(Present)

(Refer to Chapter 1 for better understanding.)

Meera's pov

I was sitting in front of the mirror, seeing myself, things are going to change a lot, my life will be going to change a lot. I don't know exactly what I am feeling. There is a rush of emotions. I am feeling sad and heavy that I am going to leave baba and Rohan whom I can't live without. I am feeling nervous and excited because this day comes once in every girl's life. I am curious to know hereafter how life will be. And most important of all I am feeling loved which I most wanted and blessed for.

I was just looking when the door of the room opened and inside came baba and Rohan. I stood up and went towards them. Baba caressed my hair and his eyes were moist, so I held his hands. I felt more crying when I saw his wrinkled hands, how I didn't realize that if I am getting old, then he is also getting old. I always wanted to be in his protection, but now here I am going to live far away.

"Badi sundar lag rhi h meri beti. Iski maa hoti Rohan toh pata h kys krti?" (My daughter is looking very beautiful. If her mother was here, do you know Rohan, what she would have done?) He said in a raspy voice and Rohan with a heavy voice said no.

So baba took kajal from my corner of the eyes and put it behind my ears and said, "kisi ki nazar na lage." (May no one cast an evil eye) and continued further, "Arre, Meera don't cry. It is a very big and happy day. And also your makeup will get ruined. Don't worry, everything will turn out fine. I know Krsh, he is the best for you. Don't you trust your father?" And I shaked my head in no, indicating that I trust my life with him. Indeed Krsh is the best for me.

"Acha, okay no more emotional talks. I want to say, Meera, always believe in yourself and always prioritize your self respect first. I know my daughter can face any challenge but remember if you ever need me or Rohan, we are just a call away. Now you both brother and sister, talk, I have to attend the guests."

I nodded at him and he left and I saw Rohan wiping his tears away. To make the situation a little lighter, I decided to tease him after all I am going to miss our banter, "Ohh, so Mr.Rohan will be missing me."

"In your dreams, donkey." He retorted.

I punched him in his arms and said, "Who are you calling a donkey, you-you monkey."

"You are a donkey, you just don't know your identity and I am worried for Krsh jiju, how will he tolerate living with a donkey, maybe I should give him some tips." He now started talking with himself at the end.

Before I can say, Sakshi came in, "Baraat have come", she said.

Then Rohan turned to me and hugged me, I can feel that he is crying. He was babbling about something being responsible and all so I told him that I am not going to another planet, if he wants my help, I am a call away, just like baba said.

After calming down he teased that I am from another planet and went away as he also has to see the preparations.

As he went I walked to the window, looking down I saw him. It will be fair to say, he might be the most attractive and gorgeous groom to ever exist. Sometimes when I see girls ogling at him, I feel so jealous that I want to hide him away so that no one can see him. I know I am turning silly in his love but what to do he has only spoiled me so much. I was just admiring him when his head moved up, eyes looking straight towards my window and I turned back to the side of the window to hide myself immediately.

My heart started beating fast at the thought of him seeing me. It is not like I am not comfortable, in fact I have become very used to our staring session, but today I am feeling nervous to see him and not in a bad way. After some time I thought to again look outside but everybody already went inside so I was a little sad.

Other than sitting and waiting, I didn't have any other option, so now rather than sitting on the chair in front of the mirror, I sat on bed which is more comfy.

It must have been 15-20 minutes when I started to doze off a little when the door again opened and inside came ma and Raghav bhaiya's mother along with Shanaya. I stood instantly and went to them. Both ma's hugged me and Raghav bhaiya's mother gave me a pair of gold bangles saying, "I specially asked them to be made for my daughter. Afterall you are my most loved child. Don't tell Raghav, if he gets to know he will throw a tantrum", and then everybody laughed listening to her.

I asked her to make them wear me which she was gladly doing and then giving me a forehead kiss both she and Shanaya went away as ma wanted to talk with me alone. I offered her to sit on the bed and she made me too. I asked if everything was fine to which she said yes.

"Meera, beta it is nothing serious but both Raj and I wanted to say this. But i was so anxious and if Raj will get to know then he will get angry also but I can't wait anymore. Meera, we wanted to say that I know you must be thinking of your married life and the responsibilities it will be coming with. But just know that we are always with you. I know no one can take the place of parents but we will try our best no, we will treat you just like Krsh and Shanaya, our daughter. You know Meera, from the time you have come in our lives, it is only filled with happiness and we can see the changes in Krsh, the good changes.

We want to say, if any problem comes, if you face any difficulty at home, just come to us if Krsh is not there. We will understand you."

She completed after giving me a forehead kiss and I couldn't control anymore. I was lost for words so I did the only thing that was to hug her, silently crying because it will take another round of hours if makeup gets smudged and I don't want to delay more. As both the mother's went, Shanaya came and sat with me. We talked for sometime until Sakshi said that I was called downstairs. Shanaya giving me a hug went away and as she went Vishaka and my other cousins came.

I entered through the gate, my eyes were down since I could feel everybody's eyes on me, particularly the one I was missing the most and was giving me the most chills. It is so strange that the one I was so eager to see can't even have the courage to look into his eyes. I was walking slowly and I didn't realize it when I reached the mandap.

I took a quick glance at the decorations when I was entering the gate. Everything and every corner was decorated with either flowers or shimmering lights. The path on which I was walking, leading me to Krsh, was covered with rose petals. I can't describe the emotions I am feeling right now. It was so perfect—this moment, the person, everything. As I reached the stairs of the mandapa, I felt Krsh's hand coming forward to hold mine, which I gladly gave, and he helped me climb it; others, seeing this, had already backed away. He made me sit and then adjusted my outfit so I was comfortable. All this time, I didn't look up. He came and sat beside me.

The priest started with the mantras and I don't know exactly what I was feeling. I had this urge to cry and hug Krsh tightly, maybe because I am scared or maybe because I am nervous about our life. I didn't realize that my hands were trembling until Krsh held them and moved his fingers slowly on my palm to calm me down.

I tried to focus back on what the priest was saying when he said, "You know Meera, I am dying for your one look at me From the time I came to the entrance and got a glimpse of yours at the window of your room, I was eager to see you. I never had this urge to run and see someone but for you, I can do it. Love, please look at me, The patience I am showing, I myself am very shocked."

And there, I lifted up my eyes with the courage left within me, and God!! I just don't want to look away from him. It's like I can't move my eyes away from him, or, speaking the truth, I don't want to look away from him. Now that I can see him, he is looking literally like a king—so royal, so magnificent.

We were drowning in each other's eyes when the priest's voice made us come back to where we were, telling Krsh to tie mangalsutra around my neck. I feel Sakshi come behind me to help Krsh make me wear the black beaded necklace with a small pendant in it. As he came closer, I could feel his breath on me. I was looking down, not able to handle the proximity. As his hand went back to tie the mangalsutra, it came into contact with my bare skin, making the dead butterflies alive in my stomach.

After that, the priest told Krsh to apply sindoor. Taking it from the coin, he applied it to the middle of my hair, where Sakshi already held the head jewelry. Some of it fell on my nose, and I don't know why, but I felt tears coming from my eyes when he did that. I looked up to see him very close to me, racing my heartbeat. He looked at me and gave me his ever-charming smile. Shaking his head slightly to the left and right, he wiped my tears with the back of his fingers.

The moment felt so surreal and eccentric that I don't know how to describe it. It was truly the most pure moment. The time stopped for me and didn't move when I heard the priest for the second time tonight, bringing me back from my dream world to stand up as we had to take the seven rounds.

Krsh helped me stand when he saw me struggling, to which I was grateful, and then holding my hand in his, which fitted perfectly, he moved slowly, seeing me having difficulty moving with the lehenga. I moved behind him, seeing his sturdy back, listening to the priest chant the wedding vows as we took rounds around the holy fire. I was listening to every word keenly, as if my life depended on those words, and truly, it did.

I wanted to make this marriage successful. I know I don't deserve it, but in Krsh's words, I have become selfish for his love.

As the seven rounds ended, the priest announced we were now husband and wife.

The shivers ran down my whole body hearing it, and the realization dawned upon me that now I am not Meera Agrawal anymore; I am Meera Krsh Singhania, wife of Krsh Singhania. That name itself sounds so powerful. And now I have this big responsibility of never letting this name tarnish the reputation of Singhania's.