AvNneil shots : Band Baaja aur Badhaiyan

Shaadi ki shehnayi

The sun was almost setting down as they reached the wedding venue which was packed with guests. Every corner screamed festivity with friends and family pouring in to greet the couple. DJ boosted the mood playing latest Bollywood romantic numbers. Neil's batchmates added to already festive mood with their dance making every woman's heart flutter.

It was almost time for the bride and groom to enter. DJ stopped the music and welcomed the groom amidst loud cheers and hoots. Neil entered the altar with DD and Ali besides him as best men clad in a black tuxedo paired with a bow tie. DD and Ali looked equally dashing in their white suits  paired with blue bow tie. Neil's batchmates almost carried him to the stage pulling his legs for not inviting them on their marriage. Neil gave them his puppy face which made them to tease him more. He signalled DD and Ali to come for his rescue for which they mouthed 'serves you right' bumping their fists.

For some strange reason he found himself growing more nervous with each passing moment in contrast to his actual wedding day. It was similar to the jitters he had earlier this morning when they did their phere. He just concluded that maybe this is what they call as wedding blues. Just then DJ announced that bride was about to enter turning everyone's attention towards the altar.

Avni entered hand in hand with Prakash and Neela on either sides in an elegant white gown holding bouquet making Neil's heart go weak and impatient to see her face covered in veil. He felt as if he was in the same moment when he saw her walking towards him in red lehenga covered in ghoongat. They walked her to the stage amidst guests awing at her beauty and stood in front of a dazed Neil whose hands involuntary held hers. Bebe and Shweta were her bridesmaids clad in blue dress matching their bouquet.

Bride's bouquet

Bridesmaid's bouquet

Neela presided over the wedding officiating it. She asked everyone to cheer as Neil took Avni's hand putting the ring and placing a tender kiss on her hand. Avni did the same cheered by the guests. Neela then announced that bride and groom will do their vows. Neil read the poem he had prepared for her

Give me your hand,
Though I don't know where I'll lead you
Open your eyes ,
Though I don't know what you'll see
Give me your dreams ,
Though I don't know if I'll catch them
Give me your heart ,
For I know that I'll love you

"I promise to encourage your compassion, because that is what makes you unique and wonderful.I promise to nurture your dreams, because through them your soul shines.I promise to help shoulder our challenges, for there is nothing we cannot face if we stand together.I promise to be your partner in all things, not possessing you, but working with you as a part of the whole.Lastly, I promise to you love and trust, for one lifetime with you could never be enough.
I Neil Khanna take you, Avni Ayesha Parekh as my wife."

Avni burst into tears hearing him bearing his heart in front of her and wondered what good deed she had done in her past life to get him as her better half. DD shook him up exclaiming 'I never knew sir ji was such romantic at heart' to which everyone agreed joining in teasing him. Avni recited the vow she had prepared

"I Avni Ayesha Parekh take you, Neil Khanna to be my partner for life,
I promise above all else to live in truth with you and to communicate fully and fearlessly,
I give you my hand and my heart
As a sanctuary of warmth and peace and pledge my love, devotion, faith and honor
As I join my life to yours"

Neela finally asked to kiss the bride. Nothing could have been more picturesque as Neil opened the veil and kissed her beneath the floral arch filled with blue hydrangeas and gardenia as sun set in the background. Ali captured the moment with camera. Then they took fun couple photos and group photos with family and friends.Everyone took their turns in wishing the couple and posing for the photo. It was past 11.30 when the crowd died and they had their dinner.

Elders decided to leave the newlyweds by themselves and headed home. It was then Neil stared at her as he didn't get to look properly at her being dazed throughout the wedding. He grabbed his phone and took pictures of her debating which was the best. Avni laughed at his childishness pulling his cheeks to which he pouted giving a sheepish smile. Both took a stroll in the beach and lied down on the cold sand hand in hand beneath the starlit sky.

The silence between them was so comforting eradicating any need to speak. They just starred at the sky contentedly with smiles plastered on their face. Neil pulled her closer so that her head lied on his chest snaking his arms around her shoulders. The sound of his heartbeat was the most comforting thing that she had ever experienced making her tear up. Neil made her to face him wiping off her tears and kissed her forehead.

I gazed in your eyes,
Such a beautiful blue;
My heart whispered to me,
And that's right when I knew;
The waves had ceased crashing,
On the sand at our feet;
Time had stopped passing,
My search was complete;
I finally discovered,
What I'd known all along;
A mystery uncovered,
That just couldn't be wrong;
It wasn't our first kiss,
Nor' the day that we met;
But I realized something,
I will never forget;
With the stars shining brightly,
From high up above;
I'd one word to describe it,
That word, is love.
I knew then these feelings,
For my sweetheart were true;
The man of my dreams,
And my soulmate, is you.

Like that lying under the starry night sky hand in hand with the smooth waves caressing the ocean they kissed.

In the heat of her hand
I thought,
This is the campfire
that mocks the sun.
This place will warm me,
Feed me and care for me.
I will hold on to this pulse
against the other rhythms.
The world will come and go
in the tide of a day,
But here is her hands
with my future in it's palms !