10

That evening, after rehearsing at the Whitestone mansion, everyone closest to Shruti and Arjun went back to her mother's house for Sangeet. Upon arrival, however, she was surprised to find a dedicated stage had been set up.

"What is that?" she asked her husband.

"It looks like a stage, Shruti," he answered innocently.

"Arjun," she warned. "Why is it here, at our Sangeet?"

"Well, a stage, if I'm not mistaken, is often used for a performance of some sort," he explained sarcastically.

She frowned. "Will you stop?"

"Will you relax?" he countered, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Everything is ready for tomorrow, so there's nothing else for you to worry about. Worry, I hear, can be bad for the baby."

She sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder. "You're right, I'm sorry. Are you singing 'Tu Mileya?'"

"Nope," he denied. "That's our wedding song, so I'll sing it tomorrow. This is our Sangeet, which warrants something else."

She smiled. "I love you."

"I know," he teased. "Now, come on, let's enjoy."

Once everyone was finished performing, and the speeches had been given, Arjun led Shruti to a chair situated in front of the stage. He then went up and picked up his guitar, as Rishabh, Anmol, and Hardil went to their instruments, as well. Shruti was shocked, however, when Shanaya joined them on stage.

"I want to say thank you to everyone for being here tonight to celebrate with Shruti and me," Arjun said into his microphone. "I know that as of tomorrow, we will have been married for five years, but we never got to have a real wedding, so I'm so happy that I can give her one now." He smiled down at his wife. "I am who I am today because of you, Shruti. Before you came along, I was a mess, but you managed to see past all of that, and now, I'm the happiest I could ever be. 'Tu Mileya' will always be our song, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to have a backup." He looked to Chetas to count off on the drums. "This song is called 'Tera Naam.'"

Haan Banu Tera Kaidi Kasam Hai Khayi

Haan Banu Tera Kaidi Kasam Hai Khayi

Maangu Kabhi Na Phir Tujhse Rihai

Bediyan Laga Doon Tujhe Ishq Ki

Phir Chahe Jo Bhi De Teri Gawahi

Chhod Ke Tujhko Jaana Kahan Hai

Jahan Hai Tu Bas Rehna Wahan Hai

Bandh Lena Kass Ke Mujhe

Mera Naam Hai Likha Wahan Ik Ped Pe

Tu Bhi Likh Dena Apna Sath Mein

Haan Mere Naam Ki Kalam

Syahi Tere Naam Ki

Bas Yehi Tu Rakhna Hath Mein

Mera Naam Hai Likha Wahan Ik Ped Pe

Tu Bhi Likh Dena Apna Sath Mein

Mere Naam Ki Kalam

Syahi Tere Naam Ki

Bas Yehi Tu Rakhna Hath Mein

Aaj Kal Khayalon Mein

Rehti Hoon Main Tere

Kehti Hain Saheliyan Meri

Dikhta Kyun Har Jagah Tu

Baar Baar Mujhko

Kaisi Yeh Paheliyan Teri

Tere Bina Nahi Hai

Mera Bhi Guzara

Tera Mera Kya Alag Hai

Ab Hai Humara

Jahan Lika Hai Naam Humara

Usi Jagah Hai Ek Kinara

Milna Wahin Pe Mujhe

Tera Naam Tha Padha Maine Ik Ped Pe

Maine Likh Diya Apna Sath Mein

Tere Naam Ki Kalam Syahi Mere Naam Ki

Bas Yehi Tha Mere Hath Mein

Maine Suna Tha Ek Jogi Se

Ishq Ke Baare Mein

Maine Suna Tha Ek Jogi Se

Ishq Ke Baare Mein

Kanha Mile The Radha Ji Ko

Nadi Kinare Pe

Kanha Mile The Radha Ji Ko

Nadi Kinare Pe

Main Ja Pahuncha Uss Nadi

Aas Leke Bas Teri

Aur Ishq Leke Sath Mein

Main Ja Pahuncha Uss Nadi

Aas Leke Bas Teri

Aur Ishq Leke Sath Mein

Aur Ishq Leke Sath Mein

Tera Naam Tha Padha Maine Ik Ped Pe

Maine Likh Diya Apna Sath Mein

Ho Tere Naam Ki Kalam Syahi Mere Naam Ki

Bas Yehi Tha Mere Hath Mein

As the band finished playing, Shruti, wearing a light pink embroidered lehenga, hurried up to the stage to throw her arms around Arjun, shoving his guitar out of the way as she did.

"I love it," she whispered, wiping away her tears. "You have to stop making me cry like this; I hear it's fairly common for pregnant ladies, so you're going to get a lot of it for the next eight months or so."

"Shall we tell them now?" he wondered, keeping her close to him.

Shruti cleared her throat and stood at the microphone. "As Arjun already said, thank you so much to everyone for being here tonight. It means so much to us, especially having my dad, Avantika, and Anu here from States. Uh, I know speeches already wrapped up, but um, Arjun and I wanted to announce before everyone leaves." She reached down to take his hand. "We're having a baby."

"What?!" Mauli exclaimed, jumping up from her seat. "She smiled brightly. I'm going to be a dadi?"

"Yes," Shruti confirmed as everyone left the stage to return to the yard. "I took a test yesterday and Dr. Nandani confirmed it for us this morning."

"Finally, I'm going to be a daddu," Ishaan breathed, pulling her into a hug. "Congratulations, honey."

"Thanks, Daddy," she replied, smiling as Arjun hugged her mother. "We're excited."

Arjun moved onto Shanaya next. "You'll be an aunt."

She made a face. "I'll never beat you two at anything, will I?" She grinned. "But congratulations, Arjun. You'll make an excellent father, and Shruti will be an even better mum."

"Thank you," he accepted as Shivam approached. "No more creepy comments about Shruti's bra size, okay?"

"Oh, stop," Shivam rolled his eyes. "It's one of my many talents. I can't even help doing it."

"Did he know?!" Shanaya realized.

"He figured it out," Arjun explained. "We told no one."

"Except me," Arohi spoke up. "I knew."

"So Neil knew," Shanaya filled in. "What the hell, Arjun bhaiya? I thought I was your favorite sibling!"

"I'm not going to argue with you," Arjun told his sister. "Shruti and I are having a baby, and I'm extremely happy about it. If your first instinct is to be mad that I didn't tell you immediately, you need to sort out your priorities." Before she could respond, he turned away and went in search of Shruti.

"Don't be a bitch, Shanaya," Arohi advised as she backed away from her sister-in-law, as well.

"Dr. Nandani said I'm seven weeks, so we're only telling you all for now," Shruti explained to her parents. "My due date is roughly January 23, but I'll have to see a doctor in Mumbai once we go back."

Mauli nodded. "Whoever you see there will get you on prenatal vitamins and set a diet."

"Uh-oh," Arjun murmured as he joined them. "Shruti on a diet means I'll be on a diet."

"Definitely," Shruti confirmed. "Also, no alcohol."

"Now, sweety, let's not be hasty," he recommended. "What if I cut back?"

"Oh, I have a feeling I'll be glad to not be around for much of this pregnancy," Avantika laughed. "You two are the most stubborn people I know, so it's going to be a bloodbath."

"I don't think so," Shruti defended herself and her husband. "Arjun is really good about knowing when to back off on something, so he'll be all right. I'll probably be a nightmare, but he's good at dealing with me when I'm like that." She wrapped her arms around his waist. "You'll be nice to me while I'm pregnant, right?"

"I'm nice to you all the time," he murmured, kissing her forehead.

"What are your plans for tonight?" Avantika wanted to know. "You're already married, so it isn't like you have to split, but you've been trying to make up for what you missed out on last time."

"I'm staying at the Maheshwari house with Arohi, Akshara, and Ananya," Shruti said. "Shanaya will stay at the Kapadia house with the guys to ensure they're up and on time in the morning before joining us to get ready."

Arjun checked his watch. "It's getting late, so if we're all to be up by six, we should probably start cleaning up."

"Oh, don't worry about that," Mauli waved him off. "Ishaan and Avantika will help with all of this."

Avantika made a face. "I will?"

"Yes," Ishaan answered.

"Okay," Shruti yawned as exhaustion settled in. "Dad, Avantika aunty, you should be at the boarding house tomorrow by noon. Mom, you'll come to the Maheshwari's first, and then we'll all go over there together."

"Got it," Mauli complied. She hugged her daughter. "I can't believe you're going to be a mom. I'm so happy for you two."

"Thanks, Mommy," Shruti whispered. "I love you."

Mauli kissed Shruti's head and released her. "Is Arohi driving you to her parent's house?"

"Yes," Shruti confirmed. "Neil will ride back with Arjun. We'll see you all tomorrow."

Arjun led Shruti out to their rented car to put her bags into Vanraj Maheshwari's Range Rover; her dress had been sent there earlier that day.

"This will be weird," she muttered as he placed her bags in the back of the SUV. "We never spend nights apart."

"I know," he replied. "Are you going to be alright?"

She smirked. "I'll be fine. Arohi is the one I'm worried about. Her relationship with Akshara isn't great, and her relationship with Vanraj and Savatri is worse. It's going to be a volatile twelve hours."

"No stress," he advised. "I'll tell her if I must."

"We'll lock ourselves in her old room and it will be fine," she assured him. "Don't stay up too late drinking. Shivam will try to get you to, but tomorrow is a big day. Also, no shaving. You'll have just the right amount of scruff, and I hate when your face is bare."

He grinned. "All right, no shaving. Are you wearing your hair down? You know that's how I like it best."

"Down for the ceremony, up for the reception," she answered. She reached up to kiss him. "I'll see you tomorrow, I suppose."

"You could run if you want, but you're already stuck with me," Arjun jokes, kissing her again.

"Hmm, good point," she nodded. "I guess I'll show up then. I'll be in red, in case you weren't sure."

Arjun nodded. "Good to know."

"Shruti, let's go!" Arohi called as she peeked from the car.

"I've been waiting for you," Shruti shot back. "You were chatting with Avantika."

"Can't help it," Arohi shrugged. "She thinks I'm fabulous." She opened the driver's side door and climbed in, blowing a kiss at her husband as she slammed the door.

"Have a nice evening," Arjun said as he walked to the passenger side with Shruti. "I'm sure Shanaya will have us on a tight schedule tomorrow, so we'll all be ready when you arrive at noon."

"Good," she whispered, kissing him one last time. "Goodnight."

"Ugh, you two are the worst," Arohi complained as she backed out of Mauli's driveway seconds later. "You've been married for five years; the honeymoon period should be over."

"I've read that it can start all over again when a couple finds out they're having a baby," Shruti reported. "Mumbai will be hell for you all this summer cause my husband is sexy and my hormones will rage."

"You realize that as soon as you land from your actual honeymoon, Neil will be up your ass about dealing with the press for all this," Arohi pointed out. "On top of being his pregnant wife, you're also Arjun's publicist."

"I am?!" Shruti gasped facetiously. "I thought I was paid because I sleep with him."

"Ha-ha," Arohi deadpanned. "I'm just saying, Neil will give you this time to have your wedding and honeymoon, but my husband isn't one to just twiddle his thumbs when there's work to be done."

"I'm aware, Arohi," Shruti grumbled. "I work with him on a daily basis. After the honeymoon, it'll go back to business as usual while Arjun goes into the studio. As for the baby, we don't need to announce anything until it's obvious. No one who was at the dinner tonight will sell us out, so we're safe for a while. I'll probably tell Lijo tomorrow because I love him, but he won't say anything either."

Arohi parked in her parents' driveway when they reached the Maheshwari home and sighed as she looked up at the house. "I haven't spent a night here since I was nineteen. It's been almost nine years."

Shruti patted her best friend's leg. "It will be fine. It's just one night, and they'll be happy to see you."

Akshara and Ananya, who'd left the rehearsal earlier, came out to help the two carry everything inside to the formal sitting room where they would get ready the following day. Their light wine-colored lehengas in organza and tulle base with embroidery were hanging on a rolling rack Ananya had brought along from New York while Shruti's red silk wedding lehenga with zardozi work and a chanderi dupatta hung from a hook in the ceiling.

"What time will Shanaya be here tomorrow?" Ananya asked.

"Nine," Shruti recalled. "She'll stay there long enough to get everyone up and pass the responsibility along to Neil."

Akshara sighed. "You know, this is the first time the four of us will have hung out since school and now, you three make me feel inadequate."

Shruti quickly shot Arohi a warning look before turning to Akshara. "Don't say that."

"It's true," Akshara shrugged. "Ananya is a supermodel, Arohi manages tours for one of the most famous musicians in the world, and you're his publicist/wife. I've barely ever even left Manali."

"Different strokes for different folks," Shruti replied, using an old idiom her grandmother used to spout out. "You love it here; we didn't."

"I guess," Akshara mumbled. "I just always thought I'd see the world."

"No, you always thought you were better than us, so it bothers you to see us doing so well while you're stuck here, married to the actual spawn of Devil," Arohi corrected. "Don't play the victim now, St. Akshara, not when you were so condescending when we were kids."

Sensing a twin fight, Shruti and Ananya made eye contact and pushed their respective twin out of the room in opposite directions.

"Why do you do that?" Shruti asked once she'd gotten Arohi safely to her childhood bedroom. "You're twenty-eight years old, Aru. It's time to let it go."

"She's easy to rile up," Arohi said as she fell onto her bed.

There was a knock at the door then and it opened to reveal Savitri in her night dress.

"Arohi, why is it you've been in the house for five minutes and you're already starting fights with your sister?" she wanted to know.

Arohi rolled away from the door. "It's what I do, Savatri Maa."

Shruti frowned apologetically at the woman. "It's been a long day, so she's just tired. Thank you for letting us all stay here, Savatri aunty."

Savatri smiled softly. "It's our pleasure. It's nice having you girls all under our roof again. Hell, I shouldn't even be upset they're fighting; it's like old times."

"Must be," Arohi grumbled. "You're defending your favorite child, as always. Poor Kairav and I never stood a chance, did we? But at least he's got Vanraj."

" Arohi" Savatri sighed. "Don't stay up too late, girls. I'll have breakfast in the morning."

Once Savatri was gone, Arohi turned back to Shruti. "If you have more kids, don't ever let one feel more important than the other. It can really fuck a person up."

Shruti kicked off her shoes and crawled into the bed to lie beside her friend. "I love you, Arohi, and your parents do, too. Who cares if you aren't exactly what they wanted you to be? You're happy and successful. You married a guy who thinks you're the most beautiful person he's ever seen, and you have a pretty spectacular extended family in Mumbai. Arjun wouldn't be half as great on tour without you. Not that he'd ever admit that, but we all know it."

"You don't have to do this, Shruti," Arohi told her. "You don't have to try to make me feel better. I'm used to being the black sheep of Maheshwari house. It's why I went by Goenka for so long."

"I just want you to know that you're loved by the people who matter most to you," Shruti shrugged. "That's all."

"I know," Arohi smiled. "I love you, too."

Shruti woke up the following morning and stared up at the ceiling as Arohi slept soundly beside her. She had the urge to call Arjun, as it was their five-year anniversary, but part of their plan was to have no communication until they met up at noon. She placed a hand on her stomach and smiled, her thoughts traveling to her unborn child. In just under eight months, she and Arjun were going to have a baby. They would be responsible for another human's life, and while parts of that terrified her, Shruti was mostly thrilled. They wanted to be parents. Arjun wanted to give his child everything his two fathers had never given him, and Shruti just wanted to be half the mother hers was; in her mind, Mauli Sarnaik was perfect, regardless of the year after the divorce when Shruti had spent more time with the Maheshwari's than Mauli liked to admit.

Before she could think about the baby any longer, her phone rang on the bedside table next to her, flashing Shivam's number.

"Color me shocked," she answered. "When is the last time you were awake before nine?"

"Childhood," he grumbled, "but my brother and sister-in-law are getting real married today, so alas, I'm awake. Arjun says you two aren't allowed to speak yet, so I'm calling on his behalf to wish you a happy anniversary."

She felt her cheeks heat up at just the thought behind Arjun's gesture. "Thanks, Shivam. And tell him I say the same. I can't wait to see him in a few hours."

Shivam made a face, causing Arjun to chuckle at him from across the kitchen table. "She says she hates you and will actually be delivering divorce papers today."

"Shivam!" Shruti scoffed. "Waheguru Ji, you're an asshole." She hung up and tossed her phone aside.

"I'm not Ananya's biggest fan, but how does she stand him?" Arohi asked from under her pillow. "I hate working with him, but at least I'm paid. She sleeps with him voluntarily."

"I'm not entirely convinced he doesn't use some kind of mind control," Shruti joked.

"I'd believe it," Arohi yawned. "What time is it?"

"Eight-fifteen, I'm gonna get up and shower."

Arohi mumbled something incoherently as she curled back up under the blankets.

"Morning, Shruti," Vanraj greeted the bride down in the dining room after she'd showered and dried her hair. "Ready for today?"

"I am," she nodded, pouring a cup of coffee. "I mean, we've been married for five years today, but this is the wedding we never got to have. It's just as much about him as it is about me."

Vanraj smiled. "I'm sure he'll be happy with whatever makes you happy."

"I know," she smirked, joining him at the table. "Um, can I ask you a question?"

He set the newspaper aside and gave her his full attention. "Go for it."

"Why don't you and Savatri ever come to visit Aru in Mumbai?" she wondered softly. "I know it isn't really my business, but Aru is my best friend, so I'm butting in. I know Akshara stayed here, but Kairav is in San Francisco and you guys visit him all the time if Savatri's Facebook is any indicator. Aru has lived in Mumbai now for eight years and you've never been. I'd ask Savatri, but she gets really emotional, and you're more rational, so I'm asking you."

Vanraj cleared his throat. "You're still just as blunt as you were when you were a kid, but you also show steadfast loyalty to my daughter, which I appreciate more than you'll ever know. Aru has always followed her own path. She's so smart and entirely self-sufficient; she has been since she was eleven. As a parent, that's hard, because you want to be able to provide for your kids until they leave your house. You'll understand when you have kids of your own. With her, it was a struggle. She always wanted more freedom than Savatri and I were willing to give, and that drove a wedge between us. When Neil came along, he managed to sweep her off her feet, and in doing that, she went to Mumbai, married at twenty-two." He sat back in his chair, realizing he hadn't thought about this in a long time. "For my part, I've been so afraid that if we just showed up on her doorstep, it would make things worse. I want her to come to me."

Shruti shook her head sadly. "But that isn't Aru. Two years ago, Arjun had to go to New York for a couple of days, but I had things going on at home, so I stayed back and Neil went. She ended up with pneumonia and by the time she finally asked me to come over and help her, she was literally on her bedroom floor in a puddle of her own sweat. She doesn't ask for anything; she gets it herself."

"You're right," he agreed, "but as her dad, that isn't easy to accept. You'll always want to be needed by your kids, even after they're adults with lives of their own."

Shruti could see that it upset him that he wasn't as close to Arohi as he was to his two other children. "You'd be surprised by how receptive she'd be to you guys visiting. She'll pretend like it's a major imposition, but that's a facade, trust me."

He opened his mouth to respond, but Arohi joined them, followed by Akshara and Ananya. "Morning, ladies," he said instead.

"Mm," Arohi grunted. "What time are the people coming to make me presentable?"

"Nine, like I said last night," Shruti reported. "Shanaya should be here soon, too."

"Girls, the hair and makeup team just pulled up with Mauli," Savatri announced as she approached with a fruit tray. "I say we move this into the living room."

While the girls had their hair and makeup done (once Shanaya arrived only fifteen minutes late), the photographer showed up to begin capturing the day.

"Okay, so I wanted your gifts to be something meaningful," Shruti explained before the girls prepared to put their dresses on. "I know I said I just wanted you to wear nude heels with your dresses, but I lied." She went to a large shopping bag in the corner and came back balancing four shoe boxes in her arms. "Arjun used his pull a bit, but I managed to work with your favorite shoe brands to customize a pair of shoes for each of you because if there's one thing that brings you four very different women together, it's shoes." She passed them out to each of her friends. "I hope you like them."

Arohi opened here first to find a pair of patent leather, six-inch stilettos with her name stitched into the bottom in loopy black script. "Shruti Punj, you bitch. These are the most beautiful things I've ever seen."

"Agreed," Ananya breathed, admiring her own black pair with straps across her feet. "I'm never taking these off."

Shanaya raised an eyebrow. "Shivam might like that."

Pleased they liked their gifts so much, Shruti hugged each of her friends, spending just a second longer with Arohi.

"Okay," she grinned. "Let's get dressed."

Shruti's one-of-a-kind Sabyasachi dress was a raw silk lehenga with zardozi embroidery, paired with a brocade blouse and a chanderi dupatta. It was mostly made of organza, and as Arohi had said, it clung to every curve of her body like a glove before flaring out at her waist in a pool of chiffon and tulle. A beige gold embroidered belt cinched around her waist to match the sequined dresses her friends would be wearing.

"Bappa," Mauli breathed. "You look so beautiful."

"Thanks," Shruti beamed, checking her reflection and running her hands over her stomach. "It looks okay?"

"No one will know you're pregnant," Arohi assured her. "You look thinner than ever."

"It's quarter to twelve," Shanaya said. "The SUV is here, so we should start making our way to the venue."

"Remember, when we get there, Shruti is getting out first and she'll meet Arjun at the mandap for their first look," Arohi explained once they were in the vehicle, her inner tour manager coming out to organize everything. "Shanaya, if you so much as hang a leg out the door, I'll cut it off."

Shanaya shot her a look. "I'm not an idiot."

The SUV pulled up to the Whitestone manor at almost exactly noon, and Rishabh came out to help Shruti. She took a deep breath and made her way up the path to the mandap before stopping to find Arjun with his back to her. The photographer followed, closely behind them so Shruti could step forward and softly clear her throat behind her husband. There he stood in his gold-beige overlapping sherwani with paisley embroidery, paired with dhoti pants and an intricate dupatta in old rose and gold beige looking breathtakingly handsome. Arjun turned slowly and instantly felt his heart drop to his stomach. He eyed her up and down and then took a moment before speaking.

"You're stunning," he finally choked out. He took her hand and twirled her around for the full effect. "Really, baby, you're a vision. I can't believe I missed out on this the first time we did this."

She smiled brightly as the click of the camera could be heard. "You look amazing. Why don't you wear a sherwani more often?"

"Because I feel ridiculous in it," he answered, pulling her to him. "But for you, I'll wear more often."

Shruti kissed him then, careful not to mess up her pale pink lipstick. "Happy anniversary, Sunny."

"Happy anniversary, laddoo," he repeated. "I'm very glad to be marrying you again today."

"Me, too," she whispered, kissing him again. "I love you."

"And I, you," he murmured.

"I could stand here with you all day, but we have a wedding to get to," she sighed, signaling to the photographer that he could get the other girls and her mother. "Boys?!"

Shivam immediately hurried down the stairs, looking much nicer than usual in his own sherwani. "I tried so hard to eavesdrop but Neil started to get violent."

"I merely kept him away from the door," Neil said as he appeared with Prince and Rishabh. "It wasn't a moment he was meant to be a part of." The girls walked inside then and he caught a glimpse of his wife. "Aru, you look beautiful."

She smiled, a rare occurrence from Arohi Goenka-Punj. "Thanks, hottie. You look pretty dashing yourself."

After nearly five hours of ceremony, which wrapped up at the Whitestone mansion gardens, the bridal party made their way to a lounge upstairs to wait while guests began to arrive.

"I still don't understand why you invited Ritesh," Arohi grumbled as she sipped champagne and looked through the curtains to the backyard with Shivam. "He's still such a smug douche."

"His parents let us use their place to be married," Shruti reminded her. "It would be pretty rude not to invite him. Also, it's been almost a decade since we broke up and I'm a million times happier now."

Shivam followed Arohi's gaze. "I'm with Aru on this one: smug douche."

"Takes one to know one," Shanaya joked under her breath.

"Takes one to know one," Shivam mimicked in a childish voice.

"Stop it," Arjun warned his siblings. "Act your ages."

"That would be a first," Prince smirked.

Shruti couldn't help but smile at her family. They were obnoxious and crass (mostly Shivam, but sometimes Aru), but they were hers and she loved them.

The ceremony was short but lovely. A local priest Shruti had known since infancy married them in front of one hundred guests, mostly made up of friends and family. A few of Arjun's friends from the music industry had shown up, but they kept to themselves and stayed under the radar, which Shruti appreciated. Their pheres were beautiful, and the vows they took were sweet and optimistic on her part; poetic and almost lyrical on his part. But by the end, it was clear to everyone in attendance that they were head over heels in love and had been for a long time.

They danced to 'Tu Mileya' for their first dance at the reception, but Arjun didn't sing it this time. Instead, he led her around the dance floor and they shared some of their favorite memories of their first five years together. She tried to convince him they were having a girl to name Aranya, and he just let her go with it, pleased to see her practically glowing at the thought of motherhood. Arohi's speech was surprisingly sincere, but she managed to weasel in a 'you hurt her, I'll kill you' at the end. Neil was regal and almost professional, but those closest to him heard the undertone of love and affection for the couple.

Everyone spent the night dancing and enjoying themselves, much to Shruti's great pride. As the evening wore down and people started to trickle out, she managed to sit down at the newlywed's table to kick off her shoes.

"So, Mrs. Punj, was it everything you hoped it would be?" Arjun asked as he joined her.

"More," she yawned, leaning her head on his shoulder. "But it doesn't matter; I was already married to you anyway."

Arjun pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Here's to the rest of our lives together, laddoo."

A sleepy smile took over her face. "I do like the sound of that."