⚠️ Long chapter ahead ⚠️

"Guys, the baaraat is here," Rehman announced.

He stared at me, frozen in his spot. I closely observed how he tried to make a disappointed face, but a traitor smile broke out on his face.

"Oye, Bhoomi, you can't look more beautiful than me. You are cheating," he said.

"She is, isn't she?" Axel agreed.

He had been in my makeup room since last hour, but instead of me, he was making Jiya click his pictures. He even got the professional makeup done for fun.

"You look great," Rehman said to me.

"Don't force yourself to compliment me," I teased him.

"Oye, Boom Boom Boomer, are you done or not?" Akshay asked as he arrived hurriedly, and just like Rehman, he also stared at me like a statue.

"I guess I came in the wrong room," Akki said, and I narrowed my eyes at him.

Axel and Rehman started laughing as Akshay gave the same reaction as Rehman, and when the rest of my gang arrived to check on me, I rolled my eyes at them.

"Today, I finally feel that we have a girl in our crew," Pratik said while looking up at the ceiling.

"I won't take the risk," Yasir said. "I know she is just putting up an act."

"Truth has never sounded so sweet before," Shlok agreed.

One by one, all of them received smacks behind their heads, and I fist-pumped in victory when Vibhan arrived. He scolded the guys, but when his gaze landed on me, he asked the makeup artist if I had gone missing.

"Vibhan," I whined.

"Will you all leave now?" Arushi asked them in a threatening tone. "We need to talk to Bhoomi so that she is not nervous."

Akshay widened his eyes. "Bhoomi is nervous? From which angle? Aru, go and get your eyes checked."

Arushi and Akshay started fighting, and I told my makeup artist to ignore my friends. She checked my outfit and makeup once more and gave the green signal.

I shook my head at my friends and started leaving. Axel jumped in action and ran off to inform my parents and relatives that I was ready. Soon, my family joined me, and Mom and Dhara Di began crying the moment they saw me.

"Maa, Di, I haven't even left yet," I tried to console them.

"They are crying because you haven't left yet," Axel commented, making everyone laugh.

If I wasn't dolled up, I would have given him his favourite flying kick. My friends joined us too, and Akki put his face directly in front of me.

"I still can't believe it is you," he said.

"Then who do you think I am?" I asked him and pushed his face away.

"TJ's bride," he replied cheekily.

I punched him on the back. His sisters, Rahi and Meera, scolded him to stop troubling me, while his brother, Rahul, was enjoying the siblings' fight. My niece, Srishti, looked at me with a wide smile.

"Maushi, you look very beautiful," she said.

"And you look the most beautiful," I said and patted her head.

"We have arrived," Arushi announced.

We stopped in front of the banquet's gates, the baaraat dancing to the beats of banjo. There was a huge crowd, and even among so many people, Hriaan stood out because of his height and dance moves. Beside him, KD, Suhana, and Mahreen danced in a circle, and when they spotted me, Mahreen dashed towards me.

"Boomer, you look gorgeous," Mahreen complimented and gave me a light hug.

"Thank you, Mahreen," I replied, my heartbeats picking up pace even before I saw Tejas.

Suhana and KD also came and complimented me, and when they slowly moved away, everything slowed down. From the thick crowd, Jyoti Aunty and Prakash Uncle emerged, and behind them was their son, shining brighter than a star. He was gorgeous.

They stopped at the gates, and Mom went to do tilak of the groom and his family. Tejas's gaze was trained down, and Hriaan was by his side. I wondered why my fiancé wasn't looking up at all.

"Tejas beta, please raise your head," Dad told him.

Yes, now he can't avoid it. I want to see his face.

Tejas raised his head a bit, his eyelids still covering majority of his orbs. I pouted.

"Does he not want to look at me, or he doesn't want me to see him?" I grumbled.

And right at that moment, Tejas lifted his head, his gaze meeting mine. If time hadn't slowed down already, it seemed to completely stop when he locked his eyes with me.

Like a turtle on a vacation, his pace felt very slow as he kept coming closer and closer. I didn't blink even once.

"I need to be alive for the wedding, Hamster," he said, his voice registering in my ears like a song playing in the rains.

He took my right hand and placed it on his chest.

"My heart is working overtime, so I was trying to control it, but it is useless. If I had seen you just a milli-second earlier, I would have needed an ambulance," he said. "I think I will actually need it now."

My palms felt his heart thumping through his sherwani, the pulse feeling like I was listening to my own heart. I kept my left hand on my chest and smiled.

"Now the time is back to normal," I said.

"It is," he replied. "But my senses are not. You look very, very, very beautiful, Hamster."

"Tejas, at least today, call her Bhoomi, no?" Jyoti Aunty requested him.

He didn't brake our stare and replied to his mother. "Maa, you really think that's possible?"

Everyone laughed, and the elders told us to stand side-by-side. Tejas helped me stand beside him, holding my shawl so it wouldn't get stuck under my foot.

"You are glowing, like always," I told Tejas.

(Bhoomi's wedding look 👆🏾)

{Bhoomi reference pic credits: Instagram (shivanisanap)}

(Tejas's wedding look 👆🏾)

"Guys, look ahead of you, okay?" Hriaan told us seriously. "If you both fall, I will refuse to recognise you. You can play the staring game forever once you are married. Till then, let's finish the rituals, so we can have dinner on time."

"As you command, Hriaan," Tejas and I replied.

We entwined our fingers, our heads automatically turning towards each other no matter how much Hriaan kept his hawk-like gaze on us. To save both of us, Tejas kept glancing in the front, while I was totally focused on him.

"Bhoomi, look ahead!" Mom yelled, and thankfully, I did because I would have crashed into a relative's kid that had jumped in front of me while playing.

Hriaan smirked at us. "You should listen to me," he said and told the kids to stop running.

Tejas and I successfully reached the mandap, and the rituals started. After the mangalashtak, I held my breath as Tejas's mother brought the mangalsutra.

"Hamster, I hope you like it," he said.

"I love it," I replied.

Taking a deep breath, he tied the mangalsutra around my neck and applied sindoor on my hair partition. That moment was etched in my memories forever. Then, we stood up and completed saptapadi (saat pheras) while saying our vows to each other on Pandit Ji's instructions.

"Now you are husband and wife," Pandit Ji announced happily. "Respect the knot you have tied today, and keep loving and supporting each other. Best wishes for your married life."

Tejas and I exchanged glances, permanent smiles stuck to our faces.

"You are now my wife, Hamster~" he said dreamily.

"You are now my husband, Tejas~" I reciprocated.

"And now both of you should take elders' blessings~" Prakash Uncle said in the same tone and chuckled when our blush intensified.

We touched our parents' feet, taking their blessings, followed by Pandit Ji and numerous relatives who congratulated us and showered their love on us. Then, we met our friends and colleagues from our work.

"TJ, Bhoomi, congratulations. I am proud of you both," Sarthak Sir said.

"Thank you for guiding us," I said.

He gave us his blessings after we touched his feet, and then we received blessings from our mentors and teachers. We were glad that everyone took out time from their busy schedules to attend our wedding.

"Bhoomi, let's go," Dhara Di told me. "Tejas, you too. All the rituals are done, so break your fast. It has already gotten very late."

Tejas instantly took me to the dining area, and Arushi and Suhana swiftly got us a plate full of every dish on the menu.

"Tejas, please feed her," Mom instructed.

He nodded and took a morsel. I prayed to Ganapati Bappa and ate the first morsel, breaking my fast.

"Now you feed Tejas, Bhoomi," Suhana said. "He has been fasting too."

I widened my eyes. "Why would you fast, Tejas?!"

"Why not? Are you the only one who got married?" he scolded and fed me another morsel.

I quickly took a whole puri and dipped it in the sabzi. He laughed when I put the puri in his mouth.

"Hamster, I am not Hriaan to eat the whole plate in one go," he said.

Hriaan appeared like a magician and sat down beside us.

"I am also fasting," he announced, making everyone shocked. "Will no one help me break my fast?"

KD checked Hriaan's forehead. "You don't have a fever," he said. "It is impossible that you will stay hungry."

"I am not lying," Hriaan defended. "Ask Mahreen if you want. She has been filming us since morning, so you can check the video for proof."

"Wow, bro, you really stayed true to your words," Suhana said to Hriaan. "But you don't even have a girlfriend, so for whom you held a fast?"

Hriaan smiled, acting shy. "For my future wife who does not exist."

As soon as he said that, his mother arrived and pulled his ear.

"You will get married one day, mister," Viraje Aunty said strictly. "I won't die until then."

Tejas saved his friend and fed him a morsel, breaking Hriaan's fast. Like this, our friends joined us, and we all ate from one plate. Then, after clicking thousands of pictures, we got on the dance floor for celebration.

Due to my mother's warning and my wedding dress, I couldn't go all out. Still, I danced to my heart's content, Vibhan and Akshay lifting me up on their shoulders as we all enjoyed these precious moments.

And after a jamming session, it was time for my farewell. I prepared myself for the upcoming emotional tides, but to my surprise, no one was crying - not even my mother and sister.

"We should at least cry a little bit," Arushi said in concern. "Everyone is looking at us."

"You start then," Jiya told her.

Arushi took a deep breath, feeling the moment as she stared at me, but when she smiled, we started laughing.

"Girls, we have to cry," Mom scolded us, but her face was glowing like sun, her bright smile blinding us.

"Is there a problem?" Vibhan asked us.

"We are not able to cry," Jiya told him. "Why don't you guys start, and then we will follow?"

He looked at us flatly. "Seriously? Why are you forcing yourselves? Let us send Bhoomi happily."

Everyone exchanged glances and nodded. Mom said that she would stop worrying about the relatives and hugged me.

"Have a very happy married life, beta. Even if you leave today, don't ever think that our responsibility towards you is finished. You are and will always be our daughter. I love you," Mom said.

"I love you too, Maa," I said.

After Mom, Dhara Di patted my cheek, and I hugged her tightly. Dad, Ritvik bhaiyya and Srishti joined the hug, and one by one, my friends congratulated me once more and teased me.

"It is time now," Dad announced, looking at me adoringly. "My small daughter has grown up so much. I am proud of you, beta."

I hugged him, and he was giving me advice when suddenly, we heard a low sob. I instantly glanced at Mom, thinking that she finally got emotional, but she was smiling at me and Dad.

"Axel, you okay?" Rehman asked Axel.

All of us looked at him in horror as Axel sniffled, tears flowing down his face.

"What happened to you?" I asked Axel in worry.

He glanced at all of us, more tears springing in his eyes.

"All of this is so beautiful," Axel said. "Small Bean and TJ are now married, and soon, the rest of you will marry too. Only I will be left."

Hriaan wrapped his arm around Axel's shoulders. "You are not alone, bro. Let them get married; we both will go and stay in the Himalayas."

When Hriaan started hiding from his mother, all of us erupted in laughter, but Axel's tears were contagious. I didn't even realise when through the laughter, my cheeks became wet, and I tightly wrapped my arms around my mother.

"It is all Axel's fault," I mumbled.

Mom couldn't control it anymore, and like a chain reaction, everyone began crying. Even if I wasn't going far from my family, bidding them goodbye hurt. Again, I hugged everyone, and after a good crying session, Dad placed my hand in Tejas's hand.

"Please take care of each other," he said. "Tejas, I don't even need to tell you anything, but as a father, it is my duty to send my daughter off and assure her that her father will always be there for her. Bhoomi, you are married now. Be responsible, and you can call me anytime for gossip, okay?"

"Can I join the gossip too?" Tejas asked. "Uncle, your daughter will get all the love she deserves. I won't give you any chance to complain. You haven't just married your daughter to me, but given me my best blessing. I cherish her a lot and will always do so even after my last breath."

My heart was filled with love, pride, and admiration. Tejas never left a chance to amaze me and show his love.

Dad was already very impressed with Tejas, but after hearing his words, Dad hugged him and patted his back. Tejas's parents looked at each other proudly, admiring their son.

I didn't want to cry again as I was dehydrated now, but my friends started their exaggerated acting.

Rehman and Shlok came towards us and looked at Tejas seriously, putting water drops under their eyes.

"Big Bro, we are giving you a last chance to think," Rehman said.

"About what?" Tejas asked.

Rehman pointed at me. "Her. Of course, you are married now, but we haven't yet sent her off. You can rethink since it is the matter of your life."

I didn't say anything as I had no energy left to beat them up.

Tejas glanced at me. "My decision is perfect, Rehman."

Shlok shook his head. "TJ, we will give you one more chance."

Rehman nodded. "Yes, we don't have any return policy on this," he said and patted my head.

Tejas laughed heartily, and I bit Rehman's arm. To save others, Akshay jumped in for rescue and held me back.

"Boom Boom Boomer, don't ruin your act," he said. "Just few more minutes until you succeed."

Because of my friends, the sad and emotional atmosphere again turned into a comedy show, and this time, we cried once more but with tears of happiness and joy.

I glanced at my family and friends, imprinting the scene in my mind. Tejas opened the car's door, and I sat down in the backseat. He closed the door and assured my parents again.

"Bhoomi, this is for you," Arushi said and gave me a gift box.

"Thank you, Aru," I said and held her hand through the window.

"And this one is from me," Akshay said and handed me another gift box.

Following his lead, one by one, my friends piled up gifts on my lap, telling me to send pictures on our WhatsApp group.

I thanked them, and Tejas joined me in the backseat. Soon, the car started, and I waved goodbye to my family and friends. I kept looking at them till they vanished from my sight, everyone having content and sweet smiles on their faces.

I relaxed in the seat and glanced at Tejas. My heart skipped multiple beats as his gaze was already on me. He scooted closer and kept the gifts on the side.

"You feeling okay?" he asked me and took my hands in his.

"I am feeling awesome," I replied.

He kissed my palms and closed his eyes. I caressed his cheek, and after admiring him, I kissed his forehead. His cheeks turned redder, and when his eyelids fluttered open, my heart almost stopped.

"Hamster, I think I am going to faint," he said.

"What?!" I asked in shock. "You were okay just now. It is all because you fasted. Now see what happened. Don't worry, Dhara Di gave me a lunchbox in case something like this happened."

"But it is not because of fasting. It is my heart," Tejas said.

"Tejas, are you really having a heart issue?" I panicked.

He bit his lips. "My Hamster, I am going to faint because of lovesickness. Only you can save me."

I blinked rapidly, and when I saw his mischievous smile, I pulled his cheeks.

"Mr. Tejas Prakash Jaiswal, I am trying to be serious here, and you are ruining my act," I fake scolded.

He grinned. "Have I succeeded, Mrs. Bhoomi Tejas Jaiswal?"

I hid my face in my palms. I always dreamt of this moment and imagined my name with his so many times, but hearing him say it made the jungle in my stomach have a party.

Calm down, heart. We can't afford a heart attack right after I got married.

I took deep breaths, wondering why Tejas wasn't saying anything. I was sure he was laughing silently, but when I peeked a glance at him, my eyes widened like saucers.

His face and hands were bright red, and he had himself hidden his face in his palms.

"Tejas?" I asked.

He revealed only his eyes, hiding his face again when he saw me. I slowly removed his hands, unveiling his adorable look.

"Hamster, I officially give up on my heart," he said and kissed my forehead. "It is your responsibility now."

"And, you can totally count on me," I said proudly.