Aashi and Rishabh arrived at the marriage hall way before the other guests, they were special also they had many background things to take care of. Rishabh wasn't very keen but he was Himanshu's best man and Aashi was very excited being the bride's maid. They were greeted by the guards, Aashi smiled at them while Rishabh maintained a straight face. Aashi held him tightly and wheeled him around the open area. The venue has been selected mutually by Suchitra and Himanshu, they had also hired a wedding planning together. Aashi had admired how they had co-ordinated so well, and the lovely- cute moments they shared, so beautiful. It made Aashi happy and slightly envious of them as well.

'Hey!' Himanshu greeted them with open arms. He was dressed in golden shervani and white turban. He hugged Rishabh tightly, he simply placed his arm around Himanshu. They parted. Himanshu looked at Aashi and she grinned back at him.

'Congrats.' She said and side hugged Himanshu.

'Thanks.' He replied with a bright side and reciprocated to the hug. They parted, Aashi held his arm and looked at Rishabh.

'You be here with the men, I will go look for Suchitra.' She said. Rishabh nodded.

Himanshu smiled and placed his hand on his shoulder, - 'Chal Yaar.' He said.

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Aashi walked into the dressing room where the bride and her cousins are having their last-minute touch-up. She looked around and found Suchitra sitting in front of a huge mirror and having two beautician catering to her, they were the same who had come to their place. Aashi walked towards them.

'Hey!' Suchitra turned her head and smiled at her friend.

'How am I looking, Aashi?' She stood up. Aashi watched her hold the ends of her golden lehenga and show off the elaborate and heavy design. She looked stunning in golden Lehengha and maroon velvet choli, a delicate waistband around her waist. Suchitra had a pixie-cut, that will not do, so the beauticians have attached fake hair and braided it beautiful. The make-up was dark, maroon velvet lipstick, smoky eyes, powder, and blush. Thankfully, Suchitra wasn't wearing too many jewels. One elaborate and heavy necklace stuck to her throat and one long chain with a pendant reaching just a little above her navel. The dupatta isn't that heavy, and it is neatly pinned. Big floral Jhumkas in her ears.

Aashi smiled and gave thumbs up.

'Thanks.' Suchitra replied. Aashi looked around and leaned.

'Himanshu won't be able to take his eyes off you.' She whispered and winked at her friend, Suchitra blushed lowering her gaze.

Soon, Suchitra got busy with the beauticians arranging her dupatta over her head. Aashi also found a spare mirror and got busy doing her touch-ups. Just then she felt someone stand beside her and she turned her head.

'Aashi?' The middle-aged woman asked uncertainly. Aashi looked at the woman closely and recognized her immediately as Suchitra's mother. She had hardly met her but whatever little she had seen of her Aashi recollected her. She is blessed with a sharp memory after all.

'Yes, Aunty.'

'You remember me?' She was surprised. Aashi nodded her head.

'I am so happy, Suchitra found you in this new place. Thanks for being there for her.' She said gratefully, Aashi smiled and insisted she doesn't be so formal.

'By the way, what are your plans? About getting married?' She asked the typical question aunties asks unmarried people, especially unmarried woman. Aashi simply smiled.

'Nothing as if now.' She replied with honesty. Suchitra's mother looked disappointed.

'But you must think, time is running out. You too must get settled in life.' She suggested and Aashi simply nodded. And before she could say more someone called her and Aashi was very much relieved.

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Suchitra walked along with her mother on her right and Aashi on her left. They took her towards the altar which was right in the centre of the open area. Suchitra and Aashi smiled at each other as she was made her sit next to Himanshu. He lifted the threads of flowers covering his face and looked at Suchitra. Their gaze met for a nanosecond and then she looked away, blushing. Aashi stood behind them and kept looking lovingly at them. Soon, the Pandit began the rituals.

Aashi climbed down the altar and looked around for Rishabh. Finally, she spotted him standing alone with a glass in his hand. She adjusted her maang tikka and walked towards him. With the heels and the heavy lehengha it made her little difficult to walk.

'Hey!' She said brightly and stood next to him. Rishabh looked away from the altar and at her. He smiled little.

'What are you drinking?' She asked looking into his glass.

'Orange juice.' He replied. Aashi smiled nodding her head. She then saw the waiter serving drinks and called him.

'One cocktail.' She said eyeing the tray he carried. The waiter nodded and handed her the drink. She smiled politely at him. Just before she took a sip she looked at Rishabh who looked at her with his eyebrow raised.

'What?' – she shrugged and then added, - 'I don't drink children stuff.'

Rishabh looked away shaking his head.

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Aashi and Rishabh stood amongst other close relatives and looked on as the couple took Pheras around the fire. They threw marigold petals at them. Aashi had a small smile playing on her lips but her smile faded on noticing Rishabh's sad face. He was mechanically throwing the petals. Aashi extended her free hand and held his hand, he turned to look at her and she smiled back at him. Rishabh forced a smile and looked back at the couple.

'How romantic.' Aashi gushed as Himanshu filled Suchitra's parting with Sindoor. She looked at Rishabh who was giving her weird looks. Aashi shrugged and to her surprise, Rishabh smiled.

Soon, all the rituals ended and time of bidaai arrived. Suchitra clung to her parents and was crying badly while Himanshu stood awkwardly next to her. Aashi was in tears as well. Rishabh noticed this and quickly shoved his hand into his churidar pants and took out a hanky.

'Here.' He said forwarding it to his crying friend.

'Thanks.' Aashi sniffed taking the hanky from his hand.

'You are welcome.' He looked at her amusedly. She wiped her tears and blew her nose. Rishabh cringed watching her.