Thank you all for your lovely comments. It inspires me to write more...here comes the next update. Happy reading ..

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PART 9

I got ready in my new cream coloured Sherwani which had tiny floral pattern embroidered with golden thread. Rohan took out a box from his cupboard and gave it to me.

"It's a gift from me.

"Thank you Rohan.

"Wont you open it Bhaiya??

"You want me to open it now ?? I thought I will open it after marriage , so that Naina will also be there with me when I open it

"Nope , this is for you to open it now and I want to you to use it today.

"OK

"WOW !! Lovely watch.

"Your time has changed Bhaiya. God has blessed you with a beautiful life partner , now its up to you how you handle your life.

"Thank you, Rohan. Naina told me the same thing. Not sure...why but I am very nervous.

"Don't worry , the moment you see her , everything will be in place. Now move on...mom is waiting in the Puja room .

After the Puja and Arthi , we reached the marriage hall .

"I thought we were going to the registrars office.

"A small change of plan. We will have a traditional wedding and then get the marriage registered. Nanu felt it wont be fair , if we do register marriage. After all Naina would have dreamt about her marriage. Don't worry no one other family will be there.

I sat in front of the sacred fire , chanting the mantra's guided by Pujari ji. Then when he asked ,her family to bring in the bride, I waited with batted eyes for her.
Her Chachi quickly went to the nearby dressing room and there she was .Our eyes met. Time stood still . She wore the red lehenga with a matching blouse which had beautiful golden emobroderi patterns on it similar to mine. The Dupatta was pleated and pinned in such a way that both her midriff and back was not seen. I was so happy that she respected my thoughts while dressing up. A red transparent shawl with golden thread pattern covered a hair. Her hair was tied into a bun and a layer of neatly tied jasmine flower was placed around it. She wore diamond set as her jewelry, a chocker, dangling earrings and two sets of bangles. In between these bangles she wore red glass bangles too. Her mangtikka was simple but elegant . The entire set of jewelry was a contrast to the red attire she wore. She looked beautiful. I couldn't take my eyes off her even as she sat next to me .

As time progressed , we blindly did what the Pujari asked us to do. With in 45 mins, marriage was done. During the wedding not even once did she look at me. She avoided my eyes and I wondered why. After the wedding was over , we were getting ready for lunch and our families asked us to sit near the Mandup.

"You look beautiful Mrs Sameer Jayaprakash Maheshwari

"Thank you !!

"Naina , you look tensed. Common relax. I know you have this feeling that you are going away from your family but the reality is different. If you want you can visit your family anytime. No one is going to stop you.

"Really ?? Then why are you taking me to your house. We can go to our houses rt. Why cant it be that we meet once in a while??

"Is that what you want ? You want to go to your house and just meet me once in a while.

"I don't know!!

"If you didn't know why you did you say that??

"Because I am scared.

"Scared about coming to my house??

"Everything!!

"Everything ?? what do you mean by that

"Sameer , Let us just not talk for sometime. Its not you...its me...forget it!"

"OK He got up and walked towards, male members of our families , who were standing and talking to each other as they waited for the food to be served . I couldn't tell him about my fears. Its not just about going to a new house, adjusting to a new family, or having to share room with someone , even if it means that someone is the one you are in love with...it was about leaving your family , it was about change of your identity...above all...it was about first night too!! Tayiji and Chachi had indirectly told me that I should keep him happy...if not men will wander off ...was I prepared for it?? Nope , I wasn't . I needed time. But how could I speak all this to anyone? These are not something that you share with anyone. The more I thought, the more scared I was. Ideally anyone who is in love with your husband wouldn't have this kind of fear but my case was different. Here I was the only one in love, not him. His heart was all about Kamya and not me. Somewhere deep in my heart I knew , I wasn't ready because I feared of him walking away from this marriage...what do I now?? I walked into it with an open eye...I can't blame anyone for this misery than myself. When I looked at people around, they were all happy...even Sameer looked very happy...hmmm...glad at least others are happy.

"Naina!! Beta what are you thinking

"Nothing aunty!!

"Come , have food. Naina , I want you to call me mumma like how Sameer calls me. I know , it will take some time...and I promise I will try my best to be your mom.

"Thank you Aunty!! Sorry...Mumma...

" Good !! , now come and have your food. Sameer is waiting for you.'

"Mumma you ask him to have , I am not hungry. Please ..I will have it later.

"Naina , I know what is going thru you. But after marriage , you should have it with him. This is your first meal together.

"Alright , I will come. I will go to the restroom and then come. Few mins ...will be there.

"Ok come soon.

Lord!! I am not hungry and I am so nervous , I wont be able to eat anything. How do I make people understand. To top it all , its mandatory to have food together. Why cant a girl get married and stay at her place. Why should we have to go and stay at the guys house. I knew , my problem was first night more than anything. Loving a person doesn't mean that he or she is ready for physical intimacy rt? What if he is expecting me too...NOOO!!

"NAINA!! What happen?? Why did you say no?? Don't you want to have food??

"Sameer ...I ...hmm...yeah I am coming ...you go.

"Something is not right Naina , what's wrong?? You need to tell me... He walked towards me . My heart started beating faster and I slowly started moving back ...I knew there was fear written on my face and he was confused.

"Why do you look scared?? Are you scared of me??

I didn't know what to tell him. I was not scared of him , but I wasn't ready for getting into deeper aspects of marriage. I needed time . I needed to throw away my insecurity. I need trust him and that he would never cheat on me, but...

"I thought you trusted me Naina.

"I do Sameer

"Then why this fear?? Tell me...you don't even want to come with me ..and here I am eagerly waiting to share my life with you...how ironic can life be...right??

"I trust you...I never said ...I dont

"Then prove it by accepting my hand of friendship!!

He extended his hand and I hesitantly placed my hand into his. He held my hand tightly and gave a smile. I understood , for him it was important that I trust him and I did too...its just that my insecurities were creating the distance between us. I didn't want him to be hurt because of it. It was not his problem it was mine. I was willing to get hurt but couldn't see him hurt.

"Thank you !! Naina , I know ours is more like an arranged marriage. People might talk differently since they all know that we were classmates...dont worry , I am not going to pounce on you . I understand your fear my dear friend . What you women don't understand is , we men also get nervous...
For now , let us just concentrate on the food. I am very hungry Naina and mom says we have to have our first meal together.

As we were walking he looked at me and said "Once we are alone in our room, we can discuss in detail about each other's fears...I think that's the best way to start..to know each other.

I felt a little relaxed after our pre-lunch discussion and I realized I was enjoying every morsel of food. People teased us in between and then Sameers mom said that it was a tradition in their house that the husband will feed his wife from his plate.

Both of us looked at each other because we had already done this couple of days back at my house. But we acted as if it's the first time.

"The ease at which he is feeding her makes me think , this is not the first time he is doing it, commented his dad.

All our acting went in vain. Both blushed and started smiling like teenagers. Rohan and Preethi , then took over from there. They all teased us ...then lot of fun and laughter happened ...finally it was time for me to start my new life as Naina Sameer Jayaprakash Maheshwari. Bhidayi!! The most painful part of a woman's life. The day she leaves her childhood behind to embrace womanhood. At that moment no one could stop their tears. This is a situation where a girl's family wouldn't know , if they should be happy or sad. I hugged Chacha ji as if there was no tomorrow. First time in my life , I saw him in tears. Even during Pooja dhidhi's wedding he wasn't this emotional.

"Just because you are married , doesn't mean you cant come home. My home will always be open for you and I am your best friend. I know Sameer and his family will take good care of you but you should also adjust and take care of them the way you did here with us...understood??

"Yes...

As I sat in the car along with Sameer, my vision got blurred with tears. I had this lost feeling that I could not put it in words. I sat towards one end of the back seat looking outside, the window. My hands were clasped and I wanted to be left alone at that moment. At least I thought I did, till Sameer came and sat closer to me ,place one hand around my shoulder and the other on my clasped hands .

"We are friends.. right ??

I looked into his eyes. I had never seen him this close. His eyes were hypnotizing me. I felt a lot relaxed. I didn't say anything . I rested my head , on his shoulders and closed my eyes. I felt warm and at peace. Is it going to be the same, always? Would he behave this way in front of Kamya too??..hmm...why cant I get Kamya out of my mind? I pulled my hands from his hold and straightened myself. My faade was back in place.

"Feeling better?

I didn't want to lie, so just gave him a smile.

"It will take time but I am sure you will be fine.

"Oh Yes!! She will . Why wont she , after all she has the best brother in law in the world!!

That's when we realized we were not alone. Driver of our car was Rohan.

"Rohan , you need to concentrate on the road and not on people at the back seat.

"What to do Bhaiyaa, backseat activity is a lot more interesting than whats happening ahead of me...

"Rohan, you need to be very careful . One day you will also get married, then you never know what we will do .

"Bhabhi , this is not right. I was trying to cheer you and now you are on Bhaiyaa's side.

"Why wont she , she is my wife . She is MINE!!

"Awww...POSSESSIVE!! How romantic!!