Vidhi's POV

We had a Sangeet ceremony on different days and we attended it from both sides. Everyone performed on one song or the other.  I performed a dance number with Sid, he wanted to dance with Shruti too, but Shruti was not talking to him.

I noticed some tension between Shubh and Sid. Shubh was glaring at him and looked like an angry bull.

But why?? Neither Sid nor Shubh was interested in me.

I was firm about my decision that I would not talk to Shubh. Not even look at him. He kept looking at me. I ignored him.

And then we all came back, we all were tired.

I looked at Sid he was dying to talk to Shruti but I saw Shruti was avoiding Siddharth. Maurvi bhabhi and  I became friends too in the last two days and she asked me to help Shruti and Siddharth to solve their problems.

I promised that I would help. The tension between them was so thick that it could be cut by a knife.  But Maurvi bhabhi and I made sure to bring them together to at least start talking to each other.

******

Everyone was enjoying it. Bhai's friends were teasing them miserably. It was bhai's wedding day and the clock struck 5.

Men from Bhabhi's family came for another ritual which is done in the evening before the departure of Barat.

But I didn't want to meet a certain someone so thought of going to my room and getting ready.

Shruti had been asking me to come fast to get ready.  I was going out of the room in a hurry to go to my room to get ready with Shruti and just then mom called me to come. I told Shruti to go and went to talk to mom.

Mom asked me to get something from her almirah. I said that I would be back in 5 minutes. I was going when she told me to get another thing as well. I was looking towards mom while walking ahead and walked into a hard wall of muscles.

Oh, God !! When would I learn to walk, without bumping into something? I turned to look at the person.

He was a very handsome man. I was a bit embarrassed.

" Oh, I am so sorry. " I said.

" Don't be... I am not. Here we meet again... It seems God wants us to end up together. " He said with a flirtatious smile.

" What?? Have we met before?" I asked.

" Yes, at a mall in Delhi, where you luckily bumped into me. "

" Oh yes, now I remember. "  I was not in a mood to talk so I  just gave a faint smile and took another step when he said.

" Hi, I am Dhruv Raichand... May I have the honour to know your name."

" Vidhi Singh Rathore. "

" Wow !!  Such a beautiful name for a beautiful girl like you. "

" Thanks," I said with a smile.

" So are you from the bride's side or the groom's side? " He asked me.

" Groom... He is my elder brother. And what about you? "

" Oh great !!! I am from your side." He said with a wink.

" What do you mean? "

" Oh !! I mean... My father is a good friend of your father. So we came to attend the wedding from your side. "

" Oh ok... Bye, I have to go and get ready. "

" What?? Seriously?? "

" Yes, why?? "

" You are already looking so pretty, I think there would be many casualties tonight,  " he said with a smile.

I smiled too and shook my head and started going away.

" Hey !! For god sake, try not to look more beautiful than you already are. Have mercy on men. Please... "

I smiled shyly at that sentence and was going to my room when Shubh came in front of me all of a sudden. I tried to step away and leave.

" Vidhi... "

" I have to go and get ready... " I said and started going away.

" Listen... "

" Sorry I don't have time to talk with strangers. "

" Stranger ?? "

" I don't remember anything about you. Sorry, you are not in my memory." I said and he closed his eyes for a few seconds.

" Who was the man you were talking to just now?? "

" None of your business... " I said and went away from there.

I entered my room and shut the door. I leaned against it and closed my eyes.

Why is he trying to talk to me now??

" Hey Vidhi, What happened?? Are you alright? Shall I call Vikram bhaiya??" She said touching my forehead and checked my pulse. She was studying to be a doctor.

" Don't be silly, I am ok. "

" Are you sure?? " Just then there was a knock on the door. I closed my eyes.

" Vidhi someone is at the door. "

" I don't want to talk to him. "

" Vidhi, open the door. I need to talk to you. " Shubh said from the other side of the door.  But I neither say anything nor opened the door.

" Open the door, Vidhi," he said again.

" No... Go away. " I said and rushed into the washroom.

I took a quick shower, slipped into my bathrobe and came to my room.

I was shocked to see Shubh waiting in my room.

" What are you doing here? " I asked him in my shocked state.

But I was not the only one who was shocked I guess.

He was also shocked to see me like that. He kept standing there as if he was spellbound.

His eyes raked over my body. I was feeling very conscious.

" How did you come in?? Where is Shruti?? Why did she open the door? "

" Sorry... I was waiting outside your door and all of a sudden, your friend went away talking on the phone, she didn't let me in. I came inside when she left. I am sorry, I didn't know... "

" Leave right now," I said.

" Listen to me first... " He came closer.

" Go, Or I will call Bhai. "

" Wait, I am going... Just don't talk to that man again," he said but his eyes were all over my body and he gulped visibly.

" You have no right to tell me what to do and what not to do. I will do what I like. Now go... "

" Vidhi, please... Listen to me... Don't even talk to him. " He came very close to me. Only a few inches separated us.

" Why should I listen to a man, whom I don't even know. As instructed by someone I knew, I erased that someone from my memory. Now get lost or I will call Bhai " he closed his eyes once again as if he was trying to control his feelings or was trying to mask the feeling of hurt caused by my words.

" I am going... Just stay away from him. "

He said and went out. I locked the door and took a deep breath. My cheeks were red by now.

*********

Shubh's POV

Sandhya was ready, I just went to see her before the wedding. I wanted to spend a few moments with my sister.

" Oh God, he is looking like an Indian prince. Very Handsome and royal. " Said Ruchika... The baraat had already reached the doors of the venue. They were looking at it from the window.

" Sandy do you want anything, something to eat or drink??" I asked.

" Shubh what is wrong with you? I am fine... You are working like a maniac. I am  worried about your health." She said.

Ruchika saw me and excused her self and went away. How sweet and thoughtful of her.

" I am fine sandy... " I was getting emotional again to see her as a bride. I didn't want to make her sad or emotional. I went near her and looked at the baarat.

" Vikram Ji is looking so handsome... Isn't it? " I said to lighten the atmosphere.

" Hmm. Everyone is looking so good. Vidhi is looking very pretty in traditional Indian dresses. Isn't it? 

Why does she keep saying that? I know she was looking beautiful...

" Aunty told my mom that a marriage proposal came for her and they would talk about it after our marriage," Sandy said.

What ?? Oh !! I just felt that my heart stopped after hearing it.

" Is it?? So, do they like the man already?? "

" Don't know... "

" Sandy listen you take care, I need to go and welcome them," I said and came out to hide the sudden heartache I experienced.

I was already hurt at how Vidhi avoided me. But she was not wrong in doing it.

Vidhi's POV

Bhai was ready,  wearing traditional gold Achkan, a sherwani, Jodhpuri Juttis, traditional orange turban and pearl necklace. He carried a sword and rode on an elephant.

  Our dad, male relatives and all his friends wore turbans, sherwanis and Achkans too.

Finally, when the Baraat reached the venue, the Bhabhi's family members received us with a warm welcome. I saw him too. He was smiling but it didn't reach his eyes. In fact, somehow his eyes looked as if he had just cried.

Why??

We all came in and after some time, we went to meet bhabhi. She was looking so beautiful. Everyone was teasing her that my Bhai was already going crazy about her that he might kidnap her before the wedding only.

Vidhi's POV

There was a knock on the door. Bhabhi's friend opened it. 

Shubh was standing there. He came in and saw everyone there. He smiled at everyone. His eyes remained on me for a longer time then he looked away.

My heartbeat increased just by looking at him. He looked like a model from one of those glossy fashion magazines.

" Come, Sandy, time for you to get married. " He smiled at her and extended his hand to hold hers. He hugged her lightly and lead her outside.

The music changed to the one which indicated that the bride is coming. Everyone turned to look at bhabhi. She was getting very nervous but kept moving as Shubh gave her an assuring smile.

I looked at Bhai, he was looking at her  with so much love in his eyes. He came forward and help her get up the stage

Then they exchanged garlands of orchids. Everyone clapped and cheered for them.

  Our families and relatives came and gave blessings to them. Bhai kept looking at her.

His friends came and kept saying naughty things. Bhabhi was blushing profusely. She couldn't even look at anyone. They were asking about the honeymoon plans and things like that.

The wedding ceremony was beautiful... Love was in the air and it was good to see so many couples in love.

" Hey, beautiful !!! I told you to have mercy on us... Why are you hell-bent to give a heart attack to men here? That's not fair. " I turned to see Dhruv standing there with one of hand on his heart.

" Hi... What is not fair ?? "

" You, looking so beautiful," he said and I just shook the head with a smile.

" I need to find a heart specialist. Do you know anyone other than your brother... We can't disturb him. " he said and caught my hand.

" Oh please... Stop it. And I don't know anyone... "  I smiled and shook my head.

" You think, I am kidding?  Look at yourself... You are the most beautiful girl around.  He came closer.

" Vidhi, I need to talk to you. now..." Shubh came all of a sudden, he saw that Dhruv was holding my hand.

Shubh glared at him, but Dhruv ignored.

" Excuse me... I mean us. " Shubh said and personally pulled my hand out of his and pulled me outside the party hall.

" What is your problem?? I don't want to talk to you. What do you think of yourself?? "

" Ok... I am sorry for everything. Just stay away from him. "

" Why ?? He seems to be a nice man."

" Looks can be deceptive. "

" Yeah... I have learnt that. You looked very sweet and cute earlier but you are rude and arrogant."

" Ok, yeah... I am whatever you say.. just stay away from him. "

" Why do you think, I would listen to a stranger?? "

" Vidhi... Will you please stop behaving like that? "

" Like what Mr Stanger ?? "

" Stop calling me a stranger... He is a stranger to you. "

" No, I know him. He is Dhruv Raichand. Son of my dad's friend. "

" What else you know about him?? "

" Why should I tell a stranger about it? "

" Enough... Vidhi. I am getting irritated now. "

" Then go and leave me alone. I was enjoying talking to him.." I said and turned to go but he pulled me with a force and I bumped into his hard and strong chest. He wrapped his arms around me.

" What the hell ?? Leave me... Don't you understand, I don't want to talk to you. What is your problem?? "  I pushed on his chest.

" That is my problem... I don't know what is my problem," he said looking intensely in my eyes.

" What do you mean?? "

" I am sorry. I can't explain it... Just stay away from him. Please. He is not good for you. "

" Ok, fine... then tell me who is good for me? " I said looking into his eyes.

"  I... Don't know. "

" Wow !! You know that Dhruv is not good for me. Then tell me who is good for me. Sid?? "

" Vidhi !! " he clenched his jaw. His body was taut with tension.

" Yes, Sid seems to be good. Bhai and I know him for years. We know his whole family. His family is super cool. Especially his dad. "

" Stop this... "

" You stop this Mr Stranger. I don't need your advice. Either you tell me what is your problem or get lost. "

" Vidhi... please don't ask me that. I am torn into two parts. Hell !!  I have never felt like this earlier. Please don't make it more difficult for me. "  He said looking into my eyes and then at my lips. I saw some kind of longing in his eyes.

It was evident that he wanted me but he was holding back.

I pushed him hard this time and he removed his hands.

" Bye... enjoy the wedding of your sister and for god's sake, let me enjoy the wedding of my brother. " I said left to be with Shruti.

After some time we all were called for dinner. I had lost any interest in the food. I sat beside Shruti. She asked me what was the matter but I said that I am just tired.

After the food, they were called  Saat phera. Sacred oath or vachan.( Promises). And after the kanyadaan ( panee Grahan sanskar or a ritual where father officially gives his daughter's hand into grooms hand in marriage) Bhai tied the Mangalsutra around her neck and applied Sindoor ( vermilion) in her hair. They were married now.

They took blessings of both sets of parents and elder ones. After all the other rituals and a tearful adieu ( Bidayi ) we all came to our  Haveli. The whole place was very well lit with small golden lights.

Mom and I welcomed her and she entered the house with all the rituals and traditions. Mom was standing there with Aarti plate in her hands. She smiled and performed Pooja and then she placed a big platter with kumkum paste in it and asked her to step in it and then entered the house with red feet.

She entered and then mom hugged her very tightly. Then she put her hand marks on the wall....... After all the rituals bhabhi was very tired. Mom told her to rest and took her to their room. 

I came to my room. I saw Shruti lost in her world. I didn't disturb her and didn't want to talk to anyone right now.

Why was Shubh behaving like that?? Why did he say that he was torn into two parts??

I didn't know what was bothering him. But I wanted to know.

*******

It was morning. Bhai's friends were teasing Bhai and bhabhi mercilessly.  I also joined the girls in teasing bhabhi.

After breakfast, they all wanted to go and see Jodhpur. Gautam Bhai caught Sandhya Bhabhi's hand and made her sit in the car. Bhai had to follow.

We all got ready to go for sightseeing and shopping.

Shubh's POV

I was getting very restless, I needed to talk to her. But she was not ready to listen to me. She kept calling me a stranger. It hurt me like anything. Every time she called me that, I felt like dying.  I would have to do something. 

I was going insane. I was torn between being in love with her and trying in staying away from her.

Only I know how I controlled my urge to take her in my arms when I saw her clad only in her bathrobe. She looked so sexy. Just the thought of anyone else ever looking at her like that was making me mad.

I tried with everything in me to suppress my feelings but every time they came back with increased intensity.

I had to keep her away from other men. Like Sid and Dhruv. Over time I realised that Sid was just a family friend to her and he was a nice man who was interested in her friend Shruti.

But Dhruv was a piece of bad news. That day in the mall also I felt that I knew him but could not recall. I knew him. He was Sumeet's cousin. And he had told me many things about him. He was also in Sumeet's friend's list in the social networking site.

He was not good for her. His reputation was not good regarding girls. He was trying to flirt with Vidhi now.

Sandhya told me that a marriage alliance had come for her.

What if it is from his family?? He is was the son of uncle's friend.

No, I would not let that happen...