Bade Acche Lagte Hain | MaNan

Prince & Princess.

1st November, 1995.

Festooned with a garland made of Indian currency notes, a sword tucked at his waist added to his attire, Manik was made to sit over the saddle of the white mare after a small worship.

He picked up his little brother Jay whose enthusiasm was skyrocketing than the groom himself. Blinking his eyes and with a huge smile, he tapped the mare's back with his small palms, jumping on his seat, as if pushing her to move forward.

Everyone chuckled at his antics and the camera man shot the video and few snaps as the horse moved forward to the venue. Renu was ahead with a thali and jyot at Kasturi's place.

The music of the dhol and shehnai echoed and all the youngsters started dancing on the beats, while a different dance was performed by Jay on his butts. It was cute. Smiling at his little brother, Manik kissed his head and held him securely as the mare trotted.

Manas brought his grandmother in the center, who didn't shy away from shaking her waist on the beats. All were happy and enjoying.

Amidst the noise, Veer started wailing loudly when he saw his partner Jay sitting on the horse. He wanted to sit there as well.

Giving into his obstinacy, Jay was replaced with Veer making the latter smile widely and the former cry.

"Shall I ask your Manik bhaiya to come down. You both only sit there." Although Madhu's words sounded funny but it only made Jay cry louder as he hardly understood anything. Distracting the kid with loud music, Anil took him ahead and everybody sighed in peace.

The intensity of the music and the dance increased when the baraat neared the venue. Bedis' were standing at the doorstep with a welcoming smile. The kids and the youngsters from the Bedi's side joined the dance and the programme continued until Ram stepped forward and requested Manik to get off the horse and paid the keeper the entry fees.

Following the ritual and without putting much pressure, Manik kept his foot on Ram's palm before dismounting the horse and hugging Ram.

Jyoti welcomed Manik after doing his tilak. Garlands were exchanged between the relatives to convey deep respect and harmony.

With excitement coursing through his veins, Manik climbed the stairs barefoot, heading towards the main hall, where the ceremony was scheduled to take place. He stopped at the entrance as the bride and groom were supposed to make the entry together. The men in the Bedi's family went to bring the bride.

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Her hands and feet turned cold as the music of the dhol ceased. She knew the moment was closer and her stomach did a backflip. Sapna took her hands and rubbed them, empathising with her sister-in-law's condition, however it didn't calm Nandini down a bit. She took few deep breaths and looked at Sapna with a nervous smile.

"All will be okay!" Sapna mouthed with a smile and Nandini nodded, hoping nothing different.

Few minutes later, the door opened revealing Swastik and his two sons followed by Jyoti and Asha. Nandini stood up and ran into his father's arms, whose condition was close to vulnerability. He was elated yet a deep pain churned his heart as he was about to give his most precious gift to another man, in a hope that he would love and cherish her more than himself.

Patting her back, Swastik kissed his daughter's head tenderly while she didn't want to part away from him. Jyoti came ahead and caressed her daughter's head with love. Nandini looked up at her mother before embracing her in a death grip.

Verklempt with the moment, all the family members came closer and hugged Nandini, making a small family hug. Breaking the hug after few seconds, Asha handed Nandini a kerchief to wipe away her tears.