✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
I got up before Manya and went to take a shower immediately. I looked at my wet hair in the mirror, and boy how am I gonna manage them here? They puff and curl up due to humidity. I dried them with a blow dryer and straighten them to make it easier for me to manage my hair.
Manya came out of the bathroom wearing her clothes as I work on mine.
Clad in a pearly white silk dress with open back and white heels, "Does this go together well?" I asked Manya. She nodded her head in confirmation and winked at me.
"Sun, is dress ke lie tere paas koi earrings hai kya." Aashika came in with her stuff to get ready together. She had a powder blue co-ord set on.
"Wait." I searched my bag for the pair of silver studs and passed it to her. "Perfect." We clicked a picture of the three of us and moved out to get the boys.
We were having breakfast together with the arrived guests. The wedding rituals will commence tonight with the mehandi ceremony. Haldi and sangeet will be tomorrow. The six of us found a beach facing table in the cornor which was perfect for the nine of us.
Ritvik and Kinjal sat next to each other with Shashank beside them. I saw a place vacent between Shubman and Manya. I ordered a ceaser salad omelette and cappuccino for myself as I am used to having a heavy breakfast, and knowing Manya she would leave some portion of her food as her appetite is quite low.
"Guys. Breakfast ke baad sangeet practice hai." Aashika announced. "And we have to show, Tarun ke gharwalo ko, what we are!!" Tarun looked at her is pure disbelief. I and Manya nodded earnestly.
"Accha?" Tarun raised his eyebrow at her. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Tarun continued, "Oh Baby, you dont know how hard Rawats can go for this."
I died dead. I literally died dead. Rest in peace me. RIP me. I couldn't help but take some candids of them. Aashi found the perfect guy for her!
"I know how hard this Rawat can go." Aashika's sensual voice made me look down in embarrassment. I don't even know why I'm embarrassed.
The rest of us choked, Manya started coughing but that didn't work. They were still engrossed in each other's eyes.
Before things got out of hand, Shubman tapped the table and said. "Bas karo besharmo tumhare sath aur bhi log hai." A shaky breath left my mouth as I drank some water to take in what just happened.
Shashank's facial expressions were priceless. He was scooted on the edge of the seat and looked outside the window, his face red. The newly engaged couple didn't had slightest bit of shame in them.
"Ha to, we were talking about sangeet." My voice came out bland as I fiddled with the lettuce on my plate.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Later at night, I along with the group and Aashika's cousins, practiced our performances for tomorrow's sangeet. We were sent videos two weeks ago, so that we can practice.
In our performance, I, Manya, and Aashika's cousin were dancing first and then Tarun's gang. In the last two songs we were paired, and I with Shubman given I was the only tall one and didn't look like a kid with him.
"Nahi, vapis karo, acche se naacho, Gagan bhaiya! Jeetna hai hume." Aashika played the last song for the tenth time.
I and Shubman were placed in the front with two couples behind us and one opposite to us. Aashika and Tarun in the middle. The recital was performed two more times before Aashika dispersed us. "Chalo ab sab jake so jao warna mehandi ke lie late ho jaenge." She got up and left the hall. Tarun followed her.
When they were out of sight and I and Manya stayed , "Steps to yaad hai na?" I connected my phone to the speaker and lowered the volume down.
I played the medley, we secretly prepared as a surprise for Aashika. After practicing for that, all of us went to bed by 11 for tonight's rituals.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
An hour before the event started I, Manya and Aashika got our mehandi done so that we can enjoy the actual ceremony later at night. We dried our mehandi out and took it off. A deep shade of orange and red hued my palm which popped the beautiful designs up.
The morning after for the Haldi, I got dressed in a silk pink strap sleeved blouse and bodycon skirt that gather pleats in the middle (somewhat like a saree's pleats.) this was a design from my upcoming Jaipuri collection. The blouse had a border of lotuses embroidered in a darker shade of pink.
The set up made for Aashika and Tarun was in the back garden of the hotel. The whole area was decorated with yellow everything. The bride and groom were seated on the low seat with people surrounding them, ready to start the ceremony.
Shubman, Manya, Shashank and Khushpreet stood beside me as we waited for our turn. Aashika's father called us over. I and Manya rushed to her and painted her with the yellow paste while Tarun's friends started a haldi war. I felt someone behind me and before I could turn, I was attached with two hands filled with haldi on my cheeks.
"Ahh." I knew it was Manya as everyone else were in front of my eyes. "Kutti!" I ran behind her with the remaining haldi in the bowl. Knocking her down on the floor I smeared haldi on her face. "Revenge, bitch."
Before I got up I was attacked byvthe whole gang who came to Manya's rescue. "You guys are the worst." I huffed. I'll have to wash my hair again. Ughh!
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
After a lively Haldi ceremony, I and Manya were in the room getting ready for the sangeet. I had a black blouse and red ready to wear saree which reminded me of my school's farewell saree. I love saree and Anarkalis, given that I am oblighed to wear Indian outfits most of the time, I have grown an affection towards them.
Manya had a black and golden indo-western jumpsuit. Aashika wanted us to get her ready, so I and Manya helped her. She adorned a silver lehenga that radiated her face heavenly. We decided to wait for the guys to come and then together went to the hall.
I couldn't help but notice Shubman wearing a black pathani. I couldn't help but stare at him. But it got embarrassing when he noticed my eyes on him.
Ahh, Dev you are a princess, Ladko ko tadna shobha nahi deta. I scolded myself and with my head down went in the hall.
The first performance was of the elders ; Aashika and Tarun's parents. They looked so cute grooving on the retro songs, I couldn't help but hype them up.
Now, it was our cue to take the position. Our performance started with Gallan Goodiyan and Drama queen which was continued by Tarun's friends on Desi boys and ended on Rum Whiskey. As the part came to an end, we again took over the stage for the combined section.
Shubman stood beside me as we danced first on Kajra re.
Yeah.. O What A Look, What A Grace
Tenu Hi Karan Main Chase
What A Naksh What A Nain
Dil Tera Ho Gaya Fan
What A Smile, What A Style...
Kabhi Soft, Kabhi Rude Kinna Tera Attitude
Tere Liye Hi Toh Signal Tod Taad Ke
Aaya Dilliwali Girlfriend Chhod Chhad Ke (X2)
O Teri Ankh Da Ishaara Mujhe Fraud Lage
Tu Toh Majnu Aawaara By God Lage
O Kasme Waade Khake Apni Pocket Money Bacha Ke
Aaya Tere Liye Paise Waise Jod Jaad Ke..
Ghar Waalon Ko Bhi Bye-Shye Bol Baal Ke
Aaya Dilliwali Girlfriend Chhod Chhad Ke
Tere Liye Hi Toh Signal Tod Taad Ke
Aaya Dilli Wali Girlfriend Chhod Chhad Ke
His hands occasionally touched mine during the song, a flirtatious smile never left his face. When I looked at his eyes, they scanned me as if he was imagining wild things. Totally inappropriate!
We haven't talked much but I can sense what game he was playing. And I decided to play along. A song later, it transitioned to Chammak challo. And us girls prepared the female part of the song with almost the exact steps.
Unnai Totta Penn Ullattai Uruka Maataya
Ennai Pola Pennai Paarthu Mayanga Maataya
Kannil Kannai Poti Vitaal Sirika Maataya
Ennil Unnai Sooti Vitaal Ottika Maataya
Shubman stood at the side of the stage. I danced while my eyes stayed on him. He took in all of my expressions.
Kaisa Sharmaana Aaja Nachke Dikha Doon
The guys approached us back on stage. Shubman stride towards me slowly without breaking our eye contact
Aa Mere Hole Aaja Parda Gira Doon
Aa Tujhe Akhiyon Mein Apne Basa Loon
Aa Tu Na Nakhre Dikha..
And I grabbed his collar and pulled him closer, just for a second. It may be closer than what the other pairs did.
Wanna Be My Chammak Challo, O O O..
The moment our performance ended I came out of my stance and thought about my stupid act. I immediately went away to Manya. At last our surprise dance was announced.
Chanhda Meri Chanda Tujhe Kaise Mein Yeh Samjhaoon
Mujhe Lagti Hai Tu Kitni Pyaari Re
I and Manya pointed over at Aashi who leaned on Taran's shoulder, her eyes glistening.
Khusiyan Jitni Hai Sab Jitni Hai Sab Dhoondh Ke Laoon
Teri Doli Ke Sang Kar Do Sari Re
Teri Doli Ke Sang Kar Do Sari Re
I felt a rush of emotions but kept myself composed and not cry during our performance.
Tu Jo Aayee Sajhke Mehndi Rajke
Chal Bajke Oh Soniye
Dil Kit No Ka Khaye Dhajke Oh Soniye
The song took a excited turn as we hopped on the steps.
Jind Maahi Ve
Soni Soni Aaja Maahi Ve
Everybody Sing
Soni Soni Aaja Maahi Ve
And we couldn't help but repeat the patent step. Next song was bole Chudiyan edited to our likings.
Bole chudiyan, bole kangna
Haai main ho gayi teri saajna
Tere bin jiyo naiyo lag da main te margaiya
Le jaa le jaa, soniye le jaa le jaa
Dil le jaa le jaa, ho
Oye soni kitti soni aaj tu lagdi ve
We pointed at each other.
Bas mere saath yeh jodi teri sajdi ve
Manya held my hand and twirled me
Roop aisa suhaana tera, chaand bhi hai deewana tera
I held her face and then she did mine. For the last song, I and Mnaya looked around to see Aashika's reaction. This song shocked everyone around and we also got some judgmental looks.
Dream-um Wakeuppam Critical Conditionum
Hey Earthum Quakepum Hil Dool Sab Shakeupum
Face To Faceum Dharti Putram
Top To Baseum Kama Sutram
I glanced at Shubman who's mouth was hung open. Aashika and tarun couldn't stop laughing.
Thighsum thunderum downum underum
Sizeum matterum Thinkum wonderum
Jumpingum...Pumpingum...
Throbbingum...Thumpingum...
Onnu, rande, mune, naale
The moment we descended the stage Aashika came and hugged us tight. Lastly the stage was open and all of us danced to random songs. It was an exhausting night but we carried memories both exciting and emotional.