"Finally you both are getting married!" Kashi beamed happily, helping her mother to wrap the red silk saree around her.

"This is so confusing," Priya sighed. "I am never going to wear this thing again." Nila giggled when she heard her mom whining.

"Damn! My butt looks fat Kashi!" She said, looking bug-eyed at her reflection in the full-length mirror. Both Nila and Kashi began laughing.

"That's ok, mom. Arjun will be blown away. Actually, he is already whipped," Nila replied. After finding the truth about Neil and ending everything once and for all, Priya had trust issues. A lot of trust issues. But Arjun didn't give up. He broke all the walls Priya had build around her heart and managed to woo the rude tough Mehra. After dating for a year they decide to tie the knot.

"Yeah, you are right. I can't believe he picked a fight with his mom about my hair. I mean come on, she is a nice, gentle lady and considering everything, she was warm and welcoming. And that man had to go..."

"You know, I like the fact that his mom and dad speak in English when you're there. It's a small gesture but a sweet one," Kashi remarked with a gracious smile. She was present when the whole drama was happening.

But Nila was in boarding school when Arjun's family met Priya, hence missed out on some major fun element of the whole event. His parents and brother were genuinely happy. They were a little upset when Priya and Arjun told them their decision to forgo the engagement and have an intimate wedding but was happy that at last their son is getting married.

Everything had been relatively stress-free until his mom had gently asked if Priya would be willing to grow her hair at least shoulder length. It had resulted in a volley of words between her and Arjun. Priya didn't understand any of it. Her knowledge of Malayalam was limited to very few basic words. Arjun's brother, Ashwin, had laughed at her wide-eyed, slightly tense look.

"Relax, sis," he'd said, "Bro is winning the argument."

"But what are they arguing about? My hair?" He'd nodded. "I don't mind growing it back. Honestly," she added hastily. "This was just more
convenient..."

"Save your breath," he replied with a grin. "Bro just said there would be no wedding if you grow your hair even an inch more. Instead, he will marry you in a court."

"Point to be noted, he did want to get married at any cost," Kashi wriggled her eyebrows, bringing Priya back to the present. 'It was true,' Priya smirked inwardly.

"Very soon you are going to be Mrs. Nair, mom."

"Oh, man! I'm going to be Mrs Nair now" Priya looked genuinely taken aback.

"I know right," Kashi replied while helping Priya to put the jasmine flowers on her fake long hair which her stylist insisted on using.

Priya had a lot of gold jewellery along with a heavy long traditional necklace embedded with precious rare stones which was a part of the Nair family heirloom. The beautiful necklace that Priya was wearing was gifted to her by her mother-in-law. "It was meant for the eldest daughter-in-law. I want you to have it," she had said.

There was a knock on the door. Nila looked excited. "I think it is time. They must have sent someone to fetch the bride." Nila opened the door and Ashwin was standing outside.

"Wow, sis, you look amazing," he said with a smile. Priya mouthed a thank you.

"Bro asked me to give this to you." Ashwin sounded amused as he handed her a white envelope.

"Thank you." Priya took the envelope. It was light in weight which meant there must be a note or a letter.

Ashwin smiled. "Welcome to the family, sis and niece. See you soon." He smiled at Nila and winked at Kashi before leaving. 'Am I missing out something?' Priya looked at Kashi suspiciously when she shrugged shyly.

Shaking her head, Priya opened the envelope to see an album. When she opened it she was beyond surprised. It had pictures of her in various situations. In some of them, she looked happy and in some of them, she looked pissed. All of them were taken recently, without her knowledge. At last, there was a note,

I didn't stalk you, I was just careful and you were busy showing the inner child in you.

From your soon to be husband
Arjun

"Oh my god! Arjun is so romantic," Kashi exclaimed. When they started dating Priya didn't expect much from Arjun. But he soon changed her thinking by showering his love on her. He never hesitated to show his love, even in public. The rude jerk turned into a sweet caring gentleman.

The sounds of trumpets and drums from the outside indicated the ceremony had begun.

"Come on, the ceremony is going to start, mom," Nila said excitedly.

With a smile along with Kashi, Priya curled her arm around her daughter's arm and went to the ceremony where she knew Arjun would be impatiently waiting.

This time, she took the time to admire the beautifully decorated wedding venue. It was an intimate wedding with only a few people. Priya couldn't see Arjun as a large piece of cloth kept him hidden from her.

"You look beautiful."

Priya saw the smiling face of Arjun's mom. The older woman smiled and kissed Priya on the forehead. "You better sit next to my son soon," she said. "He is making the priests nervous with his impatience."

Laughing and blushing, Priya joined the ceremony that would tie her to the man she loved and trusted.

_________________________________________

It was past midnight. Priya and Arjun lay sweaty and exhausted under the tangled sheets which were once covered with rose petals, naked. A dim light from the lamps outside forced its way through the closed slats of the blinds, preventing the room from being pitch dark. A gentle breeze from the air conditioner wafted across her bare
flesh, raising tiny goosebumps.
How long had it been since they had entered their bedroom in Arjun's house? Four hours? In these four hours, he had taken her three times. The first time he was slow and gentle. He'd won over her body with every slow caress, just as he had won over her love and her trust last year. From the second time, it had been a rollercoaster ride. She didn't know how many times she had reached satisfaction; this last time had felt like one long swell that crested then refused to subside so that she had been awash in sensation, drunk with pleasure. She was glad that she lost her V card to a person she loved and it was worth the wait.

As his breathing slowed, Arjun stirred beside her. Heaving himself up on his elbow, holding her head cradled in the crook of his arm, he smiled down at her. "I missed you," he told her. Both of them were lately busy and saw each other less because of some important cases.

She rubbed her cheek against his shoulder, her eyes closing as she luxuriated in the feel of him, warm, solid and vital. "I love you, Arjun," she said softly, kissing his shoulder. "Thank you."

"For what?" He frowned.

"For everything." She replied.

"Did the great Priya Mehra said thank you to me?" He murmured softly, gliding his thumb over her cheek. But even in the darkness, he could see the shadows creeping into her eyes. Her mind wandered back into the past.

"I miss my family," she said, her lips trembling before firming. "They would've loved our wedding. Especially mom, she wanted to see me settled and when I'm finally..."

"Shhh... They are with you, will always be with you," he whispered while caressing her back soothing her.

"By the way, you should tell Nila, something," Arjun said trying to change the topic. He looked pretty serious.

"What?"

"She should start calling me, dad."

"No, she won't."

"Why?" Arjun looked taken aback and a little pissed.

"Because... I am joking." Priya burst out laughing.

"Very funny," Arjun replied rolling his eyes.

"She will call you, dad. Chill!"

"You are just insecure. Because she will love me more," Arjun said confidently.

"Oh Mr. Nair, she is my daughter."

"But now she has a cool dad."

"Do you want me to kick you out of this room?" Priya asked pissed.

"Now, how was that? Should I also start laughing?" Arjun smirked wickedly. Priya murmured profanity and pushed him a little away, only to be pulled into his chest.

She never thought in her wildest dreams that the rude jerk will be the one to whom she would get tied forever.

"What about a fourth round, Mrs. Nair?" Arjun asked smiling mischievously.

"I don't think..." His lips tasted hers shutting her up and driving all the second thoughts away.

_________________________________________