FF: New York times with Maan and Geet Thread 2 - Page 9

Originally posted by: punjabi.princes

hope theres an update this morning!

can't wait for the wedding!

Part 50 Manasa, Vacha, Karmana.

<Maan's monologue>

As time passed I was pretty sure that I had to talk to her before marriage. My ego was badly hurt. What had changed now? Ofcourse I was happy that I was going to be tied to be her in a relationship, because that is how others and she worked, to me garlands and papers didn't matter. We already belonged to each other. But it does matter to me to have it hear from her that she wanted to be mine. I couldn't reach her and I had been trying to do so the last 4 hours. I had to take the flight in another 15 mts.

It came as a relief when her cellphone rang.

Maan:"Geet, Dekho mujhe tumse baat karna hain, aur who bhi abhi baat karna hain"

Daadima:"Haan Maan beta boliye, Hum Daadima bol rahe hain, Geet, Dress fitting main hain…kya baat hain?"

Maan:"Daadima?"

I was still not sure what was happening. I just didn't feel sure about going ahead with this marriage.

<Daadima's monologue>

Maan bahuth gussa main hain? Pata nahin kis baath ka. In donon ka ab is waqt baath karne ka matlab, toh problem hi problem hain. Kisi bhi tarah in donon ko door rakna hi padega.

Daadima:"Maan beta, Shaadi se pehle ladki aur ladka ka milna bhi toh manaa hain, hum chahte hain ki is shaadi jitna ho sake vutna bilkul hamare zamane ki shaadi ki tarah ho. Humara theme bhi toh yahi hain."

Maan:"Daadima aap baat nahin samaj rahe hain. Mujhe, vusse baat karna hain…jaanna hai ki kyon yeh shaadi karna chahti hain? Ab kyon?"

Daadima:"Aap mera yakeen maniye. Mujhe pata hain ki aapko kaunsa baath pareshaan kar raha hain. Aap ke NY jaane se pehle, Geet se shaadi ka zikhar karna… aur woh aapko kuch jawaab naa dena.."

Maan:"Yeh sab aap kaise jaante hain?"

Daadima:"Hum bhi toh aapke Daadi hain Maan. Bas aap pehle yahan pe aajayiye, hum yahan pe baat karenge. Fikar karne ka koi zaroorat hain. Who apni dil se raazi huin hain. Aur rahi aap donon ki problems, woh jo bhi ho baat karke toh suljaa sakte hain? Bas yeh samaj lijiye ki aap hamare pasand ki ladki se shaadi kar rahe hain…ki aap vus ladki ke baare main kuch nahin jaante hain…Dheere Dheere jab ek doosre ke baare main khareeb se jaanenge toh sab kuch badal jayaga. Shaadi sab kuch badal deta hain"

<Maan's monologue>

Her words didn't convince me much, but yes she was true, I still didn't understand Geet in many ways. My flight was about to take off and I had to switch off the phone. The next time I was going to talk to her was only after I land, or even worse, after the marriage was over. I sighed. I didn't like it when things were out of my hands. I wondered how I was going to make it through this longest flight of my life.

Back in India

<Geet's monologue>

Something had been troubling me for the last day or so. Did I do the right thing now? Or was it an emotional call? I was processing all my feelings for him and I had also missed him badly for more than a month, but when Daadiji gave me her acceptance and support, I went right for it. Babaji, please show me a light at the end of the tunnel. Please make me feel that this is the right decision. I can't make any mistakes. Aur rahi baat shaadi ki, mujhe yeh rishta koh sahi tarah se nibhana hoga. It was not something that lasted an hour, but a lifetime and his life was going to be involved too. Mujhe toh ab is Shaadi se dar lagne laga hain.

I was shaking and the boutique lady made me sit down for she thought I was going to faint.

We were back at the place where Maan had put me up for staying after we came back from Hoshiarpur. The whole ceremony was going to happen there and it was a great way to keep the attention away from Khurana Mansion. I had only invited Yash and Meera. From his side, very close relatives and few of Daadiji's friends were going to be present for the occassion. It was a famiy affair and the house was just the perfect size for 10 guests but the place swarmed with kichen and household help. I wished Papa was here. It would be nice to have Rajji and Tito too. Mehendi function was just an hour away and I was still getting ready, when someone hugged me from behind.

Meera:"Baahuth baahuth Mubarak ho…"

She was crying and I was crying too. Everything was going to change. She wouldn't be my roommate anymore.

Geet:"Thanks…mujse chutkaara paa rahi hain?"

She nodded and just continued to hug me for a while. I handed her the clothes Daadiji had got for her and Yash for the next two days. I gave her the Diamond necklace that Daadiji had bought for her. I wondered why she was so special to Daadiji. Infact Daadiji had gone overboard and had bought many gifts for everyone. Apparently the theme was Purane zamane ki shaadi. The preparation for all the rituals was taking a toll on her but she wouldn't listen to me. People were asked to dress up as traditional as possible. She even had a small booklet published that listed all the rituals and the meaning for the same. Her excuse was that this was the first marriage in the family after 30 years. Added to the fact that it was not a lavish one by her standards and so she went the other route to compensate by having it done just the way she got married more than 50 years ago. I blushed. All I could think of was how he would react the whole time? Would he follow whatever Daadiji would ask him to do? I knew he didn't believe in marriages. It would be interesting to watch him today and tomorrow. Daadiji had asked me to forget everything and enjoy the marriage every second of the way. According to her these moments were the ones that would tie us together forever and would rescue us at difficult times. She wanted me to pay attention to every ritual to savor and cherish it at a later time. I was going to follow her words to the T.

I dolled up just like Daadiji had asked me to. I was wearing a Green lehenga choli, with the kundan set she had given me. Everything was heavy including the ghoonghat. I was asked to cover my face until the moo dhikayi ceremony the next day.

For the lack of time for both Mehendi and the Sangeet, I was only going for Mehendi on my palms and on the same side of my hands. I wasn't going to get the other side or get the feet done either.

First Daadiji went ahead with a short puja and the events began. Daadiji's friends who had come for the ceremony started with the Mehendi on both my hands. There was music and dance going on the side.

Kya vunka aane ka waqt ho gaya tha? I wanted to find out. I called Meer to the side and asked her about him.

Meer:"Haye Haye…Haan Yash gaya hain MK ko lene le liye. He is already at the mansion, getting ready. Apparently Daadiji ka kehna hain ki somebody from the dulhan's side should go get the Dulha for the first event as a mark of respect. So Yash tumhara bhai banke gaya hain…"

We smiled, but I was also toched that Yash was taking up responsibility for me.

I was feeling nervous and there were butterflies in my stomach. I didn't understand the change in the air and my eyes were searching for him. I couldn't see him properly for my ghooghat was thick and there was another veil to separate the ladka aur ladki ka Sangeet sections. He looked handsome as always in a white sherwani. It didn't have any heavy work, but fit him like a glove and I couldn't take my eyes off him. Daadima took arti before he could come in. He was protesting as always. I couldn't hear but from his expressions it sure seemed like "Daadima, yeh sab karne ka kya faidaa?" I smiled. As he walked in he turned to look my way for a brief moment and turned away. I was sure he was feeling weird about the fact that we didn't discuss marriage even once after I had agreed to marry him after Daadiji supported. I ran through the events in my mind. Since the New year, we had spent very little time together, except on my birthday and at all the other times, we were cold or amidst tensed situations. There were strange forces at work for we tried to call each other a couple times and every single time we would miss it too. Daadiji had taken my phone later that evening and left me in a puzzled state. I didn't know if I would be able to talk to him before our marriage.

Yash and Meer were breaking a leg and so were Daadiji's friend's kids. It was some sight. I had never been so happy. The last time I didn't go through these rituals. My past came back to haunt me but I wanted to brush it aside and wanted to be lost in his sight. The Mehendi was still not done.

Yash and Meera pulled him out for a bangra and he wasn't ready for it. Why was he not being a sport?

I called out for a help nearby and asked her to get Meer. I knew what I had to do.

<Maan's monologue>

What was this? I took the cup from Meera and she snickered and handed a note to me.

Maan:"Please…nachiye na"

It was a cup of hot chocolate. What was she trying to do? I was still upset that I was not going to be able to talk to her until tomorrow. Daadiji had clearly advised against contacting her by other means for she wanted this theme of some sort to continue. The fact that she was wooing me struck a cord with me. I read the note with her mental voice and it was metling me slowly. I sipped the hot chocolate from the corner of the room and I kept walking away from the main venue where all the music and dance was going on. I was far away now and all I could see was a silhoutte of her and the others getting her Mehendi done. It all seemed to have happened so fast that I couldn't let the thought sink in that I was standing here for my own Sangeet. My own wedding was tomorrow? People should give some time to process such milestones. Daadiji should have known better or was all this part of a consipiracy. I stood there wondering what I had to do. I would have said no to such an arrangement at such short notice, but this was my Geet and I couldn't deny her anything that she wanted. This was something to last a lifetime and I wanted to cherish every moment with her but I didn't have my answers and that could spoil the experience for me. I wanted to meet her badly and ask her for an explanation as to why things changed now. What was different now?

It was indeed my lucky day for I saw her get up from her side of the Sangeet section and walk towards one the rooms. I quietly followed before anyone could see me. Meera was with her but that didn't matter to me in any way.

Meera:"MK..aap kya kar rahe hain yahan pe?"

She whispered something to Meera and she left us before I could answer her question.

Meera:"Jalidi wash karke aaja na"

She was silent and stood in the corner.

Geet:"Aap kab aaye? Aur…jet lag hain kya?"

I was mad. There were much more burning things to discuss and she was enquiring after me and making small talk?

Maan:"Yeh sab ke liye mere paas time nahi hain Geet. Ab yeh shaadi kyon karna chati ho? Ab kya badal gaya hai? Kya kasar…"

She cut me off.

Geet:"Aap koi kasar nahi chode the Maan… Galti tho meri thi…ki main aapko samajne main der kar di…"

I turned to look at her. I liked the way she was opening up. She walked towards me and I couldn't take my eyes off her, for she looked beautiful in that green lehenga. Her face was covered partially and I couldn't read her eyes.

Geet:"Mujhe tab pata nahin tha ki main aapki Geet kab ke bangayi thi…Sirf aapki"

She had given it to me in one simple sentence. There was nothing more I needed to hear. I remembered her agony that evening when she was falling into my arms and had acknowledged my kisses to quench her need for me. True she needed that nudge from Daadima, just the way she was my nudge to move ahead with her when I had shut myself from the world. I walked towards her and turned her to face me.

She didn't look up. I lifted her chin to face me. I couldn't see clearly, but I could sense her nervousness. She probably wondered if I was still mad at her and questioned her decision, but little did she know that her response a few minutes ago had cleared my insecutities about committing to her."Sirf aapki". All I wanted was to hear her acknowledge my love in her own words and she had packaged it very well for me. Just then I realized that there was something I had not done from my side.

I took her left hand to get the ring off her fingers. Thankfully the mehendi had not reached that part yet and I was able to take it off easily now. We both laughed at that inside joke of ours for it wouldn't come off all the other times we tried.

I went down on my knees and asked her hand in marriage.

Maan:"Geet kya tum sirf meri geet banogi hamesha hamesha ke liye. Shaadi karogi mujse?

She nodded and touched my hand that was holding the ring for her to accept.

Geet:"Ji Maan main sirf aapki geet hoon. Mera jawab haan hain…"

There was some hesitation in her voice but she was very shy. I got up and slipped the ring onto her ring finger and kissed her hand. She was shy and turned away. I wanted to lift her veil, but Daadima's advise haunted me and I wanted to leave it at that.

Geet:"Ji mujhe jaana hain, aur bhi time lagega mehendi katam karne main.."

She kept turning to look at me and left the room. I was content and finally at peace. Everything started sinking in and now I was truly prepared to wed her.

I walked out of the room and looked around to take the details in. The walls were decked with lights and flowers everywhere. The veils were smooth and white in color with gold zari. I wondered how she looked beneath her veil with all the heavy jewellery. I couldn't see from here. I walked towards her section. Everything was slowing down around me. I moved the veils and went in and her back was facing me. She was seated on a diwan surrounded by too many noisy women giggling and joking.

One of them looked up at me and screamed. Asking me to get to the other section. I was lost when she turned to see who it was. I couldn't see her face and her lips were the only part that were showing. It broke into a smile and for a moment I felt a pinch in me. She looked like a goddess, slender and dainty. She instantly looked down. I was strangely being pulled towards her. I didn't realize I had walked all this distance. I apologized and walked back. I was smiling and I tapped my head for I what I had done. She was making me do crazy things once again. Daadiji was right Shaadi sab kuch badal deta hain. I didn't know what changed in me but I didn't want to hold back. She was mine…mine forever and that is all that mattered. I went back to join the group and broke into a bangda the next time I was asked to join by Yash and meera. I was ready to go through what ever they were going to ask me to do if that is what made her happy, I wanted to let go of all my questions, concerns and anger for now and I wanted to be her groom in every way.

We were all done with our dinner, correction for I should call it a feast.

Daadima, seated her on a chair in the center of the atrium and the women were seated around, as if they were going to inspect her. I and Yash were seated on the other side of the veil. Something told me I was going to enjoy this.

Daadima:"Waise hamare zamana main, jab ladki dekne jaate the, toh ladki ko bahuth saare questions pooch te the…yeh dek ne keliye ki ladki sabhi wajah se ladka ke liye sahi hai ke nahi. Yeh tho shaadi tei hone se pehle hota hai….lekin who sab hum karte nahin na aaj kal…toh maine socha ki aaj Geet ko test kar le te hain, ki woh hamare Maan ke liye sahi hain ki nahin… "

Everyone laughed out. She was nervous and I could see that clearly.

Daadima:"Toh bol ke dhikayiye Geet…hume aapka awaaz sunna hain…kahin bahuth coarse toh nahin"

It was funny…

Geet:"Ji main kya bolon?"

She was probably breaking into a sweat under the ghoonghat.

Daadima:"Kuch bhi, yeh boliye ki aap pehli baar Maan se kab mile?"

Geet:"Ji…who airport main mile the…aur main vunse sorry kahi kunki vunhe meri trolley se lag gaya tha"

Daadima:"Accha pehle se hi accident kar diye apne…toh teek se chal ke dikhayiye hame…kahin aapke phair teidae toh nahin hain"

She got up and slightly lifted her lenhenga to reveal her feet alone and walked towards Daadiji and went back to sit down. Everyone laughed and I couldn't help smile either, but my thoughts were filled with something else, I was going to own that very feet that she had revealed just now.

Daadima:"Accha hame koi shikayat nahin…toh Geet aap main kya talent hain? Cooking, Singing ya dancing?"

Geet:"Ji Daadiji, main thodi bahuth kaana bana le thi hoon….aur main dance classes bhi jaa rahi hoon…"

Daadima was excited.

Daadima:"Toh hame naach ke dikhaiye Geet…chalo kuch music daldjiye na…"

She asked for O re piya…Some one switched on the music and the song played on. She performed a few steps with perfect grace and didn't have to move much either. I guess her clothing and jewellery must have been heavy. Yash leaned forward to watch her. I pushed him behind; I couldn't stand to have anyone pay so much attention to her. She looked like a princess at that moment.

Daadima:"Bahuth acha..apne toh humara man kush kar diya hai Geet…khair chodiye…bahuth hogaya…hum sirf aapko tang karna chahte the Geet. Chaliye sab log hame nikhalna bhi toh hain, kal ke liye kitna saara kaam bhaki hain…"

She walked towards Geet and kissed her forhead while her ghoonghat was still on.

Meera took her in and everyone were bidding farewell to each other and were walking out. I did too but slipped among the people and wanted to go meet her.

I swiftly moved aross the hallway and went into her room. Meera was there too.

Meera:"MK, aap phirse…chaliye bahar"

Maan:"Meera main bus…do minute mil sakta hoon?"

She smiled and walked out, warning me that she will be counting time outside. She was scared and cornered against the wall, next to the mirror.

Maan:"Geet, daro mat, main…bas…"

I forgot what I wanted to say, for I was lost in her. If this is how women dressed in the earlier days, no wonder the husbands were tied to their homes all the time. Every clothing and jewelley were drawing attention to some part, like how the ghooghat covered her face to draw attention to her lips. The pearls that dangled from her nose ring were moving around as her lips were shaking. I wanted to remove them and kiss her, but I will save it for…tomorrow. I smiled at that thought.

Maan:"Main bas tumhara mehndi dekne aaya tha.."

I had to come up with something, for she was so close to me and my mind was drawing blank. She lifted her hands and turned to show me the mehendi. The dark mehendi lined her fair skin and a tinge of orange was showing up in the sides. They were pretty much dry. Just then meera came and pulled me out. I made a face and walked out. I couldn't wish her goodnight either

It was one day down and tomorrow she was goint to be my wife at 7.36 PM exactly. I still couldn't believe it for that day had already arrived here.

The morning was busy with Daadima running back and forth between the two houses, for the haldi functions. I was not big into rituals, but if this was going to make Daadima happy I didn't mind doing it.

I wanted to talk to her and so I tried to call her once, but apparently Daadima had her phone. I tried calling Meera but she was outside. I called the landline directly, but none of them would pick up. She must have been busy with the clothes and make up. I slept through the whole morning and part of the afternoon. Later I and Yash played video games for some time and it was evening already. It was time for us to go to her place and we decided to take the car, instead of the traditional baraat. Daadima was upset that it was not with her theme, but we couldn't help keeping low profile atleast outside the house.

I had to get ready first. Daadima got me a white Sherwani with red thread work. Red dupatta and whatnot? I walked out with a cozy feeling in my stomach and I knew what it was. She had taught me well.

<Geet's monologue>

I was getting ready in the evening when Papa, Rajji aur Tito showed up. They didn't have to explain, I knew who would have called them. He had thought about me?, so he was not mad after all. I hugged them and it was nice to have my family round. It didn't matter how far or close we were, they were here now and that is what mattered to me at the moment.

I continued with the dressing. I had a custom made Lehenga rom Ritu kumar and it was traditional design. It was a backless choli. I made a face and called out to Meer.

Geet:"I asked them not to keep this…Look at the neck, it is low too."

Meera:" Ki pharak penda hain…bas kuch hi der ke liye…."

And she whispered into my ears. I whacked her on her shoulder. There was still so much to do. I wondered if he was happy? Maan….

<Maan's monologue>

We were there and Geet's father came to receive us. I had called him the previous day and had asked him to come down with Rajji and Tito. I knew she would want her family on her side. They took us in after the rituals.

The mandap was beautifully decorated with flowers in the center of the atrium. It seemed like another world. I didn't know I was going to get married at the same place I had proposed her.

I was asked to sit down. The pandit was chanting and asked me to repeat after him. There were so many rituals and it went on for half hour and I was pretty tired already from the jet lag. Later I was given a mala and asked to stand up. It all seemed too weird. They held another veil infront of me and I understood they were getting her. I could see her through the veil. Suddenly everything made sense. Strangely I had complete reverence to all the holy things around me. If this is what it felt like to be tied to another person for eternity, then I was ready to step down from questioning the rituals that were going to make her mine.

My hand trembled for she was standing in front of me. She was a goddess…that was the only word that came to my mind for I froze at the sight of her.

She was wearing Daadima's old jewellery and dressed up very elegantly. Was I truly marrying her? Do I deserve this much beauty in my life?

<Geet's monologue>

I had never seen him with such calmness on his face. He was at peace and was stuck to me. I blushed and lowered my head. My groom was dressed up again in a white sherwani and Maan looked handsome. I was indeed very lucky to have him. I wanted to lift my ghoonghat and have a good look at him, but I had to wait until nightfall for that.

We were asked to exchange the garlands. I didn't know how for the veil was still between us. I was asked to raise my hands over the veil and garland him and he had to do the same.

Pandit:"Maala pehanane ke baath hi antarpat nikhaal sakte hain."

The first var and jai maala was done and the veil between us was removed. I wondered if all the veils between us were also removed at the same instant. He was mine…almost. The second maala was handed to us. As I was about to garland him, Yash and another person, lifted him up and I couldn't reach him. I tried but still couldn't reach him and after a struggle, he came down, but didn't bend for me. I had to stand on my toes and lean forward to garland him. I could see he enjoyed it.

It was his turn to garland me and someone lifted me as well. I saw it was Yash, Meera and Rajji.

I couldn't balance…I was wobbly and scared that I would fall and make a scene. I played hard to get and then finally got down. In that happy moment I forgot that I was not supposed to bend down to help him with the process. He was happily done garlanding me and everyone teased me.

Pandit:"Toh saare zindagi inke aage jhukne ki tayaar rehna…"

We were done with the third garland too and sat down. The pandit went on with the other rituals. Papa was called for the kanya daan and to me that was the most hurtful ritual of all. I had already been with someone else and it ached to place my hand on his. I didn't completely rest my hand on him. He noticed my hesitation and took his other hand and held mine to this palm. I looked at him and tears were about to flow out but I resisted. I had resolved to make it about us and not me and I couldn't slip now.

Someone came from behind and tied the tip of my ghoonghat to his dupatta. It was Meera.

Meera:"That's' it. It's all done. No running away from each other samje?"

After some more rituals, he took the sindhoor to my maang. He slightly lifted the ghoonghat and placed it on my maang. We were one now. We were two people only physically, but tied to each other, ready to take up the journey of togetherness. His eyes gleamed with happiness. He had already tied the mangal stura as well. Daadima came close and hugged us from behind. Papa was crying. Rajji and Tito came close to congratulate us.

Yash came and tapped on Maan's shoulder. Meer hugged me from my side.

When everyone had left, he turned to come close and whispered in my ears.

Maan:"Shaadi mubharak ho Mrs. Maan Singh Khurana"

I smiled and wished him back.

Geet:" Thank you. Aur Aapko bhi"

Panditji wanted us to get ready for the phere. He got up and I was struggling to get up with the heavy lehenga. He held out his hand to lift me up. The crowd was teasing him already, but he didn't care.

His little finger tied itself around mine and we took turns to lead each other around the holy fire. He turned to look at me at times.

Maan main aapse waada karti hoon, hamesha saath chalne ke liye. Zindagi ki har mod pe saath doongi. Aapki aur sirf aapki rahoongi. I will be your friend and wife as you need me. I will share my happiness and take your sorrows. I will be your shadow in every step of the way. I will be your anchor in the raging seas. I will be the light in times of darkness. I will heal the wounds of your past. You will always be the sun that lights up my day and the stars that makes my night. To know you is only to love you more aur main hamesha aapse pyar karoongi...till time and times are done…evermore and everafter.

<Maan's monologue>

Geet tumse bad kar mere zindagi main ab kuch nahin hain…Aur main waada karta hoon, ki hamesha tumse pyaar karoonga, aur tumhara saath chalne ka vada nibavoonga. Aur tumhe tumhara har manzil tak leke javoonga, Aur tum hamesha mera manzil rahogi. Tumhari har chahath poora karoonga. I will always be the nature around you. I will be the air that breathes you life, the water that drives your life force, the land that feeds you health and wealth, the sky that covers and protects you and the fire that wards off your sorrows. Aur in sab ke badle main sirf tumhari pyaar aur saath chahta hoon…ever and forever.

<Maan's monologue>

As our phere were coming to an end, the tip of the duppatta got caught in her toe ring and I bent down to take it off. She came down too and touched my fingers as we both tried to free it. I couldn't see her eyes, but I knew she was looking into mine. There was so much love around us, I didn't know if it was a dream or for real. She had felt my vows and I could feel hers too. Oneness prevailed thereafter.

We took everyone's aashirwaad and then it was time for me to leave to his home. Not that this was not his home, but today I was being given away to the one person who loved me endlessly and to my one true love. Yahi meri asli bidaai thi.

Papa wept his heart out and Rajji and Tito hugged me. He stood close and Daadima came around to console Papa. I was sobbing badly too and he gave me his handkerchief. I gave back all that my parents had given me so far and threw the puffed rice behind me. Rajji came behind me and was holding out her duppatta. I couldn't stand to take in the sorrow that was engulfing me. He sat me down in the car and boarded the same from the other side.

He came close and held me by my arms. It was the first words he spoke after our marriage.

Maan:"Yakeen karo muj pe, I will love you back for all that you are leaving behind and more…."

I leaned on him. He slowly took out the garlands that I was still wearing and made me comfortable.

We were there at his place in a matter of minutes. Papa, Rajji and Tito , were all going to be there in some more time. At bidaai it didn't matter to me that I was going to see them in some more time, it was the distance between our hearts that made me feel so much for them. I was much calmer now.

Daadiji was standing at the door to receive us. There were no decorations outside the house, but the inside looked festive. It was decorated with shiny cloth, flowers and lights all over.

He stood a little far from me, as I pushed the kalash with my feet and stepped into the thali to dip into the red water. I lifted my lehenga a little and walked out. Daadima wanted to tell me something.

Daadima:"Tum Jaanti ho Geet, yeh phair tumhe is ghar main sab se alag dikhane ke liye hain. Tumhare har kadam pe dek ke chalna beti"

I got down to touch her feet and walked in with him, but at the next entrance, Meer and Yash didn't let us in.

Meera:"Pehle bolo ki kaun kaun aaye hain…"

He didn't hesitate and went along. I wondered if he knew that this was a ritual too.

Maan:"Main aur mere Biwi aaye hain…"

Meera:"Naam, naam toh boliye MK"

Maan:"Geet…Geet Maan Singh Khurana"

I smiled.

Yash:"Aur aap kiske saath aaye hain?"

Yash asked me. I couldn't speak his name out loud. What was wrong with me?

He held my hand and nudged me.

Geet:"Ji, main aur mere pati aaye hain"

Yash:"Naam kya hain aapke pati ka?"

Geet:"Maan Singh Khurana"

Towards the end, I was just squaking his name. They let us in after Meera took money from Maan.

Daadima took us and sat us down on a small wooden plank that was covered with silk cloth. I couldn't sit down easily with my lehenga. He helped me. He was watching out for my every move. I longed to see into his eyes, but there was still time.

Daadima, got us a big silver plate with all varities of food that there ever was.

Daadima:"Maan Humne Geet ko aakpe liye wrat rak ne ko kahe the. Vuse pani pilayiye pehle…aur khana bhi kilayiye…"

Before she could finish, he held out the silver cup to me and I drank from the same.

<Maan's monologue>

I was growing restless for I had not seen her face since I had come in last night. I fed her some sweet and she followed to feed me the same for Daadima was instructing her every step. As she brought her hand towards my mouth, I couldn't help notice how red her mehendi was and everything about it looked beautiful. We ate from the same thali that day for there were enough for four of us.

Then daadima came up with some games. I was very tired aleady but she broke into a smile and that got me going.

Daadima:"Hamare zamana main child marriage than na, isi liye bacchon ko entertain karne ke liye, yeh sab khel khelthe the…aur mera jee kar raha hain, aap donokon yeh sab kelthe hua dekne keliye"

Maan:"Daadima, please hum bache nahin hain…"

I had no intention to go along when she turned towards me and asked me to.

Geet:"Mere saath kehliye na…"

I was bowled over by her sweetness.

The first one was to get the ring out of the copper pot. Daadima showed us the ring and threw the ring in. Rajji and Tito were supporting me and Yash and Meera were supporting her. I got it the first time.

Daadima:"Ek aur baar…"

Daadima threw it in again and she took it out this time. She smiled at me.

The third time I was not going to let her win. I was still searching for it when I felt her hand and clutched it and searched it along with her. I didn't know if I should take it out or give it to her. She turned towards me and whispered.

Geet:"Ek saat bhi tho nikhal sakte hain…"

Her hand in mine, we cluthed the ring and took it out.

The second one was a knots game. Meera timed me and then timed her to get see who got all the knots out. I won this time. Too bad there was just one try.

The third one was by Meera and Yash.

Meera:"Aap log tho bade bachein hain…"

Everyone started laughing…and she turned away.

Meera:"Tho hamne socha ki aap ke liye rapid fire round rake te hain. Lets see how much you know about each other"

I looked at her. We had already done that at the French breakfast place, but do I know everything about her. I wondered. She was closed to me too in ways I didn't know.

Meera:"MK, aap ke liye first question. Geet kause School gayi thi?"

Maan:"Hmmm Hosiarpur Higher Secondary?"

It was a wild guess.

Geet:"Sahi hain."

Meera:"Ab tum batao MK ke school ka naam?"

Geet:"Hmm…Delhi public school?"

Maan:"Nahin…Gurgaon main…not in Delhi"

I turned and she didn't smile at me.

Meera:"Score 1-love. Acha teek hai, next question, favoriate coffee?"

Maan:"Decaf, non-fat, extra foam kuch bhi chalega iske liye"

Meera:"Nahin specific hona chaiye…"

Geet:"Nahin yeh teek keha rahe hain"

She waited for Meer to accept.

Geet:"Aur inke Half –caff black"

Maan:"Hmmm..yeah correct"

Meera:"Next question, Favoriate color"

Maan:"Hmmm…pink?

Geet:"Nahin Green…"

Hmm I didn't know.

Geet:"Aur inka tho favoriate white hain"

Maan:"Correct."

He smiled and put his hand around me. I flinched and took his hand off my shoulder.

There were just so many more of it and I realized that we didn't know each other at all. It was only our love that held us together inspite of the differences. I hoped that it was strog enough to lead us into eternity.

Then it was moo dhikayi ceremony and the last one for the day. Since there were very few relatives from my side, we were going to be done fast and then it was my time with her.

Dadima had arranged for many silver plates with gold coins, fruits, and some jewel or the other.

I got up from the seat and went to sit next to Yash.

Each one came and lifted her veil and gifted her a plate. They were all stuck by her beauty and I'm sure they were. I yearned for the moment I would drown in her beauty too. I kept imagining how she would react when I would lift her goonghat.

Yash couldn't stay behind, he took a gift plate and walked up to Geet. Meera pulled him back.

Yash:"Arey ham bhi toh dekna chahte hain hamare sister ko, kal se mooh chupayi beti hui hain"

She dragged him out of the room.

After that ritual, Meera and Daadima came and took her upstairs. I and Yash remained seated when my cell phone rang. It was an office call and it was an emergency. I quickly directed them to do the necessary. I was done with the call and turned to see that Yash was also gone. I waited for someone to call out for me. I sat there recollecting the day's proceeding. It was perfect day. There were no flaws or issues in completing any of the rituals. Did I deserve all this? She was my prized possession and tonight…I smiled, she will be mine forever. That sentence kept playing in my mind that I could say I had a mild obsession about saying it alound mentally over and over. All the pain and agony disappeared. The tough nights and the inhibitions about being with her were gone too. I had dreaded loosing her to something or someone else and now she was mine. We still had our own issues to sort out, but tonight was ours.

<Geet's monologue>

I was a nervous wreck seated here in his room.

What would his expectations be? I ran though the day in my mind…his proposal flashed in front of my eyes. It was a picture perfect wedding that tied us together in a relationship that was pure. Our differences set us apart but I was sure that our bond was that of love and it was would teach us about each other and about ourselves.

It was the beginning of a sacred journey, a pristine bond that would show us to love each other in every way…from our hearts…through our speech and actions…manasa, vacha, karmana.

Ok people I'm really nervous. Please tell me if this was per your expectation and was it special. I just wrote up a descriptive wedding and it seemed good to me, but did it meet your expectations?I have tried my best to research the customs before I added them and also ran it by a couple of people, so please be kind to me if something seems wrong. My favorite was the phere part and the most difficult to write. Let me know what you think. I know its super long, but be thankful because I have cut out 3 pages from here as I didn't want to bore you people. Post and comments please.

super duper mindblowing update pls cont soon