Part 2
Meera saw Naina stood silently outside her room. She called Naina inside her room and felt her daughter hesitating to speak with her or her father.
Meera: Aapako kya pareshaan kara ra hai?
Naina: Mom, main... phaisala kiya hai.
Meera: App kya socha hai? Naina
Naina: Mom, main gathabandhan (alliance) sveekaar (accepted) kar liya hai ...
After five days, I gave my answer to my parents. They were happy and immediately called Priyanka Auntie.
Meera: Hi Priya
Priyanka: Hi Meera
Meera: Aap kaise hai?
Priyanka: Main achchha hoon. Aur tum?
Meera: Main bhee theek hoon. Mere paas aapake lie achchhee khabar hai.
Priyanka: Kya achchhee khabar hai? Kya main soch raha hoon? Woh saach hai!
Meera: Haan! Naina, ne haan kyadiya hai?
I can hear their excitement through the phone. I close my eyes, remembering my conversation between me and my brother; after speaking with him. I felt satisfaction. I was able to make my decision. I felt someone touching me. I open my eyes and saw my mother showering her love on me. I felt happy inside.
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Its been another five days after I agreed for the marriage and today is my wedding day. I stare at the name "Rajveer" written in my mehndi. I close my eyes and slowly open them looking at my reflection in the mirror. I wore red and white contrast bridal lehenga. I accessories are heavy for me. My mother came inside my room to get me. She got emotional and hugged me tightly. She explained me the meaning of marriage and the relation between man and wife. I felt nervous after hearing my mother even though I knew bits of relation between a couple through my friends.
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My car stop outside huge temple. I saw the decoration done inside the temple for my wedding. I saw Priyanka Auntie coming toward us and greeted us. I gave her a smile and she covered my face (by ghoonghat). My parents brought me inside the temple and settle me beside my groom. Priest began chatting religious vows. My eyes kept on staring at the flame numbly. Priest told us to stand up for saat-phera ka vachan...
I followed behind my groom who led around holy fire. I listen carefully to Priest who explained the meaning of first four phere...
1. Groom (Rajveer): You will offer me food and be helpful in every way. I will cherish you and provide welfare and happiness for you and our children.
Bride (Naina):I am responsible for the home and all household responsibilities.
2. Groom (Rajveer): Together we will protect our house and children.
Bride (Naina): I will be by your side as your courage and strength. I will rejoice in your happiness. In return, you will love me solely.
3. Groom (Rajveer): May we grow wealthy and prosperous and strive for the education of our children. May our children live long.
Bride (Naina): I will love you solely for the rest of my life, as you are my husband. Every other man in my life will be secondary. I vow to remain chaste.
4. Groom (Rajveer): You have brought sacredness into my life, and have completed me. May we be blessed with noble and obedient children.
Bride (Naina): I will shower you with joy, from head to toe. I will strive to please you in every way I can.
Now I step in the front of my groom leading the way around the holy fire and accepting each vows taken from my sides...
5. Bride (Naina): I promise to love and cherish you for as long as I live. Your happiness is my happiness, and your sorrow is my sorrow. I will trust and honour you, and will strive to fulfil all your wishes.
Groom (Rajveer): You are my best friend, and staunchest well-wisher. You have come into my life, enriching it. God bless you.
6. Bride (Naina): I will always be by your side.
Groom (Rajveer): May you be filled with joy and peace.
7. Bride (Naina): As God is witness, I am now your wife. We will love, honour and cherish each other forever.
Groom (Rajveer): We are now husband and wife, and are one. You are mine and I am yours for eternity.
Once we completed them. I sat on his right side of him. I heard Priest asking him to fill my forehead parting with sindoor. I held my breathe when he lifted my ghoonghat, revealing my face, I can feel his glaze looking at me for some time than filled my forehead afterwards Priest pass him mangalsutra. He tie mangalsutra around my neck.
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After the wedding, mine and his family went to my house. I sat quietly beside him. Our families enjoy their time together. I listen to him answering few questions of my parents afterwards I excuse myself from everyone and enter inside my room. I tearfully stare at my brother's picture. I missed him the most today. I am upset with him for not able to attend my wedding, but I understand his responsibility toward his country. My mother shouted my name. I compose myself and went toward everyone. We settle in dinning area for light meal at my place before my vidaai take place.
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I cried myself in my parent's arm. I recalled my each moments with them, but my heart only wanting to feel him and be embrace by him (Naina's brother)... I feel empty without him. I am so unlucky that he's not beside me... on my special day...
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To Be Continued...
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