"Bitiya ko bulaiye Kishore ji ...sagai ka muhurat ho gaya.."The pandit told Kishore to bring Sanyukta for ceremony.

Everybody from both side were present in the hall.Now their eyes impatiently stuck on the staircase .

"Sanaya..bring Di .."Ankit phoned Sanaya.

Randhir's eyes raised when he heard gasping of everyone.He forgot to breathe for some moments when he saw her stepping down in kitten steps.

"She is looking like a princess.."Renu exclaimed running towards her future daughter in law.

"My angel.."she kissed Sanyukta's forehead while she lowered her eyes feeling shy around her family and her future in law..and..Him.

"Nazar na lage kisi ki meri bachchi ko.."Anju put a kala teeka behind her ear.

They held Sanyukta from either side and led her where everyone gathered for the ceremony.

"Looking pretty my child.."Harsh smiled caressing her head.

"And my future brother in law is looking mote handsome.."Sanaya chipped standing beside Randhir.

Soon Pandit ji started holy mantras and asked Sanyukta to make him wear the ring .

"Randhir.."Renu nudged him to forward his hand.

All this while they didn't share any eye contact.

He stared the shy innocent girl in fromt of him who was going to be his fiancee in some time.

"Sanyu pehnao ring Randhir ko.."Kishore told his daughter as she was looking down.

Slowly with trembling hands she took the ring from her mother and brought her hand closer to his.She wanted to avoid touching his hand so tried to slip ring without holding his hand.

"You can hold my hand by your free hand Sanyukta.."he said in low yet teasing tone.

His deep raspy voice shuddered her entire body finally she muster up the courage to match his intense gaze.

"I am waiting.."he smiled smugly.

She lowered her eyes instantly and slipped the ring in no time.

"Randhir..Its your turn..and please don't take as much as Sanyukta took time...we are tired of standing ."Renu whined childishly.

"I won't Mom.."saying this he grabbed her hand and made her wear the ring.His unexpected action numbed her .She stood frozen while he watched her all red face and smiled mentally.

Everybody clapped and blessed the new engaged couple.After then they didn't get time to look at each other.

After the ceremony the relatives started leaving as they lived in local nearby areas.It was now only Agrawal and Shekhawat family left.They changed into comfortable clothes.

They all seated in the garden .

"I still can't believe my son is engaged to a woman.."Harsh said eyeing his son.For his surprise Randhir didn't look annoyed .

"Harsh ji kar lijiye vishwas.."Anju said giving him the cup of tea.

"Maa..sit I'll serve everyone.."Sanaya stopped her and served everybody their tea.

"Ankit jakar dekho agar Sanyu ne change kar liya ho to usse le aao.."Kishore told Ankit.

Ankit nodded affirmatively and turned to go when Sanyukta came there after changing in her casual  kurta salwar.

"Come sit here.."Renu patted the vacant place beside her.Sanyuktw silently sat .

It was a bit awkward for her.Her parents were sitting just in front of her but she felt the other family is showing their rights on her when her own parents were there.

"Harsh..."Renu gestured Harsh .

He understood her signal and walked to the his wife and Sanyukta.

The Agrawals and Randhir watched them keenly.

"Beta..today we got to know that tomorrow is your birthday.."Harsh said smilingly.

"Ji.."she mumbled.

"Sorry beta we want to stay here to celebrate your birthday but our tight schedule isn't allowing us ."Renu said with a bit sadness.

"Its okay Auntie..I can understand.."she said politely.

"My angel.."Renu patted her cheek."Sanyukta we want to give you a little token of our love and blessings ..."Renu took out a rectangular flat box from her hand bag and kept it in Sanyukta's hands.

"Your birthday gift..from me and Renu.."Harsh said .

Sanyukta stared at the box and then her in laws.

"Khol kar dekhoge nahi.."Renu smiled.

Sanyukta hesitantly opened the box.Her eyes widended when she found a set of real diamond necklace.

"I..I can't take it..Its..Its very expensive.."she stuttered.For a girl like her who comes from a middle class family was a dream of having such extravagant gift.

"Its not expensive...for a priceless gem like you.. Sanyukta ye humara pyaar hai tumhare liye.. please."Renu pleaded knowing her dilemma.

"Sanyu beta take it.."Kishore said.

Sanyukta smiled briefly .

"Thank you ..Its beautiful.."she said to Harsh and Renu.

"Har baat par thank you nahi bolte.. apni family ko.."Renu kissed her hairs.

Randhir who observed her every reaction felt glad that the girl definitely wasn't behind their wealth.

"Sorry beta..Randhir ko bhi apko kuch gift karna chahiye tha..but you know..hume yahan aakar pata chala.. luckily I got some time to buy this necklace in the afternoon..."Renu said feeling bad that her son could not gift anything to his future wife.

Randhir felt embarrassed and diverted his eyes to other direction.

"Its fine Auntie.. apne diya ya Randhir ne..baat to ek hi hui na.."Sanyukta said Innocently not realizing her words somewhere hurt a person.

"Mom..Its seven..we have to catch flight at right thirty.. we should leave now.."Randhir said glancing his watch.

Sanyukta heard his plain voice.She hoped he would wish her too but instead he got up and moved to her parents.

"Sorry Uncle Aunty..we need to leave.."he said touching their feet.

"Koi baat nahi beta..."Anju ran her hand on his head lovingly.

Renu and Harsh also got up .

"I hope we meet often .."Harsh gave a brief hug to Kishore.

"Bilkul..."Kishore smiled.

The ladies too shared a hug.

"Sanaya..Ankit you're coming Mumbai after your exams..to spend your vacations.."Harsh ruffled the her hairs.

"Really!! thank you so much..uncle.."she hugged him excitingly.

They made their way out of the house while Sanyukta followed them from behind.Randhir too walking slow intentionally to steal few words with her.

Once all went out.He started walking beside her.She stepped away to prevent any skin contact with him.

"Sanyukta listen.."he whispered .

She looked up at him but kept silent.

"Sorry..I hope..you understand ."he said .Guilt visible in his eyes.

"Its fine Randhir..I didn't feel bad..trust me.."she blinked her eyes this time locking her gaze with his.

"See you soon ..."he smiled and kissed her knuckles.

She gasped and balanced herself from falling on the ground.That was totally unpredictable and sudden....and new for her.

He smirked seeing his effect on her and walked out in fast steps.

************************************
The story isn't over yet.

There is lot more in next chapter if my readers know me well.

Stay tuned but stay safe..

~~Trishla Singh😊😊😊