Chapter 48

Smita,😊

Here is the interpretation to Section 2 B of Part 9.

This update is all about being genuine, legitimate, ritually proper. In a word, KOSHER

What exactly is Kosher?

Kosher is a Yiddish word, but now used in English too.

It is a word derived from the ancient Hebrew word, Kasher meaning proper, pure and lawful.

In Yiddish, it is used to describe the method of preparing their food, those conforming to the laws of kashrut.

In English, it is used to describe something genuine, legitimate and ritually proper.

By the evening, in time for the wedding of Arnav Singh Raizada and Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada, RM was decorated with flowers emanating their bewitching perfume that made it look like the house itself had bloomed and the fairy lights interspersed like a gossamer web emitting out the golden hues of sunrise making it look dreamy almost ethereal. It looked as though the RM itself had dressed up to welcome Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada with open arms, to give her the status of the elder bahu in an appropriate manner, a befitting welcome to her, in a sharp contrast to what she underwent the previous time. No one who saw it would have believed that it was put together in a matter of few hours by the family.

The wedding itself was a happy occasion. The Guptas' and Raizadas' knew that Arnav had behaved abominably but they also knew how Shyam was and what elicited such behavior from Arnav, a feeling of helplessness in the face of conning two of the women he loved the most. Shyam was not only a silver-tongued two-timing crooked con man but also a bad egg who was an incorrigible varmint swindler, hell bent on possessing all that he layed eyes on and a blackguard at heart. For they knew that Arnav and Khushi for all their bickering and fights were a pair made for each other. Arnav loved Khushi more than his own life and Khushi could not bear to be parted from her Arnavji for a moment. Having made a clean breast of the things that he did to Khushi, Arnav succeeded to impress upon the rest to accept that he had done so under the stressful situation where he had no other go. So collectively they let go of their anger and disappointment and endorsed to welcome Khushi and Arnav as a couple in the time-honored way, the conventional wedding with all the rituals it entails and celebrate the wedding to its fullest for the happy future of the couple. Since it was just the family, the Guptas' and Raizadas', it was a relaxed affair as they did not need to stand on ceremony. Every face was aglow with happiness.

Arnav came down wearing a gold and maroon sherwani, a customary mens wear that his Di had gifted him quite sometime back, which had only seen the shelf so far and he had hoped to forget about it as it was not the type of clothing he preffered. It was a shot gold sherwani made of dupion silk with simple dhabka work at collar and cuff with maroon thread teamed with a maroon churidaar, matching stole and mojris that attracted all eyes towards him. NK and Akash, dressed in pink and green kurtas' accompanied him.

Anjali and Payal led Khushi down to the hall for the wedding. She was in the conventional yet fashionable wedding wear, wearing the red tulle saree with its silk velvet applique and beads strewn in edged by the ornamental flocked border in gold thread that Arnav had given her. The red sari and the delicate looking elegant diamond jewellery made her look beyond beautiful. Her beauty broke on Arnav like a rare flower. Images of the photo shoot in which she had been wearing similar clothes looking stunning, with her innocence and shyness shining out, flitted across Arnav's mind as she walked down to join him.

As Khushi neared him she peeked at him with eyes like twinkling stars, she felt her heart increase its beat. She had never thought that it was possible for him to look much more dapper than he usually was! His preferred black/blue/brown suit ensemble that had girls swoon over him was nothing in comparison to this ethnic look he sported that looked as though the outfit was made for him. She thought he would be able to hear the thunderous beat that was defeaning her ears with just one look at this man who was her husband and tormentor of her thoughts. Then, her eyes noted that his face too held the same wonderous look. His eyes were acknowledging her, by heaping the dreamy admiration that her heart had longed for, when she had dreamt of her wedding. It made her cheeks vie with her saree, like a blushing cloud and her expression, changed with the rapidity of a kaleidoscope. All laughed at the sight and Nani showed her approval with her chuckle and saying, married for six months and the girl is still blushing. Buaji giving out belly laughter told them, that she too was a shy girl and Titliyaa's phoophaji had to peek under her veil to catch a glimpse of his bride! NK's loud, Nannav is blushing had Arnav raise an eyebrow in a silent challenge at NK. Even if there was smile that was like the dawn colouring his cheeks, nobody could deny him his right to happiness. Mami, who could never let go of such a golden opportunity quipped in her inimitable way, Blushing? If it was marrying for the first time then one could understand blushing to the roots, Arnav Bitwaa, but this is the second time round! She ended with her signature phrase, Hello Hi Bye Bye! The family showed its happiness by their pure clean ribbing. Amidst hilarity, Arnav and Khushi took the blessings of their elders, receiving many hugs in return.

During the Jaimala, when Khushi lifted her arms to garland Arnav, NK and Akash lifted him out of Khushis reach, to tease her. But Arnav with a single gesture of lifting his hand stopped them mid way and bent his head and let Khushi place the garland around his neck. It was his way of showing her that he was dead serious when he said that he would protect her. He was ready to do so even if it had been for jest. For him she was like a delicate flower that needed to be nurtured. Even the warm sun rays would at times be too much and he was not prepared to let her face such a situation. Once she did the needful, Arnav in a flash garlanded Khushi lest somebody lifted her above his reach! His sweet gesture towads his sweet heart made NK complain that was cheating Nannav! He was siding with Khushiji against his own brothers! It evoked gales of laughter. Mami diplomatically explained to NK saying, that they were only Arnav Bitwaa's brothers. She was his wife! only to be greeted by peals of laughter. Though the rest saw it in jest, it was meant for Khushi to see the earnestness, of his love for her as well as his intention of putting things in proper perspective.

Amidst the ensuing laughter, Anjali and Payal led the groom and the bride to sit by the purohit in front of the havan arranged in the mandap. They sat in chairs by them, keeping the mangalsutra safe that they had removed from Khushi's neck ten minutes back. Khushi was surprised to see strings of stars dangling from the frame of the mandap all around them. As she trained her widened eyes at Arnav, he said with a bright smile that they were her stars. He had placed her stars to make her feel that her complete family, her real parents too, were with her on her big day! It was a beautiful gesture on his part to make her feel happy and content. A gesture that also showed he was placing her wishes above everything else in his life. A gesture that showed that he repented for having uttered that it was good her parents were not able to see how she had turned out to be. It was an appropriate gesture that overwhelmed Khushi and when he pointed at the fairy lights saying, lights for her, all Khushi could do was turn her head from lights to him. Remembering the past, he asked her with a broad smile, if she was planning to get entagled just to let him know and he was ever ready to untangle her. Khushi just nodded to indicate a no! His persistent, was she sure, elicited a nod, and a smile tug on her lips, making him murmur, what a pity! All the talk and murmurs sitting in the mandap made Mami quip, Not to talk so much! He has all his life ahead to talk. If he finishes talking everything now itself what will he do for the next 80 years ahead? At the expense of the bride and the groom, all laughed while they turned beet red. Once again they were treated to warm hearted ribbing confirming how pertinent their wedding was!

Arnav showing her all the things that she had wanted in her wedding he pointed towards the smiling faces of their relations and their laughter at their expense and said, Joy. Her face softened seeing the beaming faces, a becoming expression showing their happiness and NK seeing that she was looking in his direction winked with happiness for his friend. Pointing to the cascade of flowers, he said another one, as per her dream. Khushi was beyond words. He told her that he had arranged jalebi for dinner and it was from her favorite halwai in Chandni Chowk. By then Khushi was forced to smile at the pains he had taken to make the wedding exactly as per her wish. It made her feel cherished. While the purohit chanted the mantras, Arnav whispered, that she looks beautiful. Khushi recognized that he spoke what exactly his eyes were conveying all along. Khushi unable to meet his eyes skittered her gaze away.

The marriage rituals were done by the bride and the groom under the guidance of the purohit and under the gaze of the beaming family. As they completed their saath phere, the family heaved a sigh of relief and was filled with happiness at the smile visible on the face of Arnav and Khushi. Now it was an established fact that they were a lawfully wedded couple as per the convention.

What is the significance of saath phere?

We know saath phere is taking seven rounds around the havan promising to be there for each other in the presence of fire that symbolizes purity. I will not delve into what these stand for as each one of us is aware of these vows. What I want to say is Saptapadi or saath phere is the closure of the main marriage ritual that begins with Panigrahana or placing the hand of the bride over the grooms. Once this phere is done the couple is said to be married. The Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 recognizes the completion of the seventh round as the moment at which the marriage transaction attains the legal status. The ancient law texts too say the same, be it Manu smrithi or Likhita smrithi.

The sindoor and the mangalsutra are to confirm the new family membership of the couple.That is why just applying sindoor and tying mangasutra does not constitute marriage.

In the story of Shalivahana who becomes the emperor later under whose name the Hindu years are calculated, Shalivahana shaka varsh, or Shalivahana era, he had taken saath pheres with a princess during a fair as a child game and it was considered to be legal as they had taken saath pheres though not tied the mangalsutra and applied sindoor!

As an additional information,The Shalivahana era, also known as the Saka era, is used with Hindu calendars, the Balinese calendar, the Javanese calendar and the Cambodian Buddhist calendar.

As Arnav tied her mangalsutra around her neck once more with reverence, Khushi felt her eyes prick at the feeling in his eyes. This time Arnav took a pinch of sindoor in his fingers, lifted her maangtikka, kissed her maang, and placed the sindoor there, in a ritually proper manner. All smiled at his gesture not knowing its significance in their life. His simple yet reverential gesture had Khushi tremble with its impact. Her mind let go of the horror filled night of her forced marriage. The bitter memories of that fateful night were replaced by the sweet ones that etched in her mind as well as her heart for her lifetime. Both Arnav and Khushi sought the blessings of the purohit and their family.

When Arnav walked in to his room, it was to see Khushi sitting on the chaise longue in all her wedding finery, making him smile with a light heart. They had endured hours of post-wedding rituals and games giving in to the fun and frolic that the family was enjoying. They went along the flow even though all the fun was at their expense, as they felt the joy of being a part of one big family that was mercifully backing them to the hilt. It was a felicitous happy occasion. The only thing that Arnav had stood firm was to decorating their bedroom for the suhaag raat. He strongly held his ground without yielding to the pleas of his brothers and even his Di. Now finally, when they got to be alone he went near Khushi, knelt before her and hugged her tight saying, Thank You Khushi, a heartfelt one, in a tremulous voice. She looked at him not knowing how to respond. His query, did she enjoy the wedding? had her smile. She had loved it. It had been her dream given life. It had put her on cloud nine. Six months back, it was one dream that she had thought was gone forever. Just like the proverbial pot of gold at the end of rainbow, she had thought it as an illusion. But her Arnavji had made it come true. His smiling face, his happiness at getting married, the laughter of their family, the jalebis, the lights, flowers, the stars all were exactly as she had dreamt and she beamed bobbing her head affirming that he loved it very much. His words that he wanted her to have everything that she missed last time, affirmed to her what she already knew and made her acknowledge, that she understood. Noting the time, he stated that it was late and asked was she tired? As Khushi nodded, Arnav told her, that he too was drained out. He had not slept well for days together. He told her, that it was a good idea to rest and asked, may he help her out with removing the jewels? As Khushi agreed, he took the earrings off her lobes, his touch sending a blistering trail of fire down her body. He removed her ghoonghat, pushing her hair gently away from her nape, unfastened the necklace. He removed her maangtikka taking care not to smudge her sindoor. He removed her bangles, one by one, his touch sensitising her skin and receiving the pleasure. Once her jewels were placed in its box, both freshened up and got ready to bed. All this were done decorously letting her know that the ball was in her court. She had the right to decide on things, their relationship and on each and everything between them.

Arnav hugging Khushi close to his heart kissed her forehead and whispered, that now they were husband and wife in their eyes as well as the rest of the world. They belong together, till the end of their time and no one can force them to part. No one can keep them away from one another. As Khushi looked into his eyes all she could see was his eyes brimming with happiness. He told her he hoped that she would willingly stay with him after the contract period was over. But he would not be forcing her. If she wants to go she could go to Buaji's house on the 15^th and he would drop her there. As far as the query from the rest was concerned, he would let them know why they were not staying together. She need not worry about it and he would not care how long it took her, but he was definite that one day she would realize that she loves him as much as he loves her and she will come back to him of her own free will. His words made Khushi feel a lump in her throat. He told her with conviction that he knows that she loves him. He had seen it in her deeds, in her care that she lavishes on him, in every look, in every touch. One day, she would open up herself to her heart and realize that indeed what he says as true and she would tell him so too, realizing that she would not be able to live without him, just like he cannot live without her. Then for her, life like before would not be sufficient and that would be the day they would begin the new journey as one. Khushi, still mired in self-doubt in a low voice asked him, how does he know that the day will ever come? He murmured to her, that his gut feeling was, that day will come as he trusts her and her love, as he has faith in his love for her. Khushi teared up listening to his words only to further hear his words of admonishment asking her not to cry, as it was nothing to feel so teary about. He warned her that, he would be trying his level best to hasten it up. His words startled Khushi. So saying, Arnav proceeded to kiss her with fervor and zeal, assaulting her senseless and making her mind turn into a blob of goo and cling on to him like a vine to a tree while her heart went throbbing at a blitzkrieg pace that she never knew. Startled hazel eyes looked into the molten caramel ones that were pools of love and desire. As she was swirling in the depths of his eyes, slowly, unknowingly, her hands crept to the neck of his T-shirt, tugging to find access, trying to touch more of his skin. His warning, Shh, was accompanied by the wicked smile of a big bad wolf and asked her not to tempt him too much as his self control has its limits. Living in the same room as her for six months, without kissing her and without making love to her has brought down his self- control to its reserve level. He was barely hanging on to it as he has nearly reached the end of his tether. But Khushi was beyond reasoning. She squirmed at his words and clung to him tighter and moved closer. Arnav declared that it would be just one more kiss and they need to call it a day like all good children do. While his words made Khushi glare at him in frustration and anger, an amused Arnav had a loud belly-laugh seeing her expression. Arnav, even if she was ready to give herself to him, wants her to be his only when she has no doubts about it. Having been with her for six months and knowing her for the past one and a half years, he knows that she has the tendency to give in, if she feels his need. He does not want that. He wants her to come to him only when she is clear about her feelings and her unconditional love becomes an unconditional necessity for her just like it is for him. Though he has given her a ritually proper and legally corrected status, as his wife, he wants her to come to him with equal longing for him as he has for her to consummate their marriage. This he has realized will not force her to do things as it had been so far. She would be making the decisions. Only when she comes to him with both her heart and mind as one, they will be able to become one soul. What is acceptable now for him is only proper, pure and genuine relationship and for that he is ready to wait.

That is why this is titled KOSHER.

"Freedom is limited by the need to coexist"

~ Toba Beta, My My Ancestor Was an Ancient Astronaut

Thats it from me. Hope you enjoy it.

rulama2013-08-27 02:52:49