The Wedding
"Marriage is the golden ring in a chain whose beginning is a glance and whose ending is the Eternity."
~ Khalil Gibran ~
Swara descended the stairs walking towards the wedding mandap accompanied by sharmishta, dadi and some of her friends. She looked no less than a woman belonging to a royal lineage.
She wore a ruby red and golden lehenga which had intricate zari and butta work. She wore only one neck piece which was purely of kundan. Her earrings dangled from her ears and her hands were filled with bangles of red colour with two big kadas in either hand. The gajra in her hair completed her whole bridal look. But the glint of happiness which should be visible in a bride's eyes was missing in her eyes instead confusion and hesitation made her eyes their home.
And sanskar was not looking any less than her. He looked like an Indian prince in the ivory sherwani with crimson salwar, a safa on his head which had an embellishment made of small kundan stones and a plain red dupatta on his shoulder. His eyes showed zero emotions as he continued to follow the instructions of the purohit.
Swara was made to sit on the left side of sanskar. Both of them stood up for the jaimala or the varmala. They exchanged the garlands not before some teasing session by their cousins. Swara and sanskar forcefully smiled for them.
" kanya ke mata-pita kanyadaan ke liye aage aayiye" said the purohit. Sharmishta and Shekhar stepped forward for the kanyadaan. " lakshmi swaroop kanya ka hath narayan swaroop var ke hath mein rakhiye" said the purohit.
Both of them, placed swara's right hand into that of sanskar's. Swara and sanskar had a small eye lock before shifting their concentration on the wedding rituals.
Betel leaves, betel nut, flowers, dry fruits, conch, gold and money are also placed in their hands. After this, holy water or milk is poured over their palms, as the holy verses are being recited by the priest.
The priest lights the havan. Swara and sanskar reiterate the verses said by the purohit as they offer crushed sandalwood, herbs, rice and oil in the ceremonial fire.
Sharmishta climbs the mandap for the gathbandhan. She places a pink dupatta on sanskar's shoulder and ties it with swara's chunri. The couple stands up for the saptapadi or the sath phere.
After completing the pheras, both of them sit back with swara now to the right side of sanskar. The priest gives sanskar a sindoor dibbi. Sanskar takes a pinch of sindoor and applies it on swara's hairline. Then he takes the mangalsutra in his hands.
Locking his eyes with hers, he ties the mangalsutra in her neck. The vedic hymns are chanted when he ties it.
Mangalam bhagwan vishnu
Mangalam garuda dwaja
Mangalam pundari kaaksha
Mangalaya tanohari
Mangalaya tanohari
Mangala tanohari
" vivah ab sampann hua. Aap dono apne badon ka aashirwaad lekar apne jeevan ka arambh kare" the priest announced. Swara and sanskar get up and touch the feet of the priest and then move to their family members.
They go to dada-dadi and take their blessings. Afterwards they move to Annapoorna and Durga Prasad, and then Shekhar and sharmishta. Swara and sanskar shared a group hug with the youngsters of the family.
" Durgaprasad ji mahre ko lagta hai hume baadi chalna chahiye. Ab swara ko hum yaha se thodi naa bidaa kar sake hain" said dadi who was trying her best to control her happiness thinking swara will now leave their house. " ji kakisaa" replied durgaprasad.
After taking all their belongings, they checked off and left to baadi. After reaching baadi, sharmishta took swara inside for performing the Bengali rituals. She applied turmeric on the Shakha Pola and made it wear to swara.
Both of them went to swara's room to bring her suitcases. " maa" swara hugged sharmishta emotionally. Sharmishta patted her head in affection. " have a happy married life, shona. I know it's really difficult for you. Par main jaanti hoon meri shonaa sab sambhal legi. Sambhal legi naa?" asked sharmishta. Swara nodded affirmatively.
Both of them came outside with swara's luggage. Swara hugged sharmishta tightly before leaving while sharmishta, trying to hide out her tears, patted her head in affection. " humesha khush rehnaa" before leaving, sharmishta said.
The driver started the car and drove anaapoorna and durgaprasad home for welcoming their new daughter in law. The youngsters decided to come in their own big car which they use for going on picnics.
Adarsh and parineeta sat in the first, swara and sanskar in the middle leaving laksh and uttara the last seats. The windows were open allowing the cold breeze of the dark night to enter in the car. Swara moved towards the window and viewed the empty roads of Kolkata. Except for the light from the car, the road was dimly lit with the orange street lights.
" swara " sanskar's voice jolted swara from her deep thoughts. She turned to him while he spoke," ghar aa gayaa hai."
Swara and stood in the entrance of the mansion while annapoorna was doing their aarti to ward off any evil eye." swara apne daayen pair se is kalash ko girao aur ghar mein pravesh karo" annapoorna said. Swara did according to the instructions and entered in the mansion as the wife of Sanskar Maheshwari.
" ramu, swara ke saamaan ko sanskar ke kamre mein rakho "
Their dutiful servant, ramu followed his malkin's orders. He took swara's luggage and with help of some other servants kept them in sanskar's room.
" sanskar, swara ko apne kamre mein le jao. Aur swara agar tumhe kuch bhi zarurat ho to mujhe bata dena, theek hai" annapoorna said before leaving to her room for a sleep. Sanskar moved towards his...their room while swara followed him behind.
Sanskar gave way to swara and came inside after locking the door and drawing the curtains. " main change karne jaa raha hoon." and he went in the washroom.
Swara glanced at the whole bedroom. Purely of cobalt blue with black stencil designs on the wall. And the white furnishings surely made the room look very classy. She moved towards the dressing table and removed her jewellery. She slowly untied her hair and massaged the tips of her hair. She took her nightwear from her bag and waited for him to come out.
She didn't have to wait any longer as the knob of the washroom turned and sanskar came out in his t-shirt and pyjama. He indicated her to go and change. Swara gave a hesitated smile and quickly went inside.
He turned the A.C on and sat on the bed closing his eyes. The door of the washroom opened and swara came out in a plain kurti palazzo. She slightly shivered because of the chill air coming from the A.C but did not let that show on her face.
" baitho" sanskar ushered her sit on the bed sensing her hesitation. She sat on the corner of the bed.
"swara..." sanskar started " I know it's really difficult for you. And you're going through the same pain like me or more, I suppose. I know you aren't still ready for this relationship just like me."
Swara cut him off, " but now we are husband and wife and I am supposed to.."
" a successful marriage doesn't require the establishment of physical intimacy, swara. Neither of us are ready for it. And certainly I don't want you to submit yourself like a dutiful wife to me." Locking his molten eyes with hers, he continued " mujhe tumhare jism ko choone ko nahi rooh ko choone ki ijazat chahiye."
"Good night, swara" and he turned the other side to sleep.
Swara sat in silence. " Mujhe tumhare jism ko choone ki nahi tumhare rooh ko choone ki ijazat chahiye." his words were ringing in her ears. She looked at her husband who was already asleep because of exhaustion. Could she...she hope for a future with him. She never received an ounce of love and care from her family barring her dida and maa. Could she...she hope for some affection from her husband.
She took the clock and placed an alarm. " good night sanskar" she whispered before turning to the other side for sleeping.
The ringing sound of alarm woke swara. She rubbed her eyes and and stopped the alarm. She got down from the bed yawning. She took her dress and went to get ready.
After half an hour, swara came out from the washroom in a fern coloured saree with strawberry blouse. The saree as well as the blouse had minimal embroidery which gave swara an elegant look. She took out a pouch from her suitcase and started to get ready near the dressing table.
She went down to see if anyone has woken up. Parineeta was arranging the puja thaal humming some song.
" good morning bhabhi "
" good morning swara " she replied.
Swara sat beside her and helped parineeta with the puja samagri.
Both of them entered the kitchen and started preparing the breakfast. Swara was not allowed to do any cooking so she passed the necessary ingredients to parineeta.
One by one, all the family members started coming down for the puja.
" swara, jaake ek baar dekho sanskar kaha hai. Puja ke liye late ho raha hai" said annapoorna.
" ji badi maa" and swara went to their room.
Swara knocked the door calling out his name. " sanskar" " sanskar"
But hearing no reply, she opened the door. Sanskar was still sleeping with the duvet on his face. She switched off the A.C and opened the windows for sunlight.
She moved towards the bed to wake him up. " sanskar uthiye " she said standing near the bed. " sanskar ". Swara hesitated to touch him but having no other option, she pulled the duvet from his face and shook him.
" sanskar dekhiye subah ho gayi hai. Sab aapka wait kar rahe hain"
" please sone do, yaar" and he pulled her hand by mistake.
" aahh" she shouted because of the sudden pull.
She fell on sanskar's chest with a thud. Sanskar widened his eyes with shock. Both of them were lost in each other's eyes until their reverie was broken by the knock on the door.
Swara stood up embarrassed. Sanskar, too embarrassed, rushed to freshen up. Swara composed herself and went to open the door.
"bhabhi, maa aap dono ko bula rahi hai" chirped uttara with a huge smile.
Swara gave an affectionate smile to uttara and patted her head.
" badi maa ko bata do hum aa rahe hain"
" ok " and uttara left to convey the message.
Sanskar came out after few minutes ready for his office. Swara and sanskar went down together. While climbing down the stairs, both exchanged awkward glances.
" itna der laga diya beta " asked annapoorna.
" sorry maa" and he touched her feet to take her blessings.
" swara aaj aarti tum karogi " and she handed the thaal to swara.
Swara started the aarti with her melodious voice:
Radhe Krishna Ki Jyoti Alaukik Tino Lok Mein Chhaaye Rahi Hai
Bhakti Vivash Ek Prem Pujaarin Phir Bhi Deep Jalaaye Rahi Hai
Krishna Ko Gokul Se Radhe Ko
Krishna Ko Gokul Se Radhe Ko
Barasaane Se Bulaaye Rahi Hai
Dono Karo Swikaar Kripaa Kar Jogan Aarati Gaaye Rahi Hai
Dono Karo Swikaar Kripaa Kar Jogan Aarati Gaaye Rahi Hai
Bhor Bhaye Ti Saanj Dhale Tak Sevaa Kaun Itane Mahaamaro
Snaan Karaaye Wo Vastra Odhaaye Vo Bhog Lagaaye Wo Laagat Pyaaro
Kabase Niharat Aapaki Aur - 2 Ki Aap Hamaari Aur Nihaaron
Raadhe Krishnaa Hamaare Dhaam Ko Jaani Vrindaawan Dhaam Padhaaro
Raadhe Krishnaa Hamaare Dhaam Ko Jaani Vrindaawan Dhaam Padhaaro
After completing the aarti, swara gave prashad to everybody and took blessings of Durgaprasad and Annapoorna. Everyone moved to the dining table to have their breakfast. Laksh's illogical jokes and uttara's teasing session made the whole atmosphere lively. Durgaprasad who was known for his strict behaviour also smiled seeing their antics. All the men left for the job bidding their wives a good bye.
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I'm updating after a very long time. So really anxious to know your views. Will wait for them.
Nivi
Mangal Lakshmi
