"Every time she smiles, his heart skips a beat"
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10. Tying The Knot
THE WEDDING WAS arranged in a hotel because of the large number of guests invited by both the families for the wedding. The wedding was taking place in the hotel lawn. The lawn was decorated beautifully. The wedding pavilion was set up in the lawn. Every inch of the pavilion was beautifully covered and decorated with flowers while the pillars were decorated with lightings.
Shreya could feel the nervousness kick in her body. She stood in the middle of her hotel room looking at her reflection in the mirror. She looked so different. A good kind of different. She caressed the fabric of her bridal attire and sat on the bed. She was glowing and of course with the make up she looked more beautiful and appealing.
It was an orange and red attire with heavy and intricate golden embroidery work. Shreya was sure that with such a heavy attire she was definitely going to fall down. Indian weddings!
Shweta along with Aanchal and Forum entered Shreya's room. Shweta's eyes twinkled with happiness as she took in Shreya's form. She looked so ethereal in the bridal attire.
"Shreya, Aarav won't be able to take his eyes off you", Forum teased making Shweta and Aanchal chuckle lightly.
"Don't tease my daughter in law, Forum", Shweta scolded playfully.
Shreya smiled at that and quickly walked towards the three ladies. All the three were surprised when Shreya took their blessings. Shweta kissed Shreya's forehead lovingly while Aanchal and Forum hugged her tightly.
"Anyways Shreya, I was here to give you these bangles", Shweta said as Shreya looked at them confused.
"These are our ancestral bangles. My mother in law passed them to me and now I am passing it to you", Shweta said as she made her wear one bangle in each hand.
Tears brimmed in Shreya's eyes and she hugged Shweta who patted her back lovingly.
"Don't cry its your big day, honey!", Aanchal said caressing Shreya's back as Shreya pulled away nodding.
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AARAV WAS SITTING on the wedding dias dressed in a golden sherwani with a turban on his head as he patiently waited for his bride. A number of people surrounded him whilst the priest tied the red thread around his wrist but he wasn't paying attention to the rituals as his eyes kept searching for Shreya.
"Bro! Pay attention to the rituals Bhabhi will here soon", Rishabh teased.
And on cue, Shreya walked out of the hotel with her Mom and Saloni by her side. Aarav couldn't help but get lost in her beauty. He didn't even realise when Shreya climbed the dias. Aanchal helped Shreya sit besides Aarav who was gazing at her with lovingly.
The priest chanted some hymns and asked the bride and groom to stand up for exchanging garlands. ( Jaymala Ritual )
Shreya was about to make Aarav wear the garland when Rishabh and Neil picked him up making it impossible for her to reach him.
Shreya jumped but couldn't reach him. Everyone chuckled at Shreya's struggling form. Finally Jai and Shaurya came to Shreya's rescue. They picked her up and finally Aarav and Shreya exchanged the garlands with each other as everyone applauded for them.
The priest lit the sacred fire and started chanting the holy hymns once the couple sat down again.
"You may tie the knot", ( Gathbandan ) The priest told Shweta and Parul as they came forward and tied Shreya's bridal veil to Aarav's Sherwani's scarf binding the two strangers forever in the presence of the sacred fire.
Prem came forward with a heavy heart as he placed Shreya's hand on Aarav's hand and gave her away. ( Kanyadaan ) Despite of all the distance in the father daughter relation, Prem couldn't help but feel his eyes moist as he saw his daughter getting married.
"They look so good with each other", Aanchal said dreamily leaning her head on Neil's shoulder as Yash slept soundly in her arms.
"Samar! I feel like marrying you again", Forum said pouting as Samar chuckled placing a hand on her shoulder so he could pull her closer.
"Looking at Bhai and Bhabhi even I feel like getting married", Rishabh said looking at the couple who were sitting and praying in front of the sacred fire as the priest continued to chant the holy hymns.
"I pity the girl who will marry you", Saloni said chuckling softly.
"Now you may stand up for the vows", ( Saat Phere ) The priest instructed as the bride and groom stood up from their places.
"As you take each vow I will recite its meaning to you. During the first four vows the groom will walk ahead while the rest three vows will be taken as the bride walks ahead", The priest said.
Aarav walked ahead with Shreya behind me taking the first vow around the sacred fire.
"The first vow says, the bride and the groom would provide prosperity as a household to the family and would stand against those who try to hinder"
As Aarav and Shreya took the second vow around the sacred fire, the priest recited the meaning of the second vow "The second vow says ,the bride and the groom would lead a healthy life by developing their physical, mental and spiritual"
As the couple took the third vow, the priest recited it's meaning to them, "The third vow says, the couple would earn a living and increase by proper means, so that their materialistic wealth increases manifold"
Aarav took the fourth vow as he walked ahead with Shreya behind him.
"The fourth vow says, the married couple would respect, love & understand each other and would acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony"
"Now the bride may come forward for the rest of the vows"
Shreya came forward as Aarav stepped back. Shreya walked ahead with Aarav behind her as they took their fifth vow around the sacred fire.
"The fifth vow says, the couple would expand their family by having healthy, brave and honest children, for whom, they will be responsible"
As they took the sixth vow around the sacred fire, the priest recited meaning of the sixth vow to them, "The sixth vow says, the bride and the groom should have self-control of the mind, body and soul and should have long marital relationship"
As Shreya and Aarav took the last vow she felt him intertwine his hands with her.
"The seventh and the last vow says, they promise that they would be true and loyal to each other and would remain companions and best of friends for the lifetime"
Once the vows were done, the couple sat down again as Shweta forwarded vermillon ( Sindoor ) in front of Aarav. He took a pinch of it and slowly filled Shreya's partition with it. Shreya's eyes closed on their own accord as she relished the moment like every girl who waits for this beautiful moment in her wedding. A little vermillon fell on her nose indicating he will love her alot.
"Now you may tie the black beads necklace" ( Mangalsutra )
Shweta passed the necklace to Aarav which was a simple diamond pendant supported with black beads making it look simple yet elegant.
He took the necklace and tied it around Shreya's neck finally making her Shreya Aarav Shah.
"I officially announce you both as husband and wife", the priest declared and everyone applauded for the newly weds.
The couple came forward and took the blessings of all the elders who happily blessed them as they touched their feet.
"Congratulations Mrs Aarav Shah", Aarav teased once they were settled down for dinner.
"Congratulations to you too, Mr Chauhan!", Shreya mimicked his tone and he let out a light chuckle.
Shreya didn't know whether she should be happy or sad. On one side she was happy that she was going to be a part of Shah family and on the other side she was scared to share her life with someone.
"Where are my shoes?", Aarav asked frowning and breaking Shreya's trance.
"The shoes are here, jiju", Saloni said smirking as she held his shoes in her hands.
"What the hell! When did you take them?", Rishabh asked confused.
"When you were busy flirting with one of my friends", Saloni said smirking.
"Jiju, if want your shoes back you have to give me atleast five thousand rupees", Saloni said smiling.
"Saloni!", Shreya scolded her.
"Don't scold her, Shreya its a ritual after all. Here take this Aarav and give it to her", Manish said smiling as he gave five thousand to Aarav.
"Here, take this sister in law", Aarav teased as he gave Saloni the money.
"Hurry up! The bidding farewell to bride ritual is still remaining and we need to leave for the house rituals also", Shweta said.
For the first time in the past eighteen years, Parul and Prem finally hugged Shreya and she too cried wholeheartedly in their arms. Saloni and Shaurya hugged their sister crying as they bid her farewell for her future life with Aarav.
Shreya and Aarav sat in the car which was decorated for the bride and groom. Shreya wiped her tears as they headed towards the Shah Residence.
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AARAV ALONG WITH Shreya was standing at the entrance of his apartment waiting for Shweta to come and do the welcome ritual of the bride. ( Grihapravesh )
Shweta came with the Aarti Thali which was decorated with all the necessary items. She did their Tilak followed by Aarti in order to keep them safe from the evil eyes.
"Now Shreya tilt the Rice pot ( Kalash ) with your right leg and enter the house together", Shweta instructed and Shreya followed her instructions. Holding Aarav's hand she tilted the rice pot and together they stepped in the house for the first time as husband and wife.
"Stand in the Vermillon water ( Alta ) then walk inside with your red feet", Shweta said smiling.
Shreya stood in the water holding Aarav's hand and then walked inside the house carefully, leaving the imprints of her red feet.
They did Aarti in the house temple and took the blessings of all the elders and hugged their siblings.
"Okay its time for some games", Forum chirped as Aanchal bought a large bowl of milk and rose petals.
Shweta dipped a ring inside the bowl and mixed it thoroughly.
"Whoever finds the ring rules the other person and I hope Shreya finds the ring", Aanchal said winking at Aarav.
"Yeah yeah now you all are going to gang me up. One against so many! Poor me", Aarav said dramatically and Shreya let out a soft chuckle.
Aarav grinned at her and was happy that she found him funny.
"Okay now start!", Forum said excitedly.
Aarav and Shreya dipped their hands in the bowl, searching for the rings. Each time their hands collided, they looked up at each other as shivers passed down their spines. After whole fifteen minutes, Aarav finally found the ring but he caught Shreya's hand and passed the ring to her carefully so that no one noticed it.
Shreya pulled out her hand and showed the ring to his family as they cheered for her. She looked at him and mouthed him a thankyou which he just responded with a smile. Aarav could see the happiness in her eyes as his Mom and sisters spoke to her.
I would lose a thousand of games to see her smile like this! Aarav thought to himself.
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So how was the chapter? Let me know! Excuse me for grammatical errors. Vote and comment. Keep loving Aarya :) Happy reading!
Love ya
Hugs and Kisses
See you soon
-Rhea