or should I say absolutely no make-up. Why should he arrange for a make-up artist then?

He stood for a moment analyzing my face with his hands on his waist. Deciding on my best look, he glanced around while reaching for the things he required and started braiding my hair. "Were you jealous of that hair dresser just because he is a male?" I tried to mock at him but he remained unperturbed. "Think whatever you want Baby girl, I am least affected. I don't want any man to touch you even if it is for plaiting your hair." He confirms without feeling even a glint of contrite for his envy.

*****

Soon the priest recited the prayers of the wedding. We performed the marriage rites taking rounds around the holy fire holding each other's hand. Ajit locked the mangalsutra around the neck and smeared the sindhoor on my forehead making me his. We are pronounced as husband and wife to the world. The blissful moment brought shrills down my spine and I couldn't stop smiling.

As the night followed, we had our marriage reception and exchanged the rings. After some time the guests dispersed. Rhea and mom congratulated us and we bade farewell to them after the party.

Today is the happiest day of my life. I am now the wife of Ajit Arihant Acharya, the sexy and the most wanted bachelor but not anymore, because now..... he is mine.

Mangalsutra is a black beads chain used as a symbol of matrimony according to lndian custom.
Sunshine is the Red powder smeared on the forehead of the bride which symbolises her as been married.

Chapter 34

Adaah

I stand in front of the dressing mirror cleaning my face with some wet wipes. My eyes look at the reflection of sindhoor on my forehead and my hands involuntarily reach the mangalsutra locked on my neck. I am his wife now. I recall the blissful moment of our marriage with an impregnable smile.

Ajit comes to the bedroom and hugs me from behind looking at the reflection of both of us in the mirror. He wipes the little bit of sindhoor that fell on my face. His hands cupped my face lovingly as he examined my face with his guarding eyes. "You look so beautiful with the black beads chain around your neck my little wife." He stressed the last three words feeling bliss. "You are now mine, completely mine." He whispered to himself hugging me tight in exultation of the moment. After a few seconds he pulls away and says in an affectionate voice "come on, get ready. We are going out. Put on something comfortable as the journey would take us more than two hours."

"Where are we going?" I ask him out of curiosity. He smiles and pulls my cheek. "Well, that is a surprise for you, Baby girl." He tells me in an endearment. I put on a simple cotton pink chudidaar. My hair was let loose in curls on my back. He tugs on my hand and brings me to the car parked outside. The journey was in a comfortable silence with just the radio playing some beautiful romantic tunes.

After a drive of almost two hours we reach the foothills of a forest surrounded by long deep tress. I looked around and all the four sides of us were surrounded by greenery. We parked the car and trekked more towards the forest. As we passed further into the forest, all the wild tress cleared and we were welcomed by an enticing lush green garden on either side.

It was embellished with roses of different varieties followed by daisies, lilies and other types of different flowers. In the midst was a small wooden house. So beautiful I thought looking at it in wonder. An old woman probably in her sixties came out of the house and greeted us. She spoke something to Ajit and left the house immediately.

"Come" Ajit ushered me inside in an almost inaudible tone by putting a hand on my lower back. I stepped inside and gaped looking at the beauty of the house. It is compact and at the same time surprisingly very comfortable. There is a medium sized living room with two bedrooms on both sides and a small kitchen. In the entrance was a small portico.

I was silently admiring the beauty of the house in a reverie. Ajit's voice followed from behind. "This has been our family house since my grandfather's time. We used to spend our summer vacation here along with our parents and grandparents whenever we used to take a trip off from India."

I laid my head on his shoulder enjoying the serenity of the atmosphere. He circled his hand around my shoulder and spoke to me in a daze. "Little girl, I want us to celebrate our nuptials night at this place. I feel the blessings of my dad and my grandparents here."

After a few moments of peaceful silence he speaks in his velvety soft voice. "Are you feeling hungry, baby girl? I can prepare something for you if you want." I shook my head and looked around in the room. There were some family photographs in the living room. Some were of his parents as I could recognise his mom in them. "Come inside." He interlocked our fingers and took me inside one of the bedrooms.

He went to the closet and took out a gift box wrapped in a silver shiny paper with a bow on it. "This is for you. Put this dress on. I will be waiting for you here." His voice was soft and romantic. Words fell short to describe the happiness. I was in blissfulness for having such a loving man as my life partner. I took the gift thanking him and went inside the washroom to have a quick shower.

I cleaned myself and opened a gift wrap. There was a pink satin night wear inside the box.