FF: In the Beginning Part 5 (pg. 5) - Page 3

Relax Ragini, Everything is ready and I want you to settle down on that chair this moment and await your guests.

Where is pa?

He is coming from the sweet shop. Sit down!

Nani, do I look okay?

Yes, my darling, you look lovely. Now come and sit beside mine.

Nani adjusted Ragini's pleats and made her settle down next to her as the latter was on tenterhooks with the upcoming visit of Nachiket with his family.

Ragini's dad entered the room and was pleased to find his edgy daughter seated next to his mother-in-law. Good, good- stay seated. Relax and keep smiling.

Their crowded neighborhood soon heard the purr of a powerful car and as they leaned over the balcony to see who drove such a vehicle, the people had already disappeared from the vehicle. Soon the door bell rang and Dr. Nachiket Khanna had arrived with his family to meet Ragini and hers.

Mr. and Mrs. Khanna were extremely fashionable and dressed to a Tee. Mrs. Khanna was condescending to say the least. She was shocked at finding herself in such an ordinary, middle class environment and her pout of disgust was apparent to all, Their daughter, Paminder, Pam, took after the mother while it became evident that the son took after the more affable father.

Nachiket had eyes only for Ragini and was simple drinking her presence in. Ragini was barely aware of everyone in the room. She found her haven in Nachiket's piercing eyes and everything else just merged into the background.

Mr. and Mrs. Patel welcomed their guests and offered them sweets and tea. Mrs. Khanna refused while Mr. Khanna joined his son is having a cup of tea with some snacks. Pam was uncertain about sitting down on the slightly worn sofa.

Dad, I would like to speak with Ragini, why dont you all discuss when we can have the wedding.

Ragini and everyone in the room were shocked to say the least. While Ragini was shaking her head to clear it, Nachiket smoothly took her arm and pulled her towards the balcony.

Alright, you heard me- when will you marry me, Ragini?

B-ut, Nachiket, I am nowhere finished with my studying. You are just barely started with your career even. Don't you think we are rushing this?

Please, we have had these discussions before. Enough is enough. Do we marry this week or the next?

Whoa! Wait! I can't seriously marry you within the week!

Oh, yes- you see, I may have to leave for the US in the next few months to finish my MD. I want us to be together. So, the sooner we settle down, the sooner we can go on as we are meant to. This week or the next?

Next! I need time to at least get a decent dress to get married in!

All that has been arranged- Pam will go with you today to her designer friend and your dress will be ready in 3 days.

Ragini was getting a little dizzy with the speed in which everything was happening.

They returned to the living room to see the two sets of parents barely speaking to each other. Nani was the only one daring to risk a conversation with Mrs. Khanna. My grand daughter is such a gem. You are so lucky that your son has chosen her to be his bride. Come come, let's celebrate. Here take a bite of this sweet. Aah- there you are Nachiket- I suppose I can call you that- I dont want to be too formal with you and call you daamaad.

No, no, please call me Nachiket.

Ragini's face was flushed to a deep pink. She was yet to comprehend the speed with which her world was changing. Nachiket refused to let go of her hand and kept a firm grip on her arm and anchored her to his side. They made a beautiful couple and Mrs. Khanna was least pleased.

All is decided. The wedding will take place at the Vinayak Mandir down the street, Wednesday, next week. Then Ragini and I will live in my flat close to the hospital and then once we both get our visas, we will leave for the US so that I can do my MD starting this fall. Dad, Mom, if you guys want to leave, please go home now. i will come home later. I want to take Ragini out to dinner to celebrate our engagement.

Thus it was that Dr. Nachiket Khanna and Ragini Patel got engaged to be married within a week.

Thanks Blokes.

Nachiket is surely in a hurry to marry Ragini. What a breakneck speed!

And he wants to take Ragini with him to US.

I would have preferred Ragini complete her education though.

Parminder ... 😆 good one

What a name for her!

That was really sweet.. him wanting to get married to her so soon <3

do continue soon.. can't wait to read next..

The wedding preparations were in full swing owing to the speed at which Nachiket wanted to be married and Ragini's parents and grandma were literally swept off their feet along with Ragini! Neil's mother was still unhappy with her son getting married to a middle class girl and could not bear to be civil to her or her family. Her husband demanded that she put up a good front for the sake of their son. He was neutral about his son's choice, just happy to see him married.

Pam was an entirely different issue. She was disgusted by Neil's choice. Her adored brother getting married to a Gujrati, that too with such poor dress sense- wearing those garish colors. How could she face her friends with such a person being called her bhabhi- the very thought was revolting.

"Come on, Pam- cheer up!"

"Not in your life, Neil- how could you? How could you dump a girl like Ragini on us? She is so dumb. so, so, ugh- how could you do this to us, to YOU? I thought you had better taste than this specimen."

"Alright, enough of that. Learn to hold your tongue or you will have no place in my life."

"Neil. This is just not fair. Alright, I shall keep my opinions to myself but don't think I have changed them!"

"Fine- keep them in your head- don't you dare say them out aloud any more. I want you to be nice to Ragini. If you think she needs to update her style, go on, you are a teen- you can pick a dress or two for her- she will not refuse- she is very sweet! Make it as a friendship gesture and get to know her. She is very loving and has a beautiful personality."

***

The grihapravesh happened. Not only did Ragini succeed in scattering the rice all over the floor, Neil grabbed her up in his arms and carried her over the threshold, stunning everyone present.

The bed chamber for the first night ceremony was beautifully decorated by a professional. Ragini barely noticed any of it. She was suddenly hit by the immensity of the moment- she was married, and she was far from finishing up with her career plans and educational ones, but she didn't regret any of it for a moment. Her eyes were simply drinking up every shifting movement of Nachiket. She pinched herself and wondered how this came to be- an ordinary girl like her with a less-than-ordinary-background, with absolutely no flirting skills, let alone interest in having a boyfriend, ending up with a hunk like him for a husband!

The "hunk" came closer and pulled her tightly into his arms. He ripped away all the flowers and festoons shrouding the bed and placed his blushing bride delicately over the coverlet. He slowly removed all her jewelry- "could never understand why you women wear so much of this metal junk- you look good just as you are with nothing on."

Ragini was getting shyer by the moment and could barely lift her eyes to look at him. Her skin was on high alert with goosebumps all over. He continued to divest her and shake her tresses loose. Her silky hair came tumbling down covering her shoulders and parts of her face. Some of it tangled with Nachiket's arms as his hand tugged at a lock or two to lock her into position, tightly against him. He smiled at his innocent bride, gave her some time to adjust to him, dimmed the lights and nibbled his way through every inch of her as she softly responded with delicate sighs and whispers.

***

That night, their first night of love, Nishi was conceived, her name, as dark as the night, Nisha.

Dr Neil is definitely in a hurry.

Pam is unbelievable as ever.

Well, Neil didn't have a "say" in it- it just happened. Today, I met a student at school, 15 year old and pregnant- teen pregnancy numbers have come down, but once in a while, it just "happens".