Chapter 5 (The wedding)

The wedding celebrations had stretched across five exhausting, chaotic, beautiful days.

The first day began with the roka ceremony—

the official union of two families. Smiles were exchanged along with gifts, sweets, blessings, and endless teasing from relatives who had suddenly become overly invested in Nancy and Ishaan's lives.

The second day was the engagement ceremony.

Rings were exchanged beneath golden lights while cameras flashed endlessly. Friends cheered loudly, forcing the couple into embarrassing poses while family members secretly discussed wedding preparations in corners.

The third day belonged entirely to chaos.

Haldi.

Turmeric-covered hands, stolen bowls, loud laughter, revenge attacks, and absolutely no mercy.

No one remained clean.

The fourth day softened into colors and music during the mehndi ceremony. Intricate henna decorated Nancy's hands while conversations flowed gently through the evening air. Hidden smiles, quiet glances, and unfinished thoughts lingered longer than the songs playing in the background.

Then came the fifth day—

Sangeet night.

Dancing, performances, dramatic singing, merciless teasing, exhausted laughter, and enough family drama to entertain generations.

And finally—

Today was the wedding day.

The mandap glowed beneath warm lights and fresh marigold flowers. Sacred fire flickered between the bride and groom as mantras echoed softly around them.

Nancy sat beside Ishaan, nervous fingers tightening around the edge of her dupatta while Ishaan remained unusually calm beside her.

The pandit began chanting the sacred rituals.

Soon, the two stood for the pheras.

Their outfits were tied together as they circled the sacred fire, bound not only by cloth—but by seven promises, seven vows meant to carry them through an entire lifetime.

With each step, the noise around them slowly faded.

For a moment, it felt as if only the two of them existed beneath the sacred flames.

After the pheras, they sat down once again.

The atmosphere turned quieter.

Heavier.

More emotional.

The pandit continued chanting mantras as Ishaan picked up the sindoor with steady fingers.

Nancy lowered her gaze.

And in that single moment—

their marriage became real.

The vermillion filled her hair partition carefully before Ishaan tied the mangalsutra around her neck.

A sacred thread.

A lifelong promise.

The rituals finally came to an end.

And just like that—

amidst the prayers, laughter, exhaustion, music, and chaos—

Nancy and Ishaan were finally married.

Now's the time for the most emotional part - Bidaai…

Contrary to what everyone expected—

The bidaai wasn't filled with endless crying and heartbreaking silence.

It was chaos.

Pure chaos.

As Ishaan stepped forward to take Nancy with him, two figures suddenly blocked his path.

Aaru and Isha.

Both stood there with identical smug expressions.

Ishaan narrowed his eyes instantly.

"What now?”

Isha crossed her arms dramatically.

"Bhai, aapko aapki wife itni easily thodi na mil jayegi."

Aaru nodded seriously beside her.

"Exactly. She's our best friend first… and now our bhabhi too. We can't just let you take her away that easily."

Nancy lowered her head, trying—and failing—to hide her smile.

Ishaan sighed tiredly.

"So what do you want?”

Isha grinned immediately.

"Five lakh."

Aaru added innocently,

"Transfer kar do… and then you may take your wife."

A soft wave of laughter spread among the relatives.

Ishaan rubbed his temple.

"Seriously?"

Isha gasped dramatically.

"Wah bhai. Aap apni wife ke liye itna bhi nahi kar sakte?”

Aaru shook her head in disappointment.

"Very sad, bhai."

Before Ishaan could answer, his best friend, Ashish Mudel, stepped forward with a grin.

"Bro, honestly, they're being generous. Log toh wife ke liye jaan de dete hain. Ye toh sirf paanch lakh maang rahi hain."

Everyone burst out laughing.

Ishaan shot him a betrayed look.

"You're supposed to be on my side."

Ashish simply shrugged.

"I support women.”

Nancy laughed quietly at that.

Finally, Ishaan pulled out his phone.

"I never said I wouldn't give it. I just don't carry cash around."

Aaru's eyes lit up instantly.

"No problem. Google Pay, UPI, SBI, credit card—hum sab accept karte hain.”

Even the pandit started laughing at that point.

Shaking his head in defeat, Ishaan transferred the money.

"Happy now?"

He reached for Nancy's hand again—

only to be stopped once more.

This time, both girls looked even more dangerous.

Ishaan stared at them in disbelief.

"...Now what?"

Aaru smiled sweetly.

"The money was just the entry fee."

Isha pointed directly at him.

"We want your new Kawasaki bike."

"And your Edison Sports car," Aaru added immediately.

The entire atmosphere exploded with laughter.

Ishaan looked genuinely heartbroken this time.

"You both could've asked for jewelry… clothes… literally anything else."

He placed a hand dramatically over his chest.

"But no. You chose violence.”

Aaru grinned proudly.

"Obviously."

Isha nodded.

"We're intelligent investors."

Ishaan stared at them for a long moment before finally pulling out the keys unwillingly.

"You two are criminals."

Aaru snatched the car keys triumphantly.

"And you're our favorite ATM."

Even Nancy burst out laughing now.

In the end, after endless teasing, fake arguments, and dramatic complaints—

Ishaan finally managed to take his wife with him.

And amidst all the laughter and chaos, the newly married couple left for their new home together.

______

For the first time in days—

there was silence.

No loud relatives.

No teasing.

No wedding chaos.

Just the two of them.

After finally getting rid of their heavy wedding outfits and freshening up, Nancy and Ishaan returned to their room feeling completely exhausted.

The dim yellow lights gave the room a calm warmth while the faint fragrance of flowers still lingered in the air.

Nancy laid down carefully beside him, finally feeling able to breathe after the never-ending wedding rituals.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke.

Then Ishaan suddenly broke the silence.

"You know… I think I'm lucky to have you."

Nancy turned toward him in surprise.

"Hm?"

He stared quietly at the ceiling.

"Because honestly… I don't think I would've ever married anyone else.”

Nancy blinked.

"What?"

Ishaan nodded slightly.

"Yeah."

A small smile slowly appeared on Nancy's face before she smirked teasingly.

"So… does that mean you like me?"

The moment the words left her mouth, Ishaan's ears turned slightly red.

"Maybe," he muttered quietly. "I don't know."

Then after a pause, he added softly,

"But one thing is clear… you're my wife now. No one can change that."

Nancy chuckled softly at his possessiveness.

"You're actually kind of cute."

Ishaan immediately looked offended.

"Cute?"

Nancy laughed properly this time.

"Very cute."

He shook his head dramatically while she continued smiling beside him.

And just like that—

amidst exhaustion, soft laughter, dim lights, and quiet comfort—

their first night together became beautiful in its own simple way.

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