Shubharambh

हे शुभारंभ हो शुभारंभ मंगल बेला आयी

सपनो की देहरी पे दिल की

बाजी रे शेहनाई शेहनाई शेहनाई

हे शुभारंभ हो शुभारंभ मंगल बेला आयी

सपनो की देहरी पे दिल की

बाजी रे शेहनाई शेहनाई शेहनाई

Author's POV

The pandal was already buzzing with people, colors, lights, and the sound of dhols when the big moment happened. The entrance curtains parted and then walked the families everyone knew.

The Mehras. The Shergills. The Solankis and the Voras. And the Roys.

And just like that, all heads turned. Conversations slowed down. It was almost like the spotlight had shifted only on them. The dhol beats grew louder, syncing with the swirl of lehengas and the shine of kurtas.

The aarti thaali had already been placed before Maa Durga.

The flames flickered, the conch blew, and suddenly the chaos outside melted into silence.

Everyone folded their hands, their faces bathed in golden light as chants of “Ambe Maa ki Jai!” filled the pandal.

After the Aarti

The pandit’s words lingered in the air

“Ab shubh shuruaat hogi Dandiyaa rass ki!”

One by one, the youngsters spotted each other.

Ananya twirled around, and there she was Arunika.

The two squealed so loudly half the pandal turned to look, before crashing into each other for a bone-crushing hug.

“You idiot! You didn’t even called me ever since you came back from LA !”

Arunika scolded, laughing through her words.

Ananya just smirked, “Areeyy yaarrr , leave it but you know I missed you moreeee!

They again hugged each other like that the only thing they needed

You know 90% of problems are sorted when you find the right female friend

Girls friendship is like the hot chocolate you need in the Cold winter days

[A/n Your author doesn't have that good experience when it comes to "female friendships"]

They clicked selfies and laughed like no one's troubling

Meanwhile, Prem spotted Kavish and Akarsh near the corner.

“Oh, look, the boring trio reunited,”

Kavish teased before pulling both of them into a guy-hug that looked more like a wrestling match.

Prem rolled his eyes, but the smile tugging at his lips gave him away.

Akarsh just shook his head, mumbling, “Some things never change.”

Across the pandal, Ishaan Shergill’s grin split wide when he saw Ruaan bounding towards him. “Bhaiii!”

Ishaan yelled before they clapped hands, hugged, and started laughing so hard people thought they were already tipsy.

“Ready to cause chaos?” Ruaan asked. “Always,” Ishaan winked.

And then Kiana and Nisha.

Their eyes met, and instantly, both girls broke into matching smiles.

“Finally, I met you in person!” Kiana exclaimed, hugging Nisha tight. “Yes after all this endless video calls and late night chats ! You know what It's literally destiny I met you online through gc aur now in person , I still can't believe You are real!" Kiana exclaimed & Nisha giggled...

Okay okay stop the chitchat now & let's play garba

The pandal was no longer just about lights and devotion it had turned into a reunion ground of hearts and bonds.

As the kids laughed and hugged, the elders began their rounds of greetings. Business partners, investors, family friends it was like watching a live networking gala wrapped in tradition.

Vikram Shergill and Vidyut Mehra shook hands firmly, their eyes shining with mutual respect.

“Finally, meeting outside boardrooms,” Vikram said, smiling. Vidyut chuckled,

“Yes, tonight Maa Durga is hosting us instead of contracts.”

Priti Roy and Veena Vora exchanged pleasantries, while Krish was already bragging about a deal to Viraj Solanki.

Everything was flowing politely, calmly… until

Namrata Mehra turned, to introduce herself to the Shergills, when her eyes landed on Anuradha Shergill.

She froze. Her eyes widened. And then, out of nowhere

“O Radha, teri chunri!” Namrata screamed, her voice echoing across the pandal.

Everyone’s jaws dropped. The music faltered. Even the dhol guy stopped mid-beat.

Anuradha blinked, gasped and screamed back, “O Radha, tera jhala!”

And before anyone could process, the two women rushed into each other’s arms, hugging like schoolgirls reunited after decades.

The entire pandal stood in stunned silence. The kids stared, jaws hanging. Vidyut and Vikram exchanged confused glances.

Prem whispered to Ishaan,

“Wait,what’s happening?”

“Mujhe thodi pata hoga ,Ishaan replied, while receiving a slap on his head from prem

Tears streamed down both women’s eyes as they pulled back, laughing and crying all at once.

Namrata held Anuradha’s hands tight. “You… you’re Radha! My Radha from school!”

“And you’re my Namu!” Anuradha squealed, shaking her head in disbelief.

“I can’t believe this! All these years, and we meet here!”

The pandal erupted in claps and laughter.

Ishaan dramatically placed a hand on his heart, “Maa Durga truly brings people together.” Ananya said,

“This feels like one of those Karan Johar movies ,Arunika replied "

The two women were still lost in their bubble, holding hands and catching up, while the men looked on, amused but secretly touched.

And just like that, the Garba night had gotten its first twist a reunion no one had expected.

After the initial drama settled, the women naturally gravitated towards one corner, like moths to a flame.

Veena Vora, Priti Roy, Shreya Solanki, Anuradha Shergill, and Namrata Mehra sat together, their sarees forming a riot of colors peach, turquoise, blush pink, royal blue, and emerald green all sparkling under the fairy lights.

“Can you believe this?” Namrata laughed, still dabbing her tears,

“I met my childhood best friend today, and it feels like we’re back in school.”

Anuradha playfully nudged her.

“Don’t expose all my secrets here, these ladies might think I'm not innocent.”

Shreya chuckled,

“Oh please, we already know you’re not. The way Ishaan behaves, no doubt he got it from you.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Veena added, “True, and these kids of our friends, frenemies, and what not but they keep the drama alive.”

Priti nodded, adjusting her dupatta, her eyes twinkling.

“But somewhere, it feels nice, na? That they’re all connected. At least, we get to bond like this. All those business dinners and meetings were so formal. Here… it feels like family.”

For a moment, the laughter softened into warmth, five women realizing they weren’t just tied by business or social circles they were part of something much bigger, a web of friendships and bonds that stretched across families.

On the other side of the pandal, it was a different story. Vikram Shergill, Vidyut Mehra, Viraj Solanki, Krish Vora, and Anil Roy stood in a huddle, kurtas perfectly crisp, voices low but animated.

“The Shergill-Mehra project is officially sealed,”

Vikram said, a rare grin breaking across his face.

Vidyut nodded,

“It’s going to be massive. Years of planning, and finally it’s rolling.”

Viraj added, “And don’t forget, Solanki-Vora-Roy are very much in. It’s practically a partnership empire now.”

Krish smirked, “Exactly. Tonight, it’s not just Navratri it’s a double celebration.”

Anil, ever the serious one, finally allowed himself a small smile. “Then let’s make it official. Once this garba wraps up, we’ll host a party. A proper one.”

“Agreed,” Vikram said, raising an imaginary toast with his glass of thandai. “Tonight, we celebrate both Maa Durga and success.”

The men exchanged satisfied looks, the kind of look only businessmen share when they know the future is about to change.

And while the parents bonded in their own worlds gossips and business the kids were about to set the pandal on fire with their own chaos.

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

Hello readers🌷

I wanted to write more about couples so here tis is a short chapter next chapter will include all the couples first meeting and the choas it caused

Firstly Main yeh nhi likhne wali thi the above things in the chapter but it was important for the flow of the story .... I'll try to upload the next chapter today itself !! Till then enjoy reading this

And I won't tell you guys to votes cause it's not that good if you liked it then like and commen