CHAPTER 42 - OFFICIALLY YOURS

Outfit details

DHRUV AND GEET

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Anaya

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Vihaan

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Avantika

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Garv

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Kavya

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Dhruv's Pov

“Garv, how long should we wait? ”Shivu jija entered my room in a hurry.

“Jija, give us 30 more minutes. ” Garv informed, buttoning the sleeve of my sherwani.

“Okay. We have to proceed for baarat as well. Take this lagan. Garv no one should touch this apart from you ” She said, giving him  lagan,sent by her family.

“Dhruv, do you want something? ”

“No. I am fine ”I replied, adjusting the collars.

Jija left and Garv asked me to sit so they could tie safa. More 10 hours to go. I couldn't sleep properly due to last night's bandoli which ended early in the morning at 3am.

“Aur Dhruv, where's  Geet's gift? ” Vihaan asked. Today he has dressed up in pure rajputi style with safa.

“What gift? ”Garv questioned with a smile.

“Necklace and ring. You know mumma said I should buy something. You know the cake cutting ceremony after the shaadi ”

“Ohoo, Dhurv won't be alone ” He grinned while Vihaan laughed hearing it.

“Shutup Garv. We are getting late” I said, showing my hand asking him to put a watch around my left wrist.

“Paraya ho raha hai yaar. Biwi kal bachche. Vihaan ham toh devdas ban jaate hai. Tuje koi mili nahi, meri wali k liye me kuch hu nahi. Sad life ” He said, putting the watch over my wrist.

I ignored it while the safa was tied. Garv tied the lagan around the belt of the sherwani. Geetanjali Kanwar Shaktawat your Dhruv is coming.

At the Hall

I sat on the bajot surrounded by the ladies all around.  Garv and Vihaan are  my anwar (groomsmen)

Mumma placed the coconut in my hand, applied tilak on my forehead. She fed me gudd with ghee and did aarti.

She asked Garv to feed me curd and sugar. Garv  did as per Mumma's instructions.

“Congratulations Bhai. Chal Teri Geet ko leke aate hai. The wait of 5.5 years is getting over today ” He said, hugged me.

Bhabisa came with kajal to do the rituals of applying kajal. Kajal is not applied on the eyes instead it is kept at a little distance and it is moved as one is applying it.

I got up from the bajot and headed towards the main gate. Mumma took back the coconut from my hand and I shower the leftover rice in the hand behind me.

The horse was decorated with all the jewelry specially designed for it,standing near the main gate. Garv helped me to sit on it and while the one who was commanding it, started to take four rounds to complete the next rituals. Before I could step down, Shivu jija stopped me.

“Dhruv, shagun? ”She asked, showing her hand.

“Na du,  toh"

“Bhul ja shaadi fir aur me woh typical nanand banungi kaleshi ”She gave a devilish smile.

“Woh aap ho bhi nahi. ” I replied as I know how she is a good friend of hers.

“Shagun ?” She repeated .

Garv handed over a cover “Ye lo jija, aap bhi kya yaad rakhoge ”

“Tu ruk teri shaadi ke time teri biwi ko bataugi ki kesa hai”

“Biwi toh udaipur mai hai. Sorry biwi toh delulu mai hai. ” He changed his words while I got down from it.

I visited the temple nearby to take the blessings and got inside of my car which is decorated with flowers and ribbons.

Garv is driving while I sat nearby in the next seat. Vihaan and my cousins are sitting in the backseat.

The ladies won't be joining us except Vihaan's mom because Rainbow is her daughter too.

Udaipur is two and half hours away. I checked the time and it's 8.30 hours to go. We will reach by 5 or 5.30 pm if we decided to take a stop in between.

Suddenly Vihaan phone started ringing and I turned back.

“Udaipur se papa ka call hai '' He informed us and answered. He informed him about our departure.

I checked my phone and there was a tsunami of notifications mentioning me in the stories and texts wishing me on my new journey.

I opened our chat and texted her.

“Kaha tha na lene aaunga , aa raha hu mai.

Apni Geet ko lene ”

“Texting Geetanjali? ” I heard Garv's words and I closed my phone.

“No. ”

“Don't lie. Your smile answered my question ” He teased taking a right turn.

“Garv, I will take revenge during your time ”I warned, raising my eyebrows.

“Garv, our Dhruv is ours for the next  few hours . Uske baad ye Geet ke kehne par hamse baat bhi nahi karega ” Vihaan started speaking.

“Woh aisa nahi kahegi ” I replied while my eyes were on the roads.

“Ohoo nahi kahegi. ” They continued teasing but I was happy finally today on 27th December it's our Milan. It's Dhruv Geet ka milan.

Time skip

Udaipur

We reached Udaipur 2 hours ago. Now, the tilak ceremony will start shortly. The padla brought by us was placed in the tent so panditji can apply tilak and do aarti for her wedding poshak which is Bari along with jewellrry.

Her aapsa applied tilak and made me wear a ring on my hand. One by one all the gents of her side repeated the aarti ritual.

The rate of my heartbeat is not Normal today. I can feel excitement in myself.

One by one all her cousins along with Vihaan, took all the gifts brought for her and headed towards her home so all the ladies could have a look and she could get ready.

Geet's Pov

I am nervous.  3 more hours. I started tapping my foot while sitting in my room. I had my dinner early as I won't be able to do it in that heavy poshak.

Everyone has gathered downstairs  to see what they have got for me. I can't go and see it as it is not allowed .

Suddenly Kavya entered with a bari packed in a doli while rest followed her with the jewellery.

First of all I can't believe I am getting married and second of all, I am so scared as everyone will watch me during the rituals.

“Jija, wear this bari fast. Once you are done call us ”Avantika informed bringing me back to reality. I nodded.

After few moments

I didn't call any makeup artist because I can't  trust anyone apart from Avantika and Anaya. They both are the one who did for the rest of the functions.

Mumma and Aapsa met me a few minutes back and this time too I cried. I can still aapsa's words ''Kal itni si thi jab school se bhaagkr aati aur aaj sasural jaa rahi hai. Kitna jaldi bit gaya na time ”

“Jija, apply this lipstick ” Avantika handed me and I applied looking at the mirror. I noticed a notification on my phone as its screen turned on.

“Kaala teeka laga dena kahi meri najar na lag jaye aapko mandap mai ”

My cheeks turned red and I smiled looking at his message. I saw his today's look on the status. He hasn't seen me yet.

I got a another message

“Can I call you? I mean Vc? BTW 1.30 hours to go”

I replied  “No you can't. Wait for 90 mins in order to see your bride ”

I closed my phone while Avantika applied eyeliner.

I was ready but next it's time for jewellery.  I wore the first necklace around my neck, followed by earrings on both ears which are of the same design with red kundan. The nath, the shishphool and rakdi of the same design added stars to the overall look.

I wore the bangle bought by his side over my hands . Avantika helped me in odhna wrapping the pleats , along with the ghoonghat.

She made me wear haathphool and Anaya adjusted the knot of bajuband over my upper arms of both the hands and kaala teeka was the final touch.

I was ready and went downstairs to do the ritual. I wore my Mojdi which had the same design as my bari. Bhuasa informed me I still have time so I waited a little away so he didn't notice me.

I stood behind the window, and suddenly my eyes caught my attention when I saw him sitting on the horse. He is definitely a king, king of my heart who has ruled for the past 5.5 years.

The single friend request, the single crush turned out to be one of the best blessings of my life. He along with his sword touched the toran tied on the main entrance of the house.

He fulfilled his promise which he made that he won't leave me , no matter what. Standing in the room which is on the ground floor, I noticed mumma applying tilak on his forehead after he got down from the horse.

I fisted my hand to remove evil eyes from Dhruv, my husband.  Anaya called me to the laddoo ritual. Five to six ladies asked me to join them while I walked surrounded by them around all the sides so he didn't notice me.

Bhuasa gave me laddoo and I threw it in a height, which flew away from above only to touch his sherwani. I guess he saw me, so I ran back, managing it hard in this bari.

Dhruv's pov

Her mumma was trying her best to catch my nose in the Meanwhile, I felt something , like a ball or laddoo fall on me.

I tried to look where she was as I know this ritual. I noticed her walking hurriedly in the red poshak, moving away from my sight.

Her mumma successfully held my nose and I smiled.

Next was the jhilmil ki aarti. It is a pyramidal structure which is handmade, consisting of divas. It is done by the bride's mother to formally welcome the groom in the house.

She put the coconut back in her aarti thali and next is hast milap.

My hands are already cold thinking we are just 10 minutes away to meet.

I followed the panditji to her home's  temple room.

“Geet ko lekar aao. Muhurat nikla jaa raha hai” One of the ladies said.

I stood waiting for her only to get my eyes stuck when she entered in the red poshak, the ghoonghat adoring her face. I couldn't see her face clearly due to the border of her odhna but I know the glow can beat the moon tonight.

I noticed her mehandi on her hand in between the gaps left by her bangles and hathphool. Dark color, do mehandi color really define one's love for his partner? If it's true,  then her mehandi is proof of my love for her.

She, standing in front of me,  slowly raised her eyes and glanced at me. Her ghoonghat was a wall between us but still I can see her smile, the smile she has to welcome me at her place.

“Dhruv jijosa” Kavya offered the plate which had the varmala. I took it and she offered it to her sister as well.

I noticed her hand touching the varmala and she lifted it, taking it in her hand.

Panditji asked to proceed with varmala first.

“Bhabisa, aap toh hamare bindraja ki height match nahi kar paoge ” Garv said,standing near me.

“Bhagwan kare aapki shaadi mai bhi yehi ho” Avantika replied ,raising her eyebrows.

“Jija, go”

She tried but she couldn't do it. Though she is 5 '7 " - 5'8" but she touches my shoulders. Yeah, we have a height difference. I am 6'2" and I have a safa as well to make it difficult for her.

“Dhruv, jhukna nahi hai” Vihaan said smiling but his smile faded on seeing his sister giving him a side eye as he changed his side.

“Mai dono side se hu” He changed his statement.

She tried again but she was unsuccessful. The ladies were murmuring that a husband shouldn't  lower his head.

I lowered my head, taking a step ahead. My eyes asked her to give it a last try. I think she understood what I meant.

I saw her smiling and she put the varmala successfully, while her cousins showered flowers on us.

I know I can't speak but Atleast my eyes can do that work. I looked at her and gestured at the varmala which was in my hand. She smiled and nodded her head a little.

“O hello, ham yeha soch rahe hai ki ye chup chap hai par ye toh isharo mai baat kar rahe hai '' Kavya announced  making everyone attentive about our secret talks.

I put the varmala over her neck. And next we were asked to sit for our hast milap which will be witnessed by all the deities placed in the temple of her home.

She offered her right hand to apply a small amount of mehandi over the space left on her palm between her mehandi. Panditji applied a small amount over it and he asked me to keep my right hand over her hand.

This is happening!!  Dhruv, just a few minutes and she is yours. She sat, without turning her face.

I placed my right hand above her right hand and he asked for a watch to place it above our hands. Garv gave his watch and he placed it and covered our hands with the yellow cloth.

Her hand is freezing. I held it tightly, looked at her and he tied a knot. Avantika came to do gathbandhan before that she asked for shagun.

“Mr. Chauhan, you are the cashier. Give me 1100 if you want your best friend to get marry on time ”

“1100 bas. 11k lelo ek gandh bandhan ke. ” He replied sarcastically.

“Panditji kal ka muhurat hai kya ? Ham kal hi krwate hai”

“Nahi nahi ye lo 1100. Maje hai inke ek knot do 1100 lelo” Garv said, handing money to her.

She tied the knot and we raised to head towards the mandap which is outside of the house. Before exiting, Garv and Vihaan, one took a sword and the other the cover of it , placed it as an intersection above the entrance gate of the temple.

We exited below of it and they gave it back to me. Sword is mandatory for a groom throughout the rituals. The photographers and videographers were busy with their assigned work.

I turned to see if I was walking too fast but I made sure to walk a little slower so she could follow me.

We reached the mandap, the traditional wedding songs were sung by the ladies along with dhol thali played to mark the beginning of the pheras.

We sat on our respective bajots.

Avantika was assigned to light up the agni for the pheras.

“Shagun Mr. Chauhan ” She smiled and offered her hand.

“Kitna shagun loge? ”He questioned .

“2100 ” She mentioned.

“Udaipur wale shagun lene me aage hai”

“Ham apni beti de rahe hai kuch toh shagun banta hai”She answered while I thought how she will turn his life upside down if in future she became his wife.

“Hamari shaadi mein kehna aise''His words surprised me while I noticed Vihaan hitting Garv's back.

“What? ” She frowned her eyebrows.

“Apni shaadi mein kehna ”He corrected his words.

“2.1k”

He handed her over and she accepted it, thanking him.

“Avantika itna kon maangta hai. ” Her bhuasa stopped her.

“Mere jijosa ko problem  nahi hai. Dhruv jijosa aapko problem hai”

“Nahi”

She took a matchstick  for the agni. Panditji started chanting mantras which I don't know what it meant.

I turned my face to look at her but she sat silently, looking down just to avoid what's happening around her.

Please look at me once my heart said but I guess she couldn't hear it.

“Paani laau "Garv asked, bending a little.

“No” I replied. Anaya with a kerchief, wiped her best friend's eyes which were covered in the ghunghat.

She is crying. Should I say no that you can stay here but it's  not impossible. I felt miserable, what should I do?  Should I ask her to stop crying first?

“Var vadhu phero ke liye khade ho jaye ” Panditji announced and asked us to stand for the pheras .

(Instead of  7,most of the rajputi families of rajasthan follow the concept of 4 pheras. The reason is a few centuries back, there was a king who left his wedding rituals midway of 4th phera to protect the cows of the local old woman . He did this to fulfill his promise to her which he made when the old lady gave him a horse on the condition that he has to protect her cows whenever the need arises. To fulfill the promise , he left his wedding rituals in the middle .So, the custom of 4 pheras has been followed)

“Pehle teen phero mai vadhu aage rahegi ”

She took the first step to begin the first phera and I can hear ladies singing the traditional song.

She delicately walked in circular motion around the agni, the witness of our Milan. I followed her, matching her footsteps. Everyone started the rain of flowers and with this first phera came to an end.

She continued to complete the second and third one while I followed her slowly. Our mods were joined with the mauli. We have talked several times on our calls about how we will get married but the reality is different.

I can feel a feeling, a different feeling in my heart and in my mind. Will I be able to keep her happy all her life? Will I be able to keep all the  promises I made?  Will she be able to find her comfort in my place?  I am not aware of the answers because life is unpredictable.

The flowers were continuously  falling on us and I can see ourselves completing the third pheras.

Now it's my turn to lead the fourth one. I walked past her and began the last pheras of all. Mantras were chanting, ladies were singing and how can I forget the dhol thaali . I made sure to not be so fast because she won't be able to match it due to her attire and jewellery.

Just half of the phera is left and I am officially yours. We are officially husband and wife. We are officially life partners.

We completed the fourth one and sat back to the bajot. Panditji untie the knot over our hands in order to free it which was held for so long.

He asked someone  to bring water and plates in order to remove the mehandi from our hands. He removed it and everyone who was present around us checked the color which was pretty good.

“Pyaar dekho ” One of the ladies said.

“Kanya ke bhai ko bulaye ”  He asked and Kavya and Avantika stood silent.

“Mai hu bhai. Batao kya karna hai” Vihaan said, coming forward.

“Ek rasam karni hai” He replied.

“So proud of beta ” Her mother cheered who was sitting among the guests.

“Shagun laaiye "Panditji asked, offering his hand to Garv.

"Ab Vihaan tu bhi lutega kya ” Garv taunted, taking his wallet out.

“Dono side se hone ka fayda ”

He got his shagun and panditji held both his hands over the agni, swinging to and fro for a few times.

The ritual got over and he got his shagun. He asked me to apply for a sindoor. I took a pinch of it, turned to apply over her ghunghat. I won't apply much but a little as instructed.

“Jijosa, say something before you make her your wife, ” Kavya said,sitting nearby her.

“I am blessed to be your husband, Mrs. Geetanjali Dhruvpratap Singh Deora ”with this, I applied sindoor . Her eyes widened hearing it but there was no response from her side.

We raised from our place and her bhuasa came with aarti thali. She handed us coconut in our hands and applied tilak first on it, then on our forehead.

In the whole wedding, she didn't even  look at me. I could see her face, which had no expression. She stood silently ,maybe she had mixed feelings in her heart.

Her bhuasa completed our aarti and we are officially husband and wife from now onwards.

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A glimpse -

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