~Vedh Singh Oberoi~

The Oberoi mansion stood tall on its ground, decorated like a bride to welcome the new member of the house - Vedh's wife

Each wall spoke of the every ritual performed here, rituals of Vedh's marriage, rituals of Heer's marriage

Inside the mansion was silent, quiet as everyone had just left for the Gurudwara Sahib to get the baraat ready

Vedh was still in the house, in his room he stood in the small library attached to his room, his eyes stuck on the wall in front where a large portrait of his parents was almost the size of the wall

His golden shervani shimmering in the dim lights and that maroon turban on his head was the pride of his dead father along with the shining off white kalgi

His parents were happy in that portrait, their eyes full of life living for each other, so much in love. His mother, wearing a red saree was bent forward as his father hugged her from back

The picture was the epitome of their eternal love, the one which was adamant on changing the world with its examples

Both Yash ji and Sugandha ji were smiling brightly at the camera as if filling their endless love and affection in that one picture

Vedh's eyes were not blinking, they were stuck on his parents' faces, the way they smiled was something he thought he could never have

Vedh's eyes were soft, pleading like wanting his parents after so many years again. It was his marriage today and the absence of his parents was slicing his soul from inside

The big day they might have dreamed of when he was a child was now here but the dream was no longer to see it

Vedh, the strong and powerful man everyone saw was no where here in this room, who stood in front of the photo was the little boy who wanted his parents back

He was never the one to weaken easily and even after the death of Yash ji and Sugandha ji no one ever saw him looking at their picture and asking them to come back but only he knew how much he wanted his parents back

How much he wanted his mother to engulf him in a tight hug again and tell him that he is her lovely son

How much he wanted his father to come back home from office again and kiss his forehead calling him his dearest son

No one ever knew how much he wanted his parents back just because he never said it out, he missed them everyday but the world was so busy to look at him that they couldn't see the small boy dying in him

"Ma papa, I am getting married today........"

After the minutes of silently standing before his parents picture he finally spoke, the things he never spoke to anyone now he was whispering to his parents

He paused and gulped, wetting his dried throat then licking his lower lip he sighed and closed his eyes gathering courage to speak again

"Her name is Heer and this is an arranged marriage"

He said indirectly confessing that he doesn't love her but his voice betrayed him. Though his mind knew this is an arranged marriage but his heart refused to know

Vedh's heart started beating loudly as Heer's name rolled smoothly off his tongue, blinking fast he looked around before again spoke

"Maybe I don't love her but I won't ever hurt her, I won't even touch her until she wants me to and she will live like the owner of this house and....me"

The words were spoken so gently that for a moment if his parents were here they would have patted his shoulder

The gentlemanly gesture of him to devote himself to his to be wife was something to be noted. There Meena ji was teaching Heer to be submissive and here was Vedh who had already submitted himself to her

If his parents would have been here today then they would have surely been proud of raising such a son

Vedh walked towards the door with back steps, his eyes never leaving the picture of his parents who were now probably happy seeing their son from somewhere above the sky

Vedh left quietly left the room and locked it from outside. As Vedh stepped out of his room, Aashrit reached at the same time

He gave a subtle reassuring nod to Aashrit before they both ascended the stairs together then walking out in the cold of winters they got into the white BMW XM which spoke of luxury with every hum

~

They reached the venue in no time and saw all the people waiting for them, Smita and Chhavi wearing their favorite lehengas stood feeding the two mares

As per the ritual, groom is supposed to sit on mare and ride till bride's house or the wedding venue while the baratis (Relatives) dance on dhol showing their blessing and joy

Vedh and Aashrit got out of the car before walking towards the family. After sometimes the rituals were started

One of Vedh's cousin's wife took off Vedh and Aashrit's evil eye before Shakti ji gratefully made helped them sit on the separate mares smiling brightly as if waiting for this moment since ages

As soon as the grooms were sat on the separate mares, the loud beats of the traditional dhols started and Sudha ji was the first one to come forward and dance

Her energetic steps were the evidence of how happy she was, Smita, Chhavi and Saket joined her dancing with her heart out

Vedh looked at his family, happy to get their daughter in law home. Later Saket pulled Shakti ji in the middle who danced with his wife laughing whole heartedly

Several relatives danced later until the baraat reached the venue, Gurudwara sahib. Vedh and Aashrit got off the mares and bowed before entering the gurudwara, a gesture of respect

~Heer Mehta~

Heer and Reva had arrived way before the baraat, ready traditionally in their red and maroon suits as per the old rituals

Heer wore the red customized suit that Vedh's designer sent her as per her reference, the choora in her hands was now open to the air along with the hanging kaleere of Vedh's mother

The dark stains on her palms were the sight to see and the jewellery was the perfect one for her but all of this was a waste for Heer

She wasn't happy, her heart was nervous at some strange thoughts but the smile brides usually have on their weddings she didn't have that

Heer was stuck at only one point that how will she live without her family, leaving her family was becoming difficult for her every passing second

Same was the thing with Reva, she might not have said anything but inside she was dying with the thought that how can she take such a decision

She looked beautiful too and she had been happy with this look it was Heer's wedding but now the matter was way to different, this was her wedding too

They sat in a silent room behind the gurudwara sahib waiting for the baraat to arrive. Minutes later Heer looked up at Reva who was looking down thinking something

"You did this for me, didn't you?"

Heer's soft voice came out as a whisper when she asked Reva, She had known why Reva took this decision since she heard about Reva's marriage with Aashrit but she wanted Reva to tell herself

Reva looked up at Heer with wide eyes as if caught stealing something, she blinked dumbfound at Heer before she turned away her gaze

"N..no I did this for my...myself"

Heer rose her brow at Reva telling her to speak how, Reva sighed before she lied again thinking Heer wouldn't detect it

"I mean he has good bank balance, big cars, big house and what not so-"

Reva said looking the other side as tears filled her eyes, tears of separation, tears of pain the tears she tried to hide but from wrong person

Heer immediately understood Reva was breaking from inside, she knew that her friend was in tears but didn't want her to know

Heer knew Reva too well to trust her words, she knew Reva wanted to be rich but not a rich man's wife she wanted to earn her own money

"Stop lying Reva"

Heer cut off Reva, her soft voice now sharp as her anger bubbled up at Reva's lie. Heer could listen to everything but against her family and Reva had been a part of her family since they were kids

Heer pulled Reva's shoulder harshly turning her to face herself and said, warning Reva for the first time till this point of their lives

"I dare you to speak one more word about my best friend"

The tears Reva was controlling till now, now streamed out of her eyes as she hugged Heer tightly crying on her shoulder

Heer's own tears seemed no bound and fell uncontrolled stretching the lines on her fair cheeks. The two girls cried on each other's shoulder in silence of the room until they heard the loud sound of dhol playing

They knew the baraat had arrived, they separated and then wiping their tears looked at each other before Reva said

"Twadi nak lala ho gayi"

("Your nose turned red")

Saying this she laughed, her tone teasing causing Heer to let out a small laugh too. The air of room turned more at ease at their lovely banter

"Twadi vi"

("Yours too")

Heer replied and they laughed again, like the small girls used to do years ago no matter whatever the situation was they would always overcome it like this, first crying then laughing together

They had just straightened when Meena ji entered the room, her smile fading slightly looking his two small girls now dolled up brides, ready to go to someone else's house

She walked in remembering the days these girls used to wear her sarees and show her, the small girls she raised were now grown up in beautiful women ready to be someone's wife

She walked in and closed the door behind her, she took small steps towards Reva and Heer who were now standing up looking at Meena ji

"Meri kudiya kinni vadi ho gayi na, ghar ghar khelde hue sach much saiteli hon lagi hain"

("My daughters have grown up so much, while playing house games now they are going to make their own houses")

Tears filled her eyes at the thought of her daughters leaving them for forever, the tears she thought she could control were refusing to stop

The pain she thought she can ignore was now too much to be kept inside, still Meena ji tried and controlled her tears before applying kala tika to both Heer and Reva to ignore every evil eye

"Let's go they are waiting"

She whispered cupping both their cheeks with so much love, and they both wiped the corners of their eyes before giving a soft nod

~Vedh Singh Oberoi X Heer Mehta~

Grooms waited in front of the guru granth sahib holding the fancy swords, a sign of bravery and courage as per the ritual when the brides entered

Vedh's eyes were not in control the moment his eyes lifted at the chime of her anklets, she looked breathtaking in red, the bride nobody could ever imagine

The red customized suit was a blessing on her milky skin and that golden phulkary embroidery enhanced it's look

The golden jewellery with that red choora was like a cherry on top complimented by those dark henna stains on her already enchanted look, she was mesmerizing no doubt

The golden jewellery with that red choora was like a cherry on top complimented by those dark henna stains on her already enchanted look, she was mesmerizing no doubt

Vedh wanted to avert his gaze knowing she felt its intensity but her effect on his whole body was so strong that his own organs were not listening to him

Vedh went numb, forgetting everything, the surrounding, the marriage, the arrangement everything and what left was her, just her

She was walking towards him with small steps, her kaleere flowed with the air with each movement taking away his left over senses

Heer felt his intense gaze and as always thought he must be glaring at her for not backing out, she feared to even walk

She gulped down her fear and walked with her parents and Saanchi beside her not looking up in those horribly beautiful orbs

After a few moments, Heer stood in front of Vedh not even reaching his shoulders but having all the control over him

Saanchi and Chhavi brought two separate plates with the flower garlands in them, the pink and white rose buds attached in a queue to look fascinating

Saket held Vedh's arm in excitement standing beside him smiling like an overexcited child came to attend a marriage

Vedh came back to the world and looked here and there finally blinking and breathing properly, his eyes now leaving Heer's face

Vedh looked at garland and he knew what to do, he picked up the garland gently and with so much care kept around her neck

Heer glanced at her side where Saanchi stood with the plate of garland, her eyes finally lifted glancing at Vedh calculating their height difference

Her eyes lowered again before Vedh could see them and she sighed, her mind racing with the thought that how would she put the garland

Hesitantly Heer fingers reached for the garland before lifting it up to reach Vedh, her eyes lifted again but this time not just for a glance but they lifted to plead

Vedh who was looking here and there in the self guilt of his previous reaction immediately looked at her when she lifted the garland and when she lifted her eyes, he was already looking at her

Heer looked straight into his orbs, pleading quietly to bend down a little so she could put the garland easily

Meanwhile Vedh, who was already drowning in those pretty honey brown eyes with scattered long lashed that had been lifted to his face

Vedh without looking away bent down, leaning towards her a little. He bent till he reached within her reach to ease out her problem, his eyes still not leaving hers

Heer gulped and put the garland quickly, their families blessed them with smiles

Heer's fingers brushed against Vedh's shoulders when she pulled back her hands sending a warmth in his whole body, her eyes again lowering causing Vedh to straighten up again

Then the time came of palla dastoor, Heer's heartbeat raced when a pink neatly and vertically folded cloth was kept on Vedh's shoulder from one end while the other end was given to Heer to hold as per the ritual

The soft and peaceful sound of pure Shabads rang in the silent hall as Vedh and Heer started taking Laavans (sacred rounds) around the granth sahib locking the sacred vows

The couple took the rounds with their consent, every slow and graceful step taking them closure to a life they never imagined and now they were just two rounds away from sharing a life till eternity and for seven births

Both the hearts were beating with the same intensity as they moved to take last round, their slow steps turning more slow in nervousness. Vedh glanced back over his shoulder at Heer whose eyes never lift, even for once.

Heer clutched his palla tightly in her small and soft fingers like grounding herself in the hard moment. Rounds completed binding them in a pure relation of husband and wife

Everyone bowed in front of guru granth sahib, praying for a healthy and prosperous married life for the couple before blessing them with love and fondness

~Aashrit Thakur X Reva Arora~

Their marriage completed with all the rituals and traditions and now it was Reva and Aashrit's turn, Vedh and Heer were seated in a room to take some rest until Aashrit and Reva's wedding

Reva entered the hall same as Heer did, with Meena ji, Shyam ji and Saanchi by her side though they were not her parents but they stood by her side

The same rituals were done, with the same feelings and blessings with Reva not even sparing a single glance at Aashrit and Aashrit looking for chances to glance at her

Reva felt his gaze on her but her mind was somewhere else to be effected, the memories of Meena ji teaching them to be submissive still didn't leave her mind as she took the laavans tying herself to Aashrit

Aashrit looked at her when she bowed, his heart racing at the thought of Reva being his wife, something that never happened with Bella

Aashrit sighed at the name of Bella, his blood boiling at the statement that he could never build a family but here he was marrying a woman who was probably meant to be his

~Author~

The weddings concluded with happiness and excitement everywhere with no sign of hatred if we leave Sumitra ji's face

Her face had been filled with hatred and disgust after the engagement scene, she seemed no harm in asking a bride about what dowry she is getting

Now it was the time of langar before the wedding party at grand banquet, the huge langar was arranged by Vedh to feed people on his big day like his father did

As the weddings concluded, the girls went at the venue to change and have some rest before the baraat gets there

Their they will have a wedding party as it couldn't be arranged at the Golden temple due to its sacredness and other devotees

Mehta family departed for the venue before the Oberois, as all of them were busy feeding the people with their own hands

Vedh himself fed people getting there blessing, people smiled, blessed and went all happy giving a strange calmness to Vedh's soul

After the langar, Oberois left for the venue almost after One and half hour. Vedh and Aashrit settled in their car while others got into to the their cars

~Vedh Singh Oberoi~

The white BMW XM stopped on the back gate of the reserved banquet and both Vedh and Aashrit got out of the car

Handing the keys to a server they walked inside towards the rooms area, they both entered separate rooms where their outfits were already laid out

Vedh wore an off white three piece armaani suit, the elegance dripping from each thread. He wore it pairing it with matching sharp and polished shoes and a golden rolex which sat royally on his left wrist

After almost half an hour, he got out giving the keys to a waiter, he waited outside Aashrit's room to take him along

After fifteen more minutes both Aashrit and Vedh walked out of the hotel lobby towards the party area being the center of attention

~

Later, Vedh found himself sitting on the stage on a large decorated sofa, while Aashrit sat on the other waiting for their wives

The open garden filled with sunlight buzzing as the crown began gathering, the chatters echoing in every corner

The banquet was decorated with bright but soft flowers, the slight cold winter wind ruffling them with grace like a murmur, the leaves shook like enjoying the party along

Air was electric as the relatives moved here and there, some uncles adjusting their wives' sarees dressed in full three piece suits without any hesitation, some were not ready to leave the dance floor while some were busy clicking selfies and pictures

~Mr. & Mrs. Vedh Singh Oberoi~

After waiting few more minutes, the hall suddenly went silent, completely as a melodious tune started from the speaker installed all over the banquet

The tune was soft, no high pitch, no drum harming sounds just a soft melody that echoed through the half made, decorated walls of garden announcing the silent entry of bride

'Aaj sajeya ae ve

Saara seher

Aaj hogayi aa ve

Rab di meher'

The lyrics followed with the male voice trying to explain a bride's feelings for her groom but the situation here was completely different, yes Heer was nervous but that was for different reasons

'Haaye..

Aaj sajeya ae ve

Saara seher

Aaj ho gayi aa ve

Rab di meher'

The song fell in both Vedh and Aashrit's ears and they stood us knowing what was it for, and once again Vedh's eyes were eager, not listening to his commands they waited for just one glance of the woman who now lived in them without even being in front

The lyrics were continuing but Heer wasn't there yet, making Vedh's stomach twist in something not understandable, excitement?

'Aakhiyan cho digde haanju

Khusiyaan de

Teri ban jaana aaj toh saajna ve

Aakhiyan cho digde haanju

Khusiyaan de

Teri ban jaana aaj toh saajna ve'

At the very next line Heer appeared from the gate and stopped there waiting to mark she was now entering, Saanchi stood beside her holding her

Her parents stood near the stage adoring their grown up daughter who was now someone's wife, someone else's dignity

Shyam ji's eyes filled with tears as the scene of her birth flashed in front of his eyes, just yesterday she was born sleeping peacefully in his arms and now she was going to be 'parayi'

'Khushiyaan da chadeya aaj

Vela ve, saareyaan ne

Nachana saareaya ne

Gauna ve

Khushiyaan da chadeya aaj

Vela ve, saareyaan ne

Nachana saareaya ne

Gauna ve'

The moment the beat was heard, Heer took a step forward as explained by videographer making Vedh's breath hitched

Vedh forgot to blink as soon as Heer stepped out in the sunlight, his gaze stopping at her outfit- his mother's suit

Vedh's eyes then went up to her face again, her lowered eyes were attracting him, the contrast of her maroon suit with her milky skin was just as beautiful as those flower with their leaves

Vedh's eyes then went up to her face again, her lowered eyes were attracting him, the contrast of her maroon suit with her milky skin was just as beautiful as those flower with their leaves

Her small feet moving slowly stopped abruptly as photographer rushed to take the best possible shots for their memories

Heer's suit shined under sunlight while her jewellery made small chimes when ruffled by the air blowing, her soft sharara moving like her dupatta, her eyes not even moving an inch from ground

'Sakhiyaan ne sajna ae

Main vi savarna ae

Aaj din chadeya

Tere naam da ve'

Photographer moved forward and asked Heer to look up for a photograph, she hesitated but then looked up slowly, her long black lashed fluttering up at the camera

Then the camera person whispered something to his assistant and he immediately ran towards Vedh who stood frozen at his place staring at his wife adorned in his mother's attire and exactly that beautiful

As soon as Heer lifted those honey brown eyes, Vedh forgot to breath as if too busy to even acknowledge the need of oxygen

Photographer again whispered something to Heer making her eyes go wide for moment before she gave a subtle nod and moved her eyes to Vedh where he was already looking at her

The assistant who ran to Vedh stood at side, he came to ask Vedh to look in her eyes but he was already looking as the drone flying in the sky took a shot

Heer thought it was just the part of photo shoot and he was also told to look into her eyes but she didn't know why he wasn't blinking or breathing, leave him she didn't even know why her own lashes refused to blinked away from his ocean blue eyes

Heer eyes stared into Vedh's like actually meaning those lyrics, her eyes were soft and her breath turned heavy. As soon as she realized that the picture was done she lowered her eyes again

'Dil nahio lagda ae ve

Aake tu leja ve main

Tere intezar che

Tak diyaan raahan...'

Every thing blurred in that moment as Heer walked slowly towards Vedh, the distance wasn't much but in that moment it felt like stretching to eternity

After a moment Heer finally stood near the stage at the stairs where her parents also stood. Heer stopped near the stage when Shyam ji stepped forward and looking at Heer with a soft smile he took her small palm in his

Vedh, who stood frozen till now came out of his trance when Aashrit touched his shoulder gesturing him to help Heer get on the stage like any other marriage

Vedh walked near the stairs and descending two of them, he forwarded his palm to her but her eyes were on her father's hand holding hers

Shyam ji's eyes glistened with tears as he looked into Heer's orbs with happy and pain before he finally looked at the outstretched palm of Vedh and his smile widen, he then kept Heer's palm on Vedh softly as if giving away his daughter to Vedh

'Aakhiyan cho digde haanju

Khusiyaan de

Teri ban jaana aaj toh saajna ve

Aakhiyan cho digde haanju

Khusiyaan de

Teri ban jaana aaj toh saajna ve'

Heer blinked at Vedh before her gaze lowered again, she felt the roughness of his palm spreading through her soft and small one as he tightened his grip as if assuring both her and her father

Heer closed her eyes and inhaled deep breath when the cameraman stopped them to the pictures of their joined palms, creating memories they both didn't know they would ever try to remember

Vedh held Heer's hand as if grounding himself and trying to remember promises he did to himself, the decision of never feeling anything for Heer now felt weak in that precious moment

'Khushiyaan da chadeya aaj

Vela ve, saareyaan ne

Nachana saareaya ne

Gauna ve

Khushiyaan da chadeya aaj

Vela ve, saareyaan ne

Nachana saareaya ne

Gauna ve'

The sound of heartfelt applause echoed in each corner, the happiness buzzing with those soft smiles on everyone's face when Vedh and Heer finally walked over the stage altogether, knowing they were to share their lives now

The steps were barely four to climb but the feeling of their joined palms lingered even after, the presence of each other was heavy for both not like they had not been together before but because, now they sat as husband and wife, as soulmates

The loud applause died down slowly as the time of Reva's entry came, now all three Aashrit, Vedh and Heer stood on the stage where Vedh was glancing at Heer every now and then while Heer's eyes were lowered like always

~Mr. & Mrs. Aashrit Thakur~

The banquet again felt silent, all eyes turned to the entrance including Aashrit's who was as eager as never just to see her as his wife now

Another tune began, matching the punjabi softness, every eye darted to the entrance once again, waiting for Reva to enter

'Din shagna da chadheya

Aao sakhiyon ni vehra sajeya

Haan.. '

No one, no sign of Reva till yet and then just as Aashrit began to turn more desperate Reva entered, the soft chime of her anklet and kaleere overshadowing the peaceful melody

Unlike Heer, Reva's eyes were not lowered at ground, she was looking up without any hesitation or anxiety though her heart was telling her to run away

'Mera sajna mileya

Sajna milan vadhaiyan

Ni saajan doli leke aauna

Ni vehra sajeya

Mera sajna mileya

Sajna mileya

Sajna mileya haan.. '

Reva walked with elegance looking straight as the photographer took shots, while on the stage Aashrit stood frozen everything around him blurred as his eyes stuck at her beauty, he remembered the moment he decided to marry her

Every movement, every whispered word, every line of the song flew away in haze as Aashrit's eyes refused to move away from his wife

'Wo ho...

Din shagna da chadheya

Aao sakhiyon ni vehra sajeya

Haan... '

Reva walked slowly but with confidence, her inner thoughts were numb for a few moments as she took entry in both the banquet and Aashrit's life like a peaceful storm in his thunderstorm like life

Reva looked everywhere as she walked towards the other side of stage near Aashrit, her gaze was straight but she was not looking at Aashrit but Heer

The thought of her one and only best friend living a peaceful life because of her, filled her whole self with pride and not even for once she regretted taking that decision for Heer

'Mera sajna mileya

Sajna milan vadhaiyan

Ni sajan doli leke auna

Ni mera sajna '

Now Reva almost reached the stairs of stage when Aashrit's eyes and body automatically moved without him even knowing

Aashrit's and Reva's steps synced perfectly as they walked towards each other with same slowness

Both Shyam ji and Meena ji stood on the other side looking at Reva the same way they looked at Heer, while the Saanchi beside her was smiling when she brought Heer and now when she brought Reva

Aashrit descended two steps and stretched out his palm hesitantly and as soon as Reva's eyes fell on his large palm in front, her head snapped up looking straight in his eyes

She got lost in those charcoal black eyes but the expressions of her face didn't changed while Aashrit froze the moment her eyes lifted to meet his

Reva was trying to see through those attractive eyes, to catch a single hint of something that could tell her he wasn't the one but nothing was there

Shyam ji seeing Reva staring into his orbs and not stretching in her palm moved forward to do same gesture he did with Heer while cameraman took the chance and clicked the best shots possible

As Shyam ji walked to them and was about to hold Reva's hand, she stretched her hand and kept it on his quietly

'Dholna ve, Dholna ve

Ranjhan Mahi dholna

Dholna ve, dholna ve

Heer jogni dholna

Dholna ve dholna

Tu mera naseeba dholna

Dholna ve dholna

Main jugni teri dholna'

The song came on the most sensitive and loud part and Aashrit's heartbeat accelerated because of that mere touch

He then softly pulled her on the stage softly and the applause again echoed in the banquet but the couples were busy among themselves

'Jaavan na main bin shehnaiyan

Satrangi rubaiyaan

Sunaa ja tu harjaiyaa

Shamiyaana sajavan

Doli leke main aavan

Aatishbazi karaake

Tenu leke main jaavan'

~Author~

The wedding was done and today two more daughter were to leave their house, like every daughter of this world

Now only the close relatives were left as it was already evening and everyone left after giving gifts and blessings to both the couples

Everything was managed in the wedding properly by Shyam ji and Meena ji but now they were not able to manage themselves

Only the thought of sending their daughter on a path she could never return from, yes she can meet them but she won't ever be back like before was eating them both from inside

Both Heer and Reva stood on the door, ready to leave as it was time beside them stood their husbands making sure the arrangements to leave were done

Two well decorated luxurious cars stood in front of the banquet with drivers in front, for them to leave in separate cars

Sudha ji walked to Heer and Reva and whispered, her own heart heavy as she spoke those words because with god's grace she also has two daughter and one day she will also have to let them go like this

"It's time beta"

Heer's tear filled eyes immediately looked up to see Saanchi and Meena ji walking towards them and Reva was also looking at them with teary gazes

Sudha ji stepped back after whispering those words knowing very well how much they affected both of them

Saanchi ran towards Heer and Reva, already sobbing and hugged both of them and Heer broke down her tears streamed nonstop

She knew it was the time, she knew she can't back off now but now after everything she feared, she feared the consequences of her own decision

She cried like a child who was getting separated from her mother. Meena ji reached soon and the cold and strong demeanor she carried all through the wedding now blew away as her eyes landed on her daughters dressed as brides ready to leave her, leave them

Tears flowed down on Meena ji cheeks and today she didn't stop them because today she wanted her daughters to know that how much she loves them

Heer hugged her mother and cried out more loudly, her wet eyes brimming with non stop tears, her cries were so pleading that even Vedh couldn't look at her and turned his face

Seeing Heer cry like this Reva also wanted to hug someone but god had already snatched her parents a long ago so the tears never turned into sobs

Reva missed her parents with all her heart, she wanted them to be in her wedding but see how the destiny plays it snatched her parents even before she knew what death was

Reva wiped her tears standing at the corner looking at the way Heer's family comforted her knowing she has no one to do that

Heer cried like hell, she cried so much and so badly that even Smita, Chhavi and Saket's eyes filled with tears

Heer stepped away from her mothers embrace still crying, now she had started to hiccup as well as she spoke, her lips shivering not from the cold but from the pain of separation

"Ma...ma I d...don't want to g..go don't let me go pl...please"

She spoke without even realising what she was saying, her words came out on their own but the truth was she really didn't want to go and who would

In this world no girl can ever even think of leaving her parents, her house, her identity forever but this cruel society compels them to and if a girl doesn't then they even try to point at her character

We can't even imagine how much hurtful it is to know that the things a girl lived with her half of her, neither were her own, not even the family she thought was hers

Heer was blabbering things in pain, the moment was so sensitive that no body chose to interrupt, Vedh's heart clenched at her words but he didn't react meanwhile Meena ji could only nod at her caressing her head

Reva hearing Heer closed her eyes and more tears fell from her eyes, the crying Heer suddenly became quiet her eyes darting to the people standing there looking for her father

She looked at her mother and whispered, her gaze not stopping at anyone just finding her father, she wanted to see him, she wanted him to see this, see her going just for his wish

"Where is papa?"

Her voice through those tears was soft but aching, her tight throat was not allowing her to speak but she couldn't stop herself from asking

Meena ji looked around and sent Saanchi who was also crying to call Shyam ji from wherever he was, they knew he was hiding

Shyam ji arrived in no time and as soon as Heer saw him she hugged him tightly crying drastically and maybe Shyam ji was very happy from this wedding, maybe this was his own wish but he couldn't bear to see his daughter going like this leaving everything behind

He couldn't escape from the pain that came, he couldn't escape his daughter's tears, he had to see his daughter, the daughter he raised with so much love going like this

"Pa...papa pl...please don't send me, Please papa yo....you love me na"

Heer said from behind her tears, her voice was breaking as she broke down completely seeing her father crying like that and Shyam ji only nodded at her, his own tears not stopping

Shakti ji and Sudha ji both were shedding tears at the thought of sending their daughters like this, and their heart clenched

Shyam ji turned to leave not wanting to see his daughter's farewell and Heer's heart twisted painfully before her sobbing voice echoed in the silent environment

"Faslein jo kati jaaye Ugti nahi hain

Betiyan jo byahi jaayein Mudti nahi hain

Aisi vidai ho toh Lambi judai ho toh

Dehleez dard ki bhi paar kara de"

That was it, Shyam ji's steps halted tears escaping his eyes like water from a broken dam, this was the same song Heer used to like seven years ago

When the movie was released back then Heer was only 16 and she had rushed to her father to sing him this song but he refused and ignored her for some work

Heer still remembered and Shyam ji also, he knees gave up the moment his daughter's low helpless and vulnerable voice fell in his ears

He sat down immediately crying more badly and Heer also sat down, hugging her father with all her might because who knows what might happen the next day

~

The farewell finally ended and both the couples sat in their separate range rovers, decorated exactly they should have been

~Mr. & Mrs. Vedh Singh Oberoi~

Heer's tears were not ending and since they had sat in the car, Vedh had turned up the partition not wanting her to feel embarrassed and cry in peace

Vedh knew how it must have felt leaving her parents behind for a stranger, at least he knew that he can't meet his parents because they are dead but for Heer, her parents were alive and not with her

Heer's lips trembled as she sobbed quietly thinking the voice can make Vedh angry but Vedh was helpless seeing her like that

Vedh heard her when she sang that song to stop her father and he knew in that moment that Heer loves her family a lot, more than words could ever describe

Heer's tears were not stopping at all because the pain of leaving her parents was too much but sitting beside her Vedh didn't understand what to do

They both barely met one or two times and talked even less so practically and logically they were completely strangers so how could Vedh comfort her, he couldn't understand

After thinking for sometime Vedh looked at her tired, tear streaked face where fresh tears were still flowing then he did something unimaginable

He quietly without any word looked at Heer's hand resting on the car's seat and he held it........

He held her hand without a thought thinking it might comfort her and unexpectedly it did

For a moment Heer stiffened but soon relaxed under the warmth of his large palm which completely covered her small hand