte...mai meri saali sahiba ke side se hoon..ladki wale you see..

T: phir to meri khatir kr..

V: aapke side se bhi to hoon...50-50...

They all joked for a while and went to their own room to relax. The functions would begin tomorrow.

V: Sweetheart..

B: hmm?

V: we have a few hours to spare you know...

B: No..

V: but-

B: NO

V: tumhe kaise pata mai kya kehne wala hoon..

B: It is not hard to guess. You have a one track mind but I am really tired Veer..

V: Tumhari tbyt abhi tk thik nahi hui?

B: Nahi, pehle se better hai but abhi bhi thakan hai..

V: doctor ke chal lete hai..

B: arey sb ponky ki experimental cooking taste krne ke chakkr me hua hai....don't worry, Kl tk thik ho jayega..

Veer nodded and slept cuddling his wife.

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

The next day Bani got up before Veer and wore a simple red saree first as the functions were later in the evening and she would change later into her heavier clothes. Right now, she was going to assist in her sister's wedding décor. She kissed Veer on his forehead and left.

B: Good morning Meera di!

M: Bani...tu kl kyu nahi aayi milne..

B: di vo kl late ho kya tha waha ka kaam dekhte dekhte to humne socha yahan aaj aa jayenge..

M: Accha koi baat nahi..tune breakfast kiya?

B: Nahi vo-

R: Arey breakfast kahan bhaaga jaa raha hai...Bani tu kaam kr...kl to aayi nahi...actually tujhe to bohot pehle hi ghar aana chaiye tha kaam dekhne..

M: maa aap bhi na...peechle ek mahine se hr doosre din aati hai help krwane...jbki itna kaam bhi nahi hoti...

R: tu chup kr aur vo ubtan laga..

Ritu slapped a face mask on her face and took Bani away with her.

R: Sun, ye saare gifts pack kr de..

B: Ji chachi

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

Veer woke up later and realized his wife wasn't around. He saw a small note on his bed side saying she was at the cottage allotted to the Sharmas'. He got ready and left to meet Tapish. He would join Bani post lunch.

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

Bani was exhausted. It was past lunch time and she had not had any food in her system. Ritu kept bombarding her with work. She often caught Ritu and her daughter just sitting and gossiping or pampering themselves while Bani worked. She wondered why aren't they working. That would make the work happen faster but she continued working as it was for Meera's big day. Ritu even made Bani do some decorations. Bani told her that they had hired a team only for that to which Ritu scolded her for becoming a spoilt, rich wife now.

R: Kuch kaam ghar ke log hi krte hai.....chal chal..jldi kr..

Bani nodded as she continued grinding the haldi for tomorrow. Ritu got nail paint applied on her hands and dried them off. In the evening, Bani reached their room feeling really tired and took a nap.

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

V: Bani...Sweetheart..

Bani woke up to Veer asking her to get up as the function would start in an hour. Bani nodded but as soon as she got up, she felt dizzy and sat back.

V: Bani! Kya hua?

B: Kuch nahi....bs thoda sir ghum raha hai..

V: dekho tumhari tabyt kafi dino se aisi hi hai...hume doctor ko dikha dena chahiye..

B: Nahi, I am fine. Vo bhook lagi hai thodi..

V: What did you have for lunch?

Bani didn't reply. Instead, she checked out the food menu in the room and told him her order. Veer guessed she didn't eat much and was avoiding his question. He glared at her but since she looked pale. He let this go and ordered some quickly made food. He fed her and they both got ready.

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

Mehendi & Sangeet

Bani looked extremely pretty in a her pink lehenga and Veer was wearing a black Indian attire. She put vermillion in her hairline while Veer hugged her from behind. He made her wear a necklace, the blue stones complimenting the work in her blouse and kissed her cheeks. Bani turned and hugged him. They left for the event hall.

The functions were going great. Ritu didn't dare being rude to Bani where Veer could notice that and they had hired a lot of people for work so the work went smoothly. There was dance and good food. Vani danced together on 'bol na halke halke'. Their sweet and hot chemistry lit the stage on fire. Bani applied Mehendi on her hands with Veer's initials written in a heart. Veer noticed this and blew her a kiss. Bani blushed. Meera smiled looking at her sister. Her eyes glistened. She was truly happy for her sister to have found such a caring husband.

Meanwhile,

Aunty1 (A1): Kitni sundar lg rahi hai na Tapish ki hone wali wife..

A2: Haan haan pr vo Singhanias ki bahu ko dekha hai....kitni pyaari lg rahi hai...bohot glow hai uske face pr..

Unknown to the two, their usual gossip session fell into another set of ears.

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

The next day, Bani woke up to see Veer was already up with a breakfast table ready.

B: Veeranshu? Kl tumne itna dance kiya tha..thake nahi? Itna jldi kyu uthe...

V: Taki meri wife phir bina breakfast kiye na bhaag jaye...phir mujhe nahi pata wahan tum kitna khati ho, kya khati ho..

Bani's eyes glistened with happy tears. She ate the fruits and drank the juice. Veer also made her eat some upma and a toast. Bani got dressed in a yellow attire for Haldi as that function was in afternoon itself post which, the wedding would take place in the night.

Bani reached Meera's cottage so see that she was swarmed with makeup artists and designers. Meera gave her look that said 'save me'.

B: Meera di...aapko mai tayar kr doon...

Ritu's nose flared and she dragged her out.

R: Mujhe pata hai tu kaisa tayar karegi....chal vo kaam kr pehle..

After a few hours of hair pulling and makeup, Meera looked like a doll but the problem was that she was not comfortable. She sat stiff as her head throbbed due to the numerous pins.

M: maa...mera sir dukh raha hai..let me get ready my way..

Ritu glared and she shut up. She turned to see Bani's hair was not perfect like Meera. In fact, it kept coming in front of her face but she smiled and pulled them back. She pull a single yellow rose in it to keep that in place. A woman was looking at her appreciatively and said that she looked good. Bani thanked her and the woman left. Ritu went to her fuming.

R: Kitni cheap ladki hai tu Bani. Trying to be better than the bride!

B: kya bol rahi ho aap chachi..

Ritu didn't say anything and reached out to take the rose out of her hair. It roughly tugged at her hair strands and Bani yelped in pain. Ritu slapped her hard and pushed her to a corner and gave her a powder to mix and make a paste for her.

R: Jldi kr! (she pulled her hair)

B: ouch! Chachi!

Bani started to feel very dizzy and her head pained. Tears welled up in her eyes.

R: Drame mt kr..ehsaan faramosh ladki...tu-

V: WHAT THE HELL!

Ritu gulped and turned in fear. Veer had left Tapish's cottage early as he couldn't help Bani yesterday and decided to be with her today at least. The sight that welcomed him made his blood boil. Ritu was bullying Bani, literally.

Veer rushed to Bani and pulled her for a hug. Bani closed her eyes and welcomed his scent which eased her pain. Veer patted her head and glared at Ritu.

V: aap shukar maniye ki aap aurat hai wrna meri wife ke saath misbehave krne walon ka mai kya haal krta hoon, apko pata nahi hai....aise gayab karunga na aapko, apki saath pushte nahi dhood payengi...Meera ki shaadi hai, km se km ussi ka lihaj krke tamasha nahi krna tha..apki maid nahi hai ye, Veeranshu Singhania ki wife hai...usse koi zarurat nahi hai apki koi bakwas sunne ki...koi maids ko bhi aise treat nahi krta...mai legal actions bhi le skta hoon...phir Meera ka toh pata nahi pr aapki Mehek Dehek se koi rishta nahi jodega...ye language smjh ayi ya aur sunna hai...

Ritu nodded slowly. She opened her mouth to say sorry but no words came out. Veer saw that Bani looked weak. He lifted her up, despite her protests. He was leaving but then he turned.

V: And, dare you talk to me wife again! jeebh kat kr kutton ko khilla dunga...isse zyada ek aurat ko bolne ke mere sanskar nahi hai, mujhe majboor mt kro..

B: veeranshu!

V: Tum to chup hi raho...kya zarurat hai kissi ka kuch bhi sehne ki...tum mt saha kro...koi tang kre to lado...mai hoon tumhare saath, hr situation me..

Bani nodded slowly and kissed his cheeks. Veer laid her down and got lunch in their room. He treated her face with his gentle hands and massaged her head to ease the pain. They had their food and ate it in their room. They left to go to the Haldi function where as expected, Ritu steered clear of Vani. They applied haldi to Tapish and later, crossed the partition in the hall to apply to Meera. Bani smiled at her sister.

Veer dragged her to a corner and applied some haldi to her waist.

B: Veeranshu!

Veer didn't stop and applied some to her face as well. Bani pouted but then her eyes glinted with mischief. She hugged him and rubbed her cheeks against his, getting haldi on his cheeks as well. Veer smiled at her and kissed her tenderly.

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

The function was over. Veer laid Bani in her room and asked her to rest. He had to go aid Tapish but promised to come early. He strictly told her to nap till then and not go to Meera's cottage.

Bani closed her eyes and Veer left. She opened them as soon as he left. She had been feeling weak but didn't want to worry him. She called the reception.

B: Hello, this is room 125. Can you send for a doctor or tell me about the nearest clinic?

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

Veer entered his room and saw that his attire was kept neatly on his bed with a note that said that Bani was going to see Meera and a promise that she won't work herself out. Veer understood her wish to be with her sister and got ready.

The wedding began. Tapish and Veer were standing side by side, eagerly waiting for their partners to arrive. The song changed to a beautiful wedding march and the women entered. They were smitten by how their beloveds looked.

Bani was walking shyly next to Meera who looked gorgeous in her red lehenga and traditional jewels. 

Ritu had tried to scold Bani today and let out Veer's anger on her. Bani told her off and asked her to shut up or Bani would let Veer deal with her. Ritu was taken aback as Bani had never talked back. She shut up and left after that.

They reached the mandap and Bani stood besides Veer. He linked their hands together.

V: Tum bilkul jadoo lag rahi ho sweetheart. Pure magic!

B: You look amazing too, gharwale..

The wedding took place without any issues and everyone enjoyed themselves. Vani came to their room post Meera's bidai.

V: Thak gayi na sweetheart?

B: Hmm..(hugs him)...a little...

They helped each other change and Bani kept his night suit out. Veer got fresh and came out bare chested. He wore his t-shirt and frowned. He looked in the mirror and realized letter were written on his grey t-shirt with red lipstick.

V: Sweetheart?!

He removed his t-shirt and studied the t-shirt

'Dad to-be'

V: Bani?!...wait!..this means?...is it true?

Bani nodded with tears in her eyes. Veer rushed to hug her and twirled her around. He planted a big kiss on her lips.

V: We, oh my god love..!...are you happy?...Is it too soon?...

B: shh...It is what it is...We could have waited for a few more years but do I regret our coming baby?...no...do you?

V: It is part you, How can I ever dislike that?

They hugged each other.

B: waise 6 months pehle shyd aaj hi hum mille they...

V: hmm...but I am not counting it as our 6 month anniversary...

B: obviously, but aaj hi humne vo deal ki thi yaad hai...

V: Vo deal krke to mai agle din hi usse bhool gaya tha...I feel in love with you, hard and fast...just like out love making (he winked)

Bani blushed and hit his chest slightly.

B: I am glad we met. The deal was void from my end too, even before we got married. The moment I realized you are my cheelu, I knew I won't let you go.

V: Neither can I ever let you go...I can't live with my heart now... can I?

They looked at each other, happy and in love. Their lips met and magic exploded. As they closed the distance between their two bodies and indulged in passionate love making, their hearts knew that they belong together, in this life and beyond.

....................The End......................

This concludes this book that started off with the idea of an arranged wedding and related rituals. I hope you all enjoyed reading it .Thank you everyone for all you love and support throughout this book.

xoxo

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