Star Commenter Awards
(Part 18)
We are again starting our Star commenter Awards with this story. As i say, your comments are my fuel. More the comments utni hi jaldi energy I get to post the next update.
Congratulations to the following winners!
Early Bird Award- Gold.Abrol
Star Commenter Winner- Gold.Abrol, Aparna3011
Special Mention- Crazyover123
Part 19
Watching them descend in such a grand manner draws everyone's attention.
Geet had been dressing simply till now without much makeup, looking like pretty young girl next door.
But the current look of her left everyone a little breathless.
No wonder Maan married her. Gold digger or not…who wouldn't want to be with such a beautiful woman.
Her fans in the family felt that she looked like a goddess and really wanted to take selfies with her and show it to their friends.
But alas! Their uncle has already strictly prohibited them from such things on the first day.
Pooja se pehle they clamor to take a family picture.
Sab log agree as they all had dressed up a little bit.
People who like Geet want to stand near her and those who are envious of her looks want to stand far away so that their looks don't get compared subconsciously.
Maan was standing out being the only one not in traditional attire.
Ye sab nahi laaya wo.
Nahi hai uske paas.
The assistant had picked up only business suites and clothes.
Geet ne jo Maan ke liye liya tha who har din ke liye nahi liye. Usse kya pata tha ki Maan ke paas simple kurta pajama bhi nahi hai.
Photo session ke baad pooja starts.
Panditji is also aware of this family’s dynamics.
Jo bhi chadhawa and rituals need to be performed by the eldest (by age) member; toh he calls the oldest grandparent forward. Baaki time he calls the Maan’s mother to forefront for all other things.
Usually, it would be either Maan's mother or his eldest aunt who would handle the Geet's part for the ritual.
This time Maan gestures for Geet to come forward and participate with him.
Panditji is also surprised by the new face. But he has years of experience, and he doesn't miss a single beat while reciting the mantras.
Waise bhi everyone acted as if it was chore and they had to so much mehnat during this. This year he will release them of their burden.
Yahi sab ups and downs ke baad Pooja khatam ho jati hai.
Maan ki maa doesn't complain ki uski jagah Geet se Pooja karwayi.
Eldest aunt was not happy. Complaining and cribbing about it to people around her... but nothing came out of it... as none of them complained directly to Maan.
Geet could sense the undercurrent of unease and resentment in the household whenever Maan was around. But nobody dared to confront him.
It left her feeling icky and unsure.
If everyone had such a problem with him, why do they listen to him?
Although she is no one to point fingers but at least she is honest and straight forward with Maan while these people... they give her feeling of mice on a ship as long as there is any trouble, they will be the first ones to flee.
All the rituals for the day were completed.
For dinner as a norm, Geet personally cooked a small portion of food for Maan.
Now it didn't surprise anyone, nor did anyone expect to taste a bite of her cooking.
+++++++++
Next day:
Everyone was supposed to make rangoli, decorate Murtis and Pooja room.
But it was mostly few ladies instructing the workers on what to do without putting in much effort themselves.
Looking at such a way of arrangement; Geet lost the little enthusiasm she had for the festival and roamed around aimlessly, exploring the big ancestral house.
Maan found her roaming around like this looking listless and bored.
M- Nothing to do?
G - Hmm... there are so many people to take care of all the things.
M - Why don't you relax and treat it as a holiday
G- Can you really relax here?
He gives out a derisive laugh.
It's true; with these people around who just kept looking and waiting for a moment of weakness to strike and pounce on you... one really cannot relax.
M- Then come with me.
She looks at him with questions but decides to follow his lead.
He brings her along with him to the grandparent’s wing of the house.
M - I forgot to formally introduce you to the old fogeys... they are to set in their ways and stuffy ways. Come. They need to give you meeting gifts.
He brings her to the room where the grandparents and grand uncles and grand aunts were chatting and introduced her once more. Casually saying that they were so busy till now…didn't get a good time to chat.
Geet bows and performs proper courtesy to greet the elders.
Although the elder people were a bit disappointed and angry that the new daughter-in-law was getting to them so late, still they looked at the pretty child and her sweet smile and her good manners and forgave her. At their age no use carrying a grudge for more than an hour.
They ask her to sit with them.
They ask about her family, her work, how she met Maan, why they got married so secretly without a proper ceremony, why she is only coming to visit after so many months, what she likes to eat, is Maan treating her well…blah blah blah…
They hardly wait for her to answer one question before they ask the next one.
Maan sees her getting overwhelmed by all the questions but stands quietly at one side.
He knows these people only want to talk and gossip a little, they didn't mean any harm or ill will.
After a while when everyone had asked her few questions to relive their itch, Maan interrupts them.
M - You guys keep complaining that she came to greet you all so late. What's the use huh? She hasn't received a single gift or auspicious money from anyone since she had arrived. I don't think she would want to visit again such stingy people.
Geet gives Maan wide eyes look.
When did she ever ask for any of these things??!! Why is he spoiling her image?!!
The elders are also surprised.
Even though they haven't given anything but at least Maan's mother/ father or the eldest uncle aunt should have given something or even a simple blessing.
They all clicked their tongue in disappointment.
It's the elder’s fault for not teaching their children well on how to welcome a grand- daughter -in- law.
Immediately the elders called a few servants to bring few boxes and gifted her pieces of jewelry and gold and silver coins.
Geet really didn't want to accept any of it.
She tries her best to refuse.
She didn't feel the marriage was real. And she is already having a deal to receive benefits from Maan. She didn't want these extra things and complicate the matters.
Maan's eyes twinkle with a smile as he sees Geet trying and failing to refuse all the precious gifts. He felt as if he had really picked up a treasure this time. Very honest. Very hardworking. Having good moral values and character.
He gives himself a mental pat on his back.
He was generally good at choosing employees, but this time he outdid himself by choosing an impeccable wife.
M- Just accept it. It's fine.
Geet looks at him feeling uncomfortable and unhappy, but she accepts them.
But as soon as they reach their room, she puts everything in Maan's room.
G- it's you family heirlooms. You keep them.
M - It's fine to just accept it.
G- No!
M - Fine. I'll keep it. But pick something to wear for the next few days.
G - I don't want-
M - You can return them to me once you are done using them.
Geet is very reluctant, but Maan finally convinces her.
She picks a few pieces which would match her dress and gives the rest to Maan for safekeeping.
M- What will I do with these?
Tum pehno. Pigla kar sone ka daant lagayo. Kisi aur ko de. I don’t care.
She thinks to herself. But doesn’t say anything. Instead, just shrugs.
++++
For dinner she prepares food for him as usual.
Then goes to call him down to eat.
Once they were seated, Maan as usual opens the casserole and starts to serve the food.
Suddenly, Geet woman places her hand on his and stops him.
G- No. Don't eat this.
Edited by NilzStorywriter - 1 years ago
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