chapter 44

Mita’s car was decorated with flowers. They all arrived at the reception hall. Mita got down from the car and stood at the entrance with Mom, Mami, Pihu, Archana and Ritu. The cameraman immediately came forward and clicked a few candid photos of Mita. She was about to enter the hall but Amma stopped her,“Mita, wait…!!” Archana, Ritu looked at each other.Amma came with a couple of more ladies and around 6-7 girls. All were dressed up nicely in south Indian attire. Each girl had a diya in hands. All the girls made a circle around Mita. Amma gave diyas to Archana, Ritu, Mom and Mami and asked them to start walking towards the stage.Mita entered the hall. She was mesmerized to see the decoration on the stage. She just could not believe in her eyes. She looked at mom and then Pihu who were next to her. Mom’s eyes were filled with tears, happy tears. The stage was fully decorated with white and golden flowers. In the middle of the stage, at the front, Shree Krishna’s idol was worshipped. Jay was sitting at the centre with Panditaji. He couldn’t take his eyes off Mita. As soon as she started walking towards the stage, the music started. Such a divine feeling it was!! All heads were turned to see the beautiful bride. Mita reached near the stage. Jay immediately got up and gave his hand to her. Both were asked to take a seat on the stage.“I thought, I got married to a typical marathi mulagi (girl). But trust me, nobody would be able to make out here that you are not a tamilian. Perfectttt look really suits you!!!!” Jay.Mita smiled. Panditaji came forward and performed a few rituals. Then Appa came and gave a paper in Jay’s hand. It was a marriage certificate. Jay & Mita both signed the papers. Then Appa asked Papa and Mummy to do the Kanyadaan.“Again????”“Actually, we planned for the reception, but while doing the arrangements we thought let’s perform the remaining rituals here, anyways everything was done there at Kolhapur. Actually, it happened automatically, we did not really plan for it, we were just going with the flow. I hope you won’t mind!!” Appa.“Whatt?? Are you serious?? I mean why would we mind?? It is such a pleasant surprise!! We never thought we could witness a south Indian marriage, that too of my own daughter. It is an amazing experience for us. Thank you so much Appa, You are simply great!!” This time Papa had tears in his eyes. This was the first time Mita saw her father crying. That took her heart away. She came forward and hugged him. This time mummy gave a look at Papa – She was proud of her husband.Papa touched his collar and smiled at Mummy.Papa patted on Mita’s back, “Beta, I am so proud of you. You are so lucky.” Then he turned towards Jay,“Jay beta, please take care of my daughter. I mean, please take care of each other. And congratulations again!!! You got married twice!!!! ” Suddenly he remembered something. He looked at Mita. She understood what was going through Papa’s mind… she remembered that Papa had told her, Jay’s kundali was showing the possibility of two marriages.“Ohohoho…. Congratulations Jay beta, you got married twice!!! With the same girl..hehehe…hahahaha..Ohh God… Jay Shree Krishna…. Amazing!!” He folded his hands to Lord Krishna. Nobody had a clue why Papa suddenly got excited. The reception cum wedding ceremony got over.After the Grih Pravesh ritual, Mita got a grand welcome at her new house.“Ohh, No ukhana (saying partner’s name) ritual here??” Mami asked Mama.“Thank God!!” Mama.“Huh,” Mami.Everybody enjoyed delicious south Indian food for dinner. Now, it was time for Mita’s family to leave. It was actual Bidaai…. Mom, Pihu had tears in their eyes.“Mita Beta, I know that you are a very strong girl and can adapt to any situation. But please take care of yourself. Always remember that, if you are strong & healthy, then only you can take care of your family. So, always prioritise your happiness. Because if you are happy, you can make others happy. My sweet child, God bless you,” Mom hugged Mita and cried for a few minutes. Everybody was feeling so sad. Pihu, Mami, Archana, Ritu, were also crying.Then Mita turned to Papa and hugged him too.“Don’t cry beta!! Just follow whatever your mom says. I have nothing else to say, Now be happy that, Jay got married twice with you,”Mita looked at Papa.“I know beta, what is going on in your mind…” Papa could read the question in her eyes easily.“You must be thinking, why in your kundali it didn’t show the possibility of 2 marriages, because technically you both got married twice,” Papa.Mita nodded her head.“Beta, astrology is just a prediction. We cannot predict our future 100%. Everything is based on your Karma. If you perform good karma, you will be writing your better destiny. I am so proud of you, that you believed in yourself, your love and your karmas. God bless you!!” Papa.“What have you been whispering here for so long?? Everybody is waiting,” Mom came.“Ohh sorry, nothing serious. Baap- Beti ka secret…. huh” Papa.Mita smiled.“See,  I was trying to make her smile. Because of you only she started crying,” Papa.“Hmm… you always do this, trying to take the credit..!!” Mom.With a heavy heart, teary eyes but then a smile on face, Mita waved bye to her family. At Jay’s Home:Jay & Appa went to drop off Mita's family at the station.Amma held Mita’s hand and took her inside home, to the living room,“Be Comfortable %*^%&^&$^%##^”Mita looked at Simi for the translation.“Bhabhi, Amma is saying, don’t worry. Now, you are our daughter, feel free!!”“&*%*$^&$#^%$^*&^((*&^*(%&*%&,” Amma“Bhabhi, Amma is saying, if you are not comfortable in Saree, you can change and wear something else. Saree is not mandatory,” Simi.Mita smiled, “No problem Amma, Thank you.”“Simi, $^%&&(*)%$@$@$%” Amma.“Bhabhi, Amma is saying, you must be very tired now, you can go to your room and take a rest. It is already 11 pm now. Let me show you your room. Please come with me!” Simi took Mita to Jay’s room, To be continued…