Morning started pretty early in Agarwal House with relatives arriving one after the other. After offering them tea, Bela took them to her sister in law's house for freshening up and breakfast... though she was embarrassed about it.
"Itna sochne ki zaroorat nahi hai tujhe, Bela... tu aur Anand kuch zyada hi seedhe ho... issi baat ka fayda uthate hain sab... duniya mein jo jaisa hota hai uske saath waise hi banke rehne ko samajhdari kehte hain... doosri baar saas banne jaa rahi hai... kuch toh seekh le." Phulla bua tried to put some sense in her simple, naive daughter in law.
She just nodded, and left to complete her work in the kitchen.
Naina was not allowed to go out alone anymore so the morning temple meetings were over. She had told Sameer about it... he was momentarily upset but it was a small price to pay for the bliss his life would soon be.
"Ab humein kisi bahane ka intezar nahi karna padega... yeh teen din nikal jaayein bas... uske baad tumhari har subah, har shaam sirf mere saath hogi." He had exclaimed happily, making her blush.
"Behen, bahar aaja sapne se aur jaake naha le, kahin sapno wale jijaji ke chakkar mein asli jijaji aa jaayein aur tu taiyar hi na ho." Preeti shook her out of her thoughts.
Naina quickly went for her bath, eager to get dressed on time.
Preeti helped her with the makeup which was just a light coverage on the face, kohl and liner for the eyes... and bright red lips.
"Gaal toh tere jijaji ko dekhke waise hi laal ho jayenge." Preeti winked, putting away the pallette of cheek colour.
Naina looked at herself in the mirror... the red saree made her look like a bride... the delicate gold set that Phulla bua had given her looked perfect for the day. Preeti had set her long hair into soft curls in the front, leaving them open at the back. She picked up the packet of stick-on bindis and selected one in deep red colour. Pinning up the pallu on her head, she was ready to welcome her prince.
Sameer was up early... too excited to sleep. He shook up Munna Pandit as well, making them finish their bath early. They all were ready when Rahul, Sonali and their families arrived from Mumbai.
"Sameer, aakhir tumne baazi maar hi li." Rahul hugged him the moment he stepped in the house.
Sameer touched the feet of all elders after meeting Rahul and Sonali.
"Jab tera tilak kiya tha Rahul ki shaadi mein tabhi lag gaya tha mujhe ki bas tera number bhi aane wala hai." Rahul's mother patted his cheek fondly.
"Mummy ko bata dun tune ussi din number laga liya tha?" Rahul whispered.
Sameer shushed him, asking Ramdhari to take the elders to the rooms prepared for them and get the breakfast ready.
"Mujhe Naina se milna hai." Sonali said the moment Sameer showed them their room.
"Mujhe bhi milna hai." Sameer sighed.
"Abe thoda sabr rakh... saare exam paas ho gaye hain... ab sirf yeh formality baaki hai... aur yeh bhi tumhari khud ki zid thi... warna abhi yahin hoti teri Naina tere paas." Rahul grinned.
Sameer gave a contented smile, "Lekin jo khushi ab hai woh adhuri reh jaati... pata hai, Naina ke papa tak apni galti maan ke shaadi mein khushi se shaamil ho rahe hain... aur uski woh hitler taiji bhi line pe hain. Sabke ashirwad se Naina yahan aayegi."
"Yeh toh koi soch bhi nahi sakta tha, Sameer... Naina sach mein bohot khush hogi... kab mil sakti hun usse?" Sonali was emotional.
"Bas tum log fresh ho jao... breakfast kar lo fir taiyar ho jaana. Gyarah baje ke kareeb hum log niklenge." Sameer informed.
