if Wishes were horses Part 30,Page 79,3rd November - Page 24

Part 13

Silence was the only common between them. They shared this intimately,so much so that it was hard to believe that these two were tied in a wedlock….

Swagata has been at her wit's end since last night. She wanted everything perfect for her daughter and son-in-law who would be visiting in the morning.

Clad in a crimson Kanjeevaram with matte gold border and ornate gold thread work all over,her hair tied in a knot, her bangles jingling all over; her parting complimenting the colour of her attire; a radiant dot between those frowning brows made her look adorable!!!

Madhavi spent an entire hour meticulously helping Khanak get ready and her efforts bore fruit in swapping this tomboy with a picture perfect bride……. though acutely uncomfortable,she thanked her lucky stars for her mother-in-law!!!

Ashtmangala,an eighth day ritual where the bride and the groom were to visit the bride's home; untie the threads on each other's wrist tied on the day of wedding.

Gunjan stood mesmerized looking at the girl once unaffected by her feminity, a headturner today!!! For the first time ever, Khanak freezed in her tracks looking at her…. how she wished it didn't happen! Inhibition took over and she dreaded facing Gunjan for the first time… was she guilty about what happened? But she never wanted this…..

Pinaki couldn't believe his eyes! Was this the same girl whose wardrobe had only tattered and worn out clothes? But her gait summed it up for him….. his tomboy wasn't lost after all!

Swagata requested Dadi Ma to arrange for the ritual to be performed. They sat next to each other. An eager Shaan led the way when he took her left hand gently in his. This physical proximity was wreaking havoc inside her! The scandalized expressions and prying eyes all over choked her senses… what are they thinking? Do they believe that she was Gunjan's substitute; did she steal her best friend's man; did she cheat on her best friend?

Very subtly he unfastened each knot. He loved the smooth skin caressing his rugged wrist sending shivers down his anatomy. The more she wished that this got over quickly, the more he lingered on wanting this propinquity to never end. It was her turn and it took her no time to free him from the shackles.

"Khanak, chal beta tere se kuch baat karni hai".

"Jee Dadi Ma".

It was more than ten minutes that they were sitting at the same position and no one could decipher the reason. It was Pinaki who noticed her demeanor and understood.

The hue on her face was crimson hopelessly trying to free her fingers knotted in his. He was immensely relishing the sudden closeness and mischief took over. He wasn't ready to let go his bride so soon….

She pulled,he tightened! She swore under her breath while he sniggered. He kept playing with her hand,fondling her fingers,squeezing her palm and caressing her knuckles as if he was romancing her!!

"Shaan,let's have lunch,son! Please come". Pinaki's intervention cut short the thrill and khanak fled the room,utterly embarrassed to face anyone….

The lunch was an extraordinary gourmet affair with the choicest of bengali cuisine. the menu consisted of :

Pulao(sweetened rice)

Fish fry

Cauliflower and potato curry

Bhapa Ilish(Hilsa fish steamed in mustard paste)

Mutton curry

Sweet chutney made out of dates and mango papad

Rajbhog

Nalen Gurer sandesh(sweet made with jaggery and cottage cheese)

Papad

Mishti doi(sweetened curd)

Mishti paan(betel leaf containing sweet spices)

Hailing from a vegetarian family,Shaan was a strict non-vegetarian and savored every item on the menu even picking the fish bones immaculately which amazed everyone,even her. Dadi Ma alongwith Khanak and Gunjan went back to the Kejriwal House. Pinaki and Swagata settled Shaan in Khanak's room asking him to rest for sometime.

"Kaisi hai meri laado". "Wahan sab kuch theek toh hain naa"? "Koi mushkil toh nahi hai"?

"Main theek hoon Dadi Maa".

"Dekh beta main jo kehne jaw rahi hoon, woh shaayad main Gunjan se kehti." "Vivaah ek bandhan hain jise jodnaa ishwar aur bhaagya par nirbhar karta hai par ise todnaa sirf pati aur patni pe nirbhar karta hai". "Bakwass karte hain woh jo kehte hain ki kisi aur ki wajah se unki shaadi tooti". "Isiliye is rishte ko sambhaal kar rakhna aur yeh sochna chhod de ki tune Gunju ki jagah li hai". "Koi kisi ki jagah kabhi nahi le saktaa"." Wohi hua hai jo hona thaa". "Aur ek baat,yeh suhaag ki chooriyaan main apne laado ke haathon mein ek saal tak dekhna chaahti hoon".

"Dadi Maa went into a pravachan(sermonizing) mode today"."But you know what,she's right".

"I know that Gunju". "It's just that I'm a puzzle who doesn't fit in this entire jigsaw".

It was late afternoon and her aching muscles had given up wanting to re-unite with their favourite nesting ground. Blissfully unaware of his presence,she decided to change. She had only dropped the pleats of her saree when he stepped out of the washroom!!!

She was petrified and he thunderstruck!!!