His

7 | wedding day

Nandini Murthy's pov. 

At 2 am mom came in my room and was surprised to find me awake. 

"What happened nandi why are you awake" she asked caressing my hair. 

"I'll miss you mommy" I said with tears in my eyes and she hugged me. 

"Oh dear I'll miss you too don't cry I'm here sweetie" she said embracing me in her sweet scent and warmth. 

"I love you mom" I said after a minute. 

"I love you too" she said and caressed my hair and kissed my head lovingly then suddenly I heard dad and rishab Bhai's voice "we love you too" they said together embracing us as we group hugged and dad pecked my head making me more emotional than I already was. I saw Bhabhi standing at the door staring at us with happy tears in her eyes smiling at us. Mom and dad pulled her in the hug and we had a huge family hug. We pulled apart and spent some together for the last time remembering all our memories. It was 3 am by my watch when mom got up and said that I should now start getting ready as it was time for  MangalaSnanam.  So I went to the garden where the married women applied a paste of turmeric, sandalwood and kumquat. Later Amma sent me to take a bath purifying myself for Gauri Pooja and got dressed in a white sari with pink blouse. It was a Kerala pattu sari which was amma's during her wedding rituals. It was a beautiful gift which I'll cherish forever.

I quickly moved out from the bathroom and mom took me out in the quad and I settled down in the seat they set up for me. After the Pooja mom said that there was a ritual I was suppose to do that was from Manik's side. I nodded and my uncle that is mom's brother and abhi's dad came forward and dipped bangles in milk and put them on my hand which Ma (niyonika, Manik's mom) explained was chura chadai rasam where the bride's maternal uncle put the bangles in the brides hand along with the chura. He gave me my wedding dress as well. Then I got up and went to where all the girls and boys were seated and rubbed my hands together on each of them and it fell half and half on both Mukti and Alia to which they started blushing. Oh, I forgot to mention that it is believed that on whoever the bride's chura falls on they are married next. Then I went to my room and got ready in my sari and mom helped me saying that she wanted to dress me up. We went out to my family waiting for me. Dad pecked me on the cheek and patted my hair lovingly. 

We all got in the buses and went to the temple that was on top of the hill and I went in prayed along with everyone. 

End of Nandini Murthy's pov 

As they reached the bride and the groom side jelled up and were talking. Then Nandini was taken to the temple to pray for her happy married life. While Nandini was in the temple praying the same rituals were done for Manik by Sharan and then as Nandini came out the temple they both saw each other and let out the tears of happiness. Manik smiled at her where as she smiled back hugely and then Manik was interrupted when sharan took him to the same temple Nandini went to. He prayed and as he came out a royal umbrella was held upon him by rishab as he walked down with everyone following him. All his family were staring at him smilingly and laughed at the royal treatment that he was receiving. Then Manik started as per the ritual he was told that was kashi yatra. 

Manik took hold of the umbrella and the bag holding food items as he was explained he said but changing his words. 

Manik: papa Nandini is mine or shall I leave to kashi and live the live of a ascetic. 

Sharan: ok you go... 

Manik's jaw dropped in disbelief and all laughed at his expression. 

Manik: ok I'll go and he started walking away but then he returned and said "I'm not leaving. Nandini Murthy's mine. Only mine" and then when sharan nodded his head in approval he moved towards the mandap that was set up and sat down as Sharan and Meera came to him. They went to touch his feet but Manik didn’t like it and pulled his leg away and said “ma papa aap yeh kya kar rahe ho” they made him understand it’s a ritual called Pada Pooja. He didn’t like it but he didn’t oppose because he didn’t want to hurt their feelings. Nandini is brought to the mandap and made to sit as they performed the Pooja first taking blessings of their ancestors and god for their wedded life and then the wedding rituals took place as sharan who had Nandini on his lap passed her down to Manik into his lap as a sign of his acceptance that Nandini Murthy was now Manik's Nandini and they came to an end when Manik filled her hairline partition with vermillion and tied the mangalsutra around her neck making her his forever. 

Later at 10 am. 

Nandini Malhotra's pov

I was dressed in a black kurta and white leggings with the chura in my hand and my mangalsutra and vermillion in my hair partition that was a sign to show that now I was his. Finally his after all the time we spent together.

It was 10 in the morning when somebody came and covered my eyes from behind. 

I knew who it was. 

Bhaiiiii!!! 

He just laughed then came in anjali bhabhi.  

She is rishab Bhai's wife. My Bhai and bhabhi had to shift to Australia to handle business but he was here and bhabhi just arrived yesterday night at 12 am. We didn't get time to spend but now we will. We spent some time then they left as the people came to dress me up.

I was in my room wearing a white gown with my hair curled and my makeup done. 

Amma: nandu it is our family heirloom. It was given to me by my mother and today I pass this to you.

I became emotional but didn't cry. 

Next rishab Bhai and anjali bhabhi came and hugged me. 

It was time now. When I walk down the alter and get married to the guy I love. 

Yes I love manik.

(Plug in music- thousand years.)

The day we met, frozen I held my breath

Right from the start I knew that I found my home for my

Heart beats fast

Colors and promises

How to be brave

How can I love

When I'm afraid to fall

Appa and I made our way out of the house and to the aisle. 

I was nervous my hands shaking and as we got nearer my grip on appa's arm tightened.

But my nervousness left to the atmosphere when I saw his face.

But watching you stand alone.

All of my doubts certainly goes away somehow.

One step closer,

I have died everyday waiting for you darling don't be afraid I have loved you.

For a thousand years

I love you for a thousand more...

I saw manik standing right in front of us. 

Time stands still

Beauty in all she is

I will be brave 

I will not let anything take away

Standing in front of me..

Then appa gave my hand in Manik's. 

Sharan: don't make me regret giving you my daughter's hand for the second time today. 

Manik smiled at appa. 

Appa then looked at me and said “take care of him beta he’s worth everything and much more” I nodded and he left after kissing my cheek to go and stand besides amma.

Manik smiled looking at me.

Every breath

Every hour had come to this.

One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you.

We both then faced each other. 

When the priest said we turned towards him. He motioned his hands for everyone to sit. 

Darling don't be afraid

I've loved you 

For a thousand years

I love you for a thousand more...

Priest: ladies and gentlemen we're all gathered here today on this glorious day to witness the Union of Manik Malhotra and Nandini Murthy. We both just smiled looking at each other. 

Then we both faced each other to take the vows. 

Priest: please repeat after me. 

I Manik Malhotra take you Nandini Murthy.....

And all along I believe

I will found you

Manik: I Manik Malhotra take you Nandini Murthy to have you and hold.

We had an eye contact the whole time we took our vows. 

For better and for worse.

Manik: For richer, for poorer. 

In sickness and in health.

Manik: to love

To cherish. As long as we both shall live. 

Manik: I do.

I do. 

Time has brought your heart to me

I have loved you

For a thousand years

I've loved you for a thousand more.....

Manik: I love you

I love you too. 

Then the priest said: by the blessings of the Heavenly Father and the power vested in me by the state of Rajasthan I now pronounce you man and wife, You may kiss the bride. 

Manik lifted my veil up and said: Mia bella moglie. (My beautiful wife). 

I smiled as he bent his head a little and kissed me. We forgot the world not bothered of anything. 

We continued to kiss and when we pulled apart he attached his lips to mine again and only when all started clapping did we think of pulling apart. 

Everyone started to clap. In background you can see dad kissing mom on lips and our friends also kissing and appa and Amma having tears in their eyes. 

One step closer.

One step closer....

I have died everyday waiting for you.

Darling don't be afraid I have loved you

Bhai was also kissing anjali Bhabhi. 

We kissed again and then broke apart as the clapping became louder and our friends were hooting. Everyone stood up and Manik's arms made their way to my waist and mine resting on his chest. 

For a thousand years

I love you for a thousand more...

Time has brought your heart to me

I have loved you

For a thousand years

I've loved you for a thousand more.....

Instrumental....

We walked down and everyone came and wished us a happy married life. 

From now on I was Nandini Manik Malhotra and not Nandini Murthy again and I wouldn't change this moment for anything. 

I love Manik from now and forever.....

.......................

Word count: 1685 words. 

Snow