XXVII. Married

For a woman, a life-changing moment is her own marriage. Even though she marries a person she knew, her life would be different as a married woman. A married woman's priorities change giving her husband topmost importance in her life.

My priorities are about to change, and my life is going to change. Even though I may be from a rich family, I am a woman and this marriage will change my life.

I am in my wedding dress it is a lehenga. The red lehenga contains gold threading adding additional weight to the material. The blouse heavily designed with thread and some stones. A dupatta folded and laid across my left shoulder, another one placed over my head. My hands, adorned with bangles, and a diamond necklace set was on my neck.

I felt like a queen. However, there is something in my heart holding me back. Meena, Shreya, and Lucky got me ready for the wedding.

"Thank you guys, you made me look like a queen." I praise them after seeing my reflection.

"Oh, we didn't do anything." Meena shooed my compliments away.

"Oh, Avni!" At Anu's voice, I turned around and saw her place her hands on her mouth. There were tears in her eyes.

"You look exceptional." She came and held my face. I snuggled deep into her touch.

"Come on, Anu. Don't make me cry on my wedding day." I mumbled into her hands.

"How can I not? You will be leaving me. And everyone from the bride's side cries on her wedding giving her farewell." She sniffed and let a lone tear escape from her eye.

"Don't be stereotype Anu. We will live in the same city and you can always visit me." I tried to brighten the mood, Anu cracked a smile at that.

She took my hands into hers and excused the others from the room leaving the both of us.

"It might not be needed, but I am taking your mother's responsibility and telling you this." I stared at her interested to listen to her, she took a deep breath and continued.

"You are not a single woman, you will have a family and its responsibilities on your shoulders. I know that you can take care of the family but never make a mistake and if you do a mistake apologize, if not never bow your head down." She patted my cheek.

I hugged her and controlled the tears that well up in my eyes.

"I will never disappoint you," I promised her in a strong voice. She pulled out of the hug and observed my face for a moment. She placed her hands on my shoulder giving them a gentle squeeze.

"I know." That word meant to me more than anything did, and I will never disappoint my only family who took care of me.

"Ma'am, they are calling for the bride." Someone informed us breaking the moment between us.

"We will be out in a minute," Anu replied without moving her eyes from mine.

"Just remember one thing." She paused for a second before continuing. "You are becoming a queen, and a queen never bows down not even to her king." She said the words looking straight into my eyes.

She leads me out by holding my hand as I processed the words.

We reached the archway, a red carpet sprawled on the sand, and the mandap stood on the sand with the ocean. The mandap, a stage on which the wedding takes place with sacred fire placed in the center. Some chairs were scattered in rows in front of the mandap facing the ocean.

"Can I walk you down?" I turned my head and looked at Nihal. I didn't know that he was there behind me the whole time.

"Yes please." I place my hand into his extended hand gripping it. Anu walked in front of us waiting near the mandap.

"Ready when you are." I slowly took a breath trying to control my nerves. I observed Nihal for a distraction, he was dressed in a salwar suit.

"I am ready," I mumbled when my nerves calmed down a bit.

A bride's father or her relatives would walk the bride, Nihal took her brother's position. It was not a surprise to her, she knew that one day, he would be the one to walk her down and give her away during the ceremony.

I walked slowly towards the mandap, everyone stood as they saw me come, giving me encouraging smiles. I clutched his hand tight. Nihal placed his hand on my lower back providing me with comfort.

We slowly walked to the mandap, I kept my head high and was staring into the waters not looking at him.

When we reached the mandap, I saw a hand first. Nihal placed my hand in his and I looked at him.

Abhi looked regal in his clothes, he was dressed in a royal gold sherwani and dhoti. His shirt has a full neck collar and full sleeves with buttons. I left the foot ware and climbed the stairs to the mandap.

We sat in front of each other and did as the pandit orders us, a person who does the wedding ceremony, a white cloth is placed like a screen between us. Abhi's parents sat beside him leaving Abhi between them. Raghav uncle and Swapna aunty sat on either side to offer my hand.

A plate filled with milk, Raghav uncle and Swapna aunty held my hand and placed it in the milk. When my hands have milk on it, they placed my hands in Abhi's open palms. The same process repeated three times. The same thing done with Rudra uncle and Meera aunty.

A silver plate and a jug filled with water were lying near the white screen. Abhi placed his feet in the plate, Raghav uncle and Swapna Aunty washed his feet, while aunty poured the water uncle cleaned his feet with his palm. After his feet have washed they pressed a dry cloth to his feet, Rudra uncle took the water and spilled droplets of it on my head, his head, and on Swapna aunt's head.

This tradition may look sexist, that the male dominates the relationship and even his father-in-law has to wash his legs. But in this tradition the groom is considered as Lord Vishnu and the bride as Devi Lakshmi, it is called kanyadan as the parents offer their child to him. It does not refer as donating but has a deeper meaning to it. Look at it like this, we are giving a hand of our daughter to their son-in-law and treat him as Lord Vishnu.

After the Kanyadan, a betel leaf along with cumin and jaggery paste was present on it. I placed mine on his head he did the same, the veil slowly lowered and our eyes connect. We removed our hands after a moment.

Aunty pressed on the leaf hard making the paste stick on my head, ma also did the same for Abhi. In the wedding it is the most important thing, the paste signifies the union of the bride and the groom and that they should blend in together to lead their lives happily. One interesting thing about the marriage is, in the olden days, the bride and groom used to see each other first time after this ceremony. Once the paste is on the head we consider the couple as a married couple, it has more importance.

After some mantras were uttered by the priest, he handed Abhi the mangalasutra. He stood up with mangalasutra in his hands, he rotated in four directions praying in each direction and asking for their permission and blessings for their future. Abhi faced me and bent down to tie the thread, he tied three knots. With each knot he was promising me to be with me mentally, physically and spiritually. He sat down after tying it, I took the yellow thread containg two small coin sized golden plates and held them to my eyes.

Abhi then placed vermilion on the centre of my head where the hair parted. Some fell on my nose, I feel giddy at it and give my husband a smile. We belive that if the vermilion falls on the nose when husband places it, it signifies that the husband will love his wife more. It may be a simple belief, but I know that Abhi will shower me with his love.

We exchanged garlands and two plates filled with rice, which were covered in vermilion and turmeric. It contains blessings from married women. We should take handful of the grains and let them fall on the others head. It is the most interesting thing in marriage and it always turns into competition of who pours the grains more.

I was first in reaching the plate when the rice was done. I tried to lift my hands to reach his head, but he sat stiff not bending down.

"Come on, bhai don't bend." Akky who sat beside her brother encouraged him. I gave her a glare and try to reach Abhi's level but that husband of mine moves back avoiding it.

"Come on, Avni. You can do it. Show him who you are!" Nihal encourages me from my side.

"Come on mama, throw it at dada." Diya cheered for me. Abhi was glaring at Diya, giving me an opportunity. I get up a bit from my seat and dump the whole plate on his head.

I gave him a smirk after the grains fall. We did the same thing with pearls, and we blew thermocoal balls onto each other faces.

Diya was giggling as we followed the tradition. She was looking cute in her lehenga. There is a sparkle of happiness in her eyes as she enjoyed the ceremony.

Abhi and I stood and Akky was called to tie a knot between us. She took my pallu (edge of the dupatta) and tied it to a cloth which was on Abhi's shoulder. My left hand pinky and his right hand pinky were interlaced and we started rounding the now lit fire. He lead the first four rounds and I lead the next three rounds completing the seven rounds. Each round we promise a thing with holy fire as witness. After we completed the seven rounds, we came out of the mandap. The sun was setting into the ocean casting a orange glow over the ocean.

Abhi need to show me the Arundhati star (Alcor)  which is present along with Vashishta star (Mizar). The star is shown as Arundhati (Alcor) and Vashishta (Mizar) constellation is such that they both revolve around each other, symbolizing how idealistically married couple should be carrying themselves towards each other.

Abhi pointed in the direction of the sun as I gazed at the side he pointed.

"What you showing dada?" Diya asked from the side when she did not seem to understand what her dada was showing.

We chuckled at the question when the priest explained it to her.

"There is a star near the sun, where if you find it. You will live happily." Diya looked at him incredulous not able to believe his words.

She folded her hands and walked from there sulking.

With that our marriage came to an end. We took some family pictures together and some pictures of the newly wedded couple, us. After some clicks, Akky pulled me aside. She direcy me back to my suite to change my dress. A party is going to start.

I changed into an elegant beautiful grey high low tulle party dress with cold shoulder and ponk flowers scattered along the length of the dress. The dress reached below my knees, the length gave me comfort. I changed into some flats, and removed all my jewellery. I wore my charm bracelet and waited patiently on the seat as they got my makeup and hair ready. My hair of twisted into a elegant bun and my face was covered in light makeup. They left me alone after doing my makeup.

I was checking my reflection, when I heard his voice.

"Looking like an angel." I observed him in the mirror as he came stood behind me.

Our eyes locked in the mirror, we kept staring at each other. His breath fell on my neck, giving me goose bumps over my arms. He traced my neck with his fingertips not breaking eye contact with me.

"You are really looking good. But I want to make you perfect." Then I felt something cold on my neck. I looked down in the mirror and saw a chain slid across my neck.

It's a silver chain with a charm similar to my bracelet. He fastend the clasp and trailed his hands towards the small of my back. I took the chain my hand and observed it, it looked like a pair to my bracelet.

"Thank you." I said without looking up, trying to blink my tears away. He squeezed my back.

"You are looking like an angel, my angel." He kissed me on the side of my head after stating that I belong to him, in a possessive tone.

We left the room and arrived at the hotel. The hotel overlooks the ocean, the party was in full swing when we arrived. Everyone was dressed lightly and were holding a glass of wine or champagne in their hands. There was a local band performing, with some melodious songs. It was a peaceful evening.

Diya approached us yawning, I tried to lift her but Abhi stopped me and lifted Diya in his arms. She nuzzled her face into his neck. I took her hand and rubbed the back of her hand.

"Are you sleepy, princess?" She nodded her head at Abhi's question.

"Did you eat?" She shook her head at my demand.

"Come on, let's feed this little tummy of yours." Diya giggled when I rubbed her small stomach.

We had dinner, Me and Abhi were feeding Diya in between and took our bites. I loved the prawns more, it tasted amazing compared to others sea food items.

After the dinner, we handed Diya to Anu and Abhi's dadi as they were retiring for the night.

Abhi introduced me to his relatives and the company shareholders. It was late night when we completed the rounds and almost spoke to everyone.

"Are you tired." Abhi whispered in my ear, keeping his hold on my waist. I nodded my head to his question. He was about to steer me away from the party when the lead of the band addressed us.

"And for the last song, I would like to call the bride and the groom to join the dance floor." Everyone cheered and encouraged us.

Abhi looked in my direction and I gave him a nod, he presented me his elbow. I placed my hand in the crook of his elbow and followed him to the dance floor. The people on the dance floor were leaving the dance floor, leaving us alone on it.

I remembered my first dance with him, I was confident when I danced with him. I placed my hands over his shoulders and he placed his hands on my waist.

When the first beats of the music started we slowly moved sideways along with the melody of the song. He dipped me making me startle. He gave me a smirk after seeing the shock on my face.

He wanted to put a show, then we shall give it. He pulled me back up and he satrted moving fast, with me following him. I was following his moves, when he dips me I let my body free and when he lifts my body I move my body to make it easy for him.

When the last notes of the song struck, he twirled me and I let out some giggles. We got huge applause for our performance, it was overwhelming.

"My wife is tired know, so please excuse us for the night." Abhi whisked me out of the party when others tried to approach us. We didn't speak as we walk, I was mulling over the words he spoke not focusing where we were going.

He called me his wife, I am Abhi's wife. The words he sopke were ringing in my head.

"I will be waiting for you." He left me with a kiss on my forehead. I looked at my surroundings, he dropped in my room and he informed me that he will be waiting.

My lazy brain understood his words a moment later. "Oh my god! What should I do?" I stated and started fidgeting with the end of my dress.

"What are you doing?" I heard Akky's voice and turned towards her.

"Ah, my friend! You are my savior!" Akky raised her eyebrow at my exaggeration.

"What do you need?" She asked me with narrowed eyes.

"I need to get ready, um you know to spend the night with your bro-" she stopped me before I can finish.

"Ew, I don't want to know the details. Pick a dress and get done with it already. It's not your first time." Akky said with a disgusted faced.

"You are my friend, please help me?" I folded my hands and gave her my puppy eyes. She resisted but eventually gave in.

"Fine, I will help. But you will not share any details with me." I nodded my head eagerly ready to take anything she offers.

She grumbled something under her breath which I didn't catch. She pulled a skimpy nightgown and placed it on the bed.

I was about to protest, but the lookon her face stopped me from saying anything. I took the dress and went into the washroom to change.

I let my hair fall after removing the pins from my hair. I then cleaned my makeup with wet wipes, and washed my face with water. I changed into the night gown that reached my mid-thigh, I took the robe and wore it. With a robe on, the dress looked presentable

I came out and found Akky snoring softly, I covered her with the comforter.

I found Abhi drinking from the glass, be removed the coat and the top buttons of his shirt, making my dirty brain to imagine things.

I approached him slowly, I felt like a prey approaching her predator with his eyes following me. When I stood in front of him I let the robe fall. His blue eyes roam over the length of my body, and his eyes darken with desire.

----

I wake up to a phone call, I tried to ignore it and snuggle into the warm body. But the phone rings again, I crack my eyes open and slid across the bed to retrieve the mobile.

It was 10 in the morning and Abhi's mobile kept ringing, I approach my sleeping husband and kiss him on his cheek.

"It would be great if you kiss me onmy lips." He startles me by speaking, he opens his eyes slowly giving me the pleasure to look into his eyes.

"And you are providing me with a great view." His gaze slids down my body. My face flushes when I register his words. I drop the phone on his chest and rush to the washroom.

I wash my face, I wear a robe and come out. Abhi was pacing near the bed speaking to someone on the mobile, shouting at them. He wore a pant and was massaging his head.

I approached him slowly when his call was done. He looked at me and his expression cautioned me.

"What happened?" I asked him the question, even though I didn't want to listen to the answer.

"We need to cancel our honeymoon and go back home. Our house caught fire. There are no deaths." His words kept ringing in my head, my heart started beating fast.

It happened the thing for which I was frightened.

No one knows how my parents died, they thought it as an accident. But I know how they died, they were burnt alive when they were in the car and orchestarted it as an accident. This incident was a warning for me, that they started hunting for me.

The storm has arrived and yet I feel like a big storm is waiting for me.

Hello guys,

Here is your update.

Omg the new storm! What is it gonna be. I am ready for the reveal, are you guys ready!

So guys, the marriage traditions I stated in the chapter. It is how marriage is done here, where I live. So tell me how you feel about it?

And if you need any further information you can contact me.

I skipped some things as they can be boring.

See you guys in next update!

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