The Arora house was full of chattering, giggles, music, loud orders and tons of laughter among relatives. In between this hustle bustle, the beautiful bride was sitting in front of her mirror watching herself dressed in the bridal attire.

Her gaze lingered on every piece of jewel she was wearing, the elegant neck piece, the gorgeous big nose ring. She observed her expensive lehenga. It was red but had chunks of green at some places on the border. Very heavy, everything from her jewellery to her whole bridal lehenga. She looked at her face, she didn't know the words to express herself. She looked okay, she thought. Always conscious!

But then suddenly, her gaze shifted to her hands. She opened them and stared at her palms. They were full of henna designs and in extremely brown color. It was almost looking blackish.

The darker the color, the more passionately he loves you.

She remembered the ladies' words. She gulped the strange feeling forming in her throat.

"You always say, you love me, Mr. Luthra. I don't know if that's true or not. Even after listening from everyone, even after looking at my palms. Still I can't believe? Why? I myself don't know. May be, I just can never digest this fact, Mr. Luthra. Because instead of settling your love in my heart you have always been scaring me, making me helpless.

Love happens. It can be straight, it can be twisted, it can be dark, it can be dangerous. But it can't be forced.

I wish you could have realise this."

Her thoughts were vanished when she heard her bhabhi calling her name. She turned to look all of her friends were too standing there looking beautiful in pretty dresses. She heard gasps. They were looking at her in awe. She felt conscious.

"You are the most beautiful bride, Preeta." Her friend Raashi beamed at her. She gave her a weak smile. But Preeta's eyes turned glossy suddenly. She blinked to jerk away the sentimental sensations in her heart.

This wasn't the time yet. She had to complete many rituals before leaving this home. She had to marry him today. She would have enough time to cry for leaving this home later.

Taking long breaths, she nodded at her friends. They came forward and helped her in walking with the heavy attire. Her bhabhi held her shoulder while saying,"It's the time, Preeta." making her gulp in uncertainty.

The gorgeous bride walked down the decorated way to the mandap settled in the big hall of her home. The flowers, lights, fragrances, everything was so perfect understand shade of her father's efforts. He had took his whole heart in making this wedding magnificent. The guests had arrived and were excited for the bride to arrive.

Little did they know, one heart among them was dying to see her. The heart which belonged to none other than the groom sitting at the mandap. It was beating wildly. After all, his bride was about to come.

And... she arrived with full grace and confidence. Her friends were surrounding her. Her bhabhi was holding her lehenga, helping her to walk smoothly under the lights. As if his life stopped. It was completed by that single view. He was mesmerised by her single appearance. She had stole his breath away.

Yes, she was looking breathtaking.

From the unclear view through his sehra, he observed her walking towards him. Her gaze was at the floor as expected. He knew she was scared of everything right now. This scenario, the mantras, the audience, the wedding and of course, him.

She reached the mandap, her bhabhi made her sat beside him in front of the Agni, the Sacred fire. She felt her body shaking with nervousness. They had a great audience, full of relatives and other guests. But only one thing was in her mind.

In next moment, I will become his wife.

The pandit ji started the chants and mantras while their breath got hitched. She didn't raise her eyes even for once. She didn't know how he looked, how he was feeling. Who cared? When she knew already that he would be more than happy at his victory.

Slowly, the hymns were read and chanted by them. They followed each command of pandit ji as he told them to put hand on one other's hand to perform the ritual for the Sacred Fire. Then, the scarf hanged on Karan's shoulder was tied with Preeta's duppatta. Preeta felt her blood almost drained when the ritual of kanyadaan was performed. Tonight, she would be leaving this home, her people. She was gulping the lump again and again.

It was time for the seven rounds famously known as Saat pheres. Every round around the Sacred fire taken by bride and groom is done while taking a vow by both. The first round was for respect and honour towards each other. The second for strength to weather their problems, the third for prosperity for their household, the fourth for wisdom, the fifth for their children, the sixth for their health and last but not the least for their affection and a last companionship.

Both of their thoughts were messy and mind stressing. I will do anything to run away from this wedding, Preeta thought.

Whereas Karan's heart was swelling with happiness. He mentally whispered himself, This is it. She is going to be mine only.

Clappings echoed in the hall while guests sprinkled flowers too on the couple. It was time for the important ritual. They had sat again as the priest ordered Karan to put vermilion at the partition of Preeta's hair. When Karan turned to her slightly, Preeta's eyes remained glued to her lap. Her bhabhi moved the hair accessory slightly for the access as Karan heartily put the vermilion on the partition with a smile on his face.

Everyone clapped while Preeta's nervousness increased. She wanted to cry yet she controlled. Her throat was getting tight with the suffocation she was feeling in the wedding Hall. Moreover, the priest announced the next ritual where Karan had to tie the mangalsutra around Preeta's neck and he did it heartily. Her breath hitched when she felt his hands around her neck while tying it.

Completed.

The rituals were done. The last mantras were read and completed as the pandit ji finally announced them husband and wife. Preeta controlled her sobs while the loudness of claps covered them. She heard everyone cheering and congratulating Karan. His friends including Kabir, Rohan were congratulating wholeheartedly making Preeta feel humiliated. Saying that Karan was happiest, was an understatement. He was on cloud nine. His dream was fulfilled. The Queen of his dreams had become his finally. It was reality. It was the truth.

Between all the noise, Karan had a new feeling in his heart. He was proud. He promised himself that he will not let himself hurting her anymore. She was his for whole life. He would slowly show her how much she meant to him. He would show her how much he loved her.

The guests had congratulated them. The amazing dinner was served. The drinks were cheered. Everyone was in their own reverie while Preeta sat at the chair around a round table beside Karan. He had never left her hand since the announcement of their new married life. She was quiet, suffering all the happenings. They hadn't exchanged any words nor even she had looked at him.

She was afraid of the future. Right now, she realised him being totally patient, cool, totally involving in the cheerful environment. He was proudly meeting and thanking all the guests and his friends. He was behaving as if he had been the greatest lover ever. But who knew what he had done to her these past years.

The dinner went amazing as it was planned. Both Aroras and Luthras were more than happy. But it was time for bidaai, the bride's departure from her home. Preeta cried on her bhabhi's shoulder who held her in comfort patting her back. One by one she hugged all of her friends and cousins while sobbing. Her brother held her tight in his embrace as he told her to be strong and confident. She would always be their princess, their sweetest Preeta. The one who always took care of her family with heart.

It was her mother who was crying the most. They hugged remembering all the moments together throughout their life. It was the weakest moment for Preeta. Leaving the home where she had born, grown up and had become a confident girl. She sobbed clinging to her mother making Karan gulping in uncomfortableness. Her tears had always weaken him.

He touched his father-in-law's feet and was immediately given blessings by him as Preeta's father had put his hand on his head. Preeta hugged her father crying making all the relatives emotional. Her father said sweet words to her while having tears in his eyes. From his shaky voice, everyone knew he too was having a weak moment.

"Take care of my daughter, beta. She is my princess. Just never let her feel that she is away from her home."

Preeta sobbed while Karan observed her face. She was looking really upset. But then he looked at her father. He nodded his head and confidently said,"She is going to her home, Papa. I give you my word. I will make her the happiest."

Her father nodded with a weak smile as he gave Preeta a last pat on the back. It was finally the time to leave. The evening had darken. Luthras thanked Aroras for the wonderful function. Mahesh Luthra hugged Preeta's father saying,"From today, she is my daughter too." Encouraged with his words, Preeta's father joined his hands emotionally thanking him.

The bride and groom were finally sitting in the car. Preeta didn't stop crying. When the car started moving, she looked back at her family through the blurry vision and saw them waving at her. She shut her eyes and turned back to avoid looking at their faces.

They had crossed half the way. The car was silent except her. She was still sobbing. Karan's hands were itching to wipe those tears but he didn't want to react so soon. She needed time to observe his behaviour. First, she needed to accept that she was finally with him as his wife.

But he wasn't able to stop himself from offering her a handkerchief. As if she was done with her crying, Preeta stopped sobbing and looked at the handkerchief. But instead of taking it, she ignored him and turned her face to look outside the window. Sighing, Karan put the cloth back in his pocket.

"I hate seeing your tears."

He muttered while looking at her, controlling his anger. She was looking outside. Her cheeks were tear stained. The big nose ring was touching her red lips making her look mesmerising. But then he saw them moving as he heard her saying,"You caused them, Mr. Luthra."

Hearing her voice after so long, Karan smiled unintentionally. He wanted to just kiss her lovingly as she was looking damn cute with that angry face. But her words were still there in his mind. He was amused by her reaction. So finally you thought about speaking to me, he thought.

Preeta was still looking outside the window angrily. Karan chuckled silently realising she wasn't crying anymore as his Queen was busy in cursing him in her mind.

He moved closer to her which Preeta didn't realise until she felt his hand touching her chin. Karan made her look at him. Seeing her red eyes, he raised eyebrows in humour to tease her.

"Well, if I have caused them then I think I should wipe them, Mrs. Luthra." Saying this, Karan wiped her tears gently.

Preeta didn't react as she was out of mind thinking how she should react. Would it be fair to push him away? Was it fine to let him do that? Before she could think more, Karan was done with his actions. But this wasn't enough yet as he stared at her for a second making her uncomfortable.

"I did all of that to have you, Preeta. Now, when I have you I won't do that again." He saw her lips quivering and realised she was about to cry again.

"That will not make a difference." She choked out the words and turned away her face from his.

Karan was hurt by her words. He cursed himself for being unable to calm her. She was still angry, still emotional. Suddenly, his gaze shifted to the window and realised they had almost reached.

He moved away from her and leaned on his seat. He looked at her sideways observing her beautiful face.

"That will make a difference, Preeta. I know, for sure."

Preeta had heard him but didn't reply. She was tired and upset. She didn't want to waste her energy more on arguing with him.

As if God had heard her thoughts, the driver halt the car and turned to them saying,"We have reached, Sir."

__________