The mandap was glowing with strings of lights, flowers hanging like rivers of color, and the air filled with the sound of dhol and shehnai.

Aarav, in his sherwani, looked restless. His eyes darted again and again to the entrance.

Aarav (muttering):
“Bas… ek jhalak. Sirf ek jhalak chahiye.”
(Just one glimpse. Just one.)

The crowd hushed.

And then she walked in.

Meera, in a crimson lehenga embroidered with gold, gajra woven into her hair. She walked slowly, but for Aarav it felt like the entire world had slowed down.

He forgot the crowd. He forgot the rituals. He only remembered his heart racing.

Aarav (under his breath):
“Yeh meri duniya hai.”
(This is my world.)

Meera’s eyes met his. She smiled soft, shy, radiant. Aarav nearly stumbled, earning chuckles from the pandit.

They sat at the mandap. Aarav kept stealing glances, and every time Meera caught him, she hid her laughter behind her dupatta.

Meera (teasing softly):
“Thoda shaadi pe dhyaan de lo, Mr. Groom.”
(Pay attention to the wedding, Mr. Groom.)

Aarav (grinning):
“Shaadi toh tumse hi kar raha hoon. Dhyaan tum pe hi hai.”
(The wedding is with you. My attention is already on you.)

The families smiled, the rituals went on, but the chaos was yet to begin.

As Aarav bent down during a ritual, Meera’s cousins pounced grabbing his shoes and running.

Aarav:
“Arre! Ruko! This isn’t a robbery game!”
(Hey! Stop! This isn’t a robbery game!)

The cousins laughed, running in circles. Aarav tried chasing but nearly tripped on his sherwani. Meera burst out laughing so hard she had to hold her dupatta.

Meera (between giggles):
“Aarav, shaadi karlo… jooton ka insurance main de dungi.”
(Aarav, just get married… I’ll insure your shoes for you.)

After loud bargaining and fake threats, Aarav finally gave up some “shagun” to get his shoes back muttering under his breath the whole time.

Aarav (muttering):
“Shaadi kar raha hoon ya dacoity face kar raha hoon…”

Meera winked at him from across the mandap.

Just then, Aarav’s dadi walked over with a small plate. She circled her hand thrice over the couple’s heads, muttering softly.

Dadi:
“Bas bas… ab bas karo dono. Nazar lag jaayegi itni khubsoorat jodi ko.”
(Enough now, you two. Such a beautiful pair will catch the evil eye.)

She threw the nazar away dramatically. Everyone chuckled.

Aarav (teasing):
“Dadi, meri hi nazar lagegi is pe. Main hi toh isse sabse zyada ghoor raha hoon.”
(Dadi, my own gaze will cast the evil eye. I’m the one staring at her the most.)

Meera blushed, looking down, then said softly:
Meera:
“Dadi, ab poori zindagi yeh mujhe ghoorta hi rahega.”
(Dadi, he’ll keep staring at me my whole life.)

Everyone laughed, and dadi’s eyes misted with love.
Dadi:
“Khush raho… hamesha saath muskurate raho.”
(Be happy… may you always smile together.)

The fire crackled as Aarav and Meera circled it.

Aarav (promising):
I promise… I’ll never leave you alone. Your laughter and your tears… both will be mine.

Meera (smiling through tears):
I promise… I’ll stand with you in all your madness. And when you get tired, I’ll remind you how far we still have to walk together.

The world blurred. Only their promises remained.

As the night wound down, Aarav pulled Meera aside.

Aarav (mock serious):
“Toh Mrs. Aarav… ab officially meri ho gayi tum.”
(So, Mrs. Aarav… now you’re officially mine.)

Meera (smirking):
“Pagal… main toh pehle se hi teri thi. but now it just has the wedding tag.”
(Silly… I was already yours. Now it just has the wedding tag.)

They both laughed, their laughter carrying into the night.

It wasn’t a perfect wedding because of the decorations or the rituals.
It was perfect because of them.

Love, laughter, and a little chaos exactly how their forever was meant to begin.

___________________________________________

Arav and Meera finally got the manuscript. Chaos survived. Stickers survived. Shoes… mostly survived 😏😂
They laughed, they fought, they danced, they messed up, they loved… and somehow survived each other too.

Writing this story? Oh yes… blank stares while typing, random drafts scattered everywhere, endless “update now!” panic… all of it right in front of you. And honestly? Hilarious, messy, and so worth it 😏
Every little twist, every chaotic moment, every sticker prank… all of it was for you to laugh at, sigh at, and maybe… secretly envy a little 😘

And now? Arav–Meera story = done. My imagination? Already plotting new mischief, new chaos, new love stories… oh yes, you’re in for it 😉💖
Next stop… The Crown’s Last Lie. Till then… keep imagining, keep teasing yourself, and maybe… dream a little about what I might do next 😏🫣

This is Mishti, signing off (for now… but don’t get too comfy I'll be back soon 😉)