My Word is My Bond… Part – 38

Hi friends…

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Let’s get started… Happy reading…

Finally, it was the end of the day. All were exhausted and scattered in the hall. All were in their own trances. Soon all were disturbed by the sound of things being placed on the table in the center. They found Krishna and Gauri placing few trays.

Dilshad: What is it…?

Sakshi: And don’t tell me you guys were straining…?

They had their heads down with a small pout.

Daadi: (Chuckling a little.) It’s fine puttar… Let it be… (To Krishna and Gauri.) I hope you both are fine, puttar…

The duo bobbed their head affirmative, making rest chuckle. They served everyone with their favourite drinks… Fruits were also served.

Gauri: (Sitting beside Anya and Ansh.) Here you go darlings… (And handed them a glass of milk each.)

The kids made faces on seeing the milk.

Anika: Koee naatak nahin… Chalo phataaphat finish karo…

Still making faces they finished their milk in a single breath and made faces. All chuckled at their gesture.

Ankita: Shaabaash… Now prize for being good…

Anika: Prize…? No… Aai, nahi… These two are already spoiled because of all their uncles and aunts…

Shashank: (Cutting her off.) So what…? It doesn’t mean that we step back showing our part of love and care… We were same with you too, are you spoiled…?

Anika: I’m spoiled long back, baaba… (Spoke in a trance.)

Ankita: (To make the situation light.) Oh stop it you two… You father and daughter have no other work… Tiku, get me the gifts, beta…

Prateek: Aai, please, don’t call me that…

Ankita: (Rolling her eyes.) Now, I’m not going to listen to your single word… You’ll be called ‘Tiku’ forever… Now, get me the gifts…

Prateek: (Made faces and handed her the gifts.)

Ankita: (Kneeling in front of kids.) Now here you go… (And handed a gift wrapped in glittering sheet to each.)

The kids were full of smiles and opened, no, tore the gift wraps and threw them.

Anika: Arre… Yeh kiya…

Daadi: Koyee baath nahin puttar… Bachcha hain, itana bhee strict mat bano…

Kids: (Screamed.) WOW…

Anya: My favourite, Barbie doll…

Ansh: And my favourite, remote car…

Anya & Ansh: Thank you, Aji, Ajoba…

Ansh: (Hugged Ankita.)

Anya: (Rushed towards Shashank and hugged him.)

All smiled at their cuteness.

Anika: Ab bhee main gussa hoon…

Ankita: (Casually.) Okay…

Anika: (Her mouth fell wide open.) Aai…? (And pouted.)

Kids giggled at their mother’s antics. Rest joined them shortly.

Finally they decided it to be end of the day. Tomorrow it is Haldi by morning followed by Shaadi in the evening. Few slept out of tiredness. Whereas, few lost their sleep out of excitement and few out of nervousness and ache in their heart. Not knowing what brings tomorrow, the restless souls slipped into slumber out of tiredness.

Next day, the early morning rays of sun peeped into every single room. The sleepy eyes were opened by their kisses. Few had a sweet smile adoring their lips and few had pain written all over their face. Everyone dragged themselves out of the bed and got ready for the big day. Shortly one-by-one, all reached the hall.

Daadi: Chalo puttar, sab aa gaya hai… Phataaphat naashta karo, phir Haldi bhee shuru karnee hai…

All had their breakfast in record time and got ready for Haldi function. All were assembled in the garden that was decorated for the Haldi function, except our young ladies.

Daadi: Dil, puttar, ask our kids to bring the dulhans now…

Dilshad: Ji maa… (She made a call to Anika and asked her to bring the brides to the garden.)

Shortly, all the ladies reached the garden. Radhika and Pari were draped in mild yellow and whit color saree. Rest of the ladies were dressed in yellow color saree. All looked like angels. As they lifted their gaze, their eyes were locked with their man respectively, who were dressed in plain white pyjama and kurta.

A yellow coloured transparent cloth was tied in center, as a barrier. Dilshad, Pinky and Jhanvi made Arjun and Shivaay sit on one side of the barrier. Ankita and Sakshi made Radhika and Pari sit on the other side of the barrier. The guys stood behind the grooms and the ladies stood behind the brides.

Daadi: Let’s get started… Pinky, puttar, you start with the ritual…

Pinky: Nahi Mummy ji… Aaba will start the ritual… Yeh toh main pahale decides kar liya…

All smiled at her innocence.

Dilshad: Par Pinky…

Pinky: Par, var, kuch nahin… Start it soons… We all are in queues…

Dilshad: (Smiled with tears and stepped forward to the guys. She applied Haldi first to Arjun, then to Shivaay. After completing with the ritual, she kissed their forehead.)

After Dilshad, Jhanvi, Pinky, and our guys followed with the ritual of applying the Haldi on the grooms. Guys hugged them, congratulating them for their big day. Daadi smiled with content.

Daadi: Chalo, ab aage badhen…

Arjun: Par Daadi… Aapne toh…

Daadi: Nahin puttar… Main nahin… But all my blessings are always with you…

The guys tried to convince her. But, Dilshad gestured them not to force her and they obliged halfheartedly.

Dilshad: (Handed the Haldi bowls to Sakshi and Ankita.)

The ladies stepped forward to the brides. Sakshi and Ankita, started the ritual by applying the Haldi to Radhika and Pari respectively, later the other bride too. Raj and Shashank followed the footpath of their wifes. Later, our ladies applied Haldi to the brides, with hugs and kisses. Anika was last to apply Haldi to the brides.

After applying Haldi to Radhika, she kissed her forehead, wishing her all happiness. Later, moved to Pari. Applying Haldi to her, she voiced her to stay happy forever. Pari hugged her older sister, mother tight. As they parted away, Haldi from Pari’s cheek was adoring Anika’s cheek, making her look adorable.

One lady among the guests, voiced out,

Lady: Loh ji… Shagun kee haldi toh isse bhee lagaee… Bahut jald, isske bhee shaadi hogee… (And giggled.)

Anika was tensed, at the same time broken. She silently stepped back and walked off.

Shivaay: (His eyes were fixed on her.)

Pari: (Lifted her gaze, to see Shivaay’s eye following Anika.) (Thinking.) Main appko jaldi iss dard se mukt karongee… Yeh mera vaada hai… Aur Anu thai, main appko appke kushi vaapas doongi… Aapke life kee uss shaap se mukt bhee…

Dilshad: Ritual is done… Now, you guys may go and get yourself cleaned… And no seeing your partner until marriage…

Radhika pouted. Rest chuckled.

Dilshad: Anju, Sammy, dear hold this screen in between and don’t let them see each other…

Anjali & Sammy: Ji… (And took the screen and held it from two ends.)

Our brides and grooms were accompanied by their brothers and sisters. They marched into the mansion. As they stepped into the mansion, out of sight of elders,

Radhika: STOP…

All turned to her.

Meera: What happened…? (Asked worriedly.)

Radhika: (Smiled sheepishly. And showing her two fingers, with puppy face.) Can I get two minutes…? Please…

Meera: Why not…? You may even take five minutes darling, no problem… (Turning to guys.) Arre, what are you guys waiting for…? Carry on, we’ll come after few minutes… Right Radzie…?

Radhika: (Breathing heavily.) Wasn’t funny… (With her hands crossed against her chest, she pouted.)

Meera: (Giggled.)

And the rest joined her.

Gauri: Di, your two minutes, five minutes, is over long ago… Walk forward before the elders step in…

Radhika: (With puppy face, she turned towards Arjun.)

Arjun: (With a pleasant smile, gestured her to move forward and she obliged.)

As they were about to step on the stairs,

Pari: (Screamed.) Oh no…

Meera: What happened, Pari…?

Prateek: Thai… (And ran towards her.)

Pari: (To Meera.) Di, I should go, it’s urgent… (She was about to step back towards entrance.)

Meera: (Holding her hand.) Stop… Where you want to go…? And what is so urgent…? You can’t go out dear… It is your wedding in few hours… Haldi is too over and it is not good to step out at this time…

Pari: Please di… Try and understand, I have to go… Please di…

Prateek: Thai… (And turned her towards him.)

Pari: Tikku, please ask her to let me go… I have to go… Meree vahaan jaana bahut zarooree hai…

Prateek: Thai, first relax… What happened and where do you want to go…? Tell me, I’ll go and…

Pari: (Cutting him off.) No… You aren’t understanding… Mujhe vahaan jaana zaroore hai… Koi aur nahi…

From the other side of the screen,

Shivaay: Pari, relax… What is so important…? Any why only you…? My intention is not to hurt you or put you down… It is just that…

Pari: Please Shivaay… (Tears were threatening to fall.)

AR: Let’s do one thing, I’ll take her…

A chorus reply came from our ladies: NO…

Pari: OK…

Both came simultaneously.

Meera: Bhai, you aren’t understanding… She can’t leave just like that…

Haider: What rubbish, Meera…? Can’t you see her state…? Maybe something important… Don’t be so superstitious…

Meera: Mr. Haider Ali Khan… One more word, I’ll smack your face… It is not about being superstitious, but it is about our elder’s beliefs and feelings… Do you think they will take it easily if they come to know that their soon to be bride left just after her Haldi… That too without informing…

Sammy: Bhaijaan, Meera is right… It is not good to go out, especially without the knowledge of elders…

Anika: (From few steps ahead of the ladies.) No matter what, a daughter-in-law should never get into bad books of her elders or her husband… It will eat up her whole life, come what may… Even if it is something great she did, she is to be cussed… (Coming out of trance.) Pari, you aren’t going… Let me know, I’ll do it…

Pari: You can’t, no, you won’t do it… If that was possible, you would have done it long before… (She spoke with tears and pain. Breaking the eye contact with Anika, she took her little brother’s hand in hers and stepped forward, crossing Anika silently.)

Anika: What does that mean…? Pari, what are you up to now…? I really hope you aren’t up to something grave…

Radhika: (Placing her hand on her shoulder.) Everything would be fine… Just relax… She is a matured and caring young lady…

Anika: (Nodded affirmative, but was still worried.)

Radhika: Accha, now leave all these and come with me… (And dragged Anika along with her.)

Rest of the ladies followed them. Meera gave a stern glare towards Haider, before leaving.

Haider: Shit… Now, I’m in a great shit…

Neil: Who asked you to speak in between the girly talks…? Now suffer…

Arjun: (Slapping his back lightly.) This is the lesson for life, brother… Always remember…

Haider: (Nodded his head affirmative.)

Rest chuckled at his scared face.

Lots of Love,

Anci