Authors POV

The garden is bathed in golden light. Trees are adorned with fairy lights, the main tree at the centre dressed like a dream. Underneath, A Shining Ivory Pink colour couch has been set. Kabir and Kashish take their seats, surrounded by the laughing, bustling families—Diwans and Singhanias under one glorious sky. As the ladies prepare for the rituals.

Kashish, still straightening her Saree pallu, was about to adjust her bangles when Kabir leaned slightly toward her and asked in a low voice, not meeting her eyes directly,     and said                        Are you nervous? Kashish smiled faintly and replied, "A little. It's a lot of people." He gave the smallest chuckle, then said gently, "You don't need to be. Everyone's happy. And "He looked at her for a moment, then said simply, "You look beautiful." She meeting his gaze smiled politely and said, "Thank you."

The Ceremony began with Panditji chanting shlokas. Diya, Tanushri, Piyali, and Paridhi step forward. They carefully drape a vibrant red dupatta over Kashish's head, A symbol of blessings and acceptance into the family. Kashish folds her hands with gratitude. Vaidehi and Shivangi, the two graceful matriarchs, come next with a silver roka thali, adorned with sweets, dry fruits, traditional jewelry boxes, and silk sarees. They offer it to Kashish, beaming.

Akriti  then steps forward. she gently applies Tilak on Kashish's forehead. A soft smile lingers on both their faces. Across the other side, Avni, equally poised, walks to Kabir. She applies Tilak on Kabir's forehead, holding his face for a moment longer than usual, A quiet mix of pride and prayer. Nandini, Sandhya, and Jeevika follow, placing shagun envelopes and ornaments in Kashish's lap — symbolizing love, tradition, and responsibility. Natasha came with a Shagun silver coin and encircled it through the Heads of Kabir and Kashish. She patted kabir's cheeks and kissed Kashish's Forehead. Then Sayoni arrives with the brass aarti thali. She performs the aarti with elegance and precision, then offers a sweet to Kabir and Kashish from the sweet thali. Following her, Soumya, Nurvi, and Prisha come forward, each doing a small aarti and gently blessing Kashish. Their smiles were real warm, not overwhelming, just welcoming. With a flourish, Ishika, the fun-loving cousin, enters with Sanaya. Ishika half-whispers, "Let me ward off any evil eyes from our shy bride and calm groom." Together, they perform the aarti, playfully sprinkling rose water. Sanaya whispering something only Kashish heard, making her laugh for the first time that evening. Swayam, Shivansh, Abhir, and Dhruv  Kashish's protectors, walked forward with poise and affection. Each one placed a tilak on Kabir's forehead, handed him elegant gifts. 

Samrath, his sternness softened with respect, smiled. "No more 'Sir,' Kabir. Call me Bhaiya." Kabir returned the smile, a touch of nervousness underlying his respect. "Then Bhaiya it is. I hope I earn the trust that implies." Shivansh, the closest to Kashish, walked up gave his sister a long, tight hug, his face emotional but composed. Then, he stepped to Kabir and clasped his hand  firm and meaningful. No words were needed. But Kabir understood. He nodded silently  eyes steady, grip strong. A silent promise was exchanged in that single gesture: I will take care of her.

Elders rise and come forward one by one, placing hands gently over the couple's heads. Kabir and Kashish folds hands. Meeting their eyes respectfully. Just then, Kashish's father Ranveer stepped forward. He gently placed his hand over Kabir and Kashish's heads, blessing them. Ranveer said to Kabir, "You are everything I hoped for in a son-in-law: calm, composed, and respectful. That matters most." Kabir replied, "Thank you, sir. I promise to always give her the space, respect, and support she deserves." Ranveer nodded to Kashish, "And Kashish, you'll always have my blessings." Kashish held her father's hand, emotion in her eyes. Abhimanyu placed a hand on Kabir's shoulder. "Kabir," he said, "I'm proud of your decision to marry Kashish. Be honest and strong for her, as you always have been." Turning to Kashish, he added, "And Kashish, you'll always be loved and respected here. You're not just joining a family, but a home." Kashish offered a humble smile, silently soaking in the kindness and sincerity in his voice.

As the celebrations started, Kashish's brother-in-law, Rishi Diwan, greeted the couple. He hugged Kabir, joking, "Welcome to the madness, Kabir. Get ready for a front-row seat to the Diwan family's discipline. Glad to have our first official outsider." His wife, Sayoni, stepped forward, an unusual playfulness in her eyes. Kabir, who knew her as a meticulous and fiercely disciplined doctor, was surprised by this warmer side. Sayoni quipped, "You make it sound like we were signing a treaty." Turning to Kabir with a grin, she added, "From today, I'm officially your saali. Consider your wedding shoes stolen, and my return fee is outrageous." Kabir smirked, "I'll keep my wallet and negotiation skills ready." Rishi shook his head. "Enough with the 'Doctor' talk." Sayoni, still teasing, offered, "You can call me Didi, Kabir," then looked to Kashish, "Is that okay, Kashish?" Kashish replied with a subtle, sarcastic smile "yes Didi." And Kabir and kashish looked at each other smiling and enjoying the moment

Laughter filled the room as Aryan and Jiya approached. Aryan teased, "One conference meet and straight to marriage?" Jiya smiled at Kashish. "Fastest networking ever, Dr. Kabir." Kabir quipped, "AIIMS conferences are more productive than they seem." Kashish gave him a playful side-eye, suppressing a smile as Aryan and Jiya chuckled. Aryan added, "AIIMS is building more than careers now." Kashish, half-smiling, feigned sternness. "Enough, you two. You're enjoying this too much." Aryan grinned "Alright alright, seriously, Kabir, we're handing you our childhood Best friend." Jiya chimed in, "She's a bit dramatic sometimes, but I'm sure you'll handle it." Kabir nodded calmly, smiling, while Kashish playfully nudged Jiya, hiding her own smile.

From the other side Jay and Diya, Kabir's elegantly dressed elder brother and sister-in-law, arrived. Jay, placing a hand on Kabir's back, said with a gentle smile, "Finally, my youngest brother is getting hitched." Diya Said welcoming her "Welcome to the madness, Kashish. You're not just a daughter-in-law, but our little sister." Soon after, Shourya and the energetic Tanushri joined them. Tanushri hugged Kashish, teasing, "My favorite devar's roka! I've waited too long for this day." She whispered to Kabir, "You better not be boring after marriage." Kabir grinned, "Can't make promises with so many Singhania women watching." Riaan and Naksh entered, clapping dramatically. Naksh joked, "Kabir beta, today it's the sweets, tomorrow saree shopping with your wife." Riaan added, "Remember, every small fight, she's always right." Kashish laughed, surprised by the easy atmosphere. Her laughter made Kabir glance at her, struck by her effortless beauty. Raiansh, composed one arrived with the cheerful Piyali. Raiansh offered a formal, "Congratulations, Kabir, Kashish. Welcome to the family." Piyali smiled, "Finally, Kabir's found someone to match his calm, or maybe shake it up." Kashish smiled respectfully, slightly intimidated by Raiansh but comforted by Piyali. 

Yug, Kabir's ever-energetic younger brother, bounded in with Ahaan and Mayank, the only daamaads of the Singhania family. Yug said "Kashish bhabhi, meet our elite Jijus, one's an IAS, the other a CA. You're in for some serious inspiration and even more leg-pulling." Ahaan said to Kabir  "Saale Sahab, from today, just keep a 'Sorry' ready on loop. You'll need it. And Kashish welcome to the family." Kabir exhaled slowly, the corner of his lips twitching with a knowing half-smile, while Kashish glanced at him amused and mildly anxious, hiding a smirk. Mayank said warmly "Congratulations to both of you. Wishing you a bond stronger than logic and sweeter than sense."

The moment brought light chuckles around, perfectly blending warmth and good-natured teasing, Then Paridhi came playfully presenting a sweet thali "Come on, you two, feed each other. We need proper photos for blackmail, I mean, memories." Kabir gently offered Kashish a piece, and she returned the gesture. Their fingers brushed, an awkward but sweet moment. Then the younger Gen Z squad surrounded the couple, teasing. Ivaan exclaimed, "Finally, Kabir bhaiya locked in! Kashish bhabhi, it's too late to run!" Alia winked, "He's not as serious as he looks. Sometimes he even laughs at our jokes." Arohi playfully nudged Kabir, "Bhaiya, you got lucky. She's way out of your league!" Yatharth asked Kashish, "Bhabhi Are you sure you've read the fine print before saying yes?" Alia giggled, "Don't worry, we'll be your rescue team if bhaiya ever gets too boring." Kashish blushed, smiling at their teasing. Kabir shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. "I should've known this squad would turn my roka into a full-blown roast." As everyone enjoyed themselves, a traditional melody began. The women of the Singhania and Diwan families gracefully gathered to dance. Piyali and Tanushri pulled Kashish into their circle. Piyali said, "No backing out now. You're one of us!" Kashish, hesitant at first, joined the dance, her movements surprisingly elegant. The ladies clapped and cheered softly.

And amidst the lights, music, and laughter, Kabir simply watched his expression unreadable, but his gaze fixed. Something about seeing her there, glowing among his family, made it feel  real. Angad Vaidehi Shivangi and Devansh eyes were glittering with happiness. 

In that moment though Kashish and Kabir are still unfamiliar to each other, the warmth of acceptance, the collective blessings, and the subtle comfort of their first shared tradition begin stitching the early threads of something new, and quietly promising.

As the laughter, teasing, and dancing began to settle, a sense of calmness wrapped around the gathering. The aroma of dinner still lingered in the air as the families took their places on the living room floor, surrounding Pandit ji, who sat cross-legged with his almanac spread before him. The mood shifted to something softer — anticipation laced with quiet emotion. Kabir and Kashish were seated side by side, their expressions composed, yet curious. The buzz around them faded as Pandit ji spoke, his voice steady and serene. Pandit ji continued saying "As I had already shared with Shivangi ji, Vaidehi ji, Avni ji, and Akriti ji — Kabir and Kashish's kundli is not just compatible... it's rare. In my entire practice, I have seldom come across such an aligned match." Kabir's brow lifted slightly. Kashish's eyes flicked to him with surprise, but neither spoke their silence held a quiet curiosity, an unspoken connection forming gently between two otherwise composed minds. Pandit ji added "Kabir is like calm water  composed, reserved, thoughtful. And Kashish, she's like a floating river elegant, assertive, always in motion, but graceful. She will always put Kabir first,  and that is her strength. Kabir, on the other hand, will always seek her in every second, in every silence." A pause. The words, unexpected in their depth, sat between the couple like a soft thread tying something invisible. Pandit ji said "But for a kundli like this, there comes only one date in ten years. And that auspicious momen arrives in just 15 days." A hush fell over the room. Some gasped softly. Some smiled in awe. Kabir looked straight ahead, his expression composed as ever, but there was a shift — the weight of what was unfolding beginning to settle. Kashish, always meticulous and precise, for once didn't question the timing. Instead, she simply looked at him  a glance that said she was listening, not just to the words, but to the silence that followed. 

Abhimanyu broke the silence, his voice calm. "Kabir, Kashish, are you both okay with this?" Kabir turned to Kashish. "Is it okay with you?" Kashish nodded. "Yes." Kabir added, "Yes from Me and Kashish." Shivangi smiled, placing a hand over her heart. "Pandit ji, the children have said yes. Let's begin the preparations." Devansh affirmed, "Then it's decided. The wedding of Kabir and Kashish will be in 15 days."

And just like that, the room transformed. Smiles spread across every face. There was a joyful buzz, as the families came together with a sense of shared celebration. 

The elders exchanged fond nods, while smiles passed between the siblings, Brothers in law, Sisters in law already, anticipating the flurry of wedding preparations. Avni stepped forward, embracing Kashish tightly. "My little girl, a bride," she said, her voice filled with a mother's gentle pride. "A new journey begins, Kashish, but remember your roots are here." Akriti followed, warmly hugging Kabir and Kashish. "I don't know who's luckier, but this match was meant to be."

The room was now buzzing with warmth and unspoken enthusiasm, A  beautiful blend of legacy, emotion, and the joy of an upcoming union.

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What did you think of this chapter?
The teasing, the bonds, the blessings, and the beginning of a new journey. Did it all feel real and heartfelt?
Tell me your favorite moment, I'm listening! 💛

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-[Pristi scrolls]