Chapter 5: Pehchaan Ka Pal (The Moment of Realization)

The wedding preparations were moving ahead in full swing at both houses. Reet and Abbeer had already participated in their first ceremony, and while the idea of getting married still felt unreal, they had slowly started accepting it - mainly out of respect and concern for their parents.

----
her father was on the phone again.

"Haan, Malhotra ji. Card de diya printer ko. Dono ke naam confirm kar diye hain - Abbeer aur Reet. Aaj raat tak 200 cards mil jayenge."

---

Meanwhile, his dad was on the phone in the corridor.

"Haan Rathod ji, wohi design finalize hua hai card ka. Delivery shaam tak ho jayegi. Dono ke naam likh diye hain - Reet aur Abbeer. Padh ke toh bahut pyaara lag raha tha."

---

Evening - Wedding Card Reveal

At both houses, family members gathered around as the wedding cards were delivered.

Reet's mom handed her the card.

"Dekho beta, tumhara card aagaya."

Reet took it nervously. Her heart skipped a beat as she read the names:

> Reet Rathod weds Abbeer Malhotra

"Abbeer Malhotra...?" she whispered. She felt she'd heard that name before... somewhere. But couldn't place the face.

---

In the Malhotra house, Abbeer too received the card.

His eyes stopped at one name.

> Reet Rathod

He blinked. "Reet?" he whispered under his breath. Wasn't that the name of that girl in his class? The one who always sat near the window?

But he shook his head. "Nahi, coincidence bhi ho sakta hai. Naam same hone ka matlab yeh thodi ki wahi ladki ho."

----

Parents Talking Secretly (In Hindi)

Reet ke papa (on phone):
"Abhi tak bachchon ne kuch nahi kaha. Dono confused hain, lekin shaadi ke liye ready ho gaye hain."

Abbeer ke papa:
"Bas shaadi ke din tak yeh suspense bana rahe. Jab mandap mein ek doosre ko dekhenge na, tab asli surprise milega."

---

Meanwhile, Friends from School Call

Preet (Reet's friend):
"Reet! Tum sach mein shaadi kar rahi ho? Kitni jaldi? Kis se? Bata na please!"

Reet:
"Bas... sab kuch jaldi ho gaya Preet. Mujhe khud bhi nahi pata kis se ho rahi hai."

Preet (shocked):
"Matlab tumhare parents ne naam bhi nahi bataya?!"

Reet:
"Bas card aaya hai. Naam toh Abbeer hai. Par... koi yaad nahi aa raha."

At the same time, Abbeer was texting his classmate:

Classmate:
"Oye Abbeer! Tera naam toh kisi shaadi ke card pe dekha mainne! Tu seriously shaadi kar raha hai?"

Abbeer:
"Lagta toh hai. Par guess what... ladki ka naam hai Reet. Mujhe lagta hai main kisi Reet ko jaanta hoon. Par shayad sirf naam ka milna hai."

---

And so the ceremonies continued. Both houses full of music, lights, dhol, and the buzz of guests.
But in the hearts of Reet and Abbeer, one question remained:

"Kya main usi se shaadi karne jaa raha hoon, jise main jaanta hoon... ya sab kuch ek ajnabee se shuru hoga?"

-----

The wedding day had arrived. The house was bustling with sounds of laughter, dhol beats, and the smell of mehendi and fresh flowers. Both families were glowing with excitement. But amidst all the celebration, two hearts were still wrapped in confusion.

---

At Reet's House

Reet sat in front of the mirror, surrounded by makeup artists and her cousins.

"Thoda aur blush lagao, dulhan aur bhi khilni chahiye!" one cousin said excitedly.

The makeup artist smiled, carefully adjusting Reet's heavy dupatta and applying the final touches. Reet, dressed in a gorgeous maroon and gold lehenga, looked like royalty - but her face showed nervousness, not joy.

She whispered to herself,
"Kya sach mein main aaj shaadi karne ja rahi hoon? Jise dekha bhi nahi, jise jaanti bhi nahi..."

---

At Abbeer's House

Abbeer stood in front of the mirror while his cousins teased and helped him wear his golden sherwani and matching safa (turban).

"Bhai, dulhan ko dekhte hi fida ho jaana!" one cousin laughed.

Abbeer forced a smile, adjusting his collar.
"Mujhe toh ab tak yeh bhi nahi pata ki dulhan hai kaun..."

They all laughed and clicked a few selfies before heading to the wedding venue.

---

The Wedding Venue

Decorated with golden lights, flowers, and sparkling drapes, the venue looked like a scene out of a royal dream. Guests had arrived. The music played in the background. The mandap was ready.

Abbeer stood on the stage, trying to stay calm as camera flashes surrounded him. His parents stood beside him, smiling proudly.

---

The Bride's Entry

Everyone turned their heads as the music changed. The bride was arriving.

Reet walked slowly down the aisle, her face covered with a veil (ghunghat), her hands slightly trembling as she held her bouquet. Her cousins walked beside her, throwing flower petals.

Abbeer watched silently, his face unreadable.

As she reached the stage, he gently extended his hand.

She placed her hand in his - a soft touch full of unspoken nervousness.

He helped her climb the stage, and they both sat down in front of the pundit ji, ready for the ceremony.

---

The Wedding Rituals

The rituals began - chanting, mantras, garlands exchanged, the sacred fire lit, and the pheras taken. Everything felt like a blur for both Reet and Abbeer.

Their minds were spinning with questions, but they had no answers.

Finally, the moment came.

Pundit ji:
"Ab dulhe raja, dulhan ka ghunghat uthaiye."

Everyone leaned in with excitement.

Abbeer slowly lifted Reet's veil.

Time froze.

Their eyes met.

Shock.

Abbeer's eyes widened. Reet's lips parted slightly in disbelief.

"Tum?!" they both almost said aloud but couldn't.

It was Reet Rathod, his classmate.

It was Abbeer Malhotra, her silent crush.

They stared at each other, eyes filled not with love - but confusion, disbelief, and questions.

They knew each other - but they didn't know this.

---

And amidst the music and celebration, their minds were racing:

> "How... how is this possible?"

> "Why didn't I know it was him?"

> "What now?"

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Thank you so much for reading.
Sorry if you had any inconvenience while reading 😔
Wait for next chapter.