Thanks for Part 19...
Thank you all for reading my FF... and appraising me with so many sweet replies. each one who reads silently and also those who voice.. it means a lot. Thank you.
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Pride and Prejudice...
Shubha Managala Saavadhaan...😳
Part 20
She looked beautiful dressed in her lovely white paanetar... nothing else would have done for Radha... she had always wanted to see her daughter married off in the traditional Gujarati fare.. all that she had dreamt of doing for her one and only offspring... She sighed as she saw her daughter's face in the mirror. The marriage planner that she had employed had been in charge to get Khanak ready and dressed in spite of protests from Khanak, amongst other millions of things that needed to be done.. now she saw her.. and a soft sheen appeared in Radha's eyes... as she gently turned Khanak who looked with the same sheen mirrored in her eyes too... Mother and daughter shared a tender moment as Khanak chided her Ma... "Ma.. na please.. tu radeesh, to mane pan radu aavshe.. pachi badho make up bagdi jaashe.. (If you cry, then I too will burst out crying.. Is that what you want.. all my make up ruined?) Radha burst out laughing amidst that and she took her daughter's balaaein... and whispered in a hoarse voice.. "Laadesar.. tu khush che ne? Aaj kal main jooyu, ke taari aankhon ma ek ajeeb kashish che.. baddhu barobar che ne? (Is everything alright, as lately in the last few days I have seen a strange worry in your eyes...) Shaan.."
Khanak shook her head and smiled and nodded not wanting to voice her false assurances... her throat too full of unshed tears... Radha gave a butterfly kiss.. not wanting to ruin anything.. she looked one final time.. dressed in a beautiful white silk paanetar (white saree with a red and gold zari border) the saree had a self design of lovely white roses... tiny spattered all over... She had worn the saree Gujarati style and her head was partly covered by her pallu... Her jewellery classic in gold and jadtar, matching the red and gold of the border... makeup done to the bare minimum.. as Khanak hated caking herself and she felt this was really too much... Radha could not seem to get her fill when there was a soft knock...
She wiped the corner of her eyes and with a heavy voice murmured "Yes? Come in..." Radha turned to collect some things from the cupboard and she turned to see Govind standing there... "Ready Princess..?" That was the last resort for Khanak as she nodded silently too over whelmed with tears to speak anything... she simply hugged her Papa... Govind blurted out rather gruffly, holding his own fort trying valiantly to fight his over whelm too.. "Bas.. shuru ho gaye.. ma-dikri... no drama huh bola na... wet sponges you two.. I hate tears... and now it is time.. Manu is pacing the carpet and he is going to be responsible for replacing it.. Humph... aisa lag rahaa hain he is getting married..."
That made Khanak giggle as she hugged her Papa hard.. and he held his arm around her shoulder and leaned his head against hers and spoke a little hoarsely... "Okay okay.. bas.. now I think you are going to make me cry... Radha Rani.. yaad hain na.. tumhaari bidaai ke waqt, main tumse jyaada roya tha.." Radha rushed to hug them with a choked sob and they had a touching group hug.. Soon Govind ushered them out where Manu stood at the landing and looked at her.. "Kanks... beautiful.. you look just beautiful poor Dr. Khandelwal.." She slapped his arm and gave him a withering look, but her heart raced at the mention of his name...
The last whole week passed in a blur... as they went. through a series of rasams and rituals... each from their side as well as his side.. He had hardly met her during those rituals.. seeing her only once when he had come over for a mere formality of being introduced to her side of the family who had all arrived in a span of 2-3 days... She also had the opportunity of meeting Boo bhabhi.. who had arrived only 3 days before the wedding.. She had received a slightly cool welcome in comparison to Akshay bhaiyya... after all.. she had wanted Shantanu to marry one of her cousins... but then she had not been snide either.. Knowing that she would take time to accept Khanak... Over all daadi had been the happiest.. as she constantly expressed her happiness.. She seemed to be getting better and stronger and could now manage to sit for longer periods...
Presently Manu winked at her and did a swooning act as he saw Mahi come out of her room beyond Khanak and Khanak jabbed him in his ribs saying.. "Close your mouth loser.. makkhi chali jaayegi muh mein..." He smiled as he whispered.. "Gosh Kanks.. remember our deal.. I help you only if you help me... maar daalegi mujhe.. kuch to karo..." She giggled and whispered back.. "Sure.. shaadi ke baad.. okay?" He grinned ear to ear but then frowned as he saw the slight nervous streak in her eyes.. and chided her and asked.. "Kanks.. I ask you again.. all well? You sure not hiding anything from me.. as I get this feeling again..."
She shook her head pretending to take something form her eyes.. but she was wiping an errant tear... knowing that everything in her life was about to change... But she knew that she would never be able to tell this to any soul on this earth... This felt like she was making a momentous journey towards him.. her nemesis... her cross that she would have to bear.. it was her decision.. even after when this farce of a marriage would end.. she would take the blame on her shoulders... she sighed and smiled and assured Manu that it was just a figment of his imagination and they were urged then by Govind and Radha who ushered them out to the waiting cars to the short ride to Khandelwal house.. Traditionally it was the groom who arrived to the bride's to marry.. but this was broken just for daadi... and the whole entourage with the bride.. left for Khandelwal house...
Shantanu looked at his reflection in the mirror... He had dressed himself in a traditional attire.. a beautiful cream coloured silk kurta with an ethnic self design pattern... and a matching chudidaar.. Madhavi had placed a beautiful kantha made from pearls around his neck.. It was traditional to Gujarati's for the groom to have that and they had decided to follow those rituals.. Not that the Khanna's had insisted but it was Shantanu's call.. He respected Ma and now that his realisation had sunk in that he had deeply loved her... At the thought of her name, strange feelings were evoked within him.. in his mind's eyes he tried to figure how she would look dressed in her bridal finery... a thrill passed within him... He looked around his room, the decor of which had been changed in record time within a space of 10 days... the colours a nice soft yet sunshine yellow... and broken at places with a vibrant shade of gold... the furniture was polished in a natural shade... complimented hugely to the room which looked even more spacious.. The bed was already bedecked with strings of flowers.. He grimly stared at the room and the bed and closed his eyes as pain sliced through his heart.. he knew that his dreams would never come true.. After all she loved that... bloke..
His reverie was interrupted as Madhavi knocked and entered and looked at him with a pleasure that was so akin to a mother... her right and prerogative.. Shantanu smiled at her in genuine feeling and she hugged him with feeling speaking a soft.. "I am so happy Shaan.. so happy with your choice.. I had not expected anything less than this.. I am glad.. Shaan.. so so happy..." Shantanu gulped but smiled in reply.. she asked him as she left, to come down quickly as the Khanna's had already arrived and had all assembled into the huge shamiana that had been erected in the back yard... Khanak had settled in one of the rooms in the house somewhere which Shantanu was not supposed to know.. as seeing the bride before the ceremonies bagan was considered inauspicious... He sighed as he closed his eyes.. trying to calm himself, his heart drumming away its usual staccato...
As soon as he moved out he walked straight into the buffoon... grimly he let Manu pass.. Manu smiled at him stiffly though and murmured... "SK... so you seem all set... " Before Shantanu could reply, another girl walked out of the same room and he saw the bloke give the girl a strange alluring look... Shantanu then remembered that this was her cousin.. chacha's daughter... Mahi... from Delhi and presumed that Manu too probably knew her being in the same business circles... ignored Manu and nodding at Mahi moved as Mom called them from below...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amidst the soft tune of the shehnai, which played through the speakers... Shantanu spoke softly to daadi making sure she was comfortable and in no pain.. as he checked her pulses and daadi swatted his hand chiding him assuring him that she was fine... "Shaan.. main theek hoon... " He looked at the woman draped today in an elegant cream and gold silk saree... seated on the comfortable wheel chair... with the nurse sitting close by... "Beautiful... I am just making sure... I know.. I can see the happiness in your eyes.. and that is the most important fact for me... nothing else matters..." Daadi frowned but smiled and endearingly placed his lock of hair back at his forehead and said cheekily... "Hmmm... to yeh shaadi.. se khush nahin hain..."
He bit his lip as he realised daadi was trying to pull his leg.. and looked down.. a glint in his eyes more than speaking his emotions... daadi laughed and then looking beyond him said... "Lo.. aa gayi tumhaari dulhan..." As he rose to turn and follow daadi's eyes, Khanak had already moved towards a corner surrounded by other friends and ladies and he could not get a glimpse of her... But he had no time to ponder as the panditji approached them and his parents too told him that it was time...
Daadi was wheeled to the the entrance of the huge shamiana.. and then all from the Khandelwal side went outside.. so that it would appear as if the groom had now arrived... Radha smiled as she saw him.. taking his balaaein.. and then performed a small ritual where she has to do the pooja of her son-in-law to be... In the end the ceremony ends in the nose pulling of the jamaai rajaa.. It is a custom for the mother in law to do that and the duty of the groom's friends to prevent it from being done... As Shantanu's friend Ravi covered his nose, Shantanu chided Ravi shaking his head and bowed down in front of Radha in acquiescence to let her do what the customs asked...
Radha smiled with a sheen in her eyes feeling a strange assurance that his man was more than capable of taking care of her daughter for her lifetime... gently pulled his nose with love brimming to her eyes and escaping in a tiny rivulet.. Among many claps and cheers, Shantanu gently wiped her tears and murmured.. "Hey.. Ma... bola.. hate tears.. pretending to speak like Govind... She laughed and hugged him... and then Panditji spoke "Kanya ko bulaaiye..."
Ravi nudged him from one side as Bhaiyya whispered.. "Shaan... dil thaam ke rakho apna..." He felt his heart race faster as he saw the crowd opposite him part the buzz suddenly stopping to hear soft sighs as the bride approached.. her feet taking steps towards him, her eyes downcast, head partly covered by her saree pallu.. bedecked with beautiful jewellery, her beauty lending another to her appearance.. and not the other way round... Every step in rhythm with the soft music of the shehnai making a soft tinkling sound made by her paayal... His heart thudded to a stop as she stood there in front of him and raised her eyes... as Panditji spoke.. Var ke gale mein varmaala pehnaaiye...
The world as if became non existent, everything came to a stand still, as Khanak looked up slowly to feel the glitter and warmth of his gaze upon hers.. She need not have seen him to feel his presence, but her very breath was stolen as she saw him in his traditional wear... her heart thudding loudly... her hands were cold.. she trembled as Panditji asked her to garland him... his eyes stripping her to her very soul... She shyly lowered her gaze unable to hold his blazing pair... and stepped forward as he did too... As if they were the only ones who existed and suddenly she felt his eyes were telling her something.. but she could not fathom as amidst the now loud playing of the shehnai and drums, she garlanded him and someone placed a matching garland in his hand... which he promptly placed around her neck and the others cheered in happiness...
Panditji them proceeded to chant some mantras and she moved away.. as the groom was then asked ot enter and he was made to sit in the main chauki.. where a holy fire was to be lit... "Ommm... Swatina Indreya..." as the holy fire was lit and the wedding ceremonies began as the guests buzzed about and mingled with each other.. Sunil and Madhavi tittering close by, Daadi's wheelchair settled close by near the chauri so she could bless the couple... Radha and Govind too hovered close by as anytime now Panditji would call for the bride for the Kanyadaan...
As she approached again this time accompanied by her mama who held her arm and literally brought her towards the chauri... He felt lucky as each step brought her closer to him and into his life... he wanted to murmur into her ear.. 'I love you Jingles.. I have fallen deeply in love with you...' But eh knew that his love was one sided and did not wish to burden her with his feelings and emotions.. knowing that her love already had given the rights to someone else... His eyes skimmed to look for the buffoon.. but strangely clueless, found him missing and his jaws gritted grimly.. but she was made to sit at his side...
Amidst all chantings of the holy mantras the ceremony began.. Her eyes many a times felt the sheen within them.. but she blinked every time as her pallu was tied with the long pink cloth that hung around his broad breadth... as finally they were tied together down... if not for life.. she suddenly decided that this year or however much their relationship would last, she would cherish each moment... as if it was a lifetime...
Govind and Radha did the kanyadaan and gently Panditji turned her hand over his palm and covered it quickly with another cloth... His grip in her palm more than made her aware of the reality, the gravity of this situation... she was on her way to become his... his ardhaangini.. his better half.. for better or for worse... in sickness and in health... till death did them part... his hold was gentle yet a firm remained there making her aware as he partook in taking the oaths.. chanting the mantras asked by Panditji for him to repeat.. and she did the same too...
As they were asked to rise to take the pheras... around the holy fire as a promise to each other and taking an oath in front of the All Mighty.. She felt a twinge at this farce again and faltered but his grip on her palm helped her to catch her self... she looked at him as he supported her with his hand and the pressure increased making her look in his assuring brown gaze.. she melted and after that it all registered in a haze...
At first they were seated opposite each other... But after the pheras they were seated side by side with him to her left... as he was now her lord... her husband.. and she his ardhaangini in the true sense... Lovely marriage songs played in the background all Gujarati as Panditji proffered the plate which contained the sindoor and the mangalsutra... Which her mama had bought... he asked the groom to tie the mangalsutra around the bride's neck, which Shantanu did with an ease.. the clasp thankfully not getting stuck anywhere... as Mahi gently lifted the garland for his easy access...
He then took a pinch of the red sindoor and slowly filled the parting of her maang.. lifting the maang tika with one hand as some red powder dusted on to her nose... She looked so beautiful and an overwhelming emotion rushed through him... he wanted to declare his undying love to her.. even if she loved someone else... but the moment was lost as then the rest of the rituals needed for him to repeat the holy chants of mantras... as she needed to do similarly...
The Saptapadi.. where they promised each other that hence forth they would be one, till death do them part.. Her voice faltered for just a bit in the end but she took the oath... Agni ko saakshi maan ke... she promised herself, that even if he did not love her, she would love him for the next seven lives... He will be her husband for this lifetime and many more to come... He looked into the leaping flames as he walked with her the seven steps, with each step his feelings for her becoming even more stronger... as with each step he swore that he will keep her happy... see to it that all her wishes and dreams are fulfilled... even if it meant leaving her for her happiness... Finally the marriage ceremony ended and they were man and wife... and were asked to rise and take the blessings from all their elders...
First was daadi and their parents each... and then from then on all was a blur as many walked up to them to wish them... as some went to the other side of the shamiana for lunch... Radha stood near Shaan ad softly spoke.. "Beta.. how about some lunch now? You know that Khanak has fasted today.." He nodded as daadi too had made him and daadi made sure that she told Radha that... After which Ma insisted that they first eat and break the fast...
Hen gently guided her with his hand at her back.. a slight tremor of pleasure ran through her slender frame, at the possessive feel of his burning touch though it was light, it spoke volumes as they both moved towards the base of the chauri where they had left their foot wear... She found hers but his was missing and he frowned looking as a little quirk of amusement skimmed her lips, but she refrained from speaking knowing that Mahi and her loyal gang of cousin sisters had hidden his mojadis... A small amused snicker from behind them made him whirl around in askance as the elders were busy discussing something when Mahi appeared with that buffoon close to her.
His scowl darkened as his eyes fell upon Mehra, who had moved towards her and was smiling indulgently at her.. A jealous streak skivvied through his entire being leaving a burning trail behind but the young girls literally surrounded him and spoke with out stretched hands... "Chaliye jijaji, empty out your pockets.. if you want your footwear... Ravi was close behind as he with other friends soon moved in front.. Chaand too was on her brother's side and they haggled a bit as Shantanu was intensely jealous of Mehra's presence by her side as he whispered softly to her...
She replied in hushed monosyllables as Manu teased her feeling the blaze next to her as Mahi and her gang haggled with his friends... She turned to see his displeasure in his eyes and bit her lip. Manu spoke again throwing him a look.. whispering.. "Gosh Kanks, he is ready to kill me.. by the looks of it.. how about if I were to kiss you.." She swore softly as she shook her head vehemently at Manu who just laughed and smiled blinking his eyes assuring his Kanks that he would never do anything against her wishes... She felt relieved and finally after Shantanu had paid the price that had been demanded he got his foot wear and they proceeded to the shamiana where they were serving lunh to all the invited guests...
A special love seat had a table in front of it where two silver plates were placed decorated around with red rose petals... The food was served by Radha and Govind. She first made them both eat a small piece of mithaai. Shantanu took a bite and then she proffered the same piece to Khanak to bite... she did so and felt a thrill.. at sharing from him for the first time as his better half... Then on it was like the qhole family took turns in feeding them both.. Mahi was naughty and she took a flat piece fo dry fruit mithaai and placing it against Shantanu's lips spoke.. "Uh..uh.. not like this.. you have to hold in in your teeth... and offer it to didi... come on... "
Amidst chants of "yes.. yes.. come on.. yess jijaji... come on..." Shantanu peeked sideways as she bit her lip in nervousness... knowing his predicament and he thought that she did not wish it... but it was daadi's soft voice which got their attention... "Shaan... chalo.. hum bhi to dekhein.. tum kaise Khanak ko khilaate ho.. ab saalion ko naaraaz karke koi sukhi nahin reh sakta.. to chalo bhai..." He cleared his throat as his heart began pounding and taking the piece in his teeth he turned towards her and waited as Mahi and the rest cheered hooting loudly.. as his side of the friends too clapped cheering.. "Come on Khanak... Yayyy..."
She turned and leaned forward raising her head just a bit keeping her gaze on the brown piece of dry fruit square... She could feel his warm breath graze hers... as he leaned forward and then something prodded her to lift her gaze and look into his eyes... The world came to a standstill... He was lost in her black flickering pools.. and she was lost in his blazing gaze... as they both unknowingly leaned towards the other and she felt the gentle nudge of the mithaai as her lips parted as her teeth gently latched onto the mithaai... hardly any space there.. she would have nibbled a little and left it there... but someone pushed her and her lips grazed his...
A shock ran through her as the familiar little flighty things rose in millions in her belly... his hands sprung up in reflex as he held her upper arms with one to steady her and the other slipped near their lips to catch the piece if it fell... he took that slight opportunity to nip her lightly at her lips and her eyes flew to his as she caught the amused cynical taunt there in the warm blazing browns... his hand at her arm preventing her from moving back and her eyes dropped shyly not able to hold the blaze as all cheered and hooted, clapping as finally what they wished had transpired...
Amongst a buzz, all moved now wanting to leave them to eat as Radha hovered near Shantanu... He had let her part away but not before he whispered to her tauntingly.. "My but someone is jealous.. but my dear we are husband and wife whether your boy friend likes it or not!!!" She had been pained at the reminder that their's was not a normal real marriage... but a farce.. and then on she had completely lost her appetite... Of course he did not love her.. what she had seen in his eyes was not something for her.. it was just a pretence.. this whole thing was a mere pretence to him... as her heart shrivelled and she felt a cold fist squeezing around her heart... as Madhavi urged her to eat... feeding her morsels which she swallowed as if she was eating paper...
After a couple of hours of talking with friends and being wished by the guests as the crowds soon became thin till only family remained... Radha then turned to her as they both sat close by near daadi.. as Panditji had murmured to her that it was the mahurat for the bidaai... Shantanu rose solemnly and suddenly tears pricked her eyes... she bit her lip knowing that if she gave in to her emotions, Ma and Papa too would crumble.. Papa especially was holding his own fort... Manu had been there in the background strangely conspicuous... but she knew that it was since she had wanted it that way.. and Mahi was there to keep him company... but presently daadi's eyes moistened too as she spoke to Shantanu, "Shaan, beta apne saas sasur ke paaon chukar aashirwaad lo beta.. bidaai ka waqt aa gayaa hain..."
She clung to Radha and sobbed softly... mother and daughter chiding the other wiping the rivulets... she turned then finally to Papa... who broke down as he hoarsely murmured... "Stay happy Princess.. I know Shantanu is a good man, but you too have your duties... remember always this is your family now first before us... these are your parents now... " She could only nod her head as she sobbed into his shoulder and he patted her head in blessing urging her to go... He eyed Shantanu and spoke again in a soft plead... "Beta.. we are giving you our everything.. our pride.. our love, take care of her..."
Shantanu moved forward to hold papa's folded hands and raised them to his forehead chiding him for doing that as he spoke gruffly.. "Papa.. Khanak will always remain your daughter no matter what.. and never ever feel that she is distant... please papa... in fact you have now got a son... so please... " And so saying he touched Papa's feet and Papa in turn raised him and hugged him hard... He smiled his eyes moist too but he turned to her and gently placed his arm around her as he guided her towards the house for the Grih Pravesh...
Edited by jparker - 14 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Kumkum Bhagya
