Next day morning Harshini woke up in a good mood, her parents were busy, cousins were having fun. "See your hands girl, so beautiful" Rupali commented.

"It's all your effort, thank you so much" Harshini said. "Don't you want me to help you to get ready?" Rupali asked seriously. "I thought you will help me" Harshini said confused. "Then why are you thanking me, come on get ready. Abhiram will be waiting for you" Rupali pushed her.

"God! None of my shades are suiting you. We should have appointed some beautician, I thought I can manage" Rupali got tensed. "Relax! Just do whatever you can. I am not a makeup person" saying this Harshini tried to calm herself.

"None of our relatives does any makeup or else I would have asked them" Rupali whined. "Rupa! Don't make it difficult for her. We should reach venue soon, Tara will manage there, Hurry up" Sri hurried.

Harshini didn't even have time to look at herself, her cousins took few pics and they reached venue. "Groom's family is already here, Harshini don't be tensed. Hold this" Rupali gave a hand kerchief as her palms were sweating.

"Shini! I am here" Tara engulfed her cousin in a tight hug, they sat in the front row waiting for rituals to start.

"Abhi! Come here" Divya dragged her brother to show Harshini, there she was walking inside with a tensed smile. "Go and meet her" his cousins nudged.

"Hey Harshini! Check who is here?" Someone called her. Abhiram stood smiling, Harshini looked for a second and turned away continuing her conversation with Tara.

She ignored you, maybe she doesn't like you. No! No! Maybe she's tensed... Abhiram thought.

With so many relatives around how can I meet him, all eyes are on me.. Harshini thought.

Rituals started and Harshini sat with her parents, later Nandini blessed her and gifted her saree and jewellery which she has to wear during ring ceremony. All were complimenting Abhi on his selection, how good they will look together but his eyes were only on his Harshini.

She is not even looking at you, she's doing all rituals sincerely. Look how genuinely she's praying.. 'My girl' he thought.

Harshini went for change and now Tara helped her, everyone know that she is all rounder and saviour. "Come let's go" Tara shrieked.

"Wait! Let me look in mirror once" saying this Harshini went near mirror and got shocked seeing reflection. "Is this me?" Harshini's shock turned to surprise and her cousins nodded with big smiles on their faces.

Meanwhile both families exchanged word about wedding before priest, wedding date was announced in the same month. "Is this date ok for you?" Preist asked Raghuram.

"We are fine with any date, Srinivas! What do you say?" Raghuram asked. "We too don't have problem, it would be too early but Varshith will leave abroad next month. So it's better" Srinivas said joyfully thinking how soon his little girl became a bride.

Harshini stood there along with her cousins and family who were busy, silently her eyes were searching for Abhiram. "Come and stand here mam, we want to take few stills" Cameraman called her.

While they were clicking pictures Harshini found Abhiram coming towards stage with a lovely smile, he looked more dashing in his coat. Your selection is perfect, he is... Her thoughts stopped the moment he looked at her.

Quickly he reached the stage decorated with various colourful flowers, they sat together on the white cushion wedding sofa while priest started reciting mantras. "You are looking beautiful" he said in low tone making her blush.

She is observing him silently, the way he is laughing at his cousins jokes, how he was searching for his niece whenever she isn't near stage, everything is fine but why I feel he is not comfortable.. Harshini wondered.

"Are you ok?" She asked him worriedly, "I feel it's too cool" Abhiram said adjusting his coat. Before she could speak preist asked them to exchange flower garlands. Both the garlands were heavy, Harshini struggled to stand with it.

Then they exchanged rings with blessings of all their families and friends. One by one all wished the newly engaged couple and joined lunch. "You both look famished, shall I bring lunch?" Divya asked.

"Varshith come and feed this Payasam(milk sweet) to your brother in-law" Lata ordered. Varshith was busy in receiving guests, arranging rooms and all other things. He hugged her sister and fed sweet to Abhiram. "Now time for gifts" Neela reminded.

Abhiram and Divya showered Harshini with so many gifts along with new phone. She couldn't see what they gave but whatever they gave had so much love for her.

"Here" Harshini stunned by placing a watch on Abhi's wrist. She prepared a chocolate bouquet especially for him, a wallet and other accessories. Abhiram liked her taste, both of them were just stealing glances at each other.

According to their traditions engagement ceremony was done, Harshini's grand mother blessed them with so much warmth. Even at Eighty years of age she didn't want to miss her favourite grand daughter's wedding.

Everyone got down from stage creating space for cameramen to continue their work. They took different stills but Harshini started feeling nervous with few poses.
Her eyes were on the relatives who are having food but looking at the new couple.

According to traditions, groom and bride are not allowed to be together till marriage but with time many things changed, that stigma remained. She didn't want her parents to face any negativity in the function, words have more impact than events.

"Let's save all these poses for post wedding reception, now you too join for lunch" Abhiram said to photography team sensing her awkwardness.

"Thank you" Harshini said, she liked him more now. "I " Abhiram silenced her, "I can understand dear" he said looking at her lovingly.

"Let's go for lunch" Varshith invited, "Your cousins rounded your table Abhiram, please take care of my sister" Varshith added playfully.

While having their food all his cousins introduced themselves to Harshini, they started teasing both of them. "Get out all of you, enough for today" Divya shooed them away.

"I know you both need time to understand each other" Divya took them aside, "Now no one will disturb you" She went winking at them.

"Let's move out of this hall, you will feel better" Harshini said taking his flower garland. "It's too heavy" Abhiram said and they both moved into open area which has green grass.

Harshini asked her cousins to arrange chairs and Abhiram felt better. "You care for me" Abhiram said with a proud smile. "Why wouldn't I?" Harshini asked as a matter of fact.

They sat in silence enjoying each other's company, "I don't know what to talk" Harshini said with a smile. "Girls are always talkative, but my girl is not" Abhi said naughtily.

He slowly took her hand into his making her stiffen, he slowly removed her engagement ring shocking her. Before she could react he removed his ring and kept them before her.

She observed to know why he did, there she found both their names in the rings. "How?" She asked in surprise. "That's surprise" he said smiling but his headache was not helping him to be normal.

"I will get you medicine" Harshini quickly brought a tablet from her bag, "Take this it will help you" She handed water bottle but someone pushed her hand away.

"Don't you know medication should not be taken on your own" Vinay said in high tone. Harshini is not used to high and harsh tones in her family, even in school she was obedient and studious.

No one raised their voice on me except for... She didn't want to think about past. "Vinay! She just wanted to help me" Abhiram tried to explain. "Anyway Attha is searching for you, Go" Vinay said to Harshini.

"Come Shini" Tara shouted glaring at Vinay, "How can he shout on you like that, it's first time you both were talking right!" Tara asked after they reached bride's room.

"Sis! Come on have this" Varshith brought a plate full of various desserts. "How do you know that I am hungry?" Harshini grabbed plate and started eating. "We saw you were not eating" Tara answered.

"You know what Sis! Sri brought his girlfriend to meet our grand mother" Varshith said shocking her. "When did this happen?" Harshini asked coming out of shock. "She is happy that atleast one of us has guts, she promised to get them married" Rupa said joyfully.

Their grandmother is one of a kind, she wanted all her grand children to have their wishes fulfilled. Her children were strict unlike her, she had a heart full of love which no one won. Even though she stays with Rupa's family, Harshini is more close to her.

Nandini joined them to talk with Harshini, Rupa and Tara stayed with her so that she doesn't feel nervous. "Harshini! Tomorrow we will come to your home, tell me what kind of wedding you want. I am a strict one but that doesn't mean I am dictator" Nandini said smiling.

Harshini already knew how Nandini didn't accept her at first, all credits to her sister in-law who keeps her updated. "I want a regular wedding Atthaya but I want to be the prettiest bride, otherwise I cannot match your son" Harshini said sincerely.

"You are my pretty daughter in-law, I will bring beautiful saree from Kancheepuram. I cannot take you with us, it's our tradition" Nandini explained. "Mom! Are you scaring my Harshi?" Divya came doubting her mother.

"I am just asking her wishes regarding wedding" Nandini said and took leave. "Divya Di!" Harshini whined, "You don't know about her yet dear and don't call me like you did" Divya complained.

Harshini felt bad as she could not meet Abhiram again, she had a bath and changed into casual wear. She sat in her bedroom and started opening all her gifts. The saree which liked was there in gifts, immediately she thanked Divya via text message.

There is a musical greeting card, one kaleidoscope, a silver chain with heart pendant, sea shells, crystal bracelet, pearl watch, black shrug and so many. Abhi selected each one for you .. Divya told her.

"Am I disturbing you?" Her grandmother asked coming inside. " No gran" Harshini made her sit. "Call me Grandy" her gran said shocking her. "No! Gran is fine" Harshini said shaking her head.

"Where do you learn all these? Nannamma(father's mother) is cool, but you want granny, gran and now Grandy. Stop watching those stupid series" Harshini argued. "Rupa suggests good series, her taste is good" her grandmother said.

"I will warn Rupa" Harshini smiled looking at her gran reliving her moments with her. "Now show me all your gifts" her gran asked and they spent time together.

Later all of the cousins sat having cake watching MasterChef, "I didn't know cooking is this interesting" Rupa commented. While they were enjoying the show, "Harshini your in-laws family are here" Tara barged in.

"Why?" "What?" ...

"Tomorrow is not a good day to come here as new family it seems, so they came for a short visit" Tara continued.

"Let's go and meet them" Varshith went with others, "I don't have energy to get ready again" Harshini whined. "Don't worry, they didn't ask for you. I will manage" Tara went leaving her there.

Harshini went near mirror to check herself, suddenly door creaked and she got startled seeing Abhiram. He quickly came near her closing the door.

"Hi!" She wished shyly, "I want to hug you" he stated. She smiled thinking about their first meet. Abhiram hugged her carefully but she didn't him back. She couldn't understand what she felt, "Can I kiss you?" He asked. "You did it already without my permission" she reminded him.

Abhiram smiled and placed a kiss on her cheek, she blushed. "Won't you kiss me?" He asked in her ear. "Please" he sang, she smiled looking at him. She quickly kissed his cheek and came out of his hug.

"Hey this is cheating, it's a peck not kiss" Abhiram said but before he could reach Harshini, her grandmother came.

"Your father is coming" She alerted them and helped Abhiram to escape without anyone noticing.

"I was sure that all your cousins will have a lovely life, your brother Varshith will sweep his partner with his love as he inherited my genes but I was skeptical about you" her grandmother paused, "but thanks to almighty, you got a lovely husband" she teased.

Harshini was blushing hard when others came back after sending off her in-laws. All cousins had a proud smile, what did these monkeys do..she wondered.

"You went sulking, what happened now?" Their grandmother asked Tara, "She mixed chilly powder in that Vinay's drink" Varshith said shocking Harshini.

"Don't worry, nobody knows. That rudester deserves it for shouting on you" Tara explained.

Next day both families finalized all details about wedding, all dates were fixed. "Sorry Harshini, I didn't mean to sound rude yesterday" Vinay said, "but never take medication without prescription" he added.

Harshini accepted his apology as well as advice, he is Abhiram's best friend and cousin. Just like Tara to her, she understood they had a strong bond.

"Excuse me Mr. Srinivas, can I talk to Harshini once" someone came, "Namaste Sir! You are here? How can I help you?" Harshini greeted.

He was a senior accountant in one of her clients office, they needed a help. "Sorry! We have relatives here. Let's sit there" she made way for him.

Abhiram observed how gracefully she sat there examining documents, she explained with ease and he went with a huge smile. Her in-laws understood Harshini's capability with that incident. Raghuram felt happy that his daughter in-law will be independent like he wants.

"Harshini I am leaving today" Abhiram informed, her eyes glistened hearing his words. He hugged her tightly "I may not come till our marriage but I will try" he said and she hugged him immediately.

"Take care, happy journey" she wished him before leaving.

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A/N: Please Vote and comment

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