The Rajvansh estate once again came alive with colors, music, and celebration as the Mehendi ceremony commenced. The sprawling gardens had been transformed into a wonderland of marigold and jasmine garlands, twinkling fairy lights casting a golden glow over the festivities. Traditional Rajasthani decor adorned every corner, from intricately painted umbrellas to wooden jhoolas draped in silk cushions. The air buzzed with excitement as guests arrived in their vibrant attires, ready to revel in the joyous occasion.
As the dhols played a rhythmic beat, anticipation filled the air. Then, with a flourish of petals raining from above, Avni made her entrance. She was a vision of ethereal beauty, dressed in a deep emerald green lehenga with intricate gold zardozi embroidery. The lehenga's skirt flared gracefully as she walked, shimmering under the lights, while the blouse had delicate pearl embellishments, accentuating her elegance. A sheer dupatta with tiny mirror-work details rested lightly on her shoulders, adding an aura of dreamlike charm.
Her long hair cascaded in soft waves down her back, adorned with tiny jasmine flowers, and a delicate maang tikka graced her forehead. Large jhumkas swayed as she moved, complementing the choker and long necklace set adorning her collarbone. Her hands bore elegant henna patterns extending up to her forearms, adding to her bridal glow. Her kohl-lined eyes sparkled with excitement and nervousness as she stepped forward, greeted by cheers and whistles from her friends.
Naina ran up to her, clapping in excitement. "Bhabhi Maa, you look like a dream! If Bhaiyya doesn't faint seeing you, I'll be very disappointed!"
Avni laughed, shaking her head, but her gaze instinctively sought Reyansh. And there he was—standing across the courtyard, watching her intently.
Reyansh Rajvansh was not a man easily swayed by emotions, but tonight, something flickered in his sharp gaze as he took in the sight before him. He was dressed in a regal green sherwani, adorned with intricate gold embroidery that shimmered under the soft lights. His neatly styled hair and the sharp lines of his jaw added to his striking presence.
For a moment, the world around them faded. The music, the laughter, the buzzing guests—it all blurred as their eyes locked. Avni felt her breath hitch at the intensity of his gaze. A slow, almost imperceptible smirk tugged at his lips, as if he could read the storm of emotions within her.
Aarav, standing beside Reyansh, nudged him with a grin, "I swear, Bhai, if you keep staring like that, poor Avni will forget how to walk."
Reyansh didn't even blink, "She's beautiful," he said simply.
Avni's cheeks flushed, and she quickly turned away, pretending to admire the decorations. But she couldn't ignore the way her heart raced.
The Mehendi artist took Avni's hands, preparing to inscribe intricate patterns on them, "What initials should we hide in the design?" she asked playfully.
Before Avni could answer, Naina jumped in, "Of course, it has to be 'R' for Reyansh!"
Avni glanced at Reyansh from under her lashes, catching his smirk. She sighed dramatically, "Looks like I don't have a choice."
As the mehendi was being applied, Reyansh sauntered over, his eyes filled with mischief. "Careful, Avni," he said in a low voice, "the darker the mehendi, the deeper the love."
Avni raised an eyebrow, "Is that a challenge?"
He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against her ear, "Let's just say... I have high expectations."
Her pulse spiked, but before she could respond, Aarav loudly interrupted, "Bhabhi Maa, don't let him distract you! We need those mehendi designs to be perfect."
As the Mehendi ceremony continued, laughter and teasing filled the air. Just when Reyansh thought he had escaped the ritual, Naina and Tina grabbed his hands, "Bhai, it's your turn now!"
He gave them a blank stare, "Not happening."
Avni smirked, "Scared?"
His eyes darkened playfully ,"Of you? Never."
Before he could react, Naina smeared mehendi onto his palm while the crowd roared with laughter. The artist then skillfully traced Avni's name into his mehendi, making everyone cheer louder.
Aarav clapped, "Now, Bhai has no excuse! His love for Bhabhi Maa is sealed in mehendi!"
Reyansh sighed dramatically but glanced at Avni, his smirk softening into something more tender, "I suppose this is fair," he murmured, looking at the delicate design on his hand.
Avni bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile. Maybe this night was even more special than she had imagined.
Just as everyone was basking in the joy, Nila Bhuaji's voice cut through the chatter, "Oh ho, so much fuss over a little henna! In our days, brides didn't need all these extra gestures to win over their husbands."
Avni, ever the polite one, smiled, "Bhuaji, times change. But traditions remain, don't they?"
Bhuaji scoffed, "Hmph! Let's see if this mehendi really darkens. Only then we'll know how strong the bond is."
Reyansh, unfazed, responded smoothly, "Don't worry, Bhuaji. My Avni's mehendi will be the darkest. After all, love is in every stroke."
Aarav whistled, "Now that's a reply!"
Bhuaji huffed but said nothing more, leaving Avni grinning at Reyansh's unexpected defense
As the Mehendi ceremony continued, Avni found herself struggling. With her hands covered in fresh henna, she couldn't eat, and hunger gnawed at her. Before she could ask for help, Reyansh appeared beside her with a plate of food. Without a word, he picked up a piece of paneer tikka and held it up to her lips.
Aarav let out an exaggerated gasp, "Ladies and gentlemen, the great Reyansh Rajvansh, feeding someone with his own hands! Someone capture this moment for history!"
The crowd laughed, and Avni, despite her shyness, let Reyansh feed her. The warmth in his gaze, the tenderness in the simple act—it made her heart flutter in ways she wasn't prepared for.
The Mehendi night continued with laughter, music, and celebration, marking yet another cherished chapter in Avni and Reyansh's journey toward togetherness.
As the night came to an end, both families gathered for a final round of blessings and goodbyes. Avni's mother, Shruti, held her daughter close, whispering words of love and pride. Naina, unable to contain her emotions, hugged Avni tightly, "I'm going to miss you so much, Bhabhi Maa!" she sniffled.
Avni smiled warmly, "I'm not going anywhere just yet, Naina. But I promise, even after the wedding, I'll always be here for you."
With laughter, love, and promises exchanged, the families bid each other goodnight, ready to welcome the next grand event in the wedding festivities.
The grand hall once again shimmered under a cascade of golden fairy lights, the air filled with the scent of fresh jasmine and roses. The Sangeet night was finally here, and excitement buzzed in the atmosphere. The stage was adorned with intricate floral arrangements, and a shimmering backdrop with "Avni & Reyansh" inscribed in gold stood as a testament to the love that had brought everyone together. Music played softly in the background, setting the mood for an unforgettable night.
As the guests settled into their seats, murmuring in anticipation, the lights dimmed, and a spotlight focused on the grand staircase. The music shifted, announcing the much-awaited entry of the bride-to-be, Avni.
Avni descended the staircase with an ethereal grace, looking breathtaking in a royal blue and gold lehenga adorned with intricate embroidery. Her blouse featured delicate pearl detailing, and her sheer dupatta, draped elegantly over her shoulder, shimmered under the lights. Her hair was styled in soft curls, cascading down her back, and a maang tikka rested on her forehead, completing her regal look. As she walked, the sound of her silver anklets echoed in the silent hall.
Reyansh, who had been conversing with his cousins, turned to look at her. His breath hitched, his eyes locking onto her as if she was the only person in the room. He, himself, looked dashing in a deep black sherwani with silver embroidery, paired with a royal blue dupatta to match Avni's attire. As she reached the final step, he extended his hand toward her, his eyes filled with admiration.
"You look... stunning," he murmured, his voice barely audible amidst the applause.
Avni smiled, a blush creeping onto her cheeks as she placed her hand in his.
The host for the evening, Reyansh's cousin Aman, took the stage, welcoming everyone and setting the tone for the night, "Tonight, we celebrate love, laughter, and the journey of our beloved Avni and Reyansh. So let's kick off the night with a bang!"
The first performance of the night was by Avni's brother, Veer. He danced to Gallan Goodiyan, setting the stage on fire with his energetic moves. His performance had everyone clapping and cheering, making way for the family to take over.
Avni's mother, Shruti, and Reyansh's mother, Trisha, took center stage, dancing gracefully to Desi Girl. Their synchrony and elegance had the audience in awe, and as they finished, Avni ran onto the stage, hugging them both, "You both are the real desi girls!" she laughed.
Reyansh's father, Akshat, along with his grandfather, Akhilesh, and Avni's father, Vikram, surprised everyone by performing a humorous yet charming dance on Badtameez Dil. Their lively steps and expressions had the entire hall bursting into laughter and applause.
Then, came Reyansh's sister, Naina, with her solo dance on Radha. Her graceful twirls and expressions left everyone mesmerized. As she finished, she ran to Avni and hugged her, "Bhabhi maa, you better be ready for some dance battles in the future!"
Avni chuckled, "Challenge accepted, Naina!"
As the night progressed, it was time for the couple's much-awaited performance. The lights dimmed once again, and a soft melody played in the background. Reyansh extended his hand to Avni, who took it with a nervous yet excited smile.
They danced to Raataan Lambiyan, their movements slow and full of emotion. As the lyrics spoke of love and longing, Reyansh pulled Avni close, his hand resting on her waist.
"You're mine now, Avni," he murmured before standing up and pulling her into an embrace.
Of course, no family function was complete without Nila Bhua's sarcastic comments. She watched the couple with a smirk and turned to Avni's mother, "Shruti, your daughter has completely bewitched Reyansh. Look at him—he's practically glued to her!"
Shruti chuckled, "Well, what can I say? My daughter is amazing."
Nila Bhua scoffed, turning to Avni, "Just don't forget that marriages are not all about love and dancing. There's a lot of responsibilities too."
Avni, ever the sunshine, smiled sweetly, "Don't worry, Bhua ji, I'm excellent at multitasking. I can dance and handle responsibilities at the same time. "Reyansh grinned, wrapping an arm around her, "And I'll be right beside her, making sure she enjoys every moment of it."
As the night drew to an end, the entire family gathered on the stage for one final dance to London Thumakda. The joyous moment was filled with laughter, clapping, and high energy.
Finally, it was time to bid goodbye. Avni hugged Naina tightly, whispering, "I'll see you soon, little sister."
Naina pouted, "Don't go too far, Bhabhi maa!"
With warm hugs exchanged, laughter still echoing, and promises of the upcoming wedding celebrations, the night came to a beautiful end. The Sangeet was just a glimpse of the grand love story yet to unfold.
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