"A holy union of two souls irrespective of any gender, cast, creed or the rituals imposed by the society is called marriage."

~•~•~•~•~

~*~ Oberoi Mansion ~*~

Ethereal.. Would be the only word to justly express the beauty of the back garden of Oberoi Mansion. Numerous blue and pink fairy lights were hung in air like canopies of blue and pink stars. The trees were wrapped in pink see through curtains, their pleats highlighted by blue neon lights. At the center, there was a cute little mandap which was decked in white and golden theme. Thin golden curtains were bordered with various type of fresh white flowers, their aroma filled the chilly night breeze. At the center of the mandap, the holy fire was dancing in high crests. The members of Oberoi family and some close relatives were there to attend the ceremony, along with the grand comeback of Priyanka and Ranveer. Richa and Mukesh too came running after a long wait in desperate worry.

No pre-wedding rituals were done, thus Gauri had the same antique ring in her ring finger, which she was wearing for almost six years. The guests, who knew only of Omkara and Riddhima's marriage, were finally breathing in relief that Omkara will have his own family after a long wait. Being a very small and private ceremony, RiKara wedding had no hustle bustle at all. The priest was babbling mantras calmly and finally he called for the groom.

Omkara entered the garden donning a white sherwani with golden embroidery, paired with golden churidar. A white turban was wrapped around his head and his long hair cascaded down his neck swiftly. A golden dupatta encircled his shoulder and upper body elegantly, and rested on his forearm. Though the senior citizens of Oberoi family were not happy with the wedding, they stood by the mandap like expressionless clowns. Smiling at them, Omkara sat beside the fire and started the rituals.

After sometime, the bride was send for. All eyes, along with Omkara's, glued to the entrance of the garden as Gauri entered, glowing in rosy pink due to the red chunri held over her head, Priyanka, Ranveer, Richa and Mukesh held the four corners of it and proceeded along with her.

She was walking slowly with a straight face. Her chocolatey brown hair was twisted and braided stylishly at her crown. A maangteeka ran between her parted hair. From behind the bridge of her hair, ran down a transparent golden veil, thickly embroidered in gold. Her blouse was off shoulder with full sleeves. The golden net base was filled with intricately embroidered golden roses. The skirt was of golden silk, a heavily floral embroidered gold net covered the base skirt and tailed behind her as the long trains of gowns. Two heavy earrings with trains swayed by her face, a heavy necklace of semi precious stones clasped her neck and a big nose ring was dangling over her wine red lips, her cheeks were tinted in ginger red and her eyes were sparkling in golden glitters brushed over her eyelids.

Rikara too entered skipping, holding her mother's hand. After seeing the long train of her mother's outfit, she also hooked a beautiful puffy red off shoulder gown, whose bodice was fitted and the lower part was ruffled like petals of rose. The front part was short, and ended just above her knees, and the back was long, tailing behind her. Omkara had bought her two diamond earrings and a bracelet which perfectly complemented her dress, two cute flowery flip-flops were slapping against her heels.

Omkara forgot breath as he stood up and walked at the entrance of the mandap, staring unblinkingly at the queenly beauty elegantly walking over the thick layer of rose petals that Shivaay and Rudra were throwing before her feet. He forwarded his hand towards her in a trance and she took it. He helped her adjusting her attire after sitting down.

As the wedding ritual started, Gauri started walking back in time. She was super nervous for the wedding, because, the experience of her previous wedding was a scary scratch on her memories.

When they were asked to take rounds of the holy fire, Gauri mentally mumbled,
Omkaraji, I'm wedding you because I want those three months of the previous wedding back;
I had known the inner you well, as I guess so, and I want you to become like that;
Rikara needs you as a father, none else;
You have enchanted me so intensely that I can't even think of someone else apart you;
You always asked for a chance, and now I'm giving you a second chance. If you fail, you'll lose me forever;
I don't know if you will remember your past ever, but I'll not let that shadow our relation;
Finally, I've always dreamt of having a family like this, so I'll become selfish and take this risk.

After they were done with the rituals, the marriage registrar came up to make them sign the thick register and they were finally declared as husband and wife, both ritually and legally.

Rikara, who was skipping around the mandap with Ansh and some other kids, stood before Omkara, who was now grinning widely at the camera, standing with the guests.

'Papa', Rikara put her hands on her hips when everyone looked at her surprised, except Gauri and Omkara who were beaming in contentment, 'I can call you Papa from now, right?'

'Of course you can, my princess!', Omkara picked her up in his arms and pecked her forehead. The cameraman didn't waste a second and clicked a beautiful photograph.

'Famiyyi photwo', Ansh pulled everyone excitedly and the Oberois stood centering RiKara, with Rikara in Omkara's lap, on his left was Rudra, Bhavya, Ruvyan, Tej, Svetlana and Grandmother. On Gauri's right, there were Shivaay, Anika, Ansh, Shakti and Pinky. Behind the seated couple, stood Priyanka and Ranveer.

'Say cheese..!', the grinned widely, not caring if they meant it or not.

***** (while reading this part, please play the song 'humein tumse pyaar kitna')

'Anika aunty', Rikara pouted, 'Why can't I sleep with mumma and papa tonight?'

'Rikara, my child, you're a big girl now. Big girls don't sleep with her parents, and tonight they will be very busy, they will leave for a trip tomorrow, right?  You'll not be able to sleep, and we should let them alone so that they can spend some special time, okay? Now, be a good girl and sleep with your big brother', Bhavya pushed both Rikara and Ansh towards their room.

Gauri was roaming in the beautifully decorated room, Omkara's bedroom. Different scented candles and floating candles glowed the room in a soft light. The candles lightened inside the red glass candle stands emitted a soft red glow, creating a maze of reds in different intensities, due to the patterns etched on the glass holders.

Pulling open the closet, she took out some of his comfy clothes to add in the trolley bag. When she was struggling to zip the bag, he extended his hand from behind and zipped it up, leaving a trail of hot breath along her neck.

'Thank you', he squeaked amusedly.

Gauri turned at him, her back facing the bed, 'I don't want you to whine for your night wears, neither I want to lend you my t-shirts'.

'Voluntary service, eh?', he put the bag away and pulled open the turban, letting his wild lion mane free. Wrecking a bold stroke through his hair, he encircled his arms around her waist, lightly kissing her forehead, 'We need rest for our journey tomorrow, go, change in something comfy',

'But',

He raised his eyebrow cockily, 'What but? Do you want me to change them?', he tugged at her veil, smirking.

'Pricking asshole!', she swatted his hand away and stormed in the closet.
Changing in a lacy creme coloured long nightwear, she nearly bumped into him.

'Well, well, well, I think someone is in teasing mood today', he ran his heated fingers down her left cheek, breathing heat over her lips.

He pressed a button of the remote in his hand and soon music started to play.

Humein tumse pyaar kitna
Yeh hum nahi jaante
Magaar jee nahi sakte
Tumhare bina..

He snaked his hold around her thin waist and she encircled her arms around his neck, as they swayed swiftly along the slow trance of music.  His turbulent black oceans sipped her molten golden caramel, bright in yellowish light of the candles.

Suna gham judaai ka
Uthate hai log
Jaane zindagi kaise
Bitate hai log..

Din bhi yaahan toh lage
Baras ke samaan

Humein intezaar kitna
Yeh hum nahi jaante
Magar jee nahi sakte
Tumhaare bina..

'Gauri, I'm feeling so complete today yet I don't want to mark you to prove my point.. But I owe you a wedding gift for sure', he leaned in and his lips crashed on her slightly parted ones, making them close their eyes in ecstasy as they sighed and moaned against each other's lips.

Tumhe koi aur dekhe
Toh jalta hai dil
Badi mushkilon se phir
Sambhalta hai dil

Kya kya jatan karte hain
Tumhe kya pata..

Yeh dil bekaraar kitna
Yeh hum nahi jaante
Magar jee nahi sakte
Tumhaare bina..

Humhe tumse pyaar...

A loud thunder plunged upon the trembling earth outside, tearing off the purple clouds that suddenly gathered on the night sky, but that didn't disturb the newly wedded couple, who were busy in each other's warmth, seeking and worshipping their sweetnesses, lost in the intoxicating aroma of the candles which melted down in the intense fire of passion.

~*~ The End ~*~

😭😭😭
Oh my God!! This journey has ended!! I will miss my babies terribly..
Pls, pls, pls, continue to show my babies your love.. Recommend it to your friends, share it..🙏 read it again if you aren't already bored..

✨ I just came to know.. My babies has set a big foot..
TFINDO➡ 20k+
FFYAOA➡ 10k+
Puppy eyes.. Pls continue showering your love✨

I've already planned an EPILOGUE.. And after some days I will publish my new book..

His (secret) Maiden In Shining Armour

Well, its not a comedy.. Its a historical fiction casting RiKara.. And for the comedy, I need to work more on it.. Sorry😢
And, well, happy reading!

~ With love,
Sarani.