Smile Mates to Soulmates ✓

Chapter Twenty Three

The next day, Everyone assembled in the hall, and celebrations were underway. Everyone was running around the whole house, busy in one thing or the other. The girls were chatting with each other, giggling and teasing Shehnaaz as she blushed at the slightest mention of her future husband's name. Maahi had bonded so well with Shehnaaz as if they had been sisters in a previous life. 

The girls were having the time of their lives, chatting with each other whilst looking at the henna designs that they were to apply on their hands (and feet in Shehnaaz's case) 

Siddharth was standing at a little distance from where the ladies were assembled, talking to his boy gang. He was dressed in a dark green sherwani paired with white dhoti. Shehnaaz was supposed to be wearing a Lehenga choli of the same color, but Siddharth had forbidden her, saying that she will be uncomfortable in such an attire, once her arms and legs are filled with henna. 

So, Shehnaaz had to settle for a cute sleeveless knee length dress, which Siddharth made sure was the exact shade of green that he wore so that Shehnaaz could match with him on all of their special days. 

Siddharth walked up to the ladies, "Tum log kitna bolte ho!" 

"Tujhe jalan ho rahi hai kay woh tere paas nahi hai?" Maahi asked cheekily.

"Aisa kucch nahi hai. Woh mere paas hi hai. Haina baby?" Siddharth asked softly.

Shehnaaz nodded. 

"You're looking so cute. I want to eat you." Siddharth said, smirking at her, while Shehnaaz blushed deeply.

"Accha konsa design select kia mere babu ne mehndi ka?" Siddharth asked.

"I am confused abhi decide nahi kiya." Shehnaaz pouted.

"Aw. La mein help karu." 

"No! Dulhe raaja. Aap uski mehendi shaadi par hi dekh sakte hai." Maahi said, slapping the booklet out of his hand.

"Yaar yeh kya bakwas hai. Kon Se era mein rehti hai bay tu Maahi?" Siddharth asked irritated.

Maahi giggled. "Mujhe bada maza aata hai jab tu chidta hai!" 

Siddharth rolled his eyes at the girl.

"Lagne ke baad dekh lena bhai apni Shehnaaz ki mehendi. Abhi aapko bade papa bula rahe hai. Peeche dekho." Divya said, gesturing towards the sofas where Ashok Shukla sat with the other men.

"Dhyan rakhna, mein aa raha hoon abhi." Siddharth said, patting her head affectionately. 

Shehnaaz nodded, blowing him a kiss.

Siddharth went near his father, "Hanji papa."

Elsewhere, The mehendi ladies filed into the room, carrying huge trays filled with mehendi cones. The girls stood up from either side of the bride and let the ladies take their places. 

Shehnaaz was asked to settle down comfortably and four women got to work on both her hands and feet respectively. The girls also started getting their mehendis done by the other ladies.

"Apne dulhe ka naam kahan likhwaana hai didi?" One of the girls asked Shehnaaz. 

Shehnaaz frowned thoughtfully, before pointing to a particular hidden spot in her tiny hands, "Sundar sa likhna, but theek se chupa dena. I want him to have to work a little for it." She giggled mischievously.

The girl chuckled. "Koi nahi didi. Bilkul chupa ke likhungi." 

"Is it evil?" She asked curiously

"Nahi nahi. Yeh toh haq hota hai. Thodi si sharat bhi honi hi chahiye." The girl responded, whilst drawing a beautiful pattern of henna on her forearm. 

A few minutes later, Siddharth walked up to her and settled next to her, taking care not to come in any of the ladies' way.

"Siddharth."

"Hi little star." Siddharth cooed gently.

"Koi dance hi nahi kar raha Siddharth, mein bore ho rahi hoon." Shehnaaz whined softly.

"Aww.. mera baby apne hi function mein bore ho.. aise kaise ho sakta hai. Haina?" Siddharth said lovingly.

Shehnaaz nodded with a pout. "The girls are busy, but boys kab kaam aayenge. Thode maze leke aata hoon, fir tere entertainment ka bhi intezaam karte hain. Okay?" Siddharth asked.

Shehnaaz grinned. "Tu mera best baby hai."

"Kitne baby hai aap ke mery jaan?" Siddharth asked.

"One." She said innocently. "Aapke?"

Siddharth sighed, laughing softly at his munchkin. "Mere paas toh itna rare antique piece hai, mein kya batau." He said kissing her nose lovingly.

"Tu hi baat karta reh mujhse, mera entertainment aise hi ho jayega." She said cutely.

Siddharth grinned. 

***

A few hours later, Siddharth found himself surrounded with the men of the family, pulling him in for a dance performance that he had so conveniently opted out of, the day before. He pouted.

"Aaj koi bahana nahi chalega. Chal, teri shaadi hai aur tu khud hi khadoos sa bann ke ghoomta rehta hai!" Kushal said firmly. 

Siddharth sighed, his eyes landing on Shehnaaz who looked eagerly at him. She smiled as soon as she saw him looking at her. Her arms were filled with henna and she looked so incredibly adorable sitting in the middle of the room, pouting cutely at him. 

There goes the heart of Siddharth shukla.

He blew a kiss in her direction.

"Okay. I'll dance." Siddharth conceded, Kushal grinned triumphantly, pulling him on the dance floor. 

The music started, playing "Mehendi Lagake Rakhna"  and Siddharth performed, owning the whole stage with his charisma and charm.

A few rocking performances later, Siddharth finally got off the stage, after blowing a kiss to his beautiful bride to be, who in turn, giggled and hooted. 

Mehendi, thus proved to be a huge success, with the bride and groom enjoying the occasion with the family. 

Later, Siddharth carried his baby to her room and tucked her in, like always. 

Because honestly, some things never need to change!

I hope everyone enjoys these chapters.

Do let me know in the comments below!

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