The party was still buzzing. Nikolai carried Lily (Mihu). "It hurts a lot, right Bambi?" he said, putting her down on the table. She giggled at him, blushing deeply.
"Nikki?" she whispered.
He bent down and placed her feet on his lap, taking the first aid kit. She looked at him with full love in her blue eyes. Once he finished bandaging her toes, he kissed both her feet together. He stood up.
"H…H…Hi n..n…Nikki," Lilith (Mahira) said shyly.
"Hey Bambi," Nikolai said.
"Nikki is very very H…H…Handsome," she admitted while playing with her skirt. He smirked.
"Really?" he teased.
She nodded shyly. Lily saw her aunt.
"Auntie T…T…Tammy!" she exclaimed.
"I know. Bambi, do you forgive Tamanna?" he asked. She nodded.
"Good girl," he praised. She leaned forward and kissed him lovingly. He smiled into the kiss. She held his scarf as his hands wrapped around her waist. He lifted her in his arms but stopped when he heard footsteps.
"Shhhh," he whispered, pretending to still be checking her toe.
"Mihu, are you okay?" Zafraan asked as her brothers walked toward them. She giggled and nodded. Nikolai rubbed the back of his neck.
"Come on, let's go," Aarav said, holding her hand as she walked with him back downstairs. Nikolai licked his lips and followed behind them.
Downstairs, Bhairavi was speaking to the guests as they congratulated her.
"It's time for the exchange of rings," Riyana announced as the girls took Lilith (Mahira), still wearing her dress from the dance. They seated her. Arina took pictures. Ethan stood beside her.
"I would love to see you in a bridal dress. You look beautiful in this," Ethan said as he slipped his hand under her orange veil. She wore an orange net saree. She blushed and winked at him. He smiled.
Nikolai sat beside his tiny wife. As Sohan presented the rings, they already had their wedding rings on their right hands. Nikolai took the ring and slipped it onto her left hand. Everyone clapped.
A man in the crowd was burning with anger. He left in a rage. Lily (Mihu) took the iron-round diamond ring and placed it on his huge finger. More clapping. She giggled happily.
It was late. Lily (Mihu) was asleep with the women, and Nikolai was also asleep.
Meanwhile…
Crash!
"UGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" the man screamed, breaking his room and everything in the house.
"Calm down!" his father said as guards held him back. He was very, very strong.
"She was meant to be with me! Why didn't you tell Maa about the marriage proposal?" he shouted.
"She is already married to that Russian Mafia. He married her. She is still mentally unstable. Didn't you see how in love he is with her!?" his father said.
"I don't care. Tomorrow, tell her. Tell Bhairavi to call this drama 'wedding' or else I will kidnap her myself and marry her," he shouted. "I didn't even get to take a huge dowry from them. The Muards… your son would have gotten half the position in the Obsidian trail and been Sohan's son-in-law. But this is unfortunate luck."
His mother adjusted her veil angrily. "If you don't want to help me, then tomorrow I will do it myself."
He walked out of the house and drove to a club where men and women got drunk all night, loud music blasting everywhere.
"Hey bro!" his friend greeted, handing him a bottle. He drank half.
"I heard the Gem is in Kolkata. It's the grand India wedding," his friend said.
"She is mine. I will destroy this wedding," the man said, sniffling cocaine and rubbing his nose.
"She is already married. Do you know that the man she married is Nikolai Devereaux? The most dangerous Russian Mafia, even more than Sohan," his friend warned.
"Let her go, bro. I know it because of the group and half the position in the group," he said again.
"So what? Yes, I want those—and her. She is extremely beautiful and mentally unstable. Maybe he married her for the position and pity. I will get her and make her my toy," he said.
"Well, it was nice knowing you, bro. It's your funeral," his friend said as dancers approached him, rubbing his chest. He kissed one of them passionately and took her to a room. He was an arrogant, disrespectful man as the dancers moaned loudly.
In the morning, Ishaan was arranging dresses for Tamanna and the kids as she slept all day.
"Tammy, wake up. It's morning," Ishaan said.
"Hmmm…" she replied, turning as her hair fell across her face. He sat on the bed and brushed her hair back.
"Utho meri khoobsurat (Wake up, beautiful)," Ishaan whispered. Tamanna, 27, opened her eyes to see him close—nose to nose. She gasped and moved back, sitting on the bed.
"S…sorry," she whispered.
"It's fine, love," he said, wearing a vest.
The door opened. Sohan entered, holding his tiny happy daughter's hand.
Flashback:
"B…Baba, is Tammy here for Lily's wedding?" the tiny girl asked.
"No, baby. I don't know where she is," Sohan said.
"C…can she come pretty please?" Lily(Mihu) asked shyly.
"S…s…she's sorry. Baba, do you m…m…miss her too?" Lilith (Mahira) asked.
"Yes, baby. I promise to bring her to stay for your wedding and take her back home," Sohan promised. She nodded happily.
Flashback ends.
Lilith (Mahira) hugged Tamanna.
"I am very sorry, Lilith," she said, crying. But the innocent girl just giggled.
"Mihu, go back to sleep now. You have another dance later," Sohan said.
"Bye-bye, Tammy!" she ran down the halls. Tamanna lowered her head.
"I will get you food," Ishaan said as he left.
Sohan sat on the bed Tammy why did you follow Chhaya orders? Sohan said why rubbing her hair nobody cared about me dad never showed love towards me they always push me away no matter how much I try to make them proud they only see the bad and worse part of me in everyone eyes I am always the disappointment that day I was the class topper I got first class I happily ran to Dad to show him only for me to hear him saying I am not worthy of being in his will that I don't make him proud so he gave You and Elena he has always been proud of you and the other To Heck with his will and Heck with all of you I hated my life Ishaan slept with me after that bastard may his soul Keep Rotting in Hell drugged me every single night I get beaten insulted Miserably by everyone Then Chhaya and her group help me I kill him burned his body alive she told me what to do and also about The Gem position Right now I feel like ending this unfortunate life of mine i ignore both Vanya and Trinetra because vanya thought she was an legitimate daughter looking at her made me more upset and Trinetra I was beaten and forced on bed all my kids I thought it was all love maybe they will be made with love but those nights all beating insults strip drugged drunk I am a very very tremble mother I should Give myself a silent death Tamanna said Shut up Sohan said pulling her into a tight hug as she cried in his arms he also cry.
Sohan pulled her into a tight hug as she cried in his arms. He also cried. Vanya, Tory, and Trinetra overheard them. Vanya, shy and sensitive, wiped her tears. Trinetra hugged her softly, kissing her forehead.
By 7:30 PM, the party was going on.
The man came with his family: Moksh, his father Mr. Agarwal, and mother Mrs. Zyla. They had three boys—Aghor, Utkarsh—and one girl, Myra. As they walked in, people buzzed. Bloggers, nobles, respected families, celebrities—all were present.
Lilith (Mahira) wore an icy white multicolor patchwork Chaniya Choli with silver-blue and soft pastel tones, delicate mirror work, crystal-like jewelry, and a flowing white dupatta—cold, elegant, and queen-like. Nikolai wore a white long kurta with short sleeves, his hair tied back. Lily (Mihu) wore red anklets.
As the trumpet blew, Bhairavi's veil came down. Lily (Mihu) as Farhan beat the drums:
Song Performance: Dholida
Dholida dholida dholida (The drum echoes the night. Lilith Mahira and Bhairavi step forward. The courtyard trembles with anticipation)
Dholida dhol dhimo dhimo vagad ma dhimo vagaad ma (Play the drum slowly. Let the rhythm build. They begin with heavy controlled steps, signature Gangubai style)
Radhiyadi raatdi no joje rang jaay na (Let the color of this festive night never fade)
Dholida dhol dhimo dhimo vagad ma dhimo vagaad ma (Bhairavi stomps her feet. Lilith spins, locking the crowd)
Radhiyadi raatdi no joje rang jaay na (Let this night's magic never disappear)
Dhruje na dharni to ramjhat kahevay na ramjhat kahevay na (If the earth doesn't tremble, it's not a true celebration)
Radhiyadi raatdi no joje rang jaay na (Let this night remain forever colorful)
Dhruje na dharni to ramjhat kahevay na ramjhat kahevay na (Lilith lifts her chin commanding attention. Bhairavi mirrors her every move)
Radhiyadi raatdi no joje rang jaay na (No one can break the spell of their presence)
Dholida dholida dholida (The beat intensifies. The courtyard fills with ghungroos and dancers' power)
Dholida dhol dhimo dhimo vagad ma dhimo vagaad ma dhimo vagaad ma dhimo vagaad ma (Step, clap, turn, step, clap. Lilith and Bhairavi move as one)
Chamakanti chaal maane ghughri dhamkar (Her sparkling walk echoes with anklet thunder)
Nepurna naad sathe tadiyo na taal (The rhythm of anklets matches clapping beats)
Chamakanti chaal maane ghughri dhamkar (Bhairavi responds with sharper spins)
Nepurna naad sathe tadiyo na taal (Lilith spins back with controlled fire)
Garbama ghumta maane koithi pahochay na koithi pahochay na (No one can match them in the Garba circle)
Radhiyadi raatdino joje rang jaay na (Let the night's magic never fade)
Sode shangar saji avani par aaj (Dressed in full beauty, she descends upon the earth today)
Ramvane ras aavya albeli maat (The divine feminine arrives to revel in joy)
Sode shangar saji avani par aaj (Bhairavi steps beside Lilith, never behind, never beneath)
Ramvane ras aavya albeli maat (Both move together, synchronized power, storm, and fire)
Nirkhu nirkhune maru manadu dharay na manadu dharay na (My heart cannot stay steady when I look again and again)
Radhiyadi raatdino joje rang jaay na (They spin together, storm and grace in every step)
Vankadiya vad shobhe ghana (Her curly hair enhances her beauty)
Mogarani venima champa be char (Flowers decorate her braid)
Aachhi aachhi odhanima rup manu may na rup manu may na (Her beauty cannot be hidden even beneath her veil)
Radhiyadi raatdino joje rang jaay na (Every movement commands awe)
Umtya sau lok aaj gabbarna gokh (All people gather in the courtyard today)
Moti verana ruda chakarna chok (The grand square shines with energy and movement)
Vinu vinu ne mari chhabadima may na chhabadima may na (I cannot contain all this within myself)
Radhiyadi raatdino joje rang jaay na (The drumbeat intensifies, hearts race)
Dhruje na dharni to ramjhat kahevay na ramjhat kahevay na (If the earth doesn't shake, it's not a true celebration)
Radhiyadi raatdi no joje rang jaay na (Lilith and Bhairavi accelerate spins, claps, and stomps)
Dhruje na dharni to ramjhat kahevay na ramjhat kahevay na (Two storms moving as one, dominating the circle)
Radhiyadi raatdi no joje rang jaay na (Let this night never lose its color)
Dholida dholida dholida (The courtyard bows their heads. The crowd submits. The night belongs to the queens)
Dholida dhol dhimo dhimo vagad ma dhimo vagaad ma dhimo vagaad ma dhimo vagaad ma (Their ghungroos echo a rhythm that is law, that is legend)
Lilith (Mahira) and Bhairavi sang together, their voices rising with the drum. The circle shook. The night became eternal. Everyone clapped.
Nikolai smiled at his tiny wife, noticing her feet were bleeding. He saw Leonid drop the box on the table. Everyone sat talking.
Bhairavi: "That was an amazing performance."
Mr. Agarwal: "Greetings."
Mrs. Zyla said coldly: "You promised to get The Gem married to my son. Now you're getting her married to a foreigner? This is betrayal."
first I never made that promise Zyla I said if she is interested in your son she will get married to him when they were kids they played together you brough that idea not me so Mind your tone and Yes the Gem is Happily Married I believe you know her condition she has been married over a year and half now He got married to her nobody knew he took her away and treats her well besides your son here is otherwise a lot which you don't even know due too much pampering and spoil too all the clubs and dancers know him I want him because I saw how much you spoke of him and saw a few things but Sohan he is her father he made his own research I wanted to stop this wedding but when her brothers and father checked him I don't want your Son Near the Gem of the Muard Empire she is the Queen of the Mafia kingdom his kingdom didn't you seen they white wedding 2 weeks ago he loves her a lot Don't you dare hurt or go close to her I will Destroy you your son Samjhe(Do you understand)? Bhairavi said as men moved forward Sohan arms behind They greeted him yesterday your son Slept with 4 dancers in the club and even told his friends about my group my gem You dare think of using my Baby as a toy and Housewife!? Sohan said angrily as Nikolai was done cleaning the blood on his tiny wife toes and kissed her feets some women were burning with jealousy while some took cute pictures of the couples Get Out Now only your father and his kids will be present for the wedding not your mother and you Take them away Sohan said no wait he didn't mean to please forgive him! Mrs Zyla said as they took them away Forgive me Bhairavi Mr agarwal said it not your fault it hers for being a greedy woman Bhairavi said enjoy the party children she said as they touched her feet she blessed them
Bhairavi calmly explained everything, reminding her of The Gem's condition and how Nikolai cared for her deeply. Sohan warned Mrs. Zyla against harming or approaching Lilith.
The confrontation ended with Mrs. Zyla being taken away. Bhairavi blessed the children and oversaw the Ganesh Puja and Tilak Ceremony.
After four hours, the party was over. Cars were ready for the men and Nikolai's family. The women stayed. Nikolai hugged Lilith (Mahira).
"I…I… I love you, N…Nikki," she said with tears.
"I love you so much, Bambi," he replied, kissing her slowly.
"I…i… Is teddy he h…h…help s…s…sleep?" she asked.
"Thank you, love," Nikolai said, taking her hand downstairs and kissing her cheeks.
"Bye, brother!" Meghna waved as they drove off. Nikolai's hands shook in the car.
"Calm down, brother. It's okay. You'll see her again during the music ceremony and main wedding," Taran (Massiom) reassured him. He nodded, wiping his eyes as the women prepared for the Haldi Ceremony, the turmeric ceremony.