Arohi sat surrounded by her cousins and friends infront of the mendhi artist as the she made an intricate design on Arohi's hand. Her cousins and friends were either watching her mendhi being done or having theirs done by other mendhi artists. "What's your fiance's name?" "I'll write it on your hand for him to find on your wedding night." Aria who sat beside her elbowed her and giggled. Arohi blushed and answered "Arjun." Her mom was rushing around giving instructions to different people regarding refreshments and such. Her thaiyiji and chachi sat with some other women playing a dholki and singing. Cousins and friends danced and laughed around Arohi. It was her mendhi, and in two days she would be marrying Arjun. The thought brought a smile to her face.

By now most women were on the floor dancing and at one point Arohi's cousin Priya grabbed her arm and pulled her on to the dance floor.

mere haathon mein nau-nau chooDiyaaN hain, thoDaa Thahro sajan majbooriyaaN hain

milan hogaa abhi ik raat ki dooriyaaN hain

mere haathoN mein nau-nau chooDiyaaN hain

mere haathoN mein nau-nau chooDiyaaN hain, thoDaa Thahro sajan majbooriyaaN hain

lambi-lambi te kaali-kaali raatoN mein

kaahe chooDiyaaN khanakti hain haathoN mein

lambi-lambi, ho lambi-lambi te kaali-kaali raatoN mein

kaahe chooDiyaaN khanakti hain haathoN mein

na aanaa tu nigoDi chooDiyon ki baatoN mein

lambi-lambi te kaali-kaali raatoN mein

le jaa vaapas tu apni baaraat munDeyaa

main nahin jaanaa, nahi.n jaanaa tere saath munDeyaa

le jaa vaapas, ho le jaa vaapas tu apnii baaraat munDeyaa

main nahin jaanaa, nahin jaanaa tere saath munDeyaa

sataayegaa jagaayegaa tu saari raat munDeyaa

le jaa vaapas, le jaa vaapas tu apnii baaraat munDeyaa

main nahin jaanaa, nahin jaanaa tere saath munDeyaa

Arohi laughed as she ran off the dance floor. Walking back to her mendhi artist she saw Arjun's sisters and mom walk in. Smiling she made her way over to say hello. "Rashi, Sara, look at how beautiful my bahu looks." said Arjun's mom as she hugged Arohi too her. Rashi and Sara both nodded smiling at Arohi. Arohi wore a royal blue sleeveless raw silk salwar kameez with just a little bit of pink thread work around the square neck. The duppata was two shaded in pink and royal blue and hung loosely around her neck. Her hair was pulled back from her face with her diamond studs and Arjun's diamond pendent as her only jewelery and she had kept her make up minimal. She looked beautiful in her simplicity.

"Thank you" Arohi said. "Bhabi let's see your mendhi." Sara asked. Arohi held out her hands. "You know they say that the darker your mendhi is the more your mother in law will love you." Rashi said teasingly. "I already love my bahu, I don't need to see the darkness of her mendhi to love her." Arjun's mom said sweetly. "She's made my Arjun so happy." "What more can a mother ask for." Arohi gave her a shy smile. "And besides I've known Arohi all of her life she's already like a daughter to me." Arohi's mom came along welcoming the trio and Arohi returned to having her mendhi done. Once finished Arohi's mendhi was beautifully and intricately done in an Arabic style. It went all the way up to her elbow and was already starting to get pretty dark.

The wedding geet and dancing continued late into the night. With everyone spending lots of time on the dance floor. The older women started their boliyan and giddha and the younger girls watched with fascination until Arohi pulled her mom in and they did a round of giddha together. Laughing and pulling everyone else in too. The night was full of laughter and jokes and lots of good food. By the time the last guest left, the girls were exhausted. Arohi went up to her room and Aria helped her change into shorts and a tank top. Careful not to touch her mendhi which was dry but would be kept on all night so that it became as dark as possible. "Goodnight" Aria said as she left the room closing the door behind her. Arohi yawned and had just gotten into bed when she heard her phone. There was only one person that would call her at this time she thought smiling. Arjun. "Hi" she said into the phone as she got into the bed. "Hi" Arjun replied. "How was your evening?" she asked. "Good, the guys and I spent the evening out on the deck, barbecuing and having a few drinks." "A few" Arohi asked as she heard a slight slur in Arjun's voice. "Okay, maybe more then a few." he said laughing. "How was your night?" "Great," "the sangeet was so much fun and I love the way my mendhi turned out." "So what are you doing right now?" he asked. "Nothing I just got into bed." she said. "I see," "so what are you wearing?" he asked softly in his slightly slurred sexy voice. "What am I wearing? she asked. "Shorts and a.." "Arjun!" she said trying to sound angry. "Behave!" Arjun laughed. "You know I had to try." he said. "But that's okay soon I'll know exactly what you're wearing and more importantly what you're not wearing." "Oh my god" she yelled and then lowering her voice. "Arjun, I swear you are so besharm." she said feeling a blush creep up her neck. Arjun chuckled. "And that's one of the things you love about me." he said.

Arohi smiled to herself. She did love her besharm Arjun. "Two more days and you'll be all mine." He said as his voice got softer and sexier. "And remember what I promised you?" "Promised me?" Arohi questioned. "Yeah, remember..2 weeks, you ,me and our bed, or the shower or the sofa or..." "GOODNIGHT ARJUN!" Arohi said as she quickly turned off her phone and turned her face into her pillow. Laughing and at the same time trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach. Because, she knew Arjun always kept his promises.

Arjun woke up slightly hung over. His friends had plied him with alcohol but he hadn't minded since they had been celebrating his upcoming nuptials. He looked around and saw that the dancing had already started. Truth be told his dad had been so happy about the wedding he'd been having some sort of party at the house for the last week. Who would have thought that after their first not so great, who was he kidding, horrible meeting. Who would have thought him and Arohi would have fallen in love and now were getting married. Thankfully their fathers had forced the issue or him and Arohi wouldn't be so happy right now and getting ready to celebrate the most important day of their lives.

Arohi walked in carrying her wedding lengha. There had been one last fitting this afternoon. Talk about cutting it close, but it had turned out perfect. Even better then the first one she had chosen. Her friends from Vancouver had gone sight seeing today and would be back in time for the Haldi ceremony. Her cousins and Aria were running around helping with last minute details and the parents were everywhere. Cooks sat in front of large pots of sweets, stirring and frying. Fresh flowers were being arranged in vases. It looked like a wedding house. Running upstairs she hung up her lengha and then called her make-up artist to confirm what time she would be arriving the next morning. That's when she noticed a vase with a beautiful bouquet of red roses in it. Walking up she read the card.

"I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. See you tomorrow Mrs. Singhania."

Love Arjun.

Arohi face lit up with a smile. How sweet she thought holding the little card against her chest and twirling. She grabbed her phone and dialed Arjun's number. No answer. She left a message. "I got the flowers, I love them and I love you." she said. Hanging up Arohi went downstairs to see if anyone needed her help.

Arohi sat wearing a simple light yellow sleeveless cotton salwar kameez, her hair pushed back into a ponytail. Everyone had almost finished applying the haldi. She smiled up at her dad as he took some and rubbed it on her arm. Her smile began to waver as she stared at him. She was getting married, she hadn't lived at home for a while but now it was permanent. Her home was going to be with Arjun now. She really wouldn't even be on the same continent as her dad. As her dad left her brother came up. She had to hold back the tears that stung her eyes as she looked at her brother. The one that always protected her and took care of her. As far back as she could remember

Live was changing forever and even though she was excited she was also sad. As the haldi ceremony ended and Arohi went up to clean herself off she leaned against her door brushing away the tears. She would miss her family she thought. "Arohi di!" called Priya from outside. "Are you ready?" "I'll be right down." Arohi said walking to her bathroom and washing her face.

Once downstairs her cousins grabbed her arm and sat her down, she gave them a confused look. Then her mom and dad came and sat next to her. Arohi's friends from Vancouver including Aria walked onto the dance floor. Nothing was said but when Arohi met Aria's ayes she could tell they were filled with tears.

Mehndi lagaake aayi

Haai

Bindiya sajaake aayi

Oye hoye hoye hoye

Mehndi lagaake aayi, bindiya sajaake aayi

Choodi khankaake aayi, paayal chhankaake aayi

Ho, ab geet milan ke gaana hai

-

Gaana hai, gaana hai

Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai - 3

Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai

-

Haan, mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai

Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai - 2

-

Gudiya patole the meriyaan nishaaniyaan

Yaadon reh jaaniyaan

Bachpan beeta jawaani aayi, hoye

Bachpan beeta jawaani aayi

Saajan ka sandesa laayi

Saiyyaanji ki sej ko jaake

Phoolon se mahekaana hai

Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai - 2

Haan mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai

Jamdiyaan mohe piya to paraaiyaan ho jaandiyaan

Piya mar jaaniyaan

Pal mein naata tod chali main, hoye

Pal mein naata tod chali main

Baabul ka ghar chhod chali main

Ab to piya ke des mein

Saara jeevan mujhe bitaana hai

Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai - 2

Haan mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai

Oh oh oh, aah aah aah aah

Beti ki taqdeer ka likha, haai

Beti ki taqdeer ka likha padhke mamta royi

Kisi ne isko janam diya aur le jaaye ise koi

Ho, sajdhajke aaye baaraati, laaye ghode haathi

O, teri shaadi ke mauke pe milke sehra gaayenge

Sada suhaagan rahe tu banno, tujhe duaaein de jaayenge

Aaj ki raina hum logon ko jhoom jhoomke gaana hai

Oye hoye!

Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai - 2

Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai

Haan mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai

Mujhe saajan ke ghar jaana hai - 2

Movie: Lajja

Arohi silently sobbed with her head on her dad's shoulder and his arm around her. Her mom stroked her hair as she too silently sobbed. Arohi looked up into her dad's face, which was wet with tears. "I love you dad." she whispered. He closed his eyes and then nodded and smiled "I love you too beta." Their wasn't a dry eye in the place as everyone watched this emotional moment. "Arohi, beta" her thaiyji said kneeling down and wiping her tears from her face. "It's okay, no more tears." "Your family will always be here for you." Arohi nodded still crying. "Hey who's made my favorite niece cry her chachu said coming up and pulling Arohi up too. Riya and Shefali both walked up wiping away their own tears. "Chachu!" "I thought I was you favorite?" said Shefali with her hands on her hips. "Di, chachu said I was his favorite." "Oh Oh," he said looking at Arohi. Arohi smiled through her tears. "All three of your are my favorite, but just you three, you're the special ones. he said smiling. The girls stared at him with their hands on their hips. "Chachu, you said I was your favorite!" Raj said walking up. Everyone looked at eachother and burst out laughing.

"Aaj mere veer the viyah." played loudly as Arjun walked off the dance floor smiling. The haldi ceremony had gone quickly with lots of teasing and leg pulling and then the dancing started. Everyone was on the dance floor. A dholi had the music pumping. People were breaking out into sponataous boliyan and Rashi and Sara were going crazy whenever a "Bhabhi or Brother boli came on. Arjun grabbed a drink and stood next to Romit. "Great party, man," Romit said. "Good looking girls too." Arjun raised his brows and looked at Romit. "Don't even think about it." Arjun said. Romit frowned. "You're always blocking me man, I have mad skills." "Girls fall all over themselves to get to me." Arjun let out a laugh choking on his drink. "More like fall all themselves running away from you." "Shut up or else I'm going to talk to your wife about this." She realizes that I'm a very sensitive individual and has told me not to put up with any abuse of any kind from anyone." Arjun let out another laugh. That sounded like Arohi. "Stop being a girl!" he said as Rick came up and dragged them both onto the dance floor. Arjun laughed and then shook his head as he watched his cousins hoist his dad up on their shoulders. The party went full swing until Arjun's mom sent everyone either home or to bed. Afterall there was a wedding tomorrow!

Arohi woke up the next morning to quiet. She couldn't hear a noise outside her room. Everyone must be asleep yet, she thought glancing at her clock. She saw it was 5:00. Her hair and make-up artist wasn't coming for another hour. She got up and went and sat on her window sill which looked out onto their garden. The air was already quite warm and she could hear the birds chirping. She hugged her arms around her and smiled to herself. She was getting married today, to the man she was in love with. Today infront of god, their families and their friends her and Arjun would be forever one. Their relationship would change forever and by the end of today she would be his wife. She felt a lump in her throat. It felt like they had waited forever for this date. Even though her and Arjun had only been together for about 8 months it felt to her like she'd known him her whole life. It was silly but now she almost couldn't remember a time when he wasn't there. Maybe because he was always there for her, as her friend, her confidante, her strength, her voice of reason, her lover. Sighing contently she leaned her head against the wall and continued to look outside for a few more minutes. Enjoying the calm before the mayhem started.

Arjun, looked at himself in the mirror straightening the cuffs of his uchkin. Arohi had picked out the uchkin and knowing Arjun's taste she had made sure it wasn't over done and looked elegant It was goldish cream silk with red, green and gold embroidery on it. The shirt underneath was a deep red which contrasted beautifully with the goldish cream uchkin jacket. The outfit fit his broad shoulders and powerful arms perfectly. His turban was a red bandhni with a trace of gold. His dad walked in smiling. He patted Arjun on the back. "Ready" he asked. Arjun nodded. "I know I don't say this enough," "but son I've very proud of you." "Today you and Arohi getting married, well it's one of the happiest days of my life". "I know you two will have a wonderful life together." Arjun smiled and reached over and hugged his dad.

Arohi smiled for the photographer as he snapped yet another picture of her. The make-up artist had just finished with the last touch up and looking at the mirror Arohi smiled at herself. Her lengha was beautiful. It was a deep red net lengha with cut work throughout, the cut work was detailed with antique gold embroidery and red and green beading. Rhinestones added an extra sparkle to the lengha. Around her neck she wore a large a kundhan set with matching chumka earrings, and a tikka. Her choora was antique gold and red with a hint of green. Her hair was done up in an intricate updo and her make-up highlighted her beautiful eyes and her full lips.

"Di, you look like a princess." Riya said admiring Arohi. "Thank you." "You all look wonderful." "Is everyone else ready?" Arohi asked. "Yup, now they're just making sure everything is ready for the ceremony." "The panditji is here. " "The panditji is here." Arohi said taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Priya ran in, "JIJU is here." she screamed excitedly. Well he's close, we can see the baraat. The girls all started talking excitedly. "Let's go see." they said. "What about me Arohi said." "Di, we'll report back on how handsome jiju looks." Arohi smiled. "Are you okay by yourself?" Aria asked. "You're itching to go." Arohi laughed. "Go but come back and tell me what's happening. " Aria nodded and ran out with the other girls.

"They're here!" Aria said excitedly. "I just saw Arjun jiju he looks so handsome." "Your mom performed the arti and everyone is downstairs now." "Your dad and his dad were so happy." "You should have seen the way they were hugging." "So cute." Arohi closed her eyes and smiled. "Oh my god, I 'm getting married to Arjun." she said excitedly to Aria. "I know!" Aria said practically jumping up and down. A few minutes later Priya and Shefali also came to report what was happening. "Aria di we need to locate those shoes early," Priya said. "Jiju is not going to take our Arohi di without paying us a hefty sum." Listening to them Arohi started to pace, she was starting to feel nervous now. Looking up she saw her thaiyiji and chachi walk in. "Arohi beta you look absolutely stunning." her thaiyiji said smiling. Arohi thanked them and smiled nervously. "Arohi they're ready for you." her chachi said. Arohi nodded. The girls all took turns hugging her. Aria last. "Next time I talk to you you're going to be Mrs. Arohi Singhania." she said excitedly. Arohi, nodded all the while smiling nervously. Aria gave her a hug and hurried out of the room. Arohi looked at her aunts who now stood on either side of her. "Ready" she said. They walked out of the room and to the top of the stairs.

Arjun looked up at his beautiful bride and was spell bound. She was stunning. He couldn't take his eyes off her as she walked down the stairs with her aunts. At the bottom step her friends and cousins joined her to walk behind her to the mandip. Arohi sat down next to Arjun, stealing a quick glance. He looked so handsome she thought, the uchkin she had picked for him suited him perfectly. "You look beautiful." she heard him say and she gave a tiny small. The ceremony started.

Arohi's dad rose to do the kaniydan. Then the pheres started, and Arohi and Arjun make their way around the agni. One after the other each phera ended until they reached the seventh and final one. Arjun's sister Rashi passed him the sindoor which he put into Arohi's maang. Arohi smiled softly to herself. This had always been her favorite part at any wedding she went to. Then Arjun slipped a mangalsutra around her neck. As the pandit ji continued his hymns Arohi thought to herself, I'm a married woman now. The ceremony ended and Arohi and Arjun rose to take their parents and other family's blessings. Arohi smiled at her friends and cousins who looked so happy and excited.