Simply Rebellious

Chapter 12 - A Bumpy Engagement (b)

I wasn't posting because I don't want to distract anyone from the trend and protest in general but I guess I can't delay more ...

Happy Reading

Naina felt her heart thumping when the rings were brought near the stage. She looked at Sameer, who was smiling nervously. Their friends had big, goofy smiles on their faces. Everyone seemed to be happy.

Sameer asked for her hand, she could feel her heart still beating loudly. She gave it to him. He saw her hands shaking and gently took them in his.

She sighed and looked up at him. He beamed his brightest smile at her and she loosened up, lost all her tension.

Her hand was in his and it fit just right. She felt right when he made her wear the ring that sealed their fates and when she made him wear her ring. Their eyes were locked all the time.

The entire crowd broke into a round of applause. Munna and Pandit began whistling and dancing without music.

A glow crept on the bride and groom to be's faces. This was the first step in entering a relationship that would exist beyond life.

The gathering broke into claps again as the ceremony continued with the shagun being exchanged and- acchu!! - sneezes happening in between.

Relatives Sameer and Naina knew and even the ones they were seeing for the first time were congratulating them but all they wanted was a little alone time.

Munna had sneaked Swati away from the gathering. He had taken her out of the pandal. They were standing at the end of the end street. It was empty because everyone had gone to attend Samaina's engagement. They had a fair chance to talk without being noticed, or so they thought.

"Munna- acche, kaha lekar jaa raha hai?"

"Tu theek hai na. Ghar pe sab zyada pareshaan kar rahe hai kya?"

She smiled at his concern and mouthed a quiet no. Munna's face was washed with relief

"Waise ... Pandat aaj bada sundar lag raha hai tu. Acche!"

"Thank you."

"A-aur mai?"

"Ekdum bandar jaise." She said, her smile not leaving her face for a second.

"Thank you."

Munna shyly ran a hand through his hair at the compliment.

"Sab ko khasi lag gayi na?"

"Pakode jaisi laal naak hui padi hai."

"Tumhare ghar wale mane?" She asked, abruptly, urgently.

"Aa-ah." Munna was looking for the right words. He held her hands and said, "Man jaayenge."

Sameer and Naina were surrounded by elderly couples who were wishing them. As soon as they dispersed, Naina let out a sigh of relief.

"Bhook lagi hai." She said in a baby like voice.

"Kuch paane ke liye kuch khona padta hai. Maaa- acchu - dam" Sameer tried to assure her but then another group of people circled around them.

Munna felt as if he saw someone looking at them but then they disappeared like a flash of light.

"Koi tha kya?" Swati turned around.

"Nahi. Shayad nahi." Munna said, unsure. "Acche!!"

"Oh! Ladki walon, humari koi khatirdari hogi ya nahi." Pandit said while rolling his sleeves.

"Kahiye na, kya khatirdari karu aapki?" Preeti batted her eyelids.