A Journey Towards love # 4

 

Arnav dressed in cream t-shirt & grey trouser sitting on the small stool in the large living room of Seesh Mahal looked at the haldi sticky paste in a bowl, placed in the decorative red tray with red rose petals, with distaste while every family member present there for his haldi suppressing their smiles seeing him making faces.

Anjali " Come on Chote, stop making faces. It's just haldi paste. You are acting as if it's something infectious " with teasing smile " You know Chote, haldi is actually very good for skin "

Arnav " Yeah right! " huff in irritation " Let's get over with this "

Dadi put a small tilak on Arnav's head first and then rubbed her fingers coated with haldi on his both cheeks. All giggled as Arnav squeezed his eyes shut in irritation but again became silent seeing ASR's deathly glare. Akshat applied the haldi over his both cheeks and arms. Anjali applied haldi on his face, arms and then pulled his trousers up to apply haldi to his legs.

Arnav instantly pull his legs back " Di what are you doing? " with gritted teeth while lowering the trouser

Anjali " Uffo ho, I am not taking your trouser off. Chote. Just a little up to apply haldi on your leg " with teasing smile making other share a laugh

Arnav " Di Noo " literally whined like a child making all giggle

Anjali " Please Chote, just this once " pinching his cheek a little making him more grumpy but agreed on seeing a big smile on Anjali's face

Anjali pulled his trousers up, just below the knees; and then applied haldi to his legs and feet. Next his all paternal & maternal both sides uncles and aunties applied haldi on him. Then his all cousins applied on him; they literally made Arnav bath in the Haldi. It was a miracle in itself that Arnav was sitting there and letting others apply this sticky haldi paste to him. As this was the one time opportunity in their life, they decided to get all their revenge for all those pranks Arnav had on them.

Within in half an hour with so much craziness Arnav's haldi ceremony completed much to Arnav's relief. Dadi wiped off some haldi from his face, neck and then arm and rubed her finger over the edge of haldi containing silver bowl Anjali holding. AS the wiped off haldi went into the contents of the bowl, Dadi then took Sandal stick to stir the bowl mixing both haldis.

Arnav " What is that for? " confused

Anjali " This haldi is for Khushi and it is considered good omen when some of haldi off from groom is applied to the bride" with a smile

Arnav " Crazy " got up and left for his room to freshen up

Dadi and Anjali along with her cousin sisters left for AR Resort to Khushi's haldi.

At AR Resort, Sashi and Garima welcome them. They went to ballroom, the whole room decorated with yellow and pink silk curtain for Haldi. Sashi called Payal to bring Khushi.

Khushi came out wearing a pretty yellow tulle lehenga with all-over multicolour floral motif zardozi & sequin work paired with embellished blouse & checkered border dupatta. She was looking stunning with her long black hair tied in simple fishtail braid with jasmine flowers along with white pink rose floral jewelry.

Payal made Khushi sit on the small settee. Her uncles, aunties along with her cousins were sitting on the sofas placed on opposite side.

Anjali came near her and placed the tray, having the haldi bowl, on the small table. She then sat beside Khushi and lifts her chin.

Anjali " Anyone bad eyes not fall on you Khushi you're looking very much pretty today " took her balaiyan

Buaji " I think we should start haldi " not liking the attention Khushi getting instead of Payal

Dadi " Yes yes, we should start " with a smile

Garima did a tilak on Khushi's forehead. She taking little haldi from the bowl placed in the decorative red tray applied it on Khushi's both cheeks and arms with no expression. Khushi was well use-to to this behavior from Buaji and Garima by now but still it hurt her.

Garima stood up and went away to sit on the sofa with Buaji. Then Sashi came forward and applied haldi on Khushi. He patted her head as Khushi give him her beautiful smile.

Then came Buaji and applied haldi on Khushi's both cheeks with fake smile just to show off her fake happiness for Khushi. Payal lifted Khushi's lehenga skirt up to her knees. She applied haldi on Khushi's face, arms and legs. Then Dadi and Anjali applied haldi on Khushi. Her uncles and aunties came next and applied haldi to Khushi. Then her cousins and applied haldi on her.

Within half an hour Khushi's haldi ceremony completed. Khushi's two cousin sisters Ishani and Nisha held her lehenga by both so that it doesn't get spoiled by the haldi on her legs while they were going to Khushi's room. They both made Khushi sit on bed. Ishani started wiping off haldi from Khushi's face, arms and legs with tisse papers while Nisha started arrangement bubble bath for Khushi. After fifteen minutes Nisha called Khushi for bath. Khushi went to washroom with Ishani holding her lehenga skirt.

Around evening, whole Seesh Mahal was decorated like a bride with flowers and fairy lights. Arnav in his room was getting ready for marriage when Anjali came to his room. She was very much happy seeing her dream for years about Arnav's marriage finally going to fulfill.

Anjali mesmerized seeing Arnav in sherwani for first time " Chote you looking so handsome " cupping Arnav's cheek " Chote, I know you agreed to marry Khushi for me but from today she will be your responsibility. Chote, promise me you'll always take care of her and cherish her "

Arnav " I promise Di "

A Journey Towards love # 3

 

@AR Resort- Lucknow, around 7 am;

Payal " Kusi, wake up ... it's already seven " shooking Khushi trying to make Khushi awake

Khushi " Jiji, let me sleep na ... I'm tired " mumbling

Payal " Kusi, wake up " shook her even harder than before

Khushi lazily opened her eyes " Good morning Jiji " sitting on bed

Payal " Good morning . Now get up and take the shower till then I'll order our breakfast. Hurry up beautician will come by 8 to make you ready for your mehendi function "

Khushi sighed thinking last two weeks went in blur. Anjali had token every responsibility of this marriage much to Garima and Buaji's relief. All pre rituals along with wedding would be hold in this resort for security reasons. Khushi along with Guptas and their relatives had come to this resort by a luxury cars arranged by Anjali. Khushi had introduced Khushi to all her relatives. Rest of the day she spent with them to get to know each other. Now from today the wedding function was starting; today mehendi along with engagement in evening; and next day haldi along with wedding. Khushi got out of the bed and went to take shower meanwhile Payal ordered the breakfast and tiding the room.

Khushi come out of the bathroom after having 20 minutes relaxing shower wearing a amber yellow A line suit in cotton silk enhanced with ikkat print and her wet hair covered by a towel.

At 8 o'clock sharp Anjali came with beautician and one staff carrying garment bag and shopping bags. Khushi was awe seeing Anjali taken out a beautiful aqua green lehenga with all-over floral motif glass bead work paired with cutwork blouse & scallop dupatt from the garment bag. Anjali showed Khushi a pair of kundan pearl meenakiri jhumkas and the pair of antique gold jute juttis featuring zardozi work, tiny pearls and crystals she chose for Khushi for mehendi function. Khushi was also in awe of everything laid before her.

Anjali " Do you like all of these Khushiji ? "

Khushi " They are beautiful Anjaliji "

Anjali " They will help you to get ready " showing the beautician " I'm leaving now " left

Khushi changed into her lehenga choli. The beautician started on applying golden nail polish on Khushi's hands and feet; then started doing make up. She did golden eye shimmer layer topped with pink along with winged eye-liner. Then she applied light pink blush and pastel peach lipstick on Khushi. She tied Khushi's long silky hair in a classic low bun with twisted front; then helped her in wearing her earrings. In one and half an hour Khushi ready. Payal looked at Khushi in awe.

Payal cupped khushi's cheek " My baby sister is looking so beautiful ... Devi maiya save you from every evil eye " put kala tika behind Khushi's ear

Anjali came to take Khushi " True Payalji, Khushiji is looking like a princess "

Khushi " Jiji, Anjaliji you both looking lovely " seeing Payal her pink-blue lehenga choli and Anjali in pink-mint lehenga choli

Anjali " But not more than Khushiji " lightly pinching her cheek Come " taking Payal and Khushi along with her

Khushi was mesmerized seeing the whole ballroom decorated beautifully with yellowish peach roses along with orange and yellow color drapes. Anjali made Khushi sit on sitting on a soft draped yellow colored canopy bed paired with rounded orange Silk cushions and crowned with orange roses.

Both Guptas and Raizadas along with their relatives were sitting orange dawans paired with rounded yellow Silk cushions at the both side of Khushi; and a big circular table was place in the middle on which Mehndi plates were kept; some mehendi song playing and a group of girls dancing.

Dadi came to Khushi; first did arati and then put a small mehendi line at side of Khushi's palm starting the ritual of Mehendi " Sada khush rahiye, Bitiya " kissed Khushi's forehead

The lead mehendi artist handover her design book to Khushi to select from it. She went through the book and selected the design.

One artist were putting mehendi patterns on both of her hands and another one on her feet. The reaming six artists started to apply Mehendi to other ladies.

       

Anjali " Write Arnav Singh Raizada on Khushji's palm " teasing " Make sure the color will come out dark "

Three hours later while everyone except proceeded towards the buffet area to have lunch post the mehndi application, Payal brought a plate filled with food to feed Kushi knowing how hungry she. Both sisters eyes became bit misted realizing that soon they would miss all these moments.

Few hours later every member of both families was dressed beautifully for engagement ceremony. Anjali had taken great care of everything up to their standards and the biggest thing Arnav came there on time from his 3 days Dubai business trip. She had given special instructions to Aman that no meeting should pop up in front of Arnav for the next one week.

Arnav was dressed in black tuxedos checking his emails on his iPhone royally ignoring his cousins' teasing but stopped feeling the air around him changing. He saw Khushi entering in ballroom along with Payal and Anjali. He was mesmerized seeing Khushi looking gorgeous in blush pink lehenga with all-over pearl, glass beads in chevron pattern paired with off-shoulder embellished blouse.

       

Her long black hair was tied in floral ringlet bun and in jewelry she put on only emerald choker set. Her downcast eyes, her rosy blush, her plump luscious pink lips were all extremely tempting. He couldn't help but stare at her eyeing her up and down intensely.

Everyone got quite seeing the lady of the occasion. All eyes were glued on her beauty specially men as she was looking magnificent.

Khushi was feeling nervous with all eyes on her. She was brought to stand in front of Arnav on the small stage made with pink and white roses. She stole a glance at him and quickly looked down seeing him looking divine in his tux; perfectly clad in his superbly hard muscled body.

Payal came to her and handed the gold plated ring with five small diamonds in middle. Arnav extend his left hand and Khushi slowly put the ring in his finger; everybody clapped. Then Anjali gave their mother's ring to Arnav, Khushi extended her left hand and Arnav put the ring in her finger. It was gold plated ring with a stunning green emerald center stone surrounded by sparkling diamonds and rose cut diamonds.

       

Their ring exchange moment was captured by the trustable one professional photographer who was regular in Raizada's occasions and perfectly knew about the strict rules by ASR.

       

After ring exchange ceremony elders came first to bless the couple; then Anjali, Akshat and Payal along with other relatives one by one congratulated them. Arnav was giving whatever expression on their cousins' teasing while Khushi continuously blushing.

After some time, the lights got dim and a spot light came on Arnav and Khushi.

Akshat " Ladies and gentlemen's a special song for the special couple of this occasion " on mike

Seeing Anjali's excitement, Arnav took Khushi to the dance floor. He was holding her gently by her waist while she holding him by his shoulders. The music started and both began to sway following the rhythm.They were dangerously closed to each other; they could even feel each other breath. Both were lost in each other eyes as if they were trying to read each other feelings.

     

They were so engrossed in each other that they didn't realize that the song got over long time away. They broke their stance hearing everyone clapping for them.