chapter 43

The train compartment was full with all baraatis.Jay, Amma, Appa, Simi, uncles, aunts and thenMita, Mummy, Papa, Pihu, mama, mami, Archana, Ritu.Bhaiyya Bhabhi & Golu had to go back to Delhi as Bhaiyy’as vacation was over and he had to join his office back. Aaji could not travel in such long journey so she preferred to stay at Kolhapur. Seema and Veer also had to go back to their respective natives to join office. Everybody had come to say bye to Jay & Mita. After all, they were supposed to go back to Paris from Chennai. With a heavy heart Mita waved them all a good bye.Even though it was a long journey, everybody had lots of fun. They played Antakshari, damsharas, and cards in the train. It was like a family picnic for them.Next morning, they reached Chennai.Appa & Jay had arranged a mini bus to pick them all up and drop at the hotel where the accommodation was arranged. It was almost half an hour but still the driver didn’t turn up to pick them up. Appa, Jay kept calling the driver.“&*^&%^^%&(^*&(),” Appa.“*&*(^%#%@$@$$^&^,” Jay.For almost 5-10 mins they were talking on the phone in Tamil. Here Mita and family were waiting for them to know what happened. Though they could understand that there was some issue with the vehicle.“Papa, sorry the mini bus tyre is punctured and the driver’s phone’s battery was down so he could not contact us. Just now he called us from the mechanic's place,” Jay.“Ohh ok,” Papa.“I am sorry Papa for the inconvenience. Please give me some more time, we are arranging another bus,” Appa.“Ohh no Appa!! Why are you saying sorry? Please don’t,” Papa.“Because you had to wait till now. You guys planned the wedding so nicely. Everything was so perfect. But as soon as you enter here, you started facing the problem,” Appa.“No Appa. Please don’t say that. You forgot? What happened at the hotel?? About the accommodation??? But you people cooperated with us. Now it is our turn. Don’t worry. No need to book another mini bus. Let’s get 3-4 taxis, we will manage,” Papa.“Thank you so much Papa,” Apa folded his hands.“Ohh no, this is not required,” Papa gave him a hug.They called 4 taxis. All taxis were fully occupied. They could call one more taxi but Papa said, not required, we will manage.2 taxis were filled with Jay’s family. In the third taxi, Papa, Mummy, Pihu and Mami. And in 4th Taxi, Mama, Archana, Ritu, Jay and MIta, yes.They made Mama sit in the front, near the driver seat. Archana, Ritu being lean, everyone thought all 4 can easily fit in the backseat. But still it was lil discomfort, mama suggested Mita to sit on Jay’’s lap. She hesitated but then instead of calling another taxi and making more delay, she agreed. Jay totally enjoyed this ride.“Do you know what happens to the butter if we put it on a hot pan?? My feelings are the same..just like that butter..” Jay whispered in Mita’s ear and tightened his hands around Mita’s waist. She pinched on his hand.“Aaaaaa ouch….” Jay screamed.Driver got scared and he suddenly stopped the car, “%&*((&*&%”“What happened Jay beta,” Mama.“No, nothing mama. I think, something bit me,” Jay.Archana and Ritu were giggling.“Something or Someone?? Hahahaha,” Mama.Mita was embarrassed.Jay dropped Mita & Family at the hotel where their accommodation was arranged.“Mummy, Papa, you all please take a rest for sometime. Have breakfast – lunch peacefully and after that you can start preparing for evening reception,” For the last sentence Jay looked at Mita. She widened her eyes and then smiled.“We will send another vehicle to pick you all,” Jay smiled back and continued.“But Jiju, where is the reception hall?? How long would it take to reach there? And how will Mita Di get ready??” Ritu had back to back questions.“Wait wait, take a deep breath first,” Archana.“It is nearby only. Both our house as well as the reception hall, just 5 km away. Simi will come back here with a beautician, who will help Mita to get ready,” Jay.“Ohh wow, Di, you are so lucky, jiju has made all the arrangements for you,” Pihu.“Actually, I would like to give that credit to Simi and Amma, it is their plan,” Jay.Mita nodded her head and smiled again. Jay was looking at her with a smiling face.“Jiju..Jiju, Kaha kho gaye???” Ritu tapped on his shoulder.“Aaah.. Ohh I am sorry.. Simi will come back here with a beautician who will help Mita to get ready, and that’s Simi & Amma’s idea,” Jay fumbled.“Hahahahaha, Jiju to gaye kam se….Jiju..you are so funny, you already said that…..” Everybody started laughing.“I think I should take a leave now,” Jay quickly escaped from there.Appa, Amma and Jay got busy in preparing for the evening function. After lunch, Simi went to Mita’s place with a beautician to help her get ready. The lady couldn’t understand Hindi. But with little English and Simi’s help they could communicate with each other. Mita got ready and came out of her room. Everybody was stunned to see Mita in south Indian attire. Red-Golden silk saree, very neatly plated and pinned up pallu, which was again neatly tied up in Kamarpatta. Long braid decorated with Jasmine gajaras. Maang ticka, small red colour bindi. Small necklace and medium sized mangalsutra. The beautician lady asked for 2 things.“$&^*(^(&)*)^&%^&$^%#”Mita looked at Simi.“Bhabhi, she is asking you to remove your green bangles and wear matching red bangles instead. She is also asking if you have a couple of more golden necklaces, little longer in size,” Simi.“No Simi, I can’t remove these green bangles. I love them. It doesn’t matter if they don’t match with my saree. This is the only time we wear these bottle green colour bangles. These are the symbols of newly wedded girls. Just like in North India they wear Red Chuda…for us it is Green..a symbol of prosperity in newly wedded couple’s life….and I don’t have more golden malas. I think it is enough for me. I am not a jewellery lover anyways. I believe in simplicity,” Mita was emotional while explaining this.“It’s ok Bhabhi, as you wish..be comfortable” Simi.Mommy and Mami both had tears in their eyes as they saw Mita in a beautiful south Indian bride attire.“Thanks to Jay, we could never imagine Mita like this.. such a beautiful bride…” Mom kissed Mita's forehead.Everybody headed towards the reception hall….To be continued...