पाया मैंने पाया तुम्हें, रब ने मिलाया तुम्हें
होंठों पे सजाया तुम्हें, नगमें सा गाया तुम्हें
पाया मैंने, पाया तुम्हें, सबसे छुपाया तुम्हें
सपना बनाया तुम्हें, नींदों में बुलाया तुम्हें
तुम जो आए ज़िन्दगी में बात बन गई
इश्क मज़हब, इश्क मेरी ज़ात बन गई
"Hello, Meera! I'm Jai, Veeru's best friend!" a man around Rana-sa's age said, which made me frown. Jai and Veeru? Was this some kind of movie reference?
"Shut up," Rana-sa muttered, staring at him with his usual glare. I couldn't help but wonder why he always seemed so serious. Why couldn't he smile more often, this chidchida insaan?
"Hello, Jay. I'm Meera Singhania," I introduced myself with a smile as I shook his outstretched hand. "This is Sidharth Rao, an acquaintance of mine," Rana-sa interrupted, introducing Jay who is now Sidharth? But before I could react, Sidharth chimed in, "Haw, Veeru! I'm your best friend. Shut up!" He said it with mock offense, even clutching his chest for added drama, and it made me giggle.
"Leave him alone, Bhabhi. Show me the ring!" Ja-Sidharth asked excitedly, and I eagerly extended my hand to show him. He gasped in surprise, then turned to Rana-sa. "You never gave me a ring!" He exclaimed, looking utterly shocked, while Rana-sa remained determined to ignore him. It was hard not to find the whole situation cute and amusing.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and a hush fell over the crowd. A spotlight illuminated the stage, and the host's voice boomed through the speakers. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the most awaited event of the evening—the Sangeet program!"
All the family members came onto the stage, and it was a delightful, chaotic mess of dance moves and smiles. It was a true family affair.
Vaahi and Saana, kicked things off with a spirited performance to "Nachde Ne Saare." Their energy was infectious, and the whole room got into the groove, dancing along.
Rudra, Sidharth and Kushaal, decided to showcase their moves next, dancing to "Desi Boyz." They had a knack for entertaining, and their performance had everyone cheering and clapping.
Then, unexpectedly, Priyal joined in, dancing to "Mein Nachdi Phira" with such emotional intensity that it tugged at my heartstrings. I felt Rana-sa gently entwine his warm fingers with mine, his thumb soothingly rubbing my hand. His support was a comforting presence.
The mood shifted as the soft strains of "Tera Ban Jaunga" filled the air. It was my parents' turn to shine. As they swayed to the melody, I couldn't hold back my tears. The song's lyrics resonated deeply, and seeing my parents express their love and emotions through dance moved me to tears. Rana-sa sensed my mixed feelings and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.
Vaidehi Ma and Babasa, gracefully took the stage next, dancing to "Tum Mile." Their performance was a heartwarming display of their enduring love, making everyone smile at their adorable chemistry.
The stage was then invaded by a joyful mix of cousins and siblings, dancing to high-energy songs that got everyone on their feet and grooving. The host's request left us with no choice but to take the stage. As we walked onto the spotlight, the cheers and hoots from our friends and family echoed in our ears. My heart raced, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness.
"Tum Jo Aaye" began to play, and I shot Rana-sa a confused look. He motioned for me to come closer, his eyes locked onto mine. I stepped into his embrace, and he gently took my hand in his. We started swaying to the soulful melody, our bodies moving in perfect harmony. This is our first dance together.
The world seemed to fade away, and all that mattered was the warmth of his hand in mine, the way his eyes held mine in a heated gaze. It felt like a dream, and I couldn't help but hold his gaze, lost in the depth of his stormy eyes.
Rana-sa leaned in, his voice barely a whisper against the backdrop of the music. "Meera, kuch baatein kehni nahi padti," he said, and my heart skipped a beat. Hearing him call me by my name, Meera, which sounded so foreign and intimate coming from his lips. His words held so much significance, and I could feel the weight of his emotions in them. (Some words don't need to be said..)
But as the song began to fade, reality crept back in, and we reluctantly started to separate. The cheers and applause from the audience brought us back to the present moment, reminding us that the Sangeet had come to an end, and it was time for everyone to retire for the night.
Reluctantly, I released Rana-sa's hand, and he gave me a nod, his eyes still filled with the mysterious emotions we had shared. We turned to face our cheering friends and family, who showered us with love and blessings.
The host stepped forward, thanking everyone for their participation and making the Sangeet program a memorable one. He announced that it was time to call it a night, with the promise of more celebrations to come during the wedding.
*...☀️...*☀️...*☀️...*☀️...*☀️...*
*The next day*
The Haldi ceremony just wrapped up, and it was an absolute blast! Rajmata made sure to emphasize how significant Haldi is in our culture, and she reminded us not to waste water or this precious Haldi on any silly quarrels. You should've seen the disappointment on everyone's faces – it was like taking candy away from a kid!
But the reality was sinking in – I was getting married today. It was an exciting yet nerve-wracking thought that sent a shiver down my spine. I took a deep breath and made my way to the room where my parents were waiting.
As I entered, I found Mumma and Papa sitting on the bed, wrapped in each other's arms. Mumma's eyes were glistening with tears, and her sobs were soft but unmistakable. Concern washed over me as I approached them. "What's wrong?" I asked, my voice filled with worry.
They exchanged a glance, and Mumma wiped away her tears, attempting to compose herself. "Oh, sweetheart, it's just... It's just that you're getting married so early," she finally managed to say, her voice trembling with emotion.
Papa nodded in agreement, his eyes mirroring the sentiment. "Yes, Meera, we didn't expect this day to come so soon. You're still our little girl."
Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized the source of Mumma's sadness. It wasn't that she was unhappy about my wedding; it was the swiftness of it all, the realization that her daughter was stepping into a new phase of life. I hugged them tightly, understanding their mixed emotions. "I love you both so much, and I promise I'll always be your little girl," I whispered, trying to reassure them.
"Hey, what! No family hug without me, okay?" Priyal declared, leaping onto the bed and wrapping her arms around us. We couldn't help but laugh at her infectious energy.
Getting ready for my wedding was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. I sat in front of the mirror, surrounded by a sea of jewelry and a whirlwind of fabrics. The red lehenga, rich with intricate embroidery, felt heavy but magnificent.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the amount of jewelry I was wearing. My neck bore the weight of a stunning choker, and my ears were adorned with extravagant jhumkas that swayed with every slight movement.
My makeup artist was a magician. She had 'enhanced' my features without making me look like someone else entirely. I wanted to feel like myself on this special day, and she had understood that perfectly.
The fragrance of the flowers in my hair was sweet and comforting, reminding me of home and simpler times. A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I thought of my family outside, bustling with excitement and sentiments.
With a deep breath, I pushed open the door, revealing myself to them. The room was filled with gasps and exclamations as they caught sight of me. Mumma's eyes welled up with tears, and she reached out to touch the fabric of my lehenga, her fingers trembling with emotion. "Meera, you look stunning," she whispered, her voice choked with pride and love.
Papa eyes glistened with unshed tears as he took in my appearance. "My little princess," he murmured, his voice cracking. Priyal couldn't hold back her tears. She rushed forward and enveloped me in a tight hug, her sobs muffled against my shoulder. "You look so beautiful, Meera di, I can't believe you're getting married!" she cried, her words a mixture of happiness and sadness.
Our cousin Kaira di couldn't resist adding a playful tease, "You better not cry this much at your own wedding, Priyal."
With laughter still echoing in the room, we made our way to the venue for the grand wedding. The excitement in the air was palpable, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves mixed with anticipation.
Once at the venue, I was escorted to a room where I was asked to wait until everything was ready. The minutes seemed to stretch into eternity as I sat there, a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts racing through my mind.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, Priyal entered the room with a beaming smile. "Di, it's time," she announced, her eyes shimmering with excitement and joy.
I nodded, took a deep breath, and reminded myself, "Let's do this."
(HER *sparkle*)
सलमा सितारों वाली शगना दी शुभ आई रे
बन्नो से बन्ने की मिल्ने की जो रुत लाई रे
शहनाई यूं गूँजी सबकी आँखें भर आयी रे
शहनाई यूं गूँजी सबकी आँखें भर आयी रे
I stopped and looked at him, my heart pounding in my chest. He stood there, resplendent in his sherwani, a gleaming talwaar by his side. As our eyes locked, a profound understanding passed between us, and in that moment, I knew without a doubt that I hadn't made a mistake.
His gaze bore into mine, filled with respect, care, and an unspoken promise of a beautiful future. The depth of emotion in his eyes was so evident that it sent shivers down my spine.
With the help of my cousins, I gracefully climbed onto the stage, my heart racing in anticipation. Guided by the warmth of their smiles, I found myself standing next to him, my partner.
We exchanged varmalas, the floral garlands symbolizing our acceptance of each other, our hearts pounding in unison. And then, as the priest chanted the sacred mantras, we took the pheras, completing the wedding ceremony both spiritually and traditionally.
I was officially Mrs. Meera Ruhaan Singhania Rajvansh.
After the completion of the ceremony, we both sought blessings from all the elders, a tradition that filled my heart with warmth and love. But soon, it was time for the heart-wrenching moment of Vidaai.
I had mentally prepared myself not to cry, knowing that if I did, Mumma and Papa would lose it. So, instead, I gave them a tight hug, trying to control my sobs. I kissed Mumma on her forehead and offered her a reassuring smile, which she tried her best to return. As for Priyal, I couldn't resist playfully smacking her on the head when I caught her shedding tears, but I couldn't help wiping away her tears too. "Guys, I'll be home soon!" I assured them, my voice filled with a mix of emotions.
Bidding them goodbye was one of the hardest things I'd ever done, and as I walked away, my hands were trembling with anxiety. I rushed towards the waiting car, and Rana-sa graciously opened the door for me. Without wasting a moment, I got inside, and the door closed behind me. The car left the venue, taking me towards a new chapter of my life, and I couldn't help but feel a whirlwind of emotions in that moment.
I glanced to my left and found him staring at me intently, his eyes filled with understanding and compassion. "You can cry," he said or rather whispered, and I simply nodded, allowing the tears to flow freely.
Unconsciously, I shifted closer to him, seeking solace in his comforting presence. I felt a moment of panic, fearing that I might have crossed some unspoken boundary. But then, his arms wrapped around me tightly, and it felt like heaven.
I hated that I couldn't always be strong, that I couldn't always control my emotions. It was frustrating to think that I might forever be the damsel in distress.
I can't quite recall when it happened, but the overwhelming emotions finally took their toll, and I passed out.
*...☀️...*☀️...*☀️...*☀️...*☀️...*
A/N
Meet Mrs Meera Ruhaan Singhania Rajvansh.
(Bro naam hi itna bada hai)
Now the wedding escapades start.
Suggestions?
Did you like Meera's wedding lehenga?