An Arranged Journey To Forever

Part 55

The Mehendi and Sangeet Ceremony

The poolside of the grand resort was transformed into an ethereal paradise, adorned with cascading marigold garlands, twinkling fairy lights, and shimmering drapes that swayed gently with the evening breeze. The air was thick with the fragrance of fresh henna and the distant echoes of laughter and music. It was a night of love, celebration, and boundless joy.

Seated gracefully between Naira and Navya, Nandini exuded an effortless charm in her elegant yet understated Mehendi attire. The delicate embroidery of her outfit gleamed under the golden glow of the lanterns, complementing her radiant beauty. Her hands were being adorned with the most intricate henna designs—a bride's most precious adornment, symbolic of the love she was about to embrace for a lifetime. Meanwhile, Manik, dressed in an exquisitely embroidered pink ensemble, carried himself with an effortless grace that made him look nothing short of regal. He was slaying the Mehendi look, as Navya put it, making Nandini steal shy glances at him every now and then.

As the evening unfolded, the boys took center stage, electrifying the atmosphere with a high-energy performance that left the women in the audience cheering and clapping. Despite the presence of a few who thrived on negativity, love had woven an unbreakable bond among the members of this extraordinary family. In a world where countless obstacles threatened to divide, it only took a handful of genuine hearts to stand together and triumph over everything.

Nandini was lost in these warm reflections when, all of a sudden, the lights dimmed, casting an air of intrigue over the celebration. By now, her Mehendi was complete, leaving behind mesmerizing swirls of deep brown patterns. Naira and Navya, now awaiting their own henna to dry, took a step back, joining the other women who were settled in cozy corners, basking in the joyous performances of dancers and singers that continued to mesmerize.

Swarna, watching the lively celebration, leaned toward Raj and remarked, "I understand that the wealthy prefer to hire entertainers, but shouldn't a wedding be about family coming together to celebrate? In our time, weddings were truly magical because we danced, we sang, we became the heart of our own celebrations."

Raj chuckled and intervened, "Bhabhi ji, it's not like that. Let the henna dry first; after that, you'll see the real celebration begin."

"Exactly, Papa!" Cabir chimed in, his mischievous grin lighting up his face. "The night is just getting started, right, guys?"

A resounding cheer erupted, laughter echoing across the poolside, overpowering any negativity that dared to linger.

Throughout the night, Nyonika and Ishita made sure to check in on Nandini, their maternal instincts never wavering despite the carefree festivities.

"Nandini, sweetheart, do you need anything?" Nyonika asked, her voice laced with warmth.

Nandini looked up, offering her a heartfelt smile. "No, Mamma. I'm perfectly fine."

"Are you sure?" Nyonika pressed gently.

"Absolutely," Nandini reassured her, her eyes twinkling with affection.

As the hours passed, Cabir took center stage once more, commanding attention. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen! Now that most of you have freed yourselves from henna duty, are we ready to own the dance floor?"

A chorus of enthusiastic agreements filled the air.

"Fantastic! But listen up—if you're exhausted and don't want to get all crazy tonight, I suggest you head to bed now," Cabir teased, a playful smirk on his lips. "Because when the Malhotras and Murthys party together, it's a whole new level of madness!"

Laughter rippled through the crowd as the DJ gradually increased the volume, the rhythmic beats coaxing everyone onto the dance floor. There were no choreographed steps, no rehearsed moves—just pure, uninhibited joy. The women twirled in synchronized grace, the couples lost themselves in intimate sways, and the youngsters, with their boundless energy, owned the floor like never before.

In the midst of the chaos, Cabir leaned towards Abhimanyu, a conspiratorial glint in his eye. "Bhai, everything's ready, right?"

Abhimanyu hesitated. "It is... but are you sure you want to go through with this?"

Cabir simply smirked, his expression leaving no room for doubt. There was no turning back.

As the night wore on, the elders, exhausted from all the revelry, retired to their rooms, leaving the younger lot to their wild antics. Drinks—fruit punch, or so they thought—were handed out, and in their excitement, they downed them without a second thought. Soon, the inhibitions melted away. They weren't just privileged kids from sheltered families anymore; they were carefree souls, relishing a night that would forever be etched in their memories.

The DJ played the most electrifying wedding tracks, and Manik, caught in the infectious euphoria, scooped Nandini up effortlessly, spinning her around as she clung to him, laughter spilling from her lips. Their chemistry was undeniable, a magnetic pull that made the onlookers hoot and cheer. Kartik lifted Naira off her feet, twirling her above his head as she shrieked in both surprise and delight. No one cared about perfect dance moves; all they knew was that they were creating moments they would cherish forever.

As the clock struck past midnight, the beats still pounded, and the energy showed no signs of dwindling. Abhimanyu and Cabir, though slightly more composed than the others, exchanged glances before signaling the DJ to play one last song. The moment the Punjabi dhol beats reverberated through the air, everyone erupted into an impromptu bhangra, their feet moving in perfect harmony with the rhythm. It was pure, unfiltered happiness.

Just as the music faded, Nandini, still giddy with excitement, protested, "Why did the music stop? One more dance, please!"

Abhimanyu, shaking his head with amusement, stepped forward. "Behen, do you want to get us all killed? Let's wrap it up before our parents catch us in this state."

Cabir, groaning dramatically, added, "Exactly, Bhabhi! Before Papa or Uncle decide to hang me for this, let's get everyone back to their rooms."

Manik, slightly dazed, slurred, "W-Why would they hang you?"

Cursing himself inwardly, Cabir corrected, "I meant all of us, Bhai."

Navya, equally reluctant to call it a night, whined, "Where's the music?"

"Tomorrow, Navya, I promise," Cabir assured her, already steering her toward the exit.

"Pakka?" Naira asked sleepily, leaning against Kartik.

"Definitely. Now, let's get some rest," Kartik agreed, rubbing his eyes.

With Abhimanyu and Cabir taking charge, they carefully ushered their intoxicated friends to their respective rooms. The night had been an absolute whirlwind of fun, laughter, and unforgettable memories—one that was destined to be the most cherished of all the wedding celebrations.