First Promises
Sameer and Tejo’s relationship had taken everyone by a storm. News about this new guy and his family traveled fast. Owing to the Sehgal popularity everyone near and far were excited for this wedding. While the Sehgal’s were known for their broad business and wealth, their humility and charity work had made them deeply loved amongst the people. Tejo’s family were shocked to hear about Sameer but after Mami’s explanation and her personal guarantee they agreed happily. They were a slight embarrassed on how they couldn’t find a good relationship for Tejo but were happy that Mami did. Tejo’s mama had slightly taunted her sister hurt, he told her that if she had cared for Tejo half as much as she did for Jasmine, Tejo would be in a much better phase in life right now. Abhiraj and his brother also agreed, they had always seen the partiality between Jasmine and Tejo, they always favored Jasmine more than any other child in the home and ironically their favorite child was the one to bring the family the most pain and humiliation. Tejo was always considered the mature, intelligent and understanding child and hence they always overlooked her. Today, Tejo stood as she saw Mama, mami, Abhiraj and her two little brothers stand in front of her taking a stand for her. On the other side stood Jasmine, Fateh and his family. Jasmine and Fateh looked at the floor embarrassed as they heard their deeds explained in front of them. Fateh was angry as well but didnt dare say a word, clenching his fists he stood as he listened about how great this guy Sameer was and how he was soon about to marry Tejo. Kushbeer, Gurpreet Mahi and Amrik were also very pleased to finally see Tejo happy, Kushbeer had given up on his son and didnt care much about him anymore, whether he realized the truth or not know didnt matter, he had lost Tejo forever when he married Jasmine. While Fateh might consider that a new beginning, Kushbeer knew it was really the end for his son but refused to say anything to the Majnu. Fateh stood unable to look anyone in the eye and unable to hear about Tejo’s new marriage, he tried to leave but Kushbeer and Amrik quickly gave him a death stare. While everyone was talking Amrik went over and quickly told Fateh to man up, he had hurt Tejoji enough and the least he could do now was let her get married and live her life peacefully to someone else. He had cheated on his wife with his sister and already fallen in everyone’s eyes, he wouldn’t be able to redeem himself ever but could atleast let Tejo leave in peace. Hearing his younger brother, Fateh looked up, he knew what he had done could never be explained and while he regretted his actions now, there was no going back. Fateh looked at Jasmine who stood next to him, looking on angrily hearing Amrik’s words and looked at Tejo standing behind her family, smiling slightly with tears in her eyes. He quickly compared the two and while one was an anxious, jealous mess, the other was a peaceful, calm soothing aura despite the tears in her eyes. For a moment his father’s words came in his mind about how he doesn’t know what he’s losing, except now he finally saw what he was losing and was afraid there was nothing he could do anymore. Jasmine being her usual self was happy that Tejo was leaving but was angry that she was married to such a rich guy, Abhiraj and Mami had happily explained to the family all about the Sehgal’s wealth, making Jasmine pissed that her sister was getting such a wealthy family. She didnt care if Tejo remarried or not, she just didnt want her sister getting married into a better family than her. Fateh and Jasmine stood there burning in each others selfish motives while the rest of the family prepared for the engagement. Sameer and his family had already met Tejo’s family and fixed the relationship, the Sandhu’s had called the Virks over and wanted to explain everything to them as they considered Tejo their daughter and also now being related to Jasmine should come to the wedding. Kushbeer had strictly informed Fateh and Jasmine that neither should do anything that would cause a hindrance in Tejo’s wedding, he warned them to keep their black eyes and despicable intentions away from the purity of the wedding, he also told Gurpreet that if either of them did anything, he himself would leave the house and will never return to see any of their faces. The Virks stood shocked while the Sandhu’s prepared for the wedding.
Looking in the mirror one more time Sameer went and sat at the couch in front of his balcony. He could hear the music and commotion outside as everyone waited to bring the baraat to the temple. The wedding would happen at a temple with the blessing of all his relatives and family. Sameer’s brother and sister had come from abroad leaving their work and studies to attend the grand event. While his family wanted days of celebration to welcome his bride, their family priest had said an auspicious time for the wedding was today otherwise they would have to wait 6 months. Not wanting to wait they decided to have the wedding followed by an exquisite reception afterwards. Within a week, the Sehgal’s had made all the preparations, from food, to decorations and clothes everything was done by the best of the best. Sameer was dressed in a traditional white Jodhpur suit hand stitched with golden thread designs. He wore a maroon belt across his torso and a wider maroon belt across his waist. His clothes were designed by their family designer and the idea was kept the same as all his ancestors wore. The color and slight accents oozed royalty and yet had the same calm and classy style like Sameer. Sameer waited as his mother walked in followed by his babhi. His babhi carried a tray with their ancestral necklace, turban cloth and ancestral kalgi. In their family traditionally the babhi would tie the grooms turban and get him ready for the big day. Sameer sat with his back straight as he did normally while his babhi came over to tie the turban. His turban was a creme color with dark red lines that really added to his outfit. After tie-ing the turban and making sure it wasn’t slanted she asked Sameer if it was fine. Looking up at his babhi Sameer smiled nodding his head in approval and bent down to touch her feet. Sameer respected his babhi just as much as he respected his mother. While most devar’s loved to trouble their babhi’s, Sameer was always respectful towards Meera. He was like a son to her despite only being a few years older. He was respectful and obeyed Meera, Meera also considered him like her son, like Sameer’s mother Meera began understanding Sameer and his quiet nature. Seeing him dressed as a groom made her emotional as she recalled all their old moments, from when she came as a new bride to all the times Sameer helped her even when she didnt ask him to. She warded off any evil eyes and looked to her mother, “the day is finally here mummyji, when our Sameer will bring his bride to our home.” His mother smiled with tears in her eyes. Picking up the diamond kalgi, Meera carefully pinned it to his turban, she completed his look with their ancestral diamond necklace which hung wide on Sameer’s neck, it was heavy and he could feel its weight but complimented his broad shoulders well. Sameer’s mother did his Aarti and applied the red tikka. Standing up straight and tall Sameer looked no less than a royal prince. Sameer was wearing his family’s kalgi on his turban, it was passed down from generations, he could no longer bend his head, for the remainder of the day, Sameer would have to hold his head high as he was believed to be wearing his family’s pride. Sameer’s mother and babhi looked on with tears as they all walked down for the wedding. Everyone looked at Sameer as possibly the most handsome groom to be seen, some said he looked like a star while others compared him to Shri Ram. Sameer folded his hands to welcome everyone and smiled as everyone clapped and prepared to bring the baraat to the wedding. Traditionally Sameer sat on a horse as his family followed in their cars, the relatives danced while a private orchestra followed them with live music. The Sandhu;s and Virks waited at the temple as they could hear the music indicating the baraat to be near. The grandeur of the Sehgal’s had them muted. They knew the groom was wealthy but seeing it was a different story, Sameer stepped down and stood patiently as Tejo’s mother welcomed him. Sameer stood tall and smiled as everyone looked on. Even the bride’s family was in awe looking at how handsome the groom looked, his fair chiseled jaw, tall slim body, long slim fingers around his sword, and big brown eyes that shined as he smiled. Fateh stood angrily, he heard the guests murmuring about the handsome groom and clenched his fists. Sameer was handsome and there was no way he could deny that, until now Fateh hoped that while he was rich he won’t be good looking and maybe that could deter Tejo from the wedding. But he also knew that Tejo would never marry for money or looks she wasn’t that kind of a person, Jasmine might but Tejo would never. And while he hated to admit it but Sameer must be as handsome inside as he is on the outside if Tejo agreed to marry him. Fateh looked at Sameer as he walked in, Fateh looked rough and worn in front of him, Fateh had always tried to be muscular to look attractive to hide his other imperfections. Fateh knew he was darker than most boys, he was also shorter, his big brown lips and uneven teeth also didnt really help him so to seem more attractive he would work out and joined boxing hoping ladies would like him for the big muscular body. Sameer on the other hand was fair, had a chiseled jawline with a tall slim body, he was slimmer than Fateh, fairer than Fateh, his biceps showed muscles but Sameer showed how a man doesn’t need muscles to appear strong. Even Sameer’s gait was a determined powerful one, there was nothing about this man that would prompt Tejo to cancel her wedding with him as Fateh hoped, still jealous Fateh simply followed the guests inside the temple.
Sameer sat with the priest as they began the wedding rituals. Sameer’s family sat across them, happily watching. Soon after everyone got up as music played and the bride was about to enter. Sitting at the mandap Sameer tried to look up but his view was blocked by a white cloth held by his sister and babhi. They laughed at his failed attempt at seeing Tejo. “Come on Bhai” said his sister “you can’t see babhi until she enters the mandap its a tradition you know that, just a few more minutes and then you can see her all you want for the rest of your life” she said laughing. Sameer sat straight, blushing slightly at her words, Sameer wouldn’t be able to see Tejo until she entered the mandap, the groom wasn’t suppose to see the bride before that. Slowly at the priests instruction the cloth was lowered. Sameer looked on first to see the red veil that covered Tejo’s head, followed by the big tikka in her hairline, he looked over to see her big brown eyes lowered to the ground. Sameer slowly looked at Tejo, she sat in her red and golden lengha with her jewelry, hands folded in her lap and mehendi adorned on her hands. Sameer took her look in and was mesmerized as he saw possibly the worlds most beautiful bride. Tejo slowly turned her gaze towards Sameer, she saw his slim long fingers on his lap as he sat patiently, looking up she saw his maroon Jodhpur coat with golden accents and the maroon belt on his wait, she looked up and saw the big necklace, his chiseled jaw, a slight smile, sharp nose and finally she landed on those big brown eyes. They smiled as he watched her take him in and both were lost looking at each other. Sameer was a handsome guy but Tejo’s breath was stuck seeing him as a groom. Saying he looked good would be an understatement almost a lie, he looked unbelievably good, almost too good she thought with a slight blush. Seeing Sameer look at her made her blush even more, it reminded her of when he held her the first time when they met, his touch had stopped her breath then, his look had stopped her breath now. Tejo never felt anything like this before, even with Fateh she never felt like this, he was the first guy she was with and mistakenly took her feelings of infatuation as love, she felt betrayed and hurt when Fateh cheated but she soon realized that her feelings couldn’t have been love. She considered him a good friend but didnt feel more than that towards him, when he cheated on her she felt hurt being cheated on but not so much on losing him. If she loved him, losing him would hurt which in this case didnt matter to her at all, she was absolutely fine losing him, thinking about it now she probably needed to go through that in order to achieve her destiny which she felt like sat in her front of her today. Tejo didnt love Sameer, not yet atleast, but he felt right. The apprehension and anxiety she had on her previous marriage was replaced with a calm nervousness now. Tejo and Sameer sat looking at each other, lost they didnt hear the priest’s instructions. “Bhai” said his sister loudly, catching their attention, “focus” she said laughing as everyone including the priest laughed. Tejo and Sameer’s gaze was broken, both blushing from what just happened. Jasmine and Fateh looked on in anger. Jasmine was even more pissed seeing Sameer, he looked even better in person than online she thought. Seeing Tejo sitting across from him and how he had eyes only for Tejo made her even more angry. Fateh clenched his fist and was ready to burst, while everyone sat watching the ceremony Fateh couldn’t see Tejo marry someone else, he couldn’t stand this, he was married to Jasmine but couldn’t see Tejo marry someone else. Having enough he stormed in front of the mandap and yelled “Stop! This wedding can’t happen”. Everyone shocked looked at him, Sameer’s Dadi, and family quickly got up from their seats, Sameer’s brother was about to head towards Fateh when Dadi’s shook her head, stopping him in his tracks. Kushbeer angrily got up and grabbed Fateh’s arm “haven’t you brought enough disgrace to everyone, why are you starting a drama now” he said gritting his teeth. “Papa, Tejo can’t marry this man, she can’t get married! She was married to me! How can she marry him!” He continued yelling making a scene. Kushbeer tried pulling him away only for Fateh to pull his arm away every time. The Sandhu’s apologized to Sameer’s family while Amrik held back Abhiraj, he didnt want Abhiraj to look bad in front of people for the foolishness which his brother was doing. Shocked Tejo looked on at Fateh, she didnt expect him to be happy for her marriage knowing him but also didnt expect him to make a scene. She looked at Jasmine and found her smirking evilly. Jasmine didnt want to understand why Fateh didnt want Tejo to get married but selfishly she was happy that finally there was a hurdle in her sisters marriage even if it was because of her husband. Continuing Fateh yelled “Tejo how can you get married to him, you were married to me! This marriage can’t happen Tejo is only…” Fateh was cut short by a loud thunderous “ENOUGH”. Shocked everyone looked at where it came from only to find Sameer standing straight with his hands at his sword at the edge of the mandap, Tejo looked on with wide eyes as she saw him stand tall in front of her, protecting her from what was coming her way. “THAT IS ENOUGH” he stated, his voice lower now but still with the same deadly serious tone. Sameer’s family ironically was calmer now, his Dadi confidently sat down while the rest of the family smiled slightly. Dadi knew, Sameer rarely got angry even now he wasn’t angry just annoyed. Annoyed that some guy had the audacity to stop their family function and assumed that Sameer would let that go and do nothing. His family knew that Sameer could do anything for his family, now he was up and ready, and would deal with this situation in his way. Knowing very well that nothing wrong would happen now, they sat down while the Sandhu’s looked on shocked. Sameer looked at Fateh with a death stare and continued slowly “Not one more word, how dare you try to malign the image of a girl sitting in her wedding mandap. Even neighbors and strangers offer respect to a bride as she embarks on a new journey nervous herself. Don’t you have an ounce of respect left, what kind of a man does this at his own sister-in-law’s wedding” The words sister-in-law hurt Fateh as reality hit him, he had no right to make a scene anymore, he had already cheated on Tejo with Jasmine, making this scene was like making the same mistake again, Fateh looked out shocked with no more words. “This wedding is Tejo’s and mine, the only people who should be concerned are us and our immediate family members who have all happily accepted this marriage. Our guests here are happy as they join us in our journey and bless us as we proceed. We are here to create a new future NOT to repeat the past, because if we talk about the past we know very well who is at fault and what they have done, the entire town knows” Sameer continued giving Fateh the death stare as he only looked down further. “Tejo doesn’t need to explain or prove anything to anyone, nor can anyone here tell her what she can or cannot do, no-one else will decide for her anymore, she will make that decision for herself” Sameer continued now turning back to Tejo. “Tejo, if you would like you can reconsider this marriage, tell me what you would like to do” Sameer asked calmly, everyone was shocked that Sameer was asking this at the mandap. Sameer continued “Noone will say a word to you, only do what you wish to do, if you would like otherwise, I will talk to our families and explain to them, noone will blame you or say a word against you, the decision is yours to make” Sameer said calmly. Tejo looked on, tears slightly brimming in her eyes “I already made my decision that day at the temple” she replied with her head held high. She replied with a confidence that spoke to Sameer, Tejo looked at him in his eyes and he could tell she was happily agreeing to this marriage there were no more questions, no more doubts, they were both happy with the marriage, their families were happy with the marriage, anyone else didnt matter. Sameer held Tejo’s hand and both walked back to the mandap as the priest began the wedding rituals. Seeing Tejo’s reply and Sameer’s tone had sealed Fateh’s lips, he couldn’t say anything anymore even if he wanted, to prevent any further embarrassment Fateh was dragged out of the temple by Amrik followed by Kushbeer. Upon walking outside Kushbeer gave a slap to Fateh angry at himself for expecting any sort of decency from him, he was married to Jasmine now what else could they expect. Leaving Fateh outside they both headed back indoors as the wedding continued. Jasmine continued to watch silently embarrassed by what just happened because Sameer’s statement had also put her in the spotlight with her deeds. People looked at her and made conversations about what she had done, Jasmine didnt care about anyone else, she only cared about herself and even now she wasn’t upset that her husband just made a joke of himself she was more concerned about what happened at the mandap. The priest had now began the rituals and as Sameer’s sister went up to tie the knot Kushbeer and Gurpreet followed to do the kanyadaan. Tejo asked him to complete the ritual as he had considered her his daughter with all his heart, The Virks were touched with Tejo’s gesture and completed the ritual with tears in their eyes, happy for her new beginning and also sad for losing such a wonderful girl. Tejo and Sameer got up for the pheras while Fateh stood watching. He remembered his and Tejo’s wedding ceremony which he completed half heartedly, rushing and even breaking the knot tied between them. Fateh looked on, as the ceremony progressed the more Fateh realized that he lost Tejo. Sameer stood in front of Tejo as the music played loud, followed by the families and guests cheers and while everyone showered them with flowers, it felt like a surreal event. Sameer slowly brought his right hand back and gently held Tejo’s hand, Tejo was surprised, not expecting the gesture. It was a small gesture but meant so much and while taking the rounds and making promises to each other Tejo felt like Sameer was trying to say what he may not have been able to put into words, like he promised to be with her and protect her from now on, similar to what he had just done moments ago. The small gesture brought a smile on Tejo’s face and with every round she took around the fire all her old memories and pain vanished in the same fire. Having completed the pheras Tejo now stood to the left of Sameer, a tray was brought to the mandap by Meera which had the sindoor and mangalsutra. “We hope you like the mangalsutra, it was chosen by Sameer himself after our insistence, he said it reflected you in some ways, simple yet elegant, if you don’t like it we can always get another one later.” Tejo looked at the black beaded thread with diamonds throughout the chain all held together by two bigger diamonds coming together, Tejo liked the necklace and blushed slightly nodding in approval. Sameer was happy that Tejo liked it holding the mangalsutra he extended his hand towards Tejo to put it around her neck. Tejo looked up at him and smiled as he carefully it on. Sameer then took a pinch of sindoor, he looked towards Tejo and while he didnt need to waited for a few seconds to get her final approval, this was the last ritual and then they would be married, he wanted her to look at him. As if reading his mind Tejo looked on with tear brimmed eyes and slightly nodded her head waiting for him to continue. Tejo could feel Sameer’s fingers pick her tikka with his left hand while he filled her hairline with his left letting the feeling sink in Tejo closed her eyes as Sameer replaced the tikka, fixing in nicely in the middle. Sameer looked on as Tejo slowly opened her eyes, they shined, he didnt know if it was because of her tears or if seeing her as his wife made her seem different, almost more beautiful he thought. “Congratulations Tejo” said Meera happily “some sindoor spilled on your nose”. Confused Tejo looked on, carefully wiping the sindoor from her nose Meera continued “It’s said that if sindoor spills on a bride’s nose by her husband accidentally while filling her hairline then her husband will love her a lot, a sindoor is an indication of his love for his bride, when the sindoor spills its compared to overpouring love” she said smiling towards the newly wed couple. “Absolutely” said Padmini walking up behind Meera, “a sindoor, mehendi and alot of small things are indications of the couples love for each other, love you may not see at the moment but will see soon.” “The wedding is now complete” announced the priest loudly, “you both are now husband and wife”. Tejo and Sameer looked at each other and smiled as the rest of their families came up to the mandap. Sameer and Tejo both took everyone’s blessing by touching their feet and completed the remaining rituals. Soon after the bidai began and Tejo slowly went from one family member to another, she was always close to her brothers and even now hugging them made her cry even more. This time she had one more brother, Amrik, even he was emotional saying goodbye to Tejoji. Tejo went and met everyone and slowly walked out the temple with her new family, Sameer helped her into the car slowly closing the door and turned around with his hands folded to say goodbye to the family. After asking them to take care Sameer turned around and sat in his car as they sped away to begin their new life. Life was strange Sameer thought, it felt like yesterday when he followed Tejo’s taxi to drop her home safely and here he was today, married to her, bringing her home as his wife. He smiled to himself, looking at Tejo next to him and then out at the night sky, the same stars shined today as they did that day except they seemed to shine brighter today.