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As I nervously sat on the stage next to my soon to be fiance, my mind was racing with a million thoughts. I couldn't believe that I was actually about to exchange rings with some one I had never seen before.
My palms were sweating and my heart was beating so loud that I was sure that he can hear it. As my aunt walked towards us with the ring box, I could feel all eyes on me.
"Shall we exchange the rings now?", she asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.
I took the ring from her, trying to hide my trembling hands. I couldn't believe that I was about to officially become someone's fiance. Turning to face my mystery man, I saw him extension his hand towards me.
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As I slipped the ring into his finger, I couldn't help but wonder what he looked like.
"Yeh le bhai", a brother of his said, handing him the ring to put on my finger. As I looked up, I saw him for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. He is the same guy from the cafe.
We both sat staring at each other without blinking. "Ahmmm, can you two love birds please stop gazing at each other and let this engagement ceremony continue?", his brother's voice snapped us out of our trance.
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Feeling a little embarrassed, I tried to compose myself as he slipped the ring on my finger. The entire audience erupted into cheers and claps.
"I'm finally engaged, my mother's dream came true", I thought to myself as I looked at my mother beaming with joy as she made her way towards me. She lovingly pecked my forehead and I gave her a tight lipped smile.
Looking around, I saw my grandparents sitting on the opposite to me, and my aunt next to them. I greeted them with a smile.
"Mubarak ho beta", my mother said, hugging me once again and giving me another peck on the forehead. I nodded my head, feeling overwhelmed with emotions.
"Finally, you're going to come home", his brother said, shaking my hand in excitement.
Confused, I looked at him and thought,"Is this guy crazy? It's just an engagement, not a marriage. I thought to myself. Before I could say anything, a man wearing black kurta smacked him on the head and said -- "Bhabhi, yeh pagal hai. Bakwas karta hai, iski baaton par dhyan mat de aap",
"Abe chal, nikal!", he rubbed his head and retorted. I couldn't help but be entertained by banter. But my fiance intervene, "yaha to chup ho jao dono".
The two of them immediately stopped their bickering and turned to me sheepish expressions. Feeling a little embarrassed. I stopped giggling.
But his brother quickly cheered me up by saying,"oh, no bhabhi, don't stop laughing. You were looking cute".
My cheeks turned red at his compliment. My fiance, not wanting to be outdone, mockingly repeated what is brother said and smacked him on the head.
"Oh bhai, what was that for? I haven't done anything", he pouted.
"That's because he is jealous that you complimented his fiance", the black kurta man winked at my fiance. Uhhh, I don't even know their names.
"Ghar jane k bad baat karunga main tum dono se", my fiance narrowed his eyes and warned.
"Nahi aap hume nahi dekhoge, aap bhabhi ke khayalon me gum rahoge. That's not fair bhaijaan. Kaash mujhe bhi bhabhi ke khayalon me gum rehne ka maza milta", he said with a pout making me look at him in shock.
"Bhabhi aap bhi baat kare na. Hum tab se baat kar rhe h", he said nudging the black kurta man playfully.
"Haan bhabhi, atleast ask our names. Don't you want to know who your future devar is?", he asked with a sad smile.
I feel little embarrassed, "What is your name?", I asked, looking at him.
"You don't know my name? Your future brother in law's name? I'm hurt", he said dramatically, placing his hand on his heart.
I just shook my head and mumbled a no. Black kurta man laughed and introduced himself as Harris. And the funny guy name is Ibrahim.
As Ibrahim about to say something, Harris interrupted him, "Do you know your fiance's name?".
"No I don't", I replied sheepishly, Ibrahim looked at me in surprise.
"Bhai, yeh badiya tha", Ibrahim said, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Well his name is Shahmeer Mirza. Mrs.soon-to-be-Mirza", Harris announced with a grin.
I turned to look at Shahmeer, only to find him looking at me with a soft smile on his face. What is his reason of smiling?, I wondered.
"How will I know his name, when today is the second time I'm seeing him?", I said, giving a smile to Shahmeer.
Everybody burst out laughing, including Shahmeer who turned his head blushing.
"Aww, bhabhi look bhai looks cute blushing", Harris teased, making everyone laugh even more.
I couldn'thelp but laugh with them This was definitely not how I imagined my first meeting with my future in-laws, but I couldn't be happier. They were all so friendly and easy-going, it felt like I had know them for years.
Ibrahim and Harris continued to joke around, making me feel like I was already part of their family. I couldn't wait to officially become a part of Mirza family and have many more funny and memorable conversations like this one.
I changed my mind really fast, I thought and release a sigh.
