jhanviyashvardhans

[jhanviyashvardhans]

jabse pade tere kadam, chalne lagi duniya meri - one shot

She’d never pretended she was perfect. Jhanvi Yashvardhan had made mistakes when she was younger. One such mistake had been so grave in her parents; eyes that she hadn’t even been able to rectify it on her own. They hadn’t given her the chance. As soon as the pregnancy test turned positive and her mother found out—Jhanvi had been swept off to Europe. She’d given birth to her beautiful baby boy, and fought to see his face before he’d been so ruthlessly snatched from her.

Neil. That’s the name she’d chosen, told the nurses when they asked. But then her mother came in, overruling her wishes. One of the most traumatic moments of her life. When she’d reached the level of power she wielded, Jhanvi had searched for her son. Not wanting to disrupt his life, not wanting to share her truth with him. No—she’d just wanted to make sure he was okay. He had been safe, for years—until his adoptive parents were in a car accident. She’d abandoned Neil once, how could she do it again? Jhanvi Yashvardhan may have been known around Kingston as the Ice Queen, but she had a heart that beat for those she loved. 

Having the conversation with Ben hadn’t been easy, of course not. This was her soulmate and now she’d had to confess to him that she’d had a child before, a child she’d been forced to abandon. But he’d stood by her, allowing her to figure out how to reveal this truth to her parents once more. Neil was older now, years had passed since she’d given him up and so she’d hoped—foolishly— that her mother would’ve mellowed out slightly. After all, she’d accepted Kajal and Devraj’s marriage and brought Ben happily into the family. Was this too much to hope for?

Her mother’s harsh tone was what pulled her from her thoughts. “Maa—he has no one left, and what we did—it wasn’t right.” she tried to explain, desperate for the woman who’d birthed her to understand that pain, the anguish Jhanvi had gone through for so many years, unable to share that with anyone else.

Ben spoke up then and Jhanvi’s gaze flickered over to him, before settling back on Neil. Her hand reaching for his, gripping it tightly, reassuring him silently that she wasn’t going to let anyone take him away again. Not when she had her husband’s support.

The very support her mother was questioning now. 

Handle this? Her mother wanted to handle this again? Jhanvi wouldn’t let her. Not this time. Before she could say anything though, Neil spoke up and her heart lurched. But she hadn’t even had a chance to cope with her reaction. The way her mother attacked in such a visceral way had her recoil in disappointment and a tinge of anger that she’d never felt before.

How dare her mother speak to her son that way? How dare her mother speak to her own grandchild in that manner? This was the first grandchild of their family and his rights had been snatched away from the moment he’d come into the world. 

Jhanvi was ready at this moment to attack, to tell her mother that she couldn’t treat people like this, least of all a child. But before her voice was heard—another came to her defence.

Ben.

Benjamin Carlisle, the very man she’d doubted all those years ago for not having the backbone to speak up and fight when he needed to. That’s exactly what he was doing today and this time—he was doing it for her.

She looked up, partially in shock, and partially in awe as he spoke in that level tone to her mother, telling her exactly what Jhanvi would’ve wanted to say. Hearing him say that Neil wasn’t going anywhere was reassuring but more than that, it was the way he was standing up to a woman who until very recently had still terrified the man.

Jhanvi knew her face must’ve reflected her surprise and gratitude as she continued looking on at the man she’d married. The man who had chosen her when he had the perfect life already. Ben could’ve written her off as a mistake very easily and continued down the path laid out for him. But he’d diverted and that diversion had allowed them to come together.

When he told them to say good night and leave, Jhanvi glanced over at Neil who looked terrified to move and she gently tugged his hand, giving him a reassuring smile before nodding so that he’d get up with her. “I know this conversation is far from over. But you need to respect my decision, my child and my husband. You can’t bulldoze over every decision in my life anymore and quite frankly, I never should’ve let you.” She spoke in a softer tone before watching as her son folded his hands in respect before he hurried out of the living room, followed by both Jhanvi and Ben. 

Her hand instantly reached for his, desperate for contact with the man who’d given her the strength, not only today but since they met to not tolerate her mother’s demands and decisions anymore.

Jhanvi Yashvardhan may have made a couple mistakes in her past but standing tall now was Jhanvi Yashvardhan-Carlisle and she’d made the best decision in her life when she’d married him—she just hoped, with all her heart, that he knew it too.

@bencarlisle

[jhanviyashvardhans]

He really was becoming more and more like her family day by day and Jhanvi was not at all opposed to it. A grin was on her face when he asked if she felt some satisfaction at seeing that entire crowd at their wedding actually happy for them when so many of them had been so against their union in the first place. "Of course I feel a lot of satisfaction, just thinking about all of them with their doubts finally getting to see us make it," because they definitely did make it. Jhanvi knew in her heart of hearts that this was it. Sure he'd been married before but this was going to be it for them both. This was their forever type of love and she couldn't wait to spend the rest of her life with him. She kissed him back eagerly, leaning into his body, allowing him to feel every inch of her until they were interrupted which had her sighing as she caught sight of his grumpy look.

She was ushered back to her old bedroom once again where she got dressed. in her perfect lehenga and watched as slowly the females of her family trickled in for some moments with her. She was happy of course and just so ecstatic that she enjoyed these moments thoroughly, laughing with her girls and just silently wondering how on earth she got this lucky to have the best family by her side for such a pivotal life moment.

"I know what you mean... Tell me you don't feel at least the smallest tinge of satisfaction seeing all those people sit there and be happy for us." Maybe it was a part of him that felt petty about the fact that so many of their guests were at one point or another against the couple being together. Ben just knew that he felt like every decision up until this point was somehow validated today. They had made the right choice and nobody's disapproval or rejection was going to stop them from being happy. He gave his wife another kiss, but was interrupted soon after by their wedding planner and her team of associates who directed them this way and that to prepare for the second ceremony. Ben looked over his shoulder at Jhanvi with a grumpy look, but smiled inevitably before he was rushed off. She looked beautiful in that dress, but he knew she would look radiant in her traditional bridal attire.

[jhanviyashvardhans]

She could see his siblings behind him looking incredibly happy for him, and his parents in the front looking proud as well and for Jhanvi that meant the world. She knew the doubts everyone had regarding them. How it was purely a physical relationship, maybe they were just attracted to one another and that was it. Not to mention she was always touted as the homewrecker but none of those people knew their truth. None of them had been in the relationship as it began and none of them were the ones who were going to see it through the way Jhanvi and Ben did here today. She heard his words, loving the way that last name sounded to her and let out a wide dimpled smile before taking his hand, eager to make their walk down the aisle, bubbles wafting in the air all around them as they made their way into the main house.

As soon as they'd managed to get inside and watched as their wedding planner hurried to direct her staff for whatever things had to happen next--Jhanvi for once was not eager to take control. She was still reeling from the fact that not only was she in a stunning wedding dress but she was married to the man she'd loved for so long. "I can't believe we--just got married," she said with a happy grin before turning to look at him. "It feels like forever in the making, don't you think?" She knew they still had their Hindu ceremony to get through and honestly she could not wait to see her man, her husband decked out in a proper dulha outfit.

This was it. There was no going back now. He wasn't necessarily thinking that for himself. It was more for the others who ever doubted their love and commitment to one another. Ben felt like they had accomplished something huge today as a couple by finally making it to this point. His wedding ring gleamed in the afternoon sunlight, reminding Ben that this was indeed real and that he could enjoy this moment and cherish it for what it was instead of worrying like he did every step of the way. There had been so many hurdles for them to overcome that being able to hold her and kiss her as her husband in front of family and friends meant the world to him. "I love you too Mrs. Carlisle... so so much." The happy faces and the enthusiastic outpouring of support only showed him that they were right. The people that mattered would come around and see that their love was true and unending.

[jhanviyashvardhans]

Jhanvi may have come across as a very independent woman and she was to an extent but that didn't mean there wasn't a part of her that didn't give credit and value her family just as much. She was who she was because of the Yashvardhan name and the people it brought into her life. Even now as she stood there up at the altar, she could see the look of happiness on her parent's face and knew that was something she had been coveting for so long; approval for her relationship with this incredible man in front of her. She hadn't missed the way he'd looked back out at the crowd, a warning look in his eyes--absolutely fitting for the son-in-law of the Yashvardhan clan. It was enough to have her show off her dimpled smile before she looked back at the man she was marrying today. As he slipped the ring on her finger, she kept her gaze on his--loving just how perfect this entire moment was. She repeated the gesture, the words from the officiant being repeated as well before he grabbed her for their first kiss as man and wife and let out a little squeal as she leaned into him. "I love you," she whispered when they both finally broke apart, after loads of hooting and cheering from their crowd.

Ben knew that the both of them carried a lot of baggage and that not everyone was on board with their relationship initially. His eyes flickered past Jhanvi for a second if only to look upon Kiran and the way she beamed for joy. It wasn't that his bond with the younger Yashvardhan daughter had suddenly healed. No, it was more so that she was just so happy to see her sister finally getting the happiness she deserved. While Ben knew he had a lot of faults, he also knew he loved Jhanvi like no one else could. He wasn't going to let her go, that much was certain. The ceremony went as well as they could have hoped, but even Ben had his worries that someone would interrupt or object at their union when the time came for the officiant to ask. His eyes scanned the crowd in an uncharacteristic look of warning, wondering if any of those initial nay-sayers would have the gall to pipe up today. Thankfully none did and Ben slipped the wedding band onto his bride's finger. When their officiant finally announced jubilantly, "I now pronounce you husband and wife" Ben grinned so hard that his cheeks hurt. He couldn't even wait for them to give him permission to kiss his bride. Ben grabbed and went in for a deep kiss.

[jhanviyashvardhans]

She had been determined not to cry, not to let any tears out but it was impossible. Not only was it so meaningful to see her entire family there supporting her when once each member had warned her against this relationship, but then--she'd seen him looking at her in a way that not only warmed her heart but truly filled her with a feeling of happiness that Jhanvi would swear she'd never felt before. Watching her father give Ben a hug and also pat his shoulder before looking back at Jhanvi, she felt the moment of pride shoot through her. Once her father stepped back, she took the moment to really look at the man in front of her and it was like every single person around them truly faded away. All she could see--was him.

She handed her bouquet to her younger sister quickly before turning back to look at the man who she was pledging her entire life to and felt incredibly lucky and blessed to have everyone who supported them present there in that moment. She knew their road had been tough and a lot of their guests present had expressed disappointment or resentment at their union but each and every person had come around and come to see how they brought out the best in one another. Most of the ceremony was a blur, Jhanvi too busy staring at her ridiculously handsome almost husband until they were asked to place their rings on one another.

It felt like an eternity that he was standing there waiting for Jhanvi to finally join him. A glimmer of hope finally appeared when their bridal party began processing down the aisle. One by one, the beautiful couples made their way towards him before separating and taking their respective sides of the altar. He took a deep breath as he happened to glance at Kiran. They were once not quite on the same page regarding his relationship with her older sister, but today she stood there happy for the couple. It meant a lot to Ben that she accepted the role of maid of honor. It meant she truly accepted him as family. Finally came the moment he’d been waiting impatiently for. 

The crowd of guests stood and the music swelled and finally he got to lay his eyes upon his bride. She made her way towards him with that signature dimpled smile, Ben’s gaze transfixed upon her as she walked towards him. Jhanvi looked like a dream, leaving Ben to wonder how he’d managed to get so lucky. His eyes began to blur with tears, leaving him to swipe quickly at them with the palm of his hand. When she was finally before him, Ben took her hand from her father, his eyes still glimmering with appreciation and gratefulness with the way her family seemed to accept him at every turn.

[jhanviyashvardhans]

Jhanvi had been standing with her father listening to the music piece they'd picked out together for the pianist to play as the different members of the bridal party made their way down to the altar. She'd had the lovely ladies of her household to be there standing with her (even Kajal who she'd forbidden from actually doing any standing, she was a bridesmaid in name only). And when the moment came for her to walk with her father, she glanced at him and quickly leaned up to give him a soft kiss to his cheek. "Thank you Papa, for being here and supporting every decision I've made." Jhanvi knew that her father was an emotional man and to see him dab at his eyes with a handkerchief had been perfectly on point as they both got ready to make their way down to the altar. Jhanvi's eyes were on Ben and only Ben as she saw him from that far distance. A bright dimpled smile on her face as she began her walk towards the man she loved, and the future she couldn't wait to embark on with him by her side. As soon as they got close enough, she watched as her father held out her hand to the other man, symbolizing that he was handing his one prized possession over and for a moment Jhanvi felt overcome with her own sense of emotion, the few stray tears slipping from her eyes as she watched the two most important men in her world embrace as well.

Ben wasn't expecting anything in return, but Ishaani came back a few minutes later with a box. Ben couldn't help, but be a little curious as to what was inside. He laughed at the socks, the mug, and some of the other things in there, but Ben did pop a couple of the mints in his mouth. He stuffed the small container in his suit pocket for later. His father came in, brushing off some imaginary dust on Ben's shoulder as he smiled at his son. "You ready to head out there?" Benjamin could only grin in response because he had been ready for this moment for way too long. Even as he stood out there at the beautifully decorated altar with their friends and family present, Ben's heart raced in anticipation of that first glance he would get of his beautiful bride.

[jhanviyashvardhans]

My Dear Jhanvi,

We did it. We made it. After all the pain and doubt and the trials we were put through, we’re finally here on our wedding day. You have stood by me in my darkest hour and loved me when there was no certainty that things were ever going to go our way. I know you don’t ask for it, but you need to know that I am filled with gratitude for the selfless manner in which you love me. 

I am going to live every day letting you know you just how much I love and cherish you. I am so excited to be Mr. Ben Yashvardhan, husband of Jhanvi Yashvardhan. (I know you were probably getting teary at that first part so I had to add a little something so you’d show off those ADORABLE dimples of yours.) 

Your something borrowed, something old, and something new were all taken care, I know… But I let everyone know that I was going to be the one to give you your “something blue”. I can’t wait to see you wearing it when you walk down the aisle later today.

Yours Forever,

Ben

When Ishaani walked in with this gift—Jhanvi honestly didn’t know what to expect. Of course somewhere she’d had a feeling that Benjamin was going to bring tradition into their civil wedding and she wanted that as well, especially after sitting down with Grandma Carlisle and hearing her wish for Jhanvi to have her something old from her; diamond earrings that were currently in her ears. But before that, she didn’t know if she was going to go all out but then if she was going to be wearing a proper dress—why not add all the fun traditions to their day?

She pulled at the card first, needing a moment to read it to herself and even as she did—she felt those pesky tears forming in her eyes. However luckily the cameraman was there and he captured her expression and emotions on his memory card. She was tearing up at the words he’d said because only Ben and she knew what they’d both gone through to get to this point and for him to appreciate her love and to call it selfless, it was more than she’d anticipated. Loving him had so quickly become a part of her daily life—a necessity just like breathing that she hardly even realized it.

His words at becoming Mr. Ben Yashvardhan did have her giggle softly, rolling her eyes at him calling her dimples adorable but she could hardly be upset. It was quickly replaced with another emotion—one of awe as she read his words and smiled wide, loving that he was going to give her a part of her forever special wedding tradition.

Jhanvi pulled the box from the bag Ishaani brought with her and gently opened it, a gasp of delight falling from her lips as soon as she caught sight of the beautiful hair comb. It was stunning and it would go so well, not only with his grandma’s diamond earrings, but also the lovely singular diamond necklace she was wearing which was borrowed from her mother. She could not wait to have it in her hair, finishing off her look and showing him just how happy he made her. “Can someone…help me get this in my hair,” she said—her voice heavy with emotion now, “my fiancé and soon to be husband would like me to wear his special gift.”

[jhanviyashvardhans]

Marrying Benjamin Carlisle was not something Jhanvi had ever thought possible. She'd always thought after her first failed engagement that perhaps marriage wasn't on the cards for her. Her life was so different than others that it was hard for anyone to accept her and the family that came with her. But not for Ben, he'd seen her since the beginning and through their friendship--everything else had grown as well. He'd seen her, and her family and he accepted who she was with no room for compromise. Jhanvi had thought about opting for an Indian outfit in white for their civil ceremony but how many chances did one get to wear a quintessential wedding dress? Not many. So instead she'd gone shopping with his mother, wanting to get an outfit she approved of and was currently standing in this absolutely exquisite dress, just putting the finishing touches on a certain box she'd been preparing for her future husband. She had thought about gifting it to him before their Hindu ceremony since that would be much longer but decided against it as she wanted this to be before they saw each other. She'd just closed the lid on the box when she heard a knock and called for the person to come in. Her room currently had the photographer with her, and the videographer, Kiran of course and Laila but she'd told Kajal to keep sitting down, not wanting her to take any stress at this point in her pregnancy. Ishaani finally came in through the door with a gift bag which had Jhanvi truly beaming at this point. "Is it from him? Will you be a doll and take him something back from me too?" She moved away from the counter so Ishaani could see the box, "it's this box, but I'm getting giddy..I had no idea he was planning something like this."

It was finally the big wedding day, the morning reserved for the civil ceremony, followed by a traditional Hindu wedding, and then their big wedding reception in the evening. Ben was just happy to finally be marrying the woman he loved. His tuxedo fit like a glove, everything was was going smoothly, and he was surrounded by all the people that he and his Jhanvi loved on this special day. What more could he ask for? There was a knock at the door just as Dev was helping him with his boutonniere. Ishaani peeked in, covering her eyes as if worried that any of their were indecent. "Ishu, everyone's dressed. You're good." Jhanvi's younger cousin dropped her hand and stepped inside. "Why was I summoned?" "Because I want you to give your cousin something from me before the wedding ceremony. Just a sec..." He let Dev finish his work before fetching the gift he'd bought Jhanvi weeks ago on a secret shopping excursion with her brothers. "Can you give this to her please? And make sure she gets the note okay?"

[jhanviyashvardhans]

Jhanvi's face was covered in the yellow paste but seeing Laila coming at her--she knew this was probably the lesser amount than she'd have coming from the other woman. And sure enough--she had it all over her face yet again, but thankfully not on her hair. "I could," she challenged back even though she really shouldn't have since Laila had been generous enough. When Rohit and Kiran came up, Jhanvi was grinning at her youngest sibling, knowing if she felt like it she'd go all out or she'd be decent. Clearly today was more of the latter which meant both she and Ben weren't dripping with haldi--at least not yet. It was more fun for Jhanvi to see Ben and Rohit's bond because clearly the grin on Rohit's face told everyone he was going to have some fun. But he instead decided to dip her fingers in the paste and lift up Ben's kurta--and rubbed some along his abdomen. "Got to make sure it all matches your face, or else Jhanvi di is going to have second thoughts, right di?" She simply shook her head because the truth was that she didn't even think the haldi was that effective and more than anything it was just fun. Others came up and gave them some more until they were both left there waiting for the buckets of water to help them get somewhat clean before they headed into the house to fully get all the paste off.

Laila reached for Jhanvi’s face, slapping her two hands upon both of the other woman’s cheeks and rubbing the smooth haldi into her skin. “Bitch, I’d like to see you try, but for the sake of your pictures… I will spare your hair.” Ben watched as Rohit and Kiran approached them next, the man wincing as Kiran reached for his face. Thankfully for him, she didn’t try anything funny, simply swiping some of the haldi on his already yellow arms and backing away to do the same to her older sister. Rohit took his turn after her, Ben relaxing since it was someone he could trust. They had become good friends over the course of the last year or so. Jhanvi and her family really weren’t kidding when they said things were going to get messy today, but hey, at least they were going to be glowing for their wedding day.

[jhanviyashvardhans]

ben

Ben winced and cringed, albeit playfully, with every smear and slather of the haldi paste. “Yeah, you know what,” he dipped his own hand into the pot of gold and wiped it clean on Dev’s face. “There we go… Nice and covered. Gotta make up for lost time and all.” Devraj laughed and backed away so his wife could have a turn. Ben didn’t dare retaliate with her, not when it would seem like he was attacking a small fluffy animal. Kajal was too pure for this world and Ben always wondered how she ended up with someone like Devraj, but they were perfect together. “Oh fuck,” he muttered, almost getting out of his seat altogether as Krish and Laila stepped up or their turn. They didn’t hold back, Laila going as far as massaging the paste into his hair. “I didn’t realize I needed my hair turning yellow too, guys.”

Jhanvi had tried to hide the laugh that was threatening to escape her when she caught the look on Devraj’s face when Ben smeared the haldi across but then her brother laughed and Jhanvi let out her own laugh because it was nice to be this comfortable with her brother and her to-be husband because truly--that had been all she wanted for so long. She watched as Krish and Laila came up to them and while she wasn’t afraid, she just knew the two of them were going to go far and Jhanvi could only watch as Laila sat there as if she was massaging the other’s head when it was covered now in yellow paste. She caught sight of the woman turning to her and shook her head, “you touch my hair...I burn your house down,” she warned her younger brother and his wife before digging into the paste herself with both hands and swiping them across their cheeks, “looking good you guys.” she grinned before seeing Kiran and Rohit behind the current two and was that--Ishaani and was she standing between Ben’s brother and that other man who always seemed to hang around her? This was going to be intense; luckily...the ceremony was almost over. 

[jhanviyashvardhans]

ben

Ben was mentally prepared, but he knew his family was not quite there yet. Whether he was grateful for that or not, he wasn’t quite sure yet. His siblings were no less mischievous than the Yashvardhans and he knew that with everyone getting so chummy over the last week or so that it only meant they would be more than willing to play along in any shenanigans Jhanvi’s family had in store. Still, he was glad that had the chance to get back at any family member who took it too far. “Alright…” he sighed, taking his seat beside her. “Bring it on.” It all started rather tame, the elders acting with poise as they only smeared a customary amount upon their cheeks or hands. It was when Dev approached them that he began to worry. To his surprise even the older Yashvardan brother didn’t take it too far, but he did clap his messy hand upon Ben’s shoulder as he posed for a picture. “I’m only holding back because the twins said they got it covered for now, but I might come back around for more.” 

The smile on her face did not dim for even a moment and Jhanvi wondered if her jaw would be hurting by the end of the ceremony because she absolutely could not stop smiling and laughing whenever someone got a little too much haldi on either of them. The elders were good about it, just doing a little for the sake of it but when she caught sight of her brother, Jhanvi was almost sure she was going to get the entire bowl dropped on her head. Luckily though Devraj kept it dignified which had her only curious to know what was actually being planned. “The twins? You’re going to let them attack us? What happened to solidarity with me? Tum toh mere sabse acche bhai ho na? I thought you’d protect me,” Jhanvi teased before dipping her palm in the paste and covering his cheeks and stubble. “That...was because you stripped us all of getting to do this with you and Kajal.” She watched as the woman in question came by and dipped her hand also in the paste before rubbing it on Ben’s ears, chuckling as the heckling came from behind, “who’s going to check his ears?” But when she approached Jhanvi she put a little on the woman’s nose and smiled. “Aap laga sakhti hain zyaada di, I know ke humari shaadi ke time pe yeh sab miss kiya hoga aap sabne, humne bhi...miss kiya tha sabke saath, lekin ab...” Jhanvi didn’t let her finish her thoughts before smearing some of it on the woman’s cheek, “you don’t even need the haldi Kajal, tum already se itni khoobsurat ho.” But the moment of peace was gone as soon as she’d spotted both Krishna and Laila coming towards them together which had her only glancing at Ben and wondering if they should have some haldi in their hands to retaliate right away--or not. 

[jhanviyashvardhans]

ben

Even though the two of them had made their peace with one another, Ben and Kiran were still very much okay with giving each other a hard time. They were officially going to be family in a couple days anyway and Benjamin wouldn’t have it any other way. Someone had to be there to keep her from floating off to la la land. “Jesus fucking Christ, I thought she’d never leave,” he joked, winking at Jhanvi before she kissed him. When she pulled back, he leaned in for another, deepening the kiss this time around and lingering upon her lips. “Damn… We better get downstairs before they start jumping to very real and very probable conclusions.” He took her mehendi covered hand and gave it a kiss before leading her outside where their guests were waiting for them.

Jhanvi could still remember the day she’d met this man and the thoughts that had been going through her mind. How foolish she’d been to think he wasn’t capable of doing everything he’d set out to do. He’d done all of that...and more and she’d been right there watching him do it. Now of course the circumstances were extremely different and yet she couldn’t be more grateful for the path that brought them here. “Stop,” she muttered before leaning in to kiss him, the kiss had been short and she hadn’t expected him to pull her back for another one but this one had her feeling those very permanent butterflies that seem to be fluttering around whenever the man kissed her like that was all he intended to do for the rest of his life. “Good idea because if we don’t stop...we’re not going to look half as put together when I’m done with you,” she whispered before feeling him take her hand and lead her outside. The haldi event, just like the mehendi from the night before was packed with all their friends and family and very quickly she spotted Ben’s family and headed over to them, eager to fill them in on what today would consist of.  “And so whenever they call you--free free to put as much of that paste on our skin...obviously more on Ben because well it’ll be more fun that way,” she chuckled before shrugging, “just don’t forget--we get a chance to retaliate as well, so keep that in mind.” 

[jhanviyashvardhans]

ben

He smiled. As long as she was happy with how he looked, Ben was happy. Her opinion was really the only one that mattered anyway. “I’m pretty sure if all the rumors about this stuff are true then I’m gonna be a walking talking lightbulb by the time they’re done with me today. The guests are going to need their sunglasses to protect themselves from the glare of all my… glowiness.” He placed his hand, palm side upon her own so she could look at that design that had stained beautifully in the middle. The dark ink contrasted even more so against his white skin. “What’s it they say?” he questioned suggestively, “If it comes out dark then my wife really loves me?” He leaned in for a kiss, but was interrupted by someone very purposefully clearing their throat. “Really Kiran?” “If you’re done being a perv, we’re all waiting for you guys downstairs.”

Jhanvi could not help the laugh that escaped her at his words before nodding, “we’re all going to need the sunglasses at that point,” she chuckled before leaning her head head against his shoulder. How crazy was it that she was being open and carefree with someone, someone who wasn’t family in the blood sense of the word. Jhanvi had stopped believing that this type of relationship was even possible for someone like her and yet here she was with the man she loved the most in the world, getting ready for yet another pre-wedding ceremony. “I think that’s what they say, but really Mr. Carlisle...as if there was any doubt on the matter,” she was about to lean in as well, not desperate but definitely craving that feeling that seemed to run through her every single time they got close. But of course her sister had to interrupt. “We’ll be there soon, tum jao...aur darwaza baand karke jaana,” Jhanvi watched as her sister shut the door behind her and allowed them privacy for yet another moment which had her leaning in properly before her lips touched his, allowing the kiss to be chaste and quick, enough to remind him that yes--she did love him immensely and could not wait to be his wife. 

[jhanviyashvardhans]

ben

_____

NEXT DAY

Ben had been prepped about today a few times over by different family members as they assured him things were going to get messy. When he asked why they smeared haldi all over the bride and groom, all he got in return was that it made them glow. Ben glanced at himself in the mirror, the yellow kurta he had on only making him look paler somehow. As if he needed anything to make him fairer, but it only meant being one day closer to marrying the woman he loved so he didn’t mind getting a little messy. “You sure I don’t look too much like a sunflower in this?” he asked his fiancée, the tall woman looking radiant in the outfit she had chosen for herself. It was hard to give the clothes all the credit. She always looked beautiful regardless of what she had on (or didn’t).

Jhanvi had put a lot of thought in each and every outfit she picked for the various ceremonies. Once Benjamin had convinced her of having a big wedding--she’d gone all out, her dreams were about to come true. She had picked a beautiful yellow lengha for this day in particular. She knew it would be raised up so people could put the paste on her legs but she wouldn’t be complaining if the outfit got ruined--that was what it was for. She glanced at her fiancé and gave him a bright smile, “you look gorgeous babe, and besides--in a few moments your face is going to be covered in that paste so it won’t even matter,” she said these words aloud before inching closer to him, her voice quiet. “I promise it’ll be well worth it.” They would be allowed to go missing for a bit to get cleaned up she presumed and besides...the Yashvardhan estate was massive surely they wouldn’t be that easily caught together. “Let me see your mehendi,” she held out her own decked out hands, not allowing him to stare long enough to find his name but enough so he could see the darkened color it had taken on. 

[jhanviyashvardhans]

ben

Ben looked at the front and back of his hand, rather enjoying the sight of the simple design and their initials entwined. He took a quick picture of it before he forgot and the temporary tattoo faded. The idea of having a tattoo of their initials in this style somewhere was too good to pass up. At least this way he could show a tattoo artist a picture of the original so they could potentially recreate it some day. “Okay… Got it. Wait, cloves?” “It makes the color darker,” Laila chimed in, clearly amused at his confusion. “I thought her love was supposed to do that?” he shot back jokingly, turning back as he heard Rohit call his name. The other man waved him over. “Sorry ladies. If you’ll excuse me…” He went in for a kiss before letting his lips land on Jhanvi’s cheek in chaste fashion. “See you later, alligator.”

She could see him staring at the mehendi on his hand and wondered if he found it strange but then she saw him pull out his phone and take a picture which had her relaxing once more. While she never expected him to be this ope and accepting of her and the culture she represented--it was a pleasant surprise to see. She was about to speak up when Laila interjected for her and his response had her laughing before she sighed when she saw Rohit gesturing him to come over to where all the men were hanging out. It made sense for them to be separate but at the same time--she liked having him close by. It felt comforting in a way that Jhanvi had never really felt before. She watched as he leaned in for a kiss before pouting when he kissed her cheek, “no one was watching,” she mumbled before sighing and waving her mehendi covered hand in his direction. “So...ab kya hone wala hai?” She glanced at the ladies of her family around her, wondering just what was up their sleeves. 

[jhanviyashvardhans]

ben

Ben sat patiently, watching with interest as he let the artist work on the simple and somehow still intricate design on the center of his palm. The first few swipes of henna felt cold against his skin, the wet paste forming thin and exact curves and lines as she did her thing. Ben hadn’t had this done before, but he could see how easy it was to get tired or suddenly feel the urge to itch your nose now that your hands were out of commission. He missed the teasing comment, Ben was brought back by the laughter and Jhanvi’s annoyed facial expressions. “What’s wrong?” he asked, smiling, “They teasing you? Welcome to my world.” The artist worked fast, finishing his design with one final swish of their cone before they sat upright again. Benjamin looked down at the middle of his hand and nodded with a satisfied smile. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”

She watched Ben sitting patiently while as she had her drink given to her by Laila and sipped on it slowly. “I never would’ve expected you to want to get this done,” she told him with a grin before chuckling at Ben’s words and nodding, “they are...it’s very mean of them,” she grinned before gently resting her head against his. She could pretend and say that she’d dreamt of this moment happening in the future but the truth was--it was so farfetched of an idea even when she and Benjamin were friends that she hadn’t ever wondered what it might be like. So Jhanvi couldn’t even say she was living her best dream right now because this was so much more than a dream. “It looks so good,” she commented, thanking the artist with a bright smile before watching as one of her other family members sat down and took his place. “So now you let it dry and then you come back over to this side to get this mixture put on it, along with standing over a stove to heat the mehendi with a pan that has cloves in it.” Jhanvi told him, wondering at which point he was going to think that she sounded ridiculous and decide that he wouldn’t do either of those steps. 

[jhanviyashvardhans]

Yashvardhan Ladies