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She kept on thinking how the time flew and now the Haldi Rasm was tonight and then the Mehendi and Sangeet all in three days time, and on the forth day the most important day she would become Mrs. Dev Singh Khurana.
Part 23
The engagement party had gone on till late that the night. The next day Dadima had organized a small function for the Sagun and Chunni Chadana at the Khurana Mansion itself. The role of the father had been taken on by Pinky's father Mr. Sabarwal. Dadima had performed all the rituals and given her the "Sagun ki pitari" consisting of 'Mehendi' (henna) for the Mehendi ceremony which was to take place the next day, clothes, jewellery, fruits, dry fruits, dried coconut, 'chuaare' or dried dates, bangles, 'sindoor' (vermilion powder) and a red 'dupatta' or veil and later feeds her Kheer (boiled rice and milk) as part of the ritual.
During this ceremony the friends and invited ladies sang songs to the beat of a 'dholak' or small drum. All the songs were joyous and were related to the wedding ceremonies but some songs were sung to tease the bride's mother-in-law and as Savitri Devi was standing in for her, they teased her and other members of family. Amidst the laughter and gaiety guests started to wish and bless her while others decorated Geet by dressing her up and draping her with the Red 'dupatta' or the Sagun ki Chunni.
After the ceremony Geet had tried to focus on her work which she had got home. It had taken a long time for her to concentrate on what she was doing. She knew these few days would be very hectic as other rituals and ceremonies were also to take place.
The Mehendi ceremony had followed the Sagun and Chunni Chadana ceremonies. The Mehendi had been given by Dadima to Geet and a professional had been hired to apply it on her palm. Pari, Pinky, Vicky, Meera, Maan, NT were having fun teasing her and talking to her while she had been waiting for her Mehendi to be done. While talking to them the professional had asked her something, not paying attention she had kept on chatting with them. The color of Mehendi on her palms had been a deep dark red color which had been a reason for everyone to tease her more, saying her husband would love her immensely. None had noticed where the professional had written her would be husbands name. On being asked, Dev had kept on searching his name only to be surprised to find Maan's name on her palm. Everyone had been shocked at the professional's mistake, Savitri Devi had gotten angry and was ready to send the professional away and only calming down when the lady had rectified her mistake by wiping off that part and redoing it.
The Haldi ceremony had demanded that Geet stay at home for a couple of days before her wedding.
On the Morning of the wedding before her bath she had been brought down to the hall in her old clothes. A Ubtan (a paste of Haldi (powdered turmeric) and mustard oil) was applied on her body by female relatives and friends. And later she was to bathe with water brought from the near by temple. After this ritual, Geet and Dev were constrained from meeting each other until the wedding ceremony. Both, the Ghara Ghardoli (a pitcher of water is filled from a nearby temple to be added to the bath and old garments are given away to a poor person) and the Ubtan ceremonies were also performed for Dev at the outhouse.
After the Ubtan bath ceremony the priest performed the puja and tied a mauli on Geet's right wrist and but the most important ritual of Chuda Charana was performed by Geet's Maama ji (Maternal Uncle/Mother's brother). While her Maama ji was performing the ritual her Maami ji explained the importance of the Chuda to Geet.
"Geet, the Chuda Charana has a significance attached to it. I will explain it to you. The maternal uncle of the bride-to-be plays an important role in this ceremony. The bride's maama (mother's brother) gets these bangles for the bride. The oldest maternal uncle and aunt as well as the girl's parents usually fast throughout the day or at least until the completion of this ceremony. The purohit performs a havan. After the puja, the chuda (a set of red and cream ivory bangles) are touched by all present to signify their blessings and good wishes for the bride-to-be. The bride must slip the chuda on her wrist. This is followed by an iron bangle (for good luck) with shells and beads, and a mauli that the pundit ties around her wrist. Flower petals are showered on the girl after the ceremony and Prasad is distributed among all. The girl's maternal uncle and aunt, friends and cousins tie kalires (silver, gold or gold plated traditional ornaments that are tied to the chuda). Before departing for her husband's home, the bride must tap one of her unwed female friends or cousins with her kalires. According to popular belief, the one who is tapped thus will be the next one to marry."
Hearing Maami ji explain to her about chuda, she had tears in her eyes and had become very emotional and remembered her Ma and baauji. She wished her parents were alive to see her getting married.
"Geet beta, itne shubh avsar par rote nahi" Wiping her tears, Savitri Devi told Geet.
"Ma, aaj Ma aur Baauji ziinda hote to kitne khush hote meri shaadi dekh kar, aaj mein unhe bahut miss kar rahi hun" Geet said to Savitri Devi.
"Geet beta, eisa nahi sochte. Don't think like that but think that they will always be with you and are looking after you from above. Have faith in God and he will guide you." Savitri Devi consoled Geet "Now give me a smile and go and get ready, Geet, it is getting nearer and nearer to your wedding time".
She waited until Geet had collected herself and then left for her to get ready.
Geet changed into her wedding outfit, a red colored heavily embroidered suit and an equally embroidered Dupatta with red and white bangles known as chuda adorning her wrists. Her hair tied in a plait with a parandi (kind of artificial hair with colorful latkens(threads) tied and hanging at the end) woven into it, a beautiful mang tika and lot of jewelry adorning her. The final piece was the Bindi she had put on her forehead.
She was ready but for the last time she wanted to visit the special place which that room had become to her.
She had been visiting it every night for that one special moment. To be surrounded by the feeling of him even for a moment, had become a ritual of sorts for her. And as a clock work every night she would go to the room and would wait for him in the darkness. The darkness had been symbolic as the darkness had brought him to her.
Though not a single word had been passed between them even then being near him for that special moment, had felt comforting. Being with him had felt as if she had known him for years or even longer as in centuries. She always felt him to be her soul mate. She could not describe the connection that existed between them.
It was time for the wedding ceremonies to begin. A swirl of activity was happening at the ground. Late afternoon was giving way to early evening darkness, and preparations were almost finished for the evening wedding. The small flickering flames of hundreds of glass- covered tea lights were scattered artfully around the large ground and floating pools and fountains, and the light around the richly colored Mandap. The Pundit called everyone to the Mandap which was erected in the grounds of the Khurana mansion.
The richly jewel colored Mandap or pavilion with gold colored threads catching the light was erected right in the centre of the grounds with pale gold cloth covered chairs strewn all around the ground for the guests. The branches of the trees in the driveway dripped with strings of tiny fairy lights illuminating the path that led to the pavilion. Guests had started arriving. Savitri Devi was with the pundit organizing the last minute preparation.
"Pari beta, go and call Dev and Geet. Tell them punditji is calling them, it is time for the wedding to start."
"Ji, Dadima."
Pari went looking for Dev and Geet and locating Dev she gave him Dadima's message.
"OK Pari, I am ready I will go to the ground, you bring Geet" saying this Dev left with Adi and Romeo, his friend.
Now Pari went to Geet's room to call her but could not find her. She started searching and asking everyone around. Seeing Pari searching Geet everyone started looking around but not finding Geet they became tensed and worried.
"Maan have you seen Geet?" Dadima on being informed than no one knew the whereabouts of Geet had come looking for her.
"Has anyone checked all the rooms?"
"Yes Maan beta, everyone has been looking for her for the last 15 minutes."
"Then I have a fair idea where she might be. Please tell Vicky to bring the emergency lamp" saying this he started climbing the steps, Dadima, following right behind him.
The door of the room hardly ever used which was at end of the corridor of the first floor was thrown open.
And there, She was in his arms.
Precap: whose arms was she in?
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