Destiny's Fusion

Wedding Bells: Diamonds under the night sky

Roop's POV

"O..M..G! it looks perfect!" Nina squealed as she admired the beautiful ivory one shoulder fit floor-skimming satin dress in which Mandy twirled around beamingly "I know right!"

the wedding dress had romantic details from top to bottom, from a bloom-like organza and horsehair bow at the shoulder to its full, pleated skirt lined with layers of tull

"You look amazing mandy,this dress its really pretty" I smiled genuinely

"aww thanks sweety but what about my hairs? What do you guys think? A tight twisted bun or a side-parted style with root-lift at the back for a retro vibe?" both girls thought deeply while I got up and turned Mandy around towards the mirror

"i think you should just let them free not hide them in a bun, and just roll few strands from both sides, and pin them up at the back, see? He'd love it too" I whispered with a grin and Mandy blushed instantly

"Guess your right..this would be more appealing, what say girls?" Mandy grinned

"wow! Good job Rachel!" both girls clapped excitedly for me and I bowed courteously,

"so its final then! Now lets decide your outfit for the evening and for my wedding day after all you'll be the maid of honor and these two girlies will be joining you as bridesmaids" she smirked gleefully

"uhh wait a minute..maid of honor? You kidding right?" I stared stupidly at her

"I don’t kid Miss Gonsalves and your not from the guest side so you gotta play the part,let’s see now.. I have few dresses that I shopped recently along with these two gowns which one do you like?" I was out of words to state my choice

"Mandy...I don't think.."

"You don't have to just tell me which one you like?" I then hesitatingly picked pink flower lace dress and Mandy's face lit up with excitement

"It would look lovely on you, isn’t it girls?"

both Nina and Henna nodded with a big smile and I now eagerly dreaded the evening that was about to commence in few hours, I didn't know where Richard was..

I hadn't seen him the whole day and thought of him not being around stung me but I knew at the dinner I would see him so I went with the flow and got ready with the others, fixing hairs and fitting each others dresses took more time than I thought but it was fun nevertheless and reminded me so much of my own sister's wedding,

once we were done we were all called downstairs as the groom's family had already arrived, I believed I was more nervous and conscious than the bride herself, I could see from far off all the lights and decoration done for the evening in the courtyard as we walked out towards it, the farmhouse looked so beautiful with glittering lights and decorative lanterns

"This is so cool! I need to take pictures" Nina started clicking pictures with her phone while Henna posed away with her own, a concrete platform was built in the corner of the front farm-area around which white guestchairs with red tulle wrapped around like a bow at the back were placed elegantly with each having its own table, the other side had the same chairs at both sides and a gracefully decorated path passing from the middle towards the sheltered white pillars

"Fascinating…isn't it? Just as I had dreamt for my wedding, come on, everyone’s waiting.."

Mandy took me with her to meet the groom's family and rest of the relatives but the only face that I searched around wasn't there amidst them, without him I felt unknown, ordinary..more like lost..

my mind and heart still waited for his presence..to see him,where was he,why wasn't he there,would he like me in this dress,what if they ask me again anything mexican,

all these questions popped up in my head as we all sat around an elongated table for dinner,Paul and Mandy got much busy in discussing their future plans and no doubt they made a cute couple..

I felt love was in the air as I saw them both holding each others hand while they talked

"hope the girls didn't give you much trouble" Mrs.Wilson asked leaning towards me

"uh no not at all, i had a great time with them..those two are one of a kind" I smiled

"you look so lovely dear in pink.." she touched the dress and smiled

"all credit goes to your lovely daughter,she got me into this dress and now, I'm glad she did.." Mrs Wilson laughed

"so what did I miss?" Richard joined as he sat across the other side with Josh and Mikey,he hadn't noticed me but I had, he wasn't dressed formally like all of us were but still his good looks dominated the charms of other men present at this formal dinner I thought..dressed in casual low cut black t-shirt and brown pants he looked like every women's desire, seeing him chat and smile with his family caused me to smile too because thats what I had wished for him since the day he had saved me from being lost forever...as I contemplated with these thoughts dinner got over soon

"hey Rachel, guess what, you have a rival now coz Richard here knows how to salsa, did he ever tell you that?" I gasped and immediately looked at Richard who was already staring at me..

"You must be good at it but I bet you can't beat my brother..It comes naturally to him" Mandy grinned

"Hey why don't you guys show us some moves...what say Rich?" Josh instigated and so did Mickey as he patted on Richard's back with a grin, not just them now others too wanted to see the same as they zestfully rooted for us

"uh..no actually...I don't" I tried to handle the situation but my words got caught up when I saw Richard suddenly stood up and started walking towards me, my hands got cold and I nervously looked at him, what is he doing! all I could see was his blue eyes intensely staring at me, i gasped as Richard came up to me and brought out his hand

"Let’s show them how it’s done" Richard said confidently with a smirk but I was more concerned about what he had in his mind than what everybody watching us thought..

I reluctantly took his hand and got up, I was still completely confused as we went and stood in the middle of the platform c*m dance floor facing each other

"Richard! what are you doing?..there's no music and I don't know salsa..you know that..!" I whispered anxiously

"Does it matter..?" before I could make out what he meant he suddenly pulled me close, my whole body went weak in his grip, his hot breath tickled my skin and manipulated my rapidly beating heart..

i couldn't think straight anymore and everything seemed motionless, nothing existed, just him holding me and me staring into his shining eyes

"Stay with me and I won’t let you fall.." that’s all I heard before he unexpectedly sweeped me off the ground and swirled me around graciously, it felt like I could fly without bounds and the dark sky with twinkling stars felt so near like i could reach for it...

then slowly he brought me down as our touch became one again, his blue eyes stayed on mine as he held both my hands in each of his own then made me step back and forth rhythmically with him,

I didn't have to do much but it felt as if I’m in a rollercoaster ride moving and twirling around under his Magical spell, it turned out from difficult to lot of fun as I smiled along with him as he pushed me in and out of his grasp,i hadn't danced like this ever before and although there was no sound to follow i had him as my music to guide me..

our hands tangled-untangled as we moved around without the beat of our hearts,he then pulled me towards him and whispered softly

"How can a guy give up on something so beautiful as you.." I breathed frantically as we stared into each other's eyes "I know, I wouldn't have ever.." he whispered as he stared deeply into my eyes, what was it between us that we didn't speak of but felt the heat of it and day by day it was bringing us together...we were then suddenly interrupted by loud claps and applauds from our audience as they stood up

"Wow just awesome!..you guys definitely need to go for "so you think you can dance"..I bet you'd rock the dance floor" Mikey shouted as we all laughed

"know what Rachel! Forget what I said back then, Richard's moves would be a waste if he didn't have a partner like you.." Mandy chuckled

"aww man I’m deeply crushed" Richard acted up to which Mandy stuck out her tongue and I laughed, after having a lovely time with us Paul's family finally went home and we all ended up in bed to get some sleep before the actual big day..

the next day wasn't like the other two days I had spent there, the whole house smelled of fresh roses and the staircase had a blue-white tulle wrapped around it accompanied by glittering blue-red balloons all over the place,

the decoration in as well as outside the house was stunningly overwhelming and I knew who was behind it all as i saw him through the window thoughtfully instructing the workforce, the words he spoke the previous night and his touch still lingered over me

"Girls Hurry up, guests and Paul's family would be here soon, where's Mandy dear?" Mrs.Wilson asked as she entered the room

"She’s in the bathroom, she'll be out soon, dont worry Mrs.Wilson I’ll make sure she looks perfect for her day" I smiled

"oh honey please do hurry..and bring her down once she is ready,i'll go and see the other two,by the way did you like the decoration outside, Richard did a Marvellous job, didn’t he?" I couldn't agree less as I nodded happily and she chuckled

"Dress well dear as you'll be seeing a lot of charming guys around today" she winked and left the room while I just stared back weirdly

"Was it my mom?" Mandy came out wrapped in a towel and i laughed "I hope you know that you're getting married today"

"Well, i'd be damned if I didn't, hand me the dress" I did as told and sat back on the dressing stool "shouldn’t you get ready till I work this thing out?" Mandy spoke as she struggled to find the opening of the dress

"This thing is here and you need to wear it like this..." I smiled as I got up and helped her out with the dress

"Gosh I feel so wrecked..I would have to walk up to him in front of so many people..What if I fall or god forbid faint!...I’m freaking out Rachel" I laughed as I observed Mandy's anxiety

"Relax..the moment you'll see him there waiting for you,you'll know what you have to do,this is your moment Mandy,feel it,enjoy it, it'll be fine" i then fixed her hair and pinned the veil at the back properly

"Hey rachel why aren't you dressed yet!" we heard Nina growled as she came in

"oh my someone's got curves now" Mandy teased which made me laugh

"Yeah thanks!..you there! get dressed..you'd be walking the aisle first..maid of honor remember?..go now I’ll handle it from here" she handed me petunia colored chiffon gown and before I could ask anything more I was pushed inside the bathroom,

I hadn't worn such a dress before but believing that’s what a maid of honor wears I eventually wore it and came out after tying my hairs up into a messy bun,

the dress was strapless and had a sweetheart neckline above the wrapped bands of chiffon that draped down to the basque waist line with a yellow ribbon bow which i pushed in the middle myself falling down to the floor length hemline of the chiffon dress

"I'd never thought I would see you in this…look" I raised my head from the dress and saw Richard staring directly at me

"Richard..?" he looked like a perfect gentlemen in a black tuxedo with a bow and a golden brooch pinned to his chest

"you look beyond beautiful Roop.." he spoke softly as he admired me intently in the dress which made me blush.

"I…uh got you something..it’s my mom's..she wants you to wear it for the wedding" Richard held out a beautiful pearl necklace with wispy silver branches, it glinted in his hand due to the hazy sunlight

"Richard but I…" Richard reached up to me and silenced my lips with his finger

"shhhh.." he then brought me in front of the mirror and placed the necklace around my neck, his fingers softly traced along my upper back which instinctively made me close my eyes as he slowly hooked the two ends

"Thank you for being a part of my life and hereafter I would only wish that you stay in it forever.." at that my eyes popped open and i quickly turned around but his face hadn't changed it still reflected his seriousness towards the words he said,

I hadn't seen him like this before, was it me who had changed him, his feelings

"Rachel oh gosh..What are you doing?..we gotta go..come on! everyone's waiting.." Nina pulled me out of the room but my thoughts ran back to Richard and when I turned to glance at him, he already had a smile for me but I couldn't smile back because i still didn't know what i felt..accountable to things that he did for me or just inclination towards his kindness..I didn't know,

the wedding ceremony began as me and the others watched Mandy being brought down the aisle by her father to stand with the groom, he then lifted her veil for the Groom and left from there to sit beside Mrs.Wilson who had already got busy in wiping off her tears,

I stood just next to Mandy holding the Groom's ring on a pillow after me was Nina then Henna who held small flower bouquet in their hands,

my eyes wandered around aimlessly as both the Groom and the Bride took their Wedding vows but then abruptly halted at Richard whose eyes were purposely fixed on me rather than the couple,

what was it that his eyes spoke but I couldn't understand and still felt like I should..

"Rings please.." I came out of my thoughts as I quickly forwarded the pillow and Mandy took the ring, they both then exchanged the rings and placed it in each other's ring finger while they smiled at each other like struck by cupid

"you may kiss the bride" they eagerly got to it and everyone cheered them on with claps including me as the wedding turned out to be a wonderful success, it filled my heart with happiness even though Mandy wasn't my real sister but I took her as one,

Richard was right this was all new to me but everyone here made me familiar to it all by making me a part of them, after slicing the wedding cake both the couple were made to sit around the center table at the reception which was just the other side, skilled violinist played low-key soothing music in the background with the rest of the musicians,

I checked the mic. by poking it and it was working, Mandy told me i didn't have to but I wanted to wish the couple in my own special way so I decided to give the maid of honor speech which was traditional as i'd been told,i took a deep breath and began

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen..i'd like to warn you all beforehand..this would be my first ever speech so please bare with me..first of all i would like to wish good health,Happy life and brightest future to the lovely couple..I am ecstatic for both of you.. you truly complement one another and make a dazzling duo..crazy thing destiny is..you think you have found love but its not until destiny decides the route for you..I’m not from this culture actually but somehow.. I feel I belong here..thanks for making me feel that way, Wilson family at a time when I needed it the most.. and now if I say more i would probably be laughed at..so thanks for the honor and for everything..goodluck to Mandy and her fabulous other-half..cheers!"

everyone clapped delightfully as I stepped away from the mic. and I figured i didn't do such a bad job after all, I then sat back beside Nina and Henna who hugged me crazily one by one and Mandy blew a flying kiss at me when i looked at her,

I searched for Richard among the guests who were seated but he wasn't there..but then my eyes looked straight ahead and saw Richard sitting on a stool with the mic. pulled down towards him, am i dreaming or is that really a guitar in his hand i thought..

"Good Afternoon Ladies, Gentlemen, Boys and Girls..For those of you who don't know me, I’m the spoiled brother of the beautiful lady sitting there with her now lawfully wedded husband and for those of you that do know... well you can't be luckier than that..i'm glad sis you're taken because we were done handling you..(he wiped his forehead of fake sweat but then chuckled) but i'm also happy that you found the one who can..with that i meant his credit card not him..just kidding..You and Paul make a terrific couple, and I want to wish you many years of love, laughter, happiness, and I know that however things change, and whatever fate rolls your way, you'll make the most of everything you have. God bless you both..this is something I wrote long back but now I feel this is the perfect moment to share it with you all and with the one who has been special for me from the day I first saw her.."

For a second I felt the special person was me but then i knew it wasn't and my thoughts were interrupted by his mesmerizing voice, the music and the way his fingers moved across the guitar, i never knew he was so talented or maybe it’s just that I never tried to know him,

everyone clapped along with the song and i joined too as it felt so relaxing and heartwarming at the same time, once it got over Richard got up and bowed gracefully,everyone hooted cheered for him and the musicians, Richard wasn't just a friend anymore in my eyes but the person i had started to respect more and more each day, the remarkable event was almost at its end as all the guest had filled their apetite and twisted their legs on the dance floor especially the chicken dance which I joined too along with the girls..

I thought I looked stupid while doing salsa and here I was flapping my elbows and wiggling my hips but i cared less to what others thought as I had danced with Richard and realized it didn't matter as long as i was happy and having a great time,

later Richard joined too in our funny dance with everyone else including the bride and groom and their parents, after Being extremely exhausted i sat back on one of the chairs and took off my heels while others continued to shake their body energetically

"Rachel come on!" Nina huffed as she rushed towards me

"where..?" i asked confusedly

"its time silly..Mandy is about to throw the bouquet..you seriously dont wanna miss this.." looking at the condition of my feet I thought i'd love to'

"uhh..you go on..I don't think i can walk more.." she pouted sadly but then kept glancing where Mandy was with other girls who had already taken position behind her

"Go on..I hope one of you catch it.." she blushed slightly with a grin then kissed me on the cheek and ran off,i smiled and leaned back over the chair as i closed my eyes

Richard's POV

“How can you hate that movie?” Josh whined into my ears as I devoured down the mushroom cheese puff pastry rings down my throat

“coz It was garbage, that’s how.” I spoke as I munched and looked around the buffet table for more tasty treats

“It had giant robots. Beating each other up. What else did you want?” Mikey argued along

"Grow up..that doesn't happen in real" i fed myself some more crispy pumpkin fritters

"yea right..what happens is you singing for that special someone..that’s realistic" i looked at Josh confusedly

"what does that..have to do with anything?"

"christ you're so pretentious..I give up" Mikey raised his hand in agitation

"tell me you know what that word means.." I frowned at him

"we know that the song wasn’t actually meant for Mandy.." Josh grinned cunningly

"yea right..i know what you two are trying to do here but save your energy fella's coz there's nothing going on alright.." i spoke simply but Josh still wore that stupid grin over his face which then got bigger

"oh really..and what would you say to that..?" i looked in the direction where he saw and found Roop standing in bewilderment as she held not just anything but Mandy's bouquet which made me throw up instantly what I had been munching on Mickey

"eeww.. Richard you klutzy baby...you ruined my Ralph Lauren suit..man!"

this can't be...I didn't believe in these traditions, they were just for Bride and Groom's entertainment but Roop holding the bouquet completely flipped me over..i stared at the distance between her and where Mandy stood..still it landed on Roop..i mean was it a miracle or Mandy's energetic strength which worked..

this means Roop would be the one who would get married next..but to whom was the question that bothered me more, I saw Roop was now crowded by all the girls awwing and hugging her

"come on get it out..i won" Mickey then dejectedly handed over the money to josh

"You had a bet on this?" I glared furiously at both of them and they slowly disappeared from my sight with a cheeky grin..

my eyes ran back to Roop who was now staring at me..and i did what I felt right at the moment..I smiled back genuinely,

the hours of merriment and enjoyment flew by and the time came to see off the bride,a part that i hated the most but it had to be done,i had promised myself i wouldn't cry because this wasn't the end only a new beginning for my sister but when she came one last time to hug me as she had already met the others,at that with my eyes my heart cried as well but Some times you have to let go of things to allow new, more beautiful things to happen, she then waved her goodbyes and kisses at everyone as she left to start off her new life with the person she loved, with that the guests also departed so did my cousins with their families..

Roop's Pov

this wedding brought back those feelings of sadness when i along with my parents handed over Preeti di's life into Harsh's hands, I hadn't thought i would have to separate from her but when that fateful day arrived it all felt like a dream and i felt i would wake up and this would all be over,

finally it did got over but I no longer had my sister with me, I could totally understand how Richard and his whole family felt as their face had turned from cheery to gloomy,the whole house had got so quiet..no sounds of footsteps and crazy laughter..

I thought as I stood in front of the mirror in Mandy's room taking off the earrings..I then reached for the necklace but my hands stopped automatically,

i looked myself in the mirror as i touched the necklace which instantly brought a smile on my face but then it vanished soon as I saw Richard's reflection in the mirror,

I immediately turned around and saw Richard leaning againt the door flipping an apple in his hand

"You'd invite me right?" he asked with a smirk as he walked in the room

"what..?" I asked in confusion

"well as the fate predicts you'll get married next so.. would you?" i took off the necklace and raised it on my palm for him to take it

"Such a thing doesn't happen always Richard" I spoke up casually

"but what if it does..so incase you forget to invite me you'll have the necklace as a remembrance..therefore hang on to it Roop.." he closed my fingers over the necklace and squeezed it tight with his hand as he smiled warmly at me

"We’ll leave tomorrow, get changed and relax..I’ll be down if you need anything" he then left the room silently..

Fate played with us both I thought..that’s true but I couldn't say how far would it take us from here and that.. will we be there for each other like we are now..only fate would decide..