THE WEDDING

Author's POV:

Chowdary's Mansion

Wedding rituals started next day with full of happiness screaming every corner. Abhi was sitting on a stool with a huge decoration behind him. All the ladies were applying haldi to him while he was scrunching his nose.

Ishitha, 2 years old daughter of Aastha and Anish walked to Abhi with her tiny legs. She took of haldi paste in her hands and applied it on Abhi's face. He lifted her and made her sit in his lap. Tickling her he rubbed his cheek against hers softly. Ishitha was giggling. Anish looked at his best friend with tears who will be happy only with his daughter, laughs his heart out, be himself.
I hope sitaara bring sunshine in your darkness, Abhi!!

Far away from him his mom, Sakshi was looking at him with teary eyes. A beautiful smile is dancing on her lips seeing her son attending pre-wedding rituals. She is sure Abhi will find his happiness in Sitaara. She remembered priest words which they were told on engagement day when they gave Abhi's and Situ's horoscopes to priest.

Their horoscopes are perfectly matched!!

It's very rare to see such perfection. Infact sitaara's is perfect for Abhimanyu than Sisira!!

They both become eachother's strength!!

Sitaara brings prosperty, happiness, fame to her in-laws house!!

Sitaara brings peace in Abhimanyu's life which he is lacking since years!!

Abhimanyu who lost everything right since his birth, who's loved ones was snatched away by his fate isn't gonna loose Sitaara. He make her stay in his life by hook or crook!!

Same goes with Sitaara. She is gonna find her happiness in him!!

She is gonna be pulled out from the darkness by him in which she is drowning!!

They both become sunshine of each other's life!!

Sakshi smiled contently remembering the priest's words.

"They both will become a great couple. We made a wrong step in selecting Sisira as Abhi's bride but God made everything in correct path, he selected Sitaara as Abhi's bride" said Anjali, Abhi's aunt standing beside Sakshi.

"It's not that Sisira is evil or something like that but she isn't correct for Abhi. That's it!!" Added Anjali quickly. Sakshi smiled nodding her head.

"We have to unite them in their first year itself" said Anjali. Sakshi nodded thinking about words said by priest further.

But...they have to face many problems initially. If they don't clear them, they may get separated forever!!

Their understanding, support to eachother, love for eachother can only make them lead happy marriage life.

Sitaara is gonna suffer most!! But Abhi can make every thing right only with his love!!

Keep Abhi away from dangers!! He has prana gandam( life in danger or life threat) and he can be saved only with Sitaara's love.

"We need to unite them, Anjali. I can't loose my son" whispered Sakshi. Anjali nodded understanding Sakshi's inner turmoil.

Abhi who was flashing a fake smile is scared to start a new life, to take another responsibly- wife, to give his heart to her. Though he isn't considering this marriage a real one still he knew they are getting bounded together forever as his sixth sense was hinting him which is making him get scared more. He don't want another heart break again. He don't want to loose another person again. He don't want to pull that lively girl(according to him) into his darkness. He don't want to make her scapegoat of his issues which doesn't have a solution.

**
Shetty's Mansion,

Dev and Mridula(Situ's parents) were looking at their daughter who is in her yellow saree looking beautiful as always. She was faking a smile to the relatives who are applying haldi and offering her clothes.

Tears rolled down thier eyes seeing their daughter who is gonna marry in next 48 hours.

Her grandfather who always taunts her for being irresponsible looking at her lovingly. He knew his grand daughter is not an ordinary girl. He also knew she is hiding her pain with a smile which is unknown to him or any family member. He used to taunt her, scold her to make sure she get diverted from her pain.

Her brothers were indulging themselves in work to hide their tears. Among all the Shetty siblings, Sitaara was always a mischievous one and also the one who bring happiness in their sad situations which made herself favourite to everyone.

Vedhanth, who used enjoy fighting with her, getting her mischievous things infront of family to tease her, is now crying at some corner of the house.

Riddhanth and Vikranth, who is used to become scapegoat of her naughty things, who used to get scolded by her to study, are avoiding to look at her because they knew if they look at her they will break down in tears.

Siddhanth, who is like a shield to his baby sister, who is more like a father to her, who cry more than her when she is in pain, who celebrate her happiness more than her, who prays for her happiness which she lost years back, is breaking down from inside as he is forced to realise that his prized possession is gonna be shared by some other man.

Navya and Kyathi, sil's of Situ were blinking away their tears continuosly. Though Sitaara never spent her time with them alot as she was always away from home due to her studies, she used to treat them as her mother. She used to stand by them when her brothers go against her sister in laws.

Adhira and Akhira were flashing their smile are actually crying from inside as the little devil, who always used to be their crime partner is getting married now.

Sitaara who was faking a smile is chanting to stop this wedding in her mind. She was gulping the pain that she is becoming someone else's who is not her Raj. She is scared to start her new life with unknown family, when she is not ready at all. She is afraid of her soon to be husband's anger. Abhi's words are still ringing in her mind bringing tears in her eyes.

**
Next two days few away just like that with ceremonies, sitaara's pleading, crying at night to stop this wedding, Abhi's constant fear due to his past.

The Big day- Wedding

Sitaara woke up early in the morning. Realising that it's her wedding she ran into bathroom and cried her heart out. She didn't inform Viraj's family about her wedding as she don't want them to know that she cheated on Viraj agreeing to marry( according to her).

She came out after showering, then she was made to do few rituals. Gulping her pain, she did all the rituals with a fake smile.

Then, she was sent to dress up. Few stylist draped her saree, did her make up, made her hair.

"You look beautiful, mam" said one the stylist. Sitaara smiled politely nodding her head.

Adhira and Akira came inside and was stunned to see sitaara.

"Oh my god!! Gorgeous!!" Screamed Adhira and Akhira making her jump at her spot.

"Don't shout" said Sitaara.

"Idiot!! You don't know how to receive compliments. You should say something like ' oh, akka(sis) thank you' with a blush on your face" said Adhira. Sitaara rolled her eyes.

"Come, it's time to leave" said Akira excitedly. Sitaara heart started racing.

"Wa..te.r" she whispered stammering. Sid came inside with water. She took it from him and drank in one go.

"Don't panic. Be confident. Though it's forced upon you, am sure you are gonna get your happiness. I won't regret forcing you, Situ. Because you moving on from your past is more important to me. Lead a happy life. Cherish the new beginning. Embrace the new life" he whispered and kissed her forehead.

"You look beautiful, Situ" he said.

"Yeah, but from bottom list" said Ved coming towards them. She didn't snap at him like every time. She just stared at him while he looked away.

"Are you all happy sending me away?" She asked.

"Am happy as we are getting free from devil clutches" said Ved looking everywhere but her.

"Look at me and tell that" she said. He shook his head in no facing her back.

"Look at me, anna" she pleaded. He shook he in head in no and ran from there. A tear escaped from her eye.

Vikranth and Riddhanth wiped her tears shaking their head in no.

"Don't you miss me?" She asked.

"We will miss you...alot" said they both in unison nodding their head up and down vigorously.

She hugged tightly crying. Sid, Adhira and Akhira too joined the hug crying. Rishi came inside.

"Sitaara" he called. She pulled away from hug and looked at him. He came to her, made her seat on stool and held her hands kneeling down.

"I don't lie about Abhi to you, Situ. You are like my sister. Listen carefully, Abhi is not a man he seem to be. He has anger issues. Only very few...actually no one can control his anger".
I've seen that!!

''But trust me when I say this, he is so innocent by heart just like a baby. We have to deal with him like he is a kid".
Ohh!! Great!! Am gonna baby sit a 28 years old man.

"He is broken beyond repair to bear any pain. Am sure you will hate him for his behaviour, but don't".
I already hate him, baava(bil) and no backing off from my feelings I planted for him.

''One more thing Situ, it's okay if you don't understand him but never misunderstand him" he said. She nodded her head. Rishi smiled.

"Sitamma are you ready?" Asked her father coming to her room. Both father and daughter looked at each other and tears welled up in their eyes. He came to her taking baby steps. He cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead.

"Come lets go" he whispered.

"Leave me alone for 5 minutes" she said wiping her tears. They nodded and left her alone. She fell on her knees cupping her mouth. She stood up clumsily and ran to her closet. She opened her locker and pulled out Viraj's pics.

"Please stop this!! I don't want this!! I don't want to see some other man in your place!! I don't want to share my life with any man other than you!! Please, Raj. Stop this. I want to come to you but I am bounded to complete the responsibilities you left behind. Please stop this before I become someone else" she cried clutching his pic to her heart.

"I love you!! I love you and only you, Viraj Sehgal" she whispered and put his photo back.

Wiping her tears she came out of closet. Thanks to her water proof makeup orelse her face would get ruined. She went downstairs. She hugged her family members crying.

It's my last time to stay in this house as Sitaara Dev Shetty she whispered to herself and stepped out of her mansion with a heavy heart.

*

"Stand still, Abhi" Chided Anish while Naman was holding Abhi's pancha(dhoti).

pancha:- A garment consisting of a length of cloth that is typically wrapped around the waist, passed between the legs, and tucked in at the waistline.

"Oh!! Fuck this crap, Ani. How shall I carry it? Why the hell is it revealing a part my legs?" shouted Abhi. Druv chuckled.

"It's our ritual to wear this!! Don't call it as crap" said Anish.

"BTW no one is gonna look at your sexy legs. Men eyes will be in food and women eyes will on other ladies jewelleries. Men will be involved in political or business talks and women will be engrossed in talking about other families or brewing non existent topics" said Druv.

"That's true" said Naman chuckling. Anish completed tying pancha around Abhi's waist.

"I don't look like groom but like a priest" said Abhi checking out himself in mirror. Anish, Druv and Naman laughed.

"Don't laught or else I don't hesitate to celebrate your death day on my wedding day" said Abhi glaring at them.

"You need to control your anger, anna" said Naman keeping his hand on Abhi's shoulder.

"I'll try" said Abhi nonchalantly.

"Abhi, I hope my daughter don't pull your pancha infront of everyone" said Anish laughing.

"Very funny" said Abhi rolling his eyes.

"Anna" called out Aarya coming towards Abhi. He looked at her and gave a faint smile(according to him) but she didn't. She pulled him to bed and made him sit on bed. She sat beside him holding his hands.

"Anna, Please take care of Situ. She is a pure soul and broken too. She doesn't share her grief, she buries it in herself. She never cries infront of us, anna. She is so understanding girl, anna. Just give her a chance and you will feel lucky to get her love. She is living in a shell, pull her out of it with your love and care. It's ok if you don't understand her but never misunderstand her. Initially she may show her shitty attitude, don't get irked by her. Deal her with patience. Please anna never make her cry, never give her pain" said Aarya with tears. Abhi nodded his head. Aarya grinned.

"Come lets go" she said. He nodded. They went downstairs. Everyone smiled and hugged Abhi.

"It's last time stay in this house as bachelor" he whispered to himself.

They all sat in their cars and drove to venue. Abhi got down the car. Sid, Ved, Riddu and Kranthi lifted Abhi.

"What are you doing guys?" He asked looking at them panicked.

"Don't panic baava(bil). It's our duty and a kind of ritual too" said Vikranth.

"It's okay!! Put me down" said abi.

"No!!" They said in unison walking inside the venue hall.

"God!! This is so embarrassing" muttered Abhi.

"Every bride's brother will be doing this Abhi. If you forgot, let me remind you, even you did the same in my wedding" said Anish chuckling at his friend.

"I remember!! It's really crazy!!" Said Abhi under his breath. They put down Abhi on stage and he started doing rituals

The stage was decorated with various kind of flowers, lights, five mandap's. Among them the middle one is larger under it wedding gonna take place.

Abhi was made to sit on stool. He did few rituals instructed by priest. Dev and Mridula washed Abhi's s legs as per rituals as they believe the groom is incarnation of lord Vishnu who has come to marry their daughter who is considered as godess laxmi.

Later Sitaara was called on to the stage. Suddenly Abhi's heart started beating wildly. His own heart beat can be heard to him even in huge sounds. Sweat beads formed in his forehead.

"Don't panic anna, Vadhina is looking so beautiful" said Disha while Aastha wiped his sweat on his forehead. Abhi remained silent. Everyone were waiting for bride but Situ is no where seen on stage.

"Call the bride soon. We are crossing the auspicious time" said priest. Sitaara's parents nodded and looked at Aarya. She went to bride's room.

"Situ" she called as Sitaara was walking to and fro. Tears were flowing down her eyes. Aarya hugged her.

"I understand your pain, Situ. Move on. Now it's high time. God has given you a chance for a beautiful future, don't ruin it" whispered Aarya.

"Am cheating on him. Am cheating on my love. I promised him that I will live my life only with him" whispered Sitaara.

"You are not cheating on him. You mourning over his death will surely make him sad, will make him restless. Even he want to happen this, if not he would have fight with God. Now, don't think much. Everyone are waiting" whispered Aarya. Sitaara pulled back and nodded her head. Aarya looked at her with tears and kissed her forehead.

Taking a deep breath, wiping her tears, Sitaara walked out slowly. Photographers were taking her pictures to which she gave a small smile. She walked to her place slowly blinking her tears away.

Seeing her Abhi's breath hitched. His heart was scuttering betraying him. His eyes aren't ready to leave her capturing her beauty. His heart screamed at her to look at his side for once but she lowered her head.

"Gorgeous" he whispered looking at her. Everyone who heard it chuckled.

"We know that, now stop looking at her like a creep. She is yours, you can look at her for life time" whispered Aastha giggling. He rolled his eyes maintaing his stoic face back.

Sitaara sat against Abhi. They were partitioned with a cloth. Sitaara's parents kept her hand in Abhi's. It's a promise that they shall not leave each other's side at any cost. Abhi and Situ's parents frowned as her hands were cold and shivering.

Then, the couple were asked to place a paste from cumin seeds and jaggery on eachother's heads. This ritual signifies that their bond should be unbreakable and inseparable. Sitaara