The Wedding Planner

Chapter 4

"Hi Asim". "Hello Shehnaaz", he greeted.

'Shehnaaz. Such a beautiful name my parents chose for me. I am proud of my name. But the way he calls me by my name, no one else can. Listening to Sidharth's voice after 6 long years and yet it feels like the way I felt, the first time I realized I have fallen for him. How does he always manage to leave an effect on me, like no one else can. Ugh Shehnaaz. Wtf are you even thinking. He is your client right now and a complete stranger. Please be normal. You can do it Sana. You can do it'

"Hello Mr Shukla. Nice to meet you", she said looking straight into his eyes. She wanted to be as confident and indifferent as she can. She wanted him to show how big she has made it in her life and how she doesn't have any regrets for it. She didn't want to feel weak. After all, she had always considered herself to be a sherni. And a sherni never shows her vulnerabilities to anyone.

Now that everyone was present, the discussions began. Shehnaaz and Asim elaborated on the different themes, the different packages and the different destinations that the couple could choose from. The way Shehnaaz explained every theme in such details, it was evident how much she loved her work and how efficient she was at it. Nityami was already impressed by her. Being a perfectionist, she had already researched everything about the company and the people who ran it. She had already made up her mind that she will choose them as none of the other planners had shown such variety in themes or precision in their presentations.

"So Mr Shukla and Ms Singhania as I was saying...."

She was cut off by Nityami in the middle who asked her to call them by their first names and not be so formal with them.

Shehnaaz smiled and continued, "So we have lots of themes to offer. There's the Eco-friendly theme, Royalty theme, the Floral theme, themes based exclusively on colour combinations".

Asim added, "Different brides and grooms have different demands and we are here to cater to their needs. The reason we always meet the couple together is because of the clash of opinions some of them have. We try to incorporate the different ideas and come up with something which makes both of them happy".

"But before you choose a theme, you can tell us where would you like to have your wedding? Destination weddings are the in- thing for industrialists and celebrities right now. Based on the place, we can choose the overall theme and designs", Shehnaaz explained.

All the while when Shehnaaz was talking, Sidharth was lost in his own thoughts.

'I couldn't beleive my eyes when I first saw her. There she was, looking as beautiful as ever, all awkward seeing me after so long. I know when I greeted her she felt something. I could see it in her eyes, even though she pretended to be all calm and cool. Kisko bewakoof banati hai moti. But she has changed a lot. She looks mature and look at her speak. It's so evident she knows what she is doing and loves it. Huh. So ironic. Jo Shehnaaz shaadi ke naam se bhi dur bhagti thi, aaj auro ki shaadiyaan plan karti hai. Sidharth stop it. Mat soch itna. Aren't you supposed to hate her after all that she put you through. And can you just focus on your wedding plans that your WEDDING PLANNER is explaining'.

The discussions were going on when a little girl ran into the cafe, coming straight towards Nityami and Sid. She had returned from school as she carried a backpack and a water bottle hanging around her neck. Niya came and hugged them both together and laughed at their surprised faces.

"Baccha, what are you doing here. Bado ki baatein chal rahi hai na yaha", Nityami said in a slightly serious tone.

"But mumma, I wanted to know what you guys are planning. I want this wedding to be perfect and I don't trust you and hero to have the best wedding. That's why I forced Ram bhaiya to bring me here", Niya stated.

Sidharth laughed seeing her little angel talk like grown ups and to save her from Nityami's anger said, "Oh thank God angel you are here. Yeh log itna paka rahe they na mujhe kya batau. Ab tu aa gayi na, ab complete lag raha hai".

Shehnaaz found them adorable together. She was admiring how much Sidharth loved Niya and how cutely he called her. But seeing the three of them laughing together she felt a stinging pain in her heart, even though just for a second. She knew she could've been on the other side of the table. But she had lost her chance. She thought that Sidharth was very happy with his life.

'Move on toh tune bhi kar liya hai na Sana, phir abhi usko Nityami aur Niya ke saath haste dekh tujhe itna bura kyu lag raha hai. Tu bhi toh hai na khush Asim ke saath. Hai na khush?'

The discussions continued and Sid and Nityami had different preferences for a lot of things. A few arguments and banters later,  the destination was finalized (these details will be revealed in the later chapters) and theme decided. Niya had already developed a bond with Asim and Shehnaaz. Shehnaaz gave her a chocolate which made Niya like her even more. Seeing Niya bond with Shehnaaz he felt a little sad.

"We'll be sending you the contract by next week and then the preparations will officially start. With our high end clients, we personally make sure everything is running smoothly. We know you guys are busy but we would require a lot of your time to make sure the events meet your expectations. Be rest assured that this is going to be the best wedding ever. And all your tensions are ours from now", said Asim as the meeting reached to an end.

"We'll be seeing each other a lot for the next 6 months", Shehnaaz said to them both, although she aimed it primarily at Sidharth.

"Bye Nityami". "Bye Niya". "Bye Sidharth",  said Shehnaaz as she bade them adieu.

Six years later they heard each other's voice and felt a kind of "sukoon" they themselves didn't know was missing so long. But they also knew that it was too long and both thought the other had moved on and there was no point thinking much about each other and continue with their lives the way it was.

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Hi Guys!

I know I didn't go much into the details of the planning in this chapter, because honestly, I have no clue about such things and I needed time to research a bit more.

By now it's clear that they had a past and even though they met each other after so long, they still haven't forgotten each other and there's still a soft corner for each other. But what will they do with this soft corner if Shehnaaz is to see Sidharth get married to someone else.

But will these ex lovers unite once again or ignore these hidden feelings and accept their fate and move further away from each other?

Keep reading to know more! And don't forget to share your views on this one.