PART 1
"sita kalyana vaibogame... rama kalyana vaibogame..
pavanaja stuti patra pavana charitra ravisoma pavanetra ramaniya gatra
bhakta jana paripala bharita sharajala bhukti muktida leela bhudeva pala
pamara surabhima paripurna kama shyama jagadabhi rama sakata dhama
sarva lokadhara samaraika dhIra garva manasa dura kanakagha dhIra
nigamagama vihara nirupama sharira nagadha vidhara nata lokadhara
parameshanuta gIta bhava jaladhipota tarani kula samjata tyagarajanuta"
Ishita and Raman were decked up in their marriage avatar. All seemed happy except two souls who were the bride and groom itself. Panditji was chanting mantras and it was the auspicious muhurtham, Raman tied the "thaali" around her neck. Ishita closed her eyes and a lone drop of tear escaped her eyes as Raman tied the first knot. Vandu instructed Simmi to move forward and tie the rest of the two knots. Followed by that was the sapthapadi where Raman helped Ishita take the seven steps around the fire holding her right toe with his right hand. During each step Raman recited a mantra asking for Lord Vishnu's blessings. After the seven steps Raman gently placed Ishita's foot on a grinding stone kept on the right of the fire and slipped the silver rings on her toes. The bride and groom are then made to witness the Pole star and Agni nakshatra that symbolizes devotion and virtue essential for a married couple. After performing various pujas much to the chagrin of Raman they were moved away from the fire. The bride and groom were asked to apply turmeric on each other's feet. Now it was time for Ishita's vidai.
Vandu and Ishu hugged each other.
Mihika kissed her akka on cheek, "I'll miss you akka"
Ishika : kya Miku..hum to opposite mein rahathe haina roz milenge phir kya!!
And they hug each other. Ishu then turns to Appa and Amma who had his eyes filled but was smiling blissfully. She hugged both of them and cried.
Vishwa hugged her lovingly, "Ishu beta..live happily.."
Madhu " Ishu kanna roz ghar anna.."
Ishita nodded and looked at the direction where her future life was waiting. Raman was already inside the car lost in his phone. He didn't give one glance at her when she entered the car and quietly sat next to him. The car left to Raman's apartment,now her apartment!!
They all reached the apartment in the afternoon. The grah pravesh rituals were over and everyone rushed to the reception venue as more guests especially Raman's professional network were invited. The time was 4-9 pm. They said hello hi to everyone who wished them and a constant plastic smile was pasted on both of their faces. It was 10:00 when they reached home. While everyone left giving the couple their share of alone time on the marriage day Simmi dragged Ishita to a corner and started imparting her wisdom.
Simmi moved closer to Ishita and whispered, "tumhari behen ne bataya mujhe..tum logo me suhaag raat ka bhi mohrat hota he..wo kya hota he...kuch to muhurtam tha..
Ishita:"Shanti Muhurtam"
Simmi "haa wahi!! Kya matlab mohrat ka wait krke phir shuru krte ho?"
Ishita turned red as a tomato and stared at her.
Simmi "acha ab me tumhara time waste nhi kr rhi. Nikal rhi hu byeee"
And then she made Ishu sit on the bed and left from there. Raman entered the room and saw Ishu sitting on the bed under a wail. His anger bound no limit. He went near her and pulled her out of the bed with a force. Ishu hissed in pain and glared at Raman
Ishita "Kya batameezi hai yeh.."
Raman "Mein pehale sehi kaha da ki mein iss shadi sirf mamma keliye kar raha hum.. so zyada meri biwi math bano.. tum sirf aur sirf iss ghar ki bahu ho meri biwi nahi aur na hi kabhi banogi.. get this in your head and just get lost from my bed, NOW.." roared
Ishita matching his tone"Mujhe bhi koyi shauk nahi hai tumhari biwi banne ki.. mein bhi yeh shaadi sirf meri amma appa keliye kiya.. and don't you dare raise your voice against me. You are no one to control me and you bloody have no rights on me, stay in your limits.."
She pulled out the duvet and pillow from the bed and slept on the couch. Sleep was far away from both. Soon they drifted into their past, how they landed into this marriage which was nothing more than a contract "SIRF PARENTS KELIYE".
FLASHBACK
Raman was a happy-go-lucky young man who approached every problem with a pleasant smile until his long time girlfriend Shagun Arora left him for his business rival Ashok Khanna. From then onwards the kind soft hearted Raman changed into a rude stone hearted Raman Kumar Bhalla. His trust in love broke and he saw Shagun in all girls except his mamma and sisters.
Ishita Iyer was a girl full of life who believed that everything around her is filled with love. She was a chirpy and bubbly girl, full of life. She was in love with her classmate Subramaniyum. Even their engagement was fixed and was about to happen when she fell unconscious. Doctors told due to childhood TB her fallopian tubes were mixed up and she can never conceive. Subbu's mom announced that "My son won't marry a banjh." and broke the marriage. Ishu somewhere expected Subbu to stand for her, their love. But alas he left with his amma. From then onward Ishita never believed in love or marriage.
Bhallas and Iyers were worried about their children's future. Iyers shifted to Delhi because they felt Ishu should stay from there for sometime. In Delhi both Iyers and Bhallas met. Mr Bhalla and Mr Iyer were college friends, after college Mr Iyer shifted to Mumbai and Mr Bhalla settled in Delhi itself. Soon both families became close to each other and shared their worries about their children's future. That is when Toshiji asked for Ishita's hand for Raman. Thus they all decided them to get married.
But convincing Raman and Ishita was never a easy job. After lot of bickering and emotional blackmail both agreed for the marriage. And finally got married in a Tamilian style.
(flashback ends)...
Fan Fictions
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