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Chapter dedicate to ThakurAksharaSingh
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Aditya's Pov
"You okay?" Concerned I asked my wife, who looked lost, aimlessly gazing outside the car.
We had left the venue after the vidai and other customary rituals, and now moving towards our home, to start a new journey of our life, together.
My mind kept drifting back to the scene I witnessed a few minutes ago, and the ounce of helplessness I've felt today, at that moment, I've never experienced in my life up until now.
Seeing the woman of my life crying, silently yet uncontrollably, cocooned in her family's arms, spending her last few minutes with them, had made my heart wrench in helplessness, and the scene imprinted in my mind.
I couldn't forget those silent whispers her mom lovingly uttered in her ears, Dad's discreet way of wiping away the lone tear that escaped his eye hugging his daughter without getting caught by her, bhaiya and bhabhi's tight warm hug and forehead kisses, and avyukth's innocent crylike face even though not knowing anything, had made my heart enveloped with incomparable unspeakable emotions.
I felt guilty for taking her away from her family, as well as helpless for not knowing how to console anyone out there, especially her.
But I felt grateful at the same time, that how beautifully a woman and her family accepts this newfound relation in their lives, and most importantly, a sudden respect for the courage these women show to change everything that relates to them, be it their surname, or city, or their aspirations, in just a matter of one night.
"Yeah." She whispered, her voice tired, trying her best to pass an assuring smile at me.
Unaware of how to make her feel better, I just palmed her hand in mine, caressing the back of her palm into slow and soft strokes with my thumb.
This might have soothed her as she kept looking at our entwined hands unblinkingly.
"You know how stupid you are Isha. Just let me reach home, you are up for some serious scolding!" Kunal's annoyed voice fell into my ears, as he drove the car, simultaneously glaring at Isha murderously, who sat beside him at the front seat.
Pouting, she replied, "Bhaiyaa, bas na yaar, pleaasee. You are scolding me for the past one hour." She peered innocently at Kunal, almost ready to cry,
"Bhaiya bhabhi see na, just say something, tell him to stop being so grumpy." She glanced at us, turning a little, her eyes hopeful.
"Kunal, leave it now. Vaise bhi everyone was having fun there, this way or that the shagun was meant to be given to them. So relax." I said to Kunal, trying to convince him. He can be too angry at times, that too unreasonably.
Silently huffing, he replied, "Fine. But you.." he admonished Isha, "Stop being so lost every time. And for God's sake, come out of your clothes and fashion for some time. Always messing up everything." Muttering sulkily, he slapped the back of her head, making her shriek in annoyance.
Damn! There goes their banter again!!
Though, I was happy with their banters, because the moment I sneaked a glance to the side, my wife sitting beside me was busy smiling happily and looking admiringly at the duo.
And to my heart's contentment, her initial melancholy face was now replaced with a much-relaxed one.
Oh god! I could see her smiling all day!
*********
Riya's Pov
Kansal's
The surname which I'll be carrying for the rest of my life was proudly scribbled on the left of the front door, right below the doorbell.
Performing all the customary rituals, I took a step inside our home, hand in hand with my husband, along with happy claps and welcome dhol playing at the background, and some beaming faces, and contented smiles in the front.
I've seen this place, seen each nook and corner of our home multiple times in the past two months over our timely-untimely video calls, but standing at the same place today, and seeing it in person, as Riya Aditya Kansal was an altogether surreal feeling.
After the pooja in our home temple, we were all set for the next set of rituals.
I sat cross-legged on the carpet, trying to be as active as I can despite the fact that my eyes were burning, mind blank, legs numb, jaw hurting with all the smiles I have been giving, and back almost broken, courtesy to my rock-like lehenga, and the zenith times I've bent last night taking blessings from everyone, almost ninety percent of which I was unaware who they were.
"Chal Kunal, now sit on your bhabhi's lap." Someone from the relatives mentioned the next ritual, while Kunal instantly blushed at the statement, making me internally smile at his innocent antic.
"Haan, but bhaiya please don't put your whole weight on bhabhi. You are so big vaise bhi." Isha voiced her concern, switching her eyes between me and him.
"Thank you for informing little sister. After all, she is just your bhabhi, not mine haina?" Kunal smiled tightly, his voice laced in sarcasm, while Isha being Isha rolled her eyes indifferently at his comment.
He came near me, all the while scratching the back of his head, his neck tinted in shyness.
"Uh, sorry bhabhi." He said, a little embarrassed, while I just smiled in assurance, and later carefully sat on my lap, his head bowed in sheer embarrassment.
He sat for a few seconds as per the custom, and later I handed him the shagun, something that's meant to give to let the devar release his bhabhi from his weight.
********
"Chalo now bachho, give your rings." Mumma asked, taking the rings from our hands, she mixed them multiple times in the water, milk, rose petals, and coin mixture in the bowl.
We were allowed to use our single hand only, and try to find the rings dipped in the mixture, whosoever will find it two or more times out of three will win the game.
Dipping his hand in the water, Aditya looked at me challengingly, while Kunal and Purva who were in my team cheered enthusiastically for me, whereas Isha and few cousins began cheering for him, while our parents remained neutral, cheering for both of us.
Purva's time and again words of motivation into my ears boosted my confidence at an unreachable level, thus making me decide to win from this smirking man beside me.
We dipped our hands in the water, and in a few seconds, we were almost fighting as if it was a life or death scenario with water messily spilling out of the bowl. It seemed as if this the ultimate agenda of our life, and it will straightway transport us to the emotional state of nirvana.
The background hooting, hollering, claps, and cheering further added fuel to our systems, making us try more rigorously, and fervently for winning the task at hand.
Finally, I took hold of the ring, and despite my husband's numerous protests to snatch it from my hand, I didn't loosen my grip on the ring, making his face turn into a big fat offended scowl, though I knew he was just bluffing, and acting to get the hold of the ring.
Three times!
Happy giggles, playful laughs, loud cheering, teasing hootings, rhythmic claps, and three tries later, I won, not once, not twice, but all the three times.
Huh! Take that mister!
Slightly smirking victoriously in his direction, I raised my eyebrows at him, thoroughly having fun at his expense, unreasonably proud of my winning, while he shook his head amusedly at me, and winked a little, making my eyes widen, and blush in embarrassment.
Though people say, this ritual signifies which side of the matrimony is going to have control over the other, but for me, it was just a game, a fun, enjoyable game that's only meant to eliminate the initial awkwardness amidst the couple, as I believe, and I hope he too, there's no superior, no inferior in any relation,
It's always about two equals, working for nothing but the betterment of one another.
**********
Aditya's Pov
"Offo bhaiya, so unromantic you are!" Isha commented, passing a disappointed look at me, while I frowned in confusion.
"I thought that you know, you would hold bhabhi's hand under that mixture, then bhabhi will get all shy and blushy, and then she'll give you that playful glare, reprimanding you for your discreet romance." She blabbered animatedly, and paused a little, adding after a while,
"Or, or, you would keep holding bhabhi's hand in the air when she raised her hand with the ring, and then you will throw a romantic dialogue or two like you intentionally made her win etc-etc. But God! You did nothing. So boring you are Adi bhai!" She finished, half dreamily, half annoyed at the missing romance in our game.
Everyone laughed heartily at what she said, while mom and dad looked at her horrified at what she had just blurted.
This antique piece known as my sister can't be trusted in public. She has no filters over her mouth.
"Achaa." I bobbed my head slowly, "Vaise who gave you such in-depth insights of the romance required in this game. Care to explain?" The brother within me inquired, eyebrows raised questionably.
"Lae, simple! All movies and serials show this, some books too. So I thought this is what is supposed to happen." She shrugged dismissively, while I internally facepalmed at her overly- romantic, thoroughly- fictional thoughts.
"Oye, you need to stop watching such shows. Your mind is getting corrupted day by day." Kunal admonished lightly, smacking her head a little, making her pout in return.
*********
Riya's Pov
After the unending set of rituals and a few other games, Finally in the afternoon, when I was sent to our room to take a rest of few hours.
Taking a step inside our room, a contended smile made its way on my lips reminiscing each and every conversation I had with the person, who I now rightfully call my husband.
This very bed, he used to leisurely lay on while talking to me, discussing his day and issues at work, the progress of wedding arrangements, his banters with Isha, mom's scoldings, and what-not.
That office table, where he would set up the phone straight, and excitedly show me all the things or clothes Isha has bought for him, simultaneously complaining about the money she had spent because him being him could never spend a single penny on himself.
Or that dressing room, where he would pass some cheeky-flirty comments at me, occasional suggestive winks, or would praise me heartily, despite my messy hair and no-makeup look, all the while setting-unsetting his hair.
Gosh! It feels so different to be here, a good different, though it's weird yet so blissful.
Talking with him in person feels immensely beautiful, but that courtship period we shared for two months had its own feels, its own charm, something that could never be substituted with any other emotion.
Those intense eye-locks, shy smiles, flirty comments, blushful faces, life discussions, motivational speeches we had shared are a bunch of infinite heartwarming memories, which I'll happily cherish and treasure for an eternity.
Isha and few other cousins helped me in the room, and after removing 20kgs of weight off me, thousands of hairpins, hundreds of safety pins, and a swollen feel along with a broken back, oh! and a busted head, I was in my night suit finally, and true to say I've never loved my night suit as much as I am loving it at this moment.
Feeling damn grateful for this so-soft, so-smooth satin piece of fabric!
For now, I was alone here, as Aditya wasn't allowed to come to our room, especially when I am present in the room and at least not until the most-talked, overly-hyped, highly-anticipated night. As the elders being elders doubt, that we'll get into all the gushy-mushy, touchy-wouchy, hanky-panky stuff right the moment we are left alone.
Only a few minutes would have been passed since I had laid on the bed when I heard my phone ringing. I looked around, trying to find where I'd kept it when my eyes fell on the dressing table.
I've never ignored the whereabouts of my phone so recklessly that I've since last night.
Aditya video calling?
"Hey." He whispered as soon as I picked up the call, his sleepy-tired face in my view.
"Hey." I whispered back.
"Why are you whispering, and where are you?" I whisper asked, looking at the unfamiliar background.
"Yaaar don't ask! I am in the washroom, sitting on the bathing stool." He answered, palming his eyes frustratedly.
A giggle left my mouth at his reply, and I whispered, "Why? Why are you calling from the washroom?"
"Yaar all my cousins are outside, they aren't letting me sleep, and the elders aren't allowing me to come to you. Now, this was the only solution, to either sleep here or talk here." He clarified, raking his hand in his already messy hair,
" I don't understand what would have happened if they would have allowed me to meet you for a few minutes? Huh." He complained, all the while an annoyed scowl plastered on his face.
"Oye han, why are you whispering by the way?" He questioned, and I slapped my forehead, as I didn't notice that I am alone in the room, hence no need to whisper.
"I just saw you whispering, so I started whispering too." I giggled, while he also whisper-chuckled shaking his head as if he is so done with my buffoonish antics.
"Tired?" He asked, sighing.
"Very. You too haina?" I questioned back, still laying on the bed.
"Don't ask." He stuck his tongue out in tiredness.
"Chal soja ab. If you need anything just call me or Isha? Okay?"
"Yes. You also sleep now. You need it too." I said.
"Yeah, just going out, and chucking all of them out of the room." He shook his head helplessly, "And han, keep your phone on silent because I can't trust my cousins that when will they call you from my number, just to have fun."
"Okey dokey! Bye now and sleep." I spoke, slightly rubbing the corners of my eyes.
Chuckling at my okey-dokey, he smiled and disconnected the call.
********
It was evening already when mumma came to wake me up for some other rituals and dinner. Fortunately, I wasn't supposed to wear anything heavy now, a simple red suit was all I had to wear.
After everything had finished, it was around 9:30 when I was taken to our room, which now was fully air-conditioned, decorated with rose petals, scented candles, flowers on the headboards, and whatnot.
Though everything was done to decorate the room, but nothing too overboard, it looked simple yet elegant at the same time
Uh, Okay?
I gulped a ball of nervousness looking at the scene in front of me, suddenly anxious about everything. Though I knew Aditya well, still a little anxiety is natural and unpreventable I guess.
All the cousins surrounded me, some passing suggestive remarks, some consoling me, some trying to ooze out my nervousness.
*********
Aditya's Pov
"Bhaiya no, no spending time with your wife until you give us the money," Isha demanded, her one hand on her waist, while other extended towards me, with the other cousins blocking my path, standing like soldiers in front of the room door.
"Isha, I'm really tired. Please let me go, and sleep." I said, tired of all the rituals and emptying my pockets since last night.
"You want to sleep tonight?" Kunal whisper asked, looking at me as if I am a dufus standing here.
"Shut up." I scowled at him, and took out the shagun card from my pocket, too exhausted to have fun or tease anyone, or listen to their suggestive remarks.
"Le, now go, and let me step inside." I shooed them all, and entered the room, ignoring all the nonsense they were blabbering about tonight.
As I took a step inside, my wife was sitting cross-legged on the bed, looking in my direction. Fastening the bolts of the door, I made my way to her, and sat just in her front, at a decent distance.
"Hey." I smiled, happy to see her, and being with her finally.
"Hey." She smiled, the same shy smile I've been accustomed to.
"Thank God, they have kept the room simple, and not overdone it." I stated, relieved, looking around the room decorations.
"Yeah. It's beautiful." She looked around as well, a little longer than me, as if trying to prevent any eye-contact.
Awkward silence crept amidst us for a few minutes, with both of us unaware of what to say, or how to start a conversation. Though we would sneak a glance at each other time and again, but apart from giving nervous-constipated smiles, we kept silent, gazing each and every nook and corner aimlessly.
"Oye your Mehandi!" I remembered, gazing at the dark color of henna that beautifully adorned her hands and arms, and yeah feet too.
"It's so beautiful," I spoke, as soon as she opened her palms to show me the artistic work gracing her hands.
"Acha, chalo find your name." She said, suddenly happy and excited, her eyes beaming with joy, the initial awkwardness between us slowly washing away.
Scratching the back of my head, I braced myself for this little treasure hunt, and held both her hands in mine, and started finding my name like a hawk.
Five minutes, and I was still failing in the mission, and the woman in front kept giggling every time I would assume a design as my name.
"At least give me a hint yaar!" I demanded, a playful scowl on my face, though sheerly frustrated with my lack of concentration.
"Okay okay. Ummm.." She straightened and started thinking, "Yeah, it's at the place where a person's vein is directly connected to the heart." she informed, looking hopefully at me.
Thanks to mom, who had told me about the significance of ring finger, I peered at the said place, but couldn't find my name anywhere.
"Oye, open your hands completely, you have joined all your fingers tightly." I chided, playfully, narrowing my eyes at her.
Giggling she opened her hand fully, and to the right of her ring finger, my name was written beautifully, each letter, crystal clear visible.
"There!" I remarked happily, while she shook her head all the while smiling at me.
"There's something else at the left side of the finger too." She whispered softly, sneaking a glance at me.
My brows knitted in confusion, and I looked at the left side, the words imprinted took my heart away, though I had no idea what it meant.
AdYa
I spared a glance at her, confused at what does it means.
"Uh, It's the combination of your name and mine. Um, Ad from your's, Ya from me." She shrugged, her eyes looking hopefully at me, her features nervous.
"Purva suggested this. I liked it, so uh asked the bhaiya to write it." She confessed, tenderly.
I kept looking at the place, where both our names resided, a serene smile making its way on my lips, my heart swelling with happiness, and thousand unfathomable emotions surging within me. I looked at her the exact stance and found her eyes fixated on me, a blushful smile gracing her lips.
"Thank you. It's beautiful, as much as you and your heart is." I confessed, tracing that place tenderly, "And this name is as meaningful as much as you have provided meaning to my life" I whispered, smiling at her.
I don't know if she was shy or nervous, but she immediately casted her eyes downwards and looked towards our enclosed hands, her face gleaming and eyes beaming with incomprehensible unadulterated emotions.
"I have a gift for you." I spoke, a few seconds later, and she raised her eyes immediately, her eyes asking me what it is.
"I have a gift for you too." She said too, a little childish-excited smile gracing her lips, making my own lips to quirk up in contentment.
********
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