chapter 42

“Isn’t it funny??” Ritu.“What?” Archana.“Mita di got married and after Bidaai instead of going to her in law’s place she will come back to our home only. So it will be like Jiju’s Grih- Pravesh here..hehehe” Ritu.“Stupid, that is because our Mita Di is going to Chennai tomorrow. They have reception there day after.” Archana.“So, Jiju also will come here with Di tonight??” Ritu.“mmmmm I think so!!” Archana.“Wow ..so much fun!! But where are they now??” Ritu.As per our custom, after marriage, they have gone to the temple.Here Jay & Mita with their families, visited Shree Ganesha temple first.“My Dear Bappa. Thank you so so so much. I can’t express my gratitude in words. Thank you for giving me Jay in my life. Now all I want is his happiness. Just one last wish Bappa, I want to die in my Jay’s arms!” Mita prayed from bottom of her heart.Jay also wished for Mita’s happiness and their happy married life. Then they all went to Shree Mahalakshmi temple and took Devi’s blessings. Then they headed towards home.Aaji, Mom, Mami and all other ladies in the house performed aarati at the entrance for the newly wedded couple. They were about to enter the home but Mami stopped them.“Now what ??” Mama.“Mita ani Jay Naav ghya..Ukhana, you cannot enter without that,” mami.“Ukk..Ukhana?? What is that??” Jay.“Jiju, this is a ritual. You have to say your wife’s name…” Pihu.“Then that’s very simple.. ‘MITA’,” Jay said.Everybody started laughing.“No Jiju. Not like that,” Archana.“Then?? That’s what her name is . Isnt it??” Jay.“Yes Jiju but you have to say it in a shayari or a small poem,” Pihu.“Whatt?? But I am not a poet!!” Jay.“heheheh.. Jiju you are so funny!” Ritu.“Wait..!! Let me teach you,” mama whispered in Jay’s ear.“Bhajit Bhaji MethichiMita mazya preetichi,” Jay repeated.“Hehehe..jiju this is very old and typical way…we want something better and new,” Archana.“Yeah, but Jiju, well tried. Those Marathi words sounded so cute when you said it,” Pihu.“Rahu dya g te ukhane. Pore thakali asatil. Yeu dya tyanna aat (Let it be. Let them come now. Poor kids, must be tired.)” Aaji. “Ae Aaji, please… lagn thodich roj roj asate…. Ya doghanni ukhana ghetalach pahije, tehi typical wala nahi…kahitari navin..(Aaji, please naa, we can’t have such marriage functions everyday, right?? Di and Jij both have to say each other’s name that too in an unique way….otherwise, No Entry…” Archana.“hmmmm….je bolalis te kharech ahe mhana..chalu dya mag.. (What you said does make sense….continue,…)” Aaji.“Yeyyy,” Archu, Ritu and Pihu clapped, “Now come on Jiju…”“I took her name once, even though that’s not interesting for you..now it is her turn, let her say it, after that I will try again, give me some time,” Jay.“Ok Jiju, no problem, Come on Mita Di,”Mita looked here and there and smiled.“Why are you looking here and there? Your Patidev is standing next to you!!! Hehehe…” Pihu.“Sonyachi Angathi ani chandiche painjanSonyachi Angathi ani chandiche painjan,Jay che naav ghete, eika sarv jan!!!”“Waah wahh…kya baat hai.. mast Mita Mast…” Aaji came forward and kissed Mita’s forehead.Jay was totally confused, “I couldn’t understand it…”“Ok, let me try to translate it for you…… I may not get rhyming words like I used in Marathi, but still I will try…Golden Ring and Silver Anklet,Golden Ring and Silver Anklet,I am saying my ‘Jay’s name, to listen that , everybody please keep Quiet !!!!”“Wowwww Di, that was awesome…!!!” Pihu hugged Mita.“Wooh..interesting…. I really loved this ritual!!” Jay.“Hmmm Jij, now again it is your turn. You loved the ritual right?? Now try again,” Ritu.“Ok let me try…… On Paris ground, I was playing cricket, On Paris ground, I was playing cricket, That’s when I saw Mita, and she took my wicket!!!!” Jay.Everybody started clapping. Mita was looking at Jay with wide open mouth.“Maan gaye Jay beta… Kya ukhana liya hai….” Mama hugged him.“You should learn something from him,” Mami.“Huh….for that you should also learn something from your Mita,” Mama.“Arre pan mala kuni arth sangel ka Jay ne kay ukhana ghetla tyacha?? (Can somebody tell me the meaning what Jay said)” Ajji.“Aaji mi sangate….{Aaji, I will tell you),” Ritu was so excited.“Paris chya ground var mi khelat hoto cricket, Paris chya ground var mi khelat hoto cricket, Tevhach Mitala pahile ani padali mazi wicket!!” “Waah wah.. kiti hushar ahe maza naat- javayi, (Jay is so smart)” Aaji. She came forward and gave him 101 Rs. as a prize,“Khoop premane hi mhatari tula he chotese bakshis dete ahe. Tyach premane mazya Mitacha sambhal kar. Khoop guni ahe ho mazi Mita, (With lots of love I am giving this small gift to you. With the same love, please take care of my dear Mita. She is our treasure,)” Aaji had tears in her eyes. After listening to that, Mom also had teary eyes. She took her pallu and wiped her tears.“Aaji, this gift of 101 Rs is precious for me and so is Mita. Both will be with me forever,” Jay.“Ok Ok, before these happy moments turn into emotional drama, let them come inside now,” Papa.   Mita, Jay entered home.They were really tired. But still few more rituals  games continued till midnight.“I thought it would be our 1st night today after marriage, but it is something different than what I expected,” Jay whispered in Mita’s ear.“Expectations reduce joy so, hehehe,” Mita.“Point noted, Mrs. Mita Jay,” Jay.“Wow, that sounds great!!” Mita.“Guys, enough of these games now, Jiju and Di must be tired!! Let them go and sleep,” Pihu.“Finally, God heard my prayes!!” Jay. Amma, Appa, Simi and other relatives were ready to go back to the hotel.“Amma, Appa, I will also come,” Jay.“But jiju, we thought you would stay here tonight,” Ritu.“No problem Kanna, you stay here,” Appa.“No Appa, I will come with you all, anyways we have to leave early tomorrow,” Jay.“I will also come with you,” Mita.“No Mita, it’s too late and you are really tired. Better you take rest here, sleep well,” Jay.Mita was surprised but then she was proud of Jay. She nodded her head.“Okk then…tomorrow..Chennai Express!!!!” Papa. To be continued.Â