Chapter 24

Poolside, Shaantivan:

NK barges in the room and whispers: Khushiji, you have to leave now. Everyone is looking for you to get you ready.

Khushi pulls away from Arnav and tells him: I’ll see you in a few minutes Arnavji.

Arnav smiles at her: I will wait for you, Khushi. Don’t be late.

Khushi smiles: I promise I won’t be late.

Khushi then runs to her room mouthing a Thank you to NK.

Arnav starts to get ready for the wedding.

Living Room, Shaantivan:

Arnav and Aakash wait for their brides at the altar.

Aakash was wearing a blue sherwani with silver drape and Arnav was wearing a cream and gold sherwani with a red drape.

All the family members and friends were surrounding floral alter.

Arnav sees Angad standing in the front row.

Arnav nods his head towards him and Angad nods back assuring him.

Suddenly a hush falls in the room. Arnav looks up to see Garima and Buaji are bringing the two brides to their grooms. 

Payal was dressed in a blue and silver lehenga and Khushi was in a blood red and gold lehenga matching their respective grooms.

Arnav could not take his eyes off Khushi. She was looking like every man’s dream and she is all his.

Khushi looks up to see Arnav looking at her with all the love and pride in his heart. Her throat catches with emotions.

The brides stand in the altar beside the groom and the wedding starts.

As per the custom, the brides and grooms exchange garlands with each other.

Then they sit down and the wedding rituals start.

Eventually the time comes for Arnav to put mangalsutra and sindoor on Khushi. He remembers the first time he did this ritual. He did it to punish, he made a mockery of rituals because of hate.

Today when he puts them on Khushi, he does it to tie the woman he loves with him for seven lives, he does it with love.

Then the seven pheras start. Anjali ties the brides’ veils with the grooms’ drapes.

Then the brides and grooms stand up and go around the fire and take vows while the guests shower flower petals on them as blessings.

In the first four pheras, the groom walks in front of the bride and the bride follows and then the brides comes forward for rest of the three vows and the groom follows.

The first vow: They promise to share all their happiness and sorrows from now on.

The second vow: They promise to protect each other from all harm.

The third vow: They promise to love, respect and cherish each other at all times.

The fourth vow: They promise to be faithful and solely devote their life to each other

The fifth vow: They promise to love, respect and honour each other’s family like their own.

The sixth vow: They promise to be each other’s strength in bad times and support in good times

The seventh vow: They promise to be two bodies, but one heart and one soul from now until death do them apart.

But Arnav and Khushi silently vows in their mind: We will be two bodies, one heart and soul even after death.

Then the priest announces the marriage to be complete and both the couples take blessings of the family older members by touching their feet.

After the wedding, while the guests are busy enjoying the party, Anjali brings the couple to the front door to complete “Griha Pravesh”.

Payal and Khushi tip the rice kalash in the room spreading the rice kernels everywhere. Then they step on a bowl of red kumkum and steps in the house.

But Anjali stops them: Hold on. We have a custom here. The groom picks up the bride and enters the house. So come on, pick up your brides.

Arnav and Aakash pick up Khushi and Payal in their arms and walk into the house.

Khushi, as usual, holds Arnav’s collar for balance and blushes.

Arnav smiles at her shy red face and walks in holding her like precious crystal doll.

Arnav starts walking to the stairs to go to his room with Khushi in his arms, when Anjali calls out: Hold it there Chotey. The rituals are not over. We still have games to play.

Arnav looks at the watch, it’s 10:30 p.m. He scowls at Anjali: You have 30 minutes. Then we are going.

Anjali giggles: Someone is getting impatient. Okay fine, we will play games with you first.

They start playing the games like finding rings in the bowl to find out who will rule the roost, untying knotted strings with one hand to find out who can solve problems faster etc.

At 11 o’clock, Arnav gets up and announces: I’m done.

Anjali scowls mockingly: Fine.

Khushi stammers: But Arnavji, there’s still Jiji and Jijaji left. I want to see their games too.

Arnav growls: No need.

Khushi pouts but seeing Arnav’s thunderous face Naniji nods at Anjali to get Khushi upstairs before he blows his temper.

Anjali gets Khushi up and says to Arnav: You wait here. Don’t come upstairs until we call you.

She takes Khushi upstairs and makes her sit in the middle of the decorated bed and spreads her skirt around her. Then she hides Khushi’s face with her veil and leaves giggling.

Arnav walks up the stairs and sees Anjali closing the door of his room.

He scowls: Now what?

Anjali giggles: You gotta hand me money or I won’t let you go in.

Arnav pulls out his wallet and takes out a stack of note and gives them to Anjali without counting.

Anjali’s eyes widen at the amount. Arnav just goes around her and slams the door on her face.

Anjali giggles and goes downstairs to complete the rituals with the other pair.

A gust of wind blows a dark cloud on the full moon, making it disappear in the sky.

Hindi Words Hints:

Mangalsutra – A necklace made with black and gold beads, sign of married woman in North Indian custom.

Sindoor – Vermilion powder. Usually are put on the parting of hair of married Indian woman.

Kumkum - Same vermilion powder mixed with water to create red water where a new bride steps and then walks in her new home leaving her foot prints on the floor.

Kalash – A vessel (looks fat in the middle and narrow on the top and bottom)

Griha Pravesh – Home coming. When a new home is bought or a new bride enters her new home, this ritual is done to welcome good luck, success and prosperity.