Chapter 80

Sagar's POV



I was getting very restless, so I asked my friends to take everyone to the bungalow. Sahil had already left with mom and dad.

" What is so important? You are not going to meet Damini... Are you? " Gautam asked teasing me.

" No Damini has already left. I have some other urgent work. " I told him.

" You need any of us? " Vikram asked me.

" No, it is something about our work. We need to send some papers somewhere, I wanted to remind Samar.. you all go I will be there in half an hour. " I Said, they nodded and left.

I called Samar, " Hello, Samar I need to talk to you."

" Now?? "

" Yes... "

" But, we were together just now... " he said.

" It is urgent .. please."

" Ok... where are you? "

" Still at the guest house. "

" Ok. I will be there in 5 minutes. " He said and disconnected the call. I waited for him.

I could see the difference in Sahil's behaviour..... He was getting a bit drawn towards Manyata.. but she was not even looking at him. He was seemed to be somewhat lost and confused. I saw the way he was looking at her during sangeet.

I still remember..... It was a holiday in the last week, and some of Sahil and Samar's friends planned to come to our home. They wanted to help if we needed it. Swati and Manyata prepared some snacks and Samar got a few things ordered from his favourite restaurant. There were some boys and a few girls. Girls were flirting with Sahil but he was looking a bit uncomfortable.

I don't know what happened as I was much more interested in spending time with my Damini and we had to finish our work in the office as only a week was left for the wedding and we would be going to our honeymoon after the marriage. So we were working in our room. When I heard him getting annoyed.

I went there but saw that he just told Swati to go from there... Swati and Manyata went away. Samar tried to calm him but he was annoyed.....

I was thinking in the garden only when Samar came within time.

" What is it, Sagar? " He looked a bit tensed.

" Samar I need to ask a few questions and I want you to tell me the truth. "

I said looking into his eyes and he nodded.

" The truth Samar.. "

" Yeah.. sure. "

" Do you like Manu? " I asked.

" What kind of question is that? " He looked confused.

" It is a simple question... Samar. Do you like Manu? " I asked again.

" She is a very good girl. Sweet, talented and beautiful... Why are you asking me that?? "

" I want you to stay away from her," I said to him.

" Sagar please be clear... I am not getting what you are saying.. What have I done? " he was very confused.

" You like Manu? "

" As in ?? "

" As I like Damini.... "

" Hell... NO..... " he looked shocked.

" But you are very friendly with her and she is also very comfortable around you. "

" So what?? I am friendly to everyone... I was friendly with Damini too. But I never had any such feelings for her. But why are you asking that?? Why did you think that I like her that way? "

" You once said that you like someone .... "

" Y.yeah but it is not Manu... I told you. I like a girl for quite a long time. I met Manu only days ago. "

" Oh thank God! " I released my breath.

" What is the problem, Sagar?? What is going on? Why are you so concerned about Manu all of a sudden? "

" Oh just like that.. "

" No, it is not just like that.. you are getting married tomorrow and as much as I know you you were on top of the world then why the hell all of a sudden you got so tensed, that you called me back and are talking to me like this? "

I tried my level best but he was a lawyer and he asked so many questions that Finally I told him that I will tell him about Manu if he tells me the name of the girl he likes.

If he was a lawyer than I was a businessman. He tried to avoid telling me, but I was adamant too. Finally, he told me the name of the girl hesitantly.

But I was shocked to know that it was our sister Swati. But I was happy too as Samar was a very nice person. My parents were looking for a good man for Swati. And Samar was really good. He already loved her. I would talk to dad as soon as possible.

" Don't you dare to hurt my sister or both Sahil and I will kill you? " I said and He nodded.

" I will not.. " he said and I hugged him. We said goodnight to each other and went back to our places. I was calm and happy now.

**********



There were many other rituals like Jago, my family stayed up till late at night and Jago was celebrated at wee hours of the morning.

In the morning, we attended a puja. After completion of the puja the priest tied a sacred thread or mouli to my right wrist. The mouli was tied around a betel nut and a shell known as Kaudi. It was knotted multiple times around the wrists to make it difficult to untie later. Everyone was laughing that Damini would not be able to open it after the marriage.

In the evening, I was dressed up in my wedding sherwani and churidar. A small puja was then performed, The turban and the Sehra was sanctified by the priest during this puja. Then that turban and the Sehra were tied around my head by my dad.

My dad, Sahil, Samar, Rahul, Mehul, Vikram and Gautam all wore pagdi on their heads.

The baarat departed towards the venue. I didn't want to sit on the mare, but my mom was adamant that she wanted to see me as a proper Punjabi Indian groom.

We all reached the hotel. Her family members were there to welcome us.

Damini's mom, dad, Mr Mathur and Samar were standing there. Aunty welcomed me with Aarti and then we entered the wedding hall.

I was led towards the stage and he was made to stand upon a small pedestal. My parents, Sahil, Swati and Manyata, all my friends, along with their wives waited there beside me. Everyone was looking so good. Swati and Manyata went to see Damini.



Damini's POV



I got ready for my wedding and was in the room with Anshu. While everyone else had gone to see the Baarat.

All the girls came to meet me. All of them were looking so beautiful.

Swati was most excited to see me. She hugged me and said that I was looking extremely beautiful. I smiled at that. They all complimented me and teased me that Sagar may elope with me even before the wedding ceremonies are over.

Just then my new brother came to get me for the Varmala.

" You are looking very beautiful Damini... " He smiled and hugged me lightly.

" You are also looking very handsome. "

" Thanks ... You are so sweet. I wanted you to say that in presence of so many beautiful girls...."

Everyone laughed at his commitment.

He held my hand to led me towards Sagar who was waiting patiently for me to come. I saw him standing there with his family and friends.



Sagar's POV



I was still waiting for my love to come when the music changed and everyone turned to see towards the entry door. There she was, the love of my life, my beautiful Damini. She was looking like some goddess in that wedding attire.

Her Mehandi clad hands were covered with her bangles and the Kalire were dangling from them. (These are gold or silver ornaments that are dome-shaped with multiple danglers attached to them.)

She was the most beautiful bride I had ever seen and she was mine.