Arranged By Shukla

Part 5

"Sidharth, beta ring pehnayo Shehnaz ko" Rita Maa said, placing her hand on his shoulder.

It was big day for him as he is going to get engaged with the girl he loves. Yeah he hasn't expressed his feelings yet but it's a fact. Although she also has not expressed but he can see in her eyes, that she loves him too.

Since it is an arranged marriage and everything happened so suddenly, the two didn't get a chance to talk to each other and ever since Shehnaz and her family have come to Mumbai, they have not been able to talk due to being around everyone.

Looking at each other from afar, stealing glances and passing smiles to each other, these little things were making them happy. And having her sitting beside him and getting engaged, itself was a pure bliss.

The moment she descended the stairs after getting ready for the ceremony, their siblings teased him a lot as he couldn't take his eyes off her. She was looking really gorgeous in green and orange colored lehnga. Minimal makeup, slightly curled hair and mang tikka was giving an extra charm to her.

Everyone was happy with this alliance. Elders, because finally their children said yes to marriage and are going to settle down in their lives. Youngsters, because they are going to witness the most awaited marriage in the family. They are excited to rock the marriage. Happiness was evident on their faces. But there was one person who was looked dull and that was Shehnaz.

Upon observing her, he felt that she is pretending in front of everyone. She is smiling but her smile isn't reaching her eyes. Seeing her not happy, different thoughts started running in his mind.

'Why doesn't she look happy? Is she not happy with this alliance? No, no, it can't be the reason. If she had a problem, she would have told' And he knows that she loves him. But what is bothering her?

He came out of trance when he felt a hand on his shoulder and saw his mother was telling him to make Shehnaz wear the ring and rolled his eyes when her sisters teased Shehnaz.

"Han han jaldi pehna do, humari hone wali bhabhi se wait nahi ho raha ab" Preeti teased.

"Aur nahi toh kya, kab se she is waiting and looking at you ki kab ring pehnayega aur kab woh tumhari officially fiance banegi" Neetu said to which Shehnaz blushed and lowered her eyes and then pouted when Shehzad said,

"Main pehle hi clear kar deta hoon ke main ladke walon ki taraf se hoon"

"Wah itni jaldi party badal li tune?" Shehbaz taunted his brother and after turning to his sister, he said,

"Koi na Sana, main hoon na teri taraf"

"Han Shehnaz, don't worry. Main bhi ladki walo ki taraf se hi hoon" Neetu said last words staring at Shehzad.

Hearing their non stop blabbering, Shehnaz's mother spoke, "Tum log apni teams bad mein decide kar lena, pehle ring ceremony kar le?"

Seeing them nodding their head, Rita Maa asked Sidharth and Shehnaz to exchange the rings.

Smiling he took the ring from the decorated plate and looked at her, who was looking better than before. Thinking she must have been nervous, he shook his thoughts. He took her hand lovingly and then made her wear the ring. Everyone clapped and cheered.

Now it was her turn, she also took the ring and the moment he extended his hands towards her, she looked at him. He gave her a reassuring smile to which she returned a faint smile and slides the ring onto his finger. Again everyone cheered and showered them with flowers and congratulate them.

-

All the youngsters were sitting together and enjoying chit chatting and teasing sessions. Both Sidharth and Shehnaz were stealing glances. He so wanted to talk to her, but everyone was around them, so he couldn't. On the top of that, their siblings were constantly teasing them and making them blush profusely. He thanked his god when they changed the topic and started pulling Shehbaz's leg. And after them, it was now Shehbaz's turn to blush.