As the clamor enveloped the hall, Zaniyah's voice cut through the noise like a knife.
"KABIRRR, IDHAR AAO!" she screamed, her frustration evident. Kabir approached her, meeting her glare head-on. She wasted no time in getting to the point.
"Where is Arzel?" Her tone held a warning—if he dared to lie,
"He's at a meeting, which he cancelled yesterday," Kabir replied, his words steady despite the firmness of Zaniyah's breath as she absorbed the news. She knew all too well that for a businessman like Arzel, meetings often took precedence.
"Don't worry, he'll come," Kabir reassured her, trying to ease her concern. But before he could say more, Arhaan's voice was interrupted from behind, calling Kabir's attention.
Kabir turned to face Arhaan, listening to his words carefully.
"Call Arzel. We have to leave for the baraat already," Arhaan said, a hint of frustration evident in his tone. They were already running late, and Arzel's absence was only added to their predicament.
"He told us to leave; he'll come to the hall directly," Kabir explained, knowing Arhaan's exasperation all too well. Arhaan couldn't help but facepalm at the predictability of Arzel's actions.
"At least not today, bro," he muttered, irritation clear on his face.
"Don't worry; tell everyone to sit in their cars... we have to leave," Kabir instructed, taking charge of the situation. With a quick adjustment to his simple white kurta, he prepared to lead the way, determined to ensure that despite the delay, the baraat would proceed smoothly.
____________________
As the groom attempted to make his grand entrance, a girl from the bride's side let out a loud scream, halting their progress with a red ribbon at the entrance.
"Oyee soniyo, entry ke paise kon dega!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing with mischief.
Arhaan couldn't contain his frustration.
"Ye konsi rasam hai?" he yelled, shooting them a glare, only to receive a cheeky retort in response.
"Kabhi shadi nahi dekhi kya?" the girl shot back, prompting Arhaan to curse under his breath.
Meanwhile, Kabir intervened, trying to negotiate. "Kitna?" he asked, trying to appease the situation.
"1 Lakh is enough, as we heard bade Ameer shameer hoji," came the reply, dripping with a pure Delhi accent.
Arhaan, clearly irritated, whispered to Kabir,
"Ye Delhi Wale haina, saala kaha se dhunda tune inko," as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. Kabir, however, remained calm, assuring Arhaan,
"Dede, juta churai me ham batayenge Mumbai wale kya hote hai."
Arsalan, appearing from behind, handed Kabir a checkbook. After quickly signing a check, Kabir handed it over.
"Check bounce hogya to?" the girl asked, her tone skeptical. This time, Arhaan took charge, his response dripping with sarcasm,
"Hogya to uske sath tum bhi hona BOUNCE."
Amidst their banter over the check, Kabir waited patiently for half an hour until they were finally allowed to enter. Standing on the stage, anticipating coursing through him, he couldn't help but feel the weight of waiting for his soon-to-be wife.
"Tadap to dekho," Arhaan remarked, standing beside him, his words a mix of jest and genuine empathy.
_______________________
"Arzel, where are you?" Zaniyah's voice echoed through the phone, tinged with frustration at his lateness.
