The whole night Anu wasn't able to sleep nor have a peace of mind . With all the wedding jitters she was having , and her friends teasing all the time made sure that her scale of anxiousness rose up until she had sweat on her palms .

She likes.....
No...
She loves Rahul....
But entering a new phase of life and going to spend the rest of life with one person....
Though she believes in him ,
she trusts in him ,
she couldn't get these unknown worries off of her mind....
Whether it was right or wrong...
Whether they are compatible or not....
What if they had fights in future....

She left from her room while excusing herself from her friends and reached another room . She knocked on it twice and twisted the corner of her night shirt .

Lakshmi , who was sleeping soundly after a long tiring day was woken up from middle of her deep sleep which she got after a hectic month . She was annoyed and irritated as she wrapped a robe on her night suit and opened the main door . She looked at Anu who is standing like a chicken with her head down and ready to peck the floor for grains .

Lakshmi looked at how anxious she was when she saw her crumpled pant and shirt twisted in between her fingers and as well as those lips which are ready to bleed anytime soon . Lakshmi sighed thinking that she would be having another sleepless night as she moved a side and allowed Anu to get inside .

As soon as they entered inside lakshmi's room , Lakshmi gave Anu a glass of water and sat on the couch near to the bed , facing Anu .

" tensed ?" Lakshmi asked looking at Anu who even started squirming on the bed while sitting at the edge .

" di ! I'm very scared !
This is such a huge thing...
I don't know what to do !
I feel like my lungs will burst the next second !" Anu exacerbated while throwing her hands in her hair which was very out of her behaviour according to Lakshmi .

" di
How did you come over it when you were getting married ?" Anu asked looking at Lakshmi who has always been strong according to her . She felt like there was nothing that Lakshmi can't do !

" me ?
I didn't have time to think of rubbish .
All I did was tryina run away .
Maybe this kept me busy...
You can try it" Lakshmi said smirking to which Anu widened her eyes .

" you planned on running away ?" Anu asked with a shocked expression .

" well , what would you expect a 19 year old to do ?
Agree to play house house game with that old one ?" Lakshmi said flatly calling Arjun an 'old' man . Well he is old when compared to her and also the way he intimidated her on her engagement made sure to leave a very good impression......

" then what happened ?
You couldn't run away ?" Anu asked . Because she knew how Lakshmi handled stuff and she also knew that she knows more than just 'self protection and defences' . She thought that there was nothing she couldn't do !

" ah , that's my fate for being caught .
The first time my friend gave away to my mom when my mom lifted my phone and next time was when my dad planned to have a father-daughter talk with me but found me going down the ropes from the balcony" Lakshmi said sighing at her fate and imagining how her life would have been different if she had succeeded in escaping....
Would it have been better ?

Lakshmi retold all of those so called incidents to Anu which slowly made her to get loose her nerves . She keenly listened to lakshmi's escaping tragedies and laughed out imagining those incidents . Till the midnight , both of the girls talked and giggled listening to each other's life which has become nothing but stories which are a part of their life .
.
.
.
.
Lakshmi woke up early in the morning as the door bell rang again making her groan in frustration . All she wanted to do now was to take a bag and run away from this place . Go to a holiday spot far far away and sleep peacefully .
Well , all these can only be wishes .

She opened the main door and saw her mother bringing a makeup artist tailing behind her and another lady holding a huge bag . Lakshmi greeted her mother 'good morning' and then let them enter . She left her room for her mother and Anu while she shared a room with her kids to sleep beside them for another 30mins and then woke them all .

She rushed all of them to the washroom and then wrapped them in towels like dumplings , making sure that they don't catch cold .

All the kids sat on the bed quietly as they watched their mother who is pulling out clothes lazily . She then handed boys their clothes while helped the little ladies to get into their clothes and styled them up . These little ladies have more demands than their age.....
Then she patted little bit of gel to the boys hair so that it won't go messy .

She heard a knock on the door and Abhi went to open it . He saw his father and hugged his long leg . Arjun looked at Lakshmi who is pacing around the room while ordering her kids around and searching for the things .

Lakshmi too noticed Arjun and she didn't care about his presence . She couldn't ask him to leave , so all she could do is to avoid .

She requested the kids to go out , not that she has problem with them staying in the room when she is getting ready but because of the unwanted presence of the other person.

As soon as Arjun took the kids out, she slipped out of her dress and sank inside the warm water tub. After washing herself slowly for another 20 minutes , she got out of the washroom and changed into her clothes . She got out of the room and saw the kids no where to be found , assuming that Arjun must have taken them out, she entered her room in which Anu is getting ready.

Amala looked at her daughter who is looking gorgeous in the saree but too bland. She pulled her daughter and let the hairstylist work on her hair. As Anu's makeup was over, she was being helped to dress up and the makeup artist worked on Lakshmi. Though lakshmi didn't have mood but she can't say no to her mom .
By the way who doesn't like to look good?
When all they have to do is just sit in front of the mirror and become beautiful.

She didn't want to make it late for Anu ,so she took her jewelry box and left the room to get ready in the kid's room.

After making sure that she is presentable, she left the suite and went down to the reception. She met a few of her cousins along the way and they talked as they walked towards the venue with gaurds guiding them.

It was a 10 min walk but as soon as they reached the location, they were all flabgastered and 'amused' was written all over their face. Lakshmi was literally drooling with her mouth partially open.

How come Rahul managed to do something like this!
God! This is a dream of almost every girl!

Lakshmi felt happy and jealous at the same time. She doesn't even remember the decorations of her own wedding venue. Not to forget the thousands of guests plus elephants and those dance crew dancing around in her own wedding which looked more like a mess in her eyes.
She felt it was more like she was getting married in an exhibition than in function hall.

Now seeing this peaceful 500 guests wedding.... She can't describe how she is feeling right now.

Arjun who was standing along with Sanjay had noticed Alexander and Stepahno who were coming in their way. They have greeted each other formally but no one was ready to bow their heads to the other. Because each have their own leagues.

Anita and Amala talked with each other while Veer was hosting other company's representatives who approached him.

Phenolpe and Alphanso were talking with Antonio, Basheer and Xiao who came early in the morning to attend the wedding. Leaving Rose and fei'er to tag along with lakahmi's kids which more or less became the responsibility of Ibbu 'the big brother' of this minions gang.

Arjun kept an eye on his surroundings unknown to the person talking to him. As soon as he saw that one white saree cladded figure standing at the entrance of the venue, dumbstruck while looking all around with amusement in her eyes while still trying to hide it as much as possible.

She took away his breath.

She was in a simple white banarasi saree with pastel blouse, adorned with simple jewelry yet still looking divine....
A few of her wavy hairstrands moved softly along with her as she walked slowly looking around keenly.

It had been a long time since he saw her looking around like a kid.... He remembered the moments she stepped along with him in jet after they got married till the moment she stepped in their mansion. There was twinkle in her eyes then....
But now.... Those pure eyes has been contaminated with worldly emotions....
But he was comforted seeing that she has a little bit of herself remaining in her....

He looked around to see many eyes staring at her. He knew what thoughts they are having by just looking at their face.... He looked back at his wife.
Except for the time when they got married, he never saw her applying makeup again.... Though it was light but it accentuated her features and red bindi combined with that sultry red tint on her lips made her look more beautiful....

Lakshmi went to the front and saw her father sitting there in the front row while their relatives came , greeted him and left. She went and sat beside her father as her father turned to look at her.

His eyes beemed with a wide and pure smile on his face showing all his perfect teeth with love for his daughter. Lakshmi shied a little and smiled brightly at her father like a kid waiting to for her father's compliment.

" nanna! Say something! " lakshmi said knowing that her father is teasing her.

" my daughter looks the best! " he said making lakshmi smile at his choice of words for complimenting.
He was and is always the same....

Hari looked at his daughter's saree and smiled seeing how beautiful his daughter is in traditional clothing. He always likes to see her in such traditional clothes. Though his second daughter is a beautiful too but his first daughter always steals his little heart with her smile in a traditional dress.

These are something that he always keeps close to his heart and embed a memory of them....

Lakshmi held her Father's plam and compared her fingers with his subconsciously making Hari smile at her lovingly.

Arjun has already muted everyone around him as he noticed Lakshmi entering the venue till she sat beside her father. He noticed her smile, blush and little actions which spread warmth to almost everyone who has been meekly observing 'Mrs. Arjun' . Though there were some who had been balantly disgusted by her actions. Who cares???

Soon everyone settled down and lakshmi stayed back with her father not going to her designated seat for the Rajputs.

( play this song )

Soon a slow background music started and lakshmi turned around to look at bridal entrance of Anu in a red bridal saree coming under a phool chada .

Anu walked in slowly as she held her down and held the coconut along with leaves in palms of both her hands. Though she was nervous, a small smile played on her lips.... Because of how excited though nervous for the new life ahead.....

Rahul absent mindedly did the rituals while watching the lady walk towards him who will become his wife...
So many emotions were written on his face as he grinned at her.

The song made the ambience romantic but it was not the same for lakshmi.

She didn't know why her eyes started tearing up nor did she know that they have already trailed down her face. Everyone were so busy looking at the beautiful bride that none have noticed her.

Why was she crying?
She herself doesn't know...
Maybe she is crying for Anu....
Or maybe deep down inside her heart, those words of that song and the event (wedding) infront of her hurt her too much... Not that she hates this wedding... But it slowly started piercing her soul...

Once upon a time, she too had her dreams of her wedding.
She too had expectations of her married life.
She too wanted to smile happily and feel content with her life partner.
But....

She turned her head away to wipe away those hot tears streaming down her face . Anu sat down on the Mandap and Lakshmi's parents as well as Arjun's parents represented Anu and Rahul's family by doing all the rituals.

Lakshmi saw her father doing 'kanyadhan' ritual as lakshmi's body trembled and her heart pained too much. As if she was being married off, as if she was the one being send off. As if all of the past started playing once again. She saw her father smiling and she felt broken inside...

She really wanted to scream and yell at them to stop all these...

" maa " Lakshmi came out of her trance and looked at her daughter Neelu who is pulling her Saree.

Neelu looked at her mother whose face was filled with tears streaming down . Neelu felt like crying seeing how her strong mom who never cries, is now crying so much quitely.

Neelu hopped onto lakshmi's lap and patted her mother's cheeks softly. She pulled out a chocolate from her waist beneath the dhupatta.
" eat " she gave her mom who shook her head declining the chocolate with a smile on her face.

Lakshmi looked at her daughter as her daughter placed the chocolate somewhere underneath the dhupatta near the waist and then pulled out another flavour and then another flavour and then another brand and then a sweet covered in plastic cover.

Lakshmi looked at her daughter's little hands filled with food making her laugh and squeeze Neelu's cheeks hard.

" still how many are there? " lakshmi asked while laughing softly.
" I gave 3 to noor and 1 to Rose and 1 to fei'er " Neelu said as if asking her mother for reimbursement. As soon as Neelu's saw her mother pulling out a 200 rupee note from her skirt near waist, Neelu giggled grabbing it with her little hands and keeping it safely in her skirt like her mother.

Like mother like daughter.

Neelu left and lakshmi's mind stabilized as she watched the wedding. Though she was a little disturbed, she kept herself in check. She scolded herself internet for being a middle headed and letting the emotions take a toll on her.

Unknown to her, her daughter had already reached her brothers and complained about giving all her chocolates to her mother because her mother was crying and she had to make her mother happy. Listening to their little sister, the brothers were tensed for their mother as they gave some money to their sister and missed to see the smile on her face as they were still concerned for their mother.

As the wedding was over, all the people congragulated the couple over the stage. Lakshmi took in a deep breath and went for the family photo. After several clicks, Rahul held back lakshmi as he made her sit beside Anu and he stood behind both of them in the middle. What amused everyone was that he even took a single photo with her which pissed off Arjun .

Later Antonio and Stephano's family too came and took a group photo. Which made Lakshmi feel that the only white lotus in here is Anu who didn't even have an idea of whom she is taking a pic with.

Later Arjun's family too arrived and Lakshmi stayed back as she stood beside Arjun and the kids sprawled all over.

After a huge family photo with two families . The session came to an end. Lakshmi went off the stage after informing Anita ( Only just to give her face) .

Anu had nothing to cry for while she was leaving. She smiled as she touched the feet of lakshmi's parents with happy tears in her eyes and hugged lakshmi tightly while sniffing lightly and lakshmi rubbed her back.

Anu had nothing to cry for...
As she had none in this world who cared for her since long time...
Now that she has someone to rely on, she is happy... Very happy....
But the only one she is going to miss is her di. Who came to her like a ray of light in her darkest times and pulled her out of the hell hole.

If not her di
She wouldn't be able to escape
Nor find her love
Nor be able to be happy for the rest of her life...

Though Lakshmi might feel that she has done nothing much but her little step of rescuing Anu gave her a hope and changed her whole life for the better which she would remember for the rest of her life...

" don't forget that she is my little sister. " Rahul said from aside and lakshmi glared at him . Rather than consoling his wife, he is announcing their so called siblings relationship.

" we can shift to Rajputs mansion.
What do you say Arjun? " Rahul poked the already grumpy Arjun and Arjun frowned at the lady (Anu) who is always around lakshmi like a puppy and then at Rahul who is more close to his wife rather than her own husband.

" newly weds should enjoy " Arjun said in a ambiguous tone. Asking rahul to get lost. Lakshmi turned a deaf ear to them as she watched fei'er being bribed by Neelu with food.

Everyone were laughing and smiling. All were happy and lakshmi instantly felt gloomy. She watched as the newly weds left and then informed her father before leaving and asked her mother to take care of the kids as she walked towards the empty reception.

The sounds of her anklets reverberated the whole Floor as she entered the elevator. Once she was alone, she almsot fell off as she held on to the wall weekly. She felt as if she was drowning.
She felt angry, weak, sad, lost, gloomy and painful....

What was she struggling for here?
Is this what she wants in her life?
Where is she walking towards?
It feels soo dark....
For others she might be light...
But she herself knows that she is standing in a pool of blood with thorns around....
Sinking
Drowning....

Lakshmi walked towards her suite slowly with her back crouching.
As if she was meant to walk alone...

Arjun who was standing in the dark looked at her crying while walking slowly. Her muffled cries echoed in the floor as he was startled and stood a little far away from her. He wanted to reach her, mend her soul but he was too scared that she will walk away from her....
Atleast from the dark, he could stay with her in her pain...
But deep inside he knew that he was the reason for her pain...

He subconsiously ran towards her as he heard a 'thud' sound as she fell on to the floor while leaning on to the wall. But his steps halted as soon as he saw her getting up on her own and walked towards her suite and shut the door.

He stood infront of the door listening to her cries as she cried sitting on the floor and leaning on to the door on the other side.

A door away their pain.