I was sitting on my bed as Vivek put on the turban at me. The sword that will be in my hand will be handed to me by my dad when the procession will leave for Meenakshi's. The wedding was to take place at one of her family owned palace somewhere on the border or Rajgarh and Aryapur.

All the rituals from Haldi to Janev were completed on my side.In the Janev ritual, after performing the Havan, I was supposed to pretend as if I was running away from my responsibilities as a householder and then mamu was supposed to convince me to come back. But mamu never came to convince me, all the while he was like, "Oh don't worry. He will be back. He is so excited to get married. Do you think he will let go of this chance?", and all this while I was standing outside like stupid waiting for mamu to come.

Raima has absolutely taken after mamu...! <Insert eyeroll>

Yesterday the last ritual left of Palla Dastoor was also completed. Mom, mami and Raima went to Meenakshi's with all the gifts, clothes, jewelleries all bridal trousseau items. Now they can't stop teasing me about how beautiful my bride looks and how there is glow on her face and how pretty she looked wearing just yellow salwar and kameez yesterday. Damn I want to see her... I am not even able to talk to her much because of all the disturbances due to wedding.

Breaking my thought chain, Ma entered the room in a hurry, looking very worried.

"You are not ready yet. Oh God! Vivek straighten his turban. Nothing is going right. Everything is a mess. The guests are here. Meenakshi's family has reached the venue and we haven't even left yet."

She started speaking in one breath, something she does whenever she is too stressed out. And of course she is stressed out personally attending to all the guests and all the rituals. I can actually see the bags under her eyes.

"Ma, the baraat won't leave without me right? Let me get ready properly. This day won't come again in my life, right?" I looked at her but her frown was still in place.

"No... hurry up. Your father hasn't learnt any steps of the couple dance yet. How can I do a couple dance solo?"

"There is no way you guys are getting the stage empty for doing couple dance. Let Kapoor uncle and Mukherjee uncle have a couple of shots, they are not even going to let anybody up on stage. The only couple dance we are going to see tonight is of Kapoor and Mukherjee uncle." I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror.

Yeah I look good.

"But Agnee..."

"Ma calm down."

"I can't. Vivek take these gifts downstairs with you. Why is everything in a mess here? Vivek, where are you? Vivek?"

"Ma, don't shout!" I raised my voice so that she could listen to me. "Please ma, don't freak out. Please. I am already nervous about all this and seeing you like this is not helping me. Sit here. Sit with me."

She sat next to me on the bed.

"What had we discussed earlier?"

"What? What? Did I miss something? Oh God! What am I going to do at this eleventh hour." She started panicking again.

"Hell no. Ma, everything is perfect. You have done a great work and it shows. Meenakshi ain't gonna notice if the decoration is in yellow or red. She is going to notice how much efforts and love you have put for her. Moreover, you are the groom's mother. Its your only son's marriage. You have to enjoy and be at his side and not take any tension. And here, you are freaking about almost everything except your son. I haven't talked to you properly since all the guests came."

This little monologue calmed her as her tense expression melted into her usual cheery one.

"You are looking good in this sherwani. You looked good then too when you were 3 years old." She looked at me with a slight smile of nostalgia.

"3 years old? You got me married when I was three." I looked at her with wide eyes.

"What? No, you idiot! It was your mamu's marriage. You were accompanying him. Everybody pulled your cheeks so much that you had started crying."

"Yeah, I get it ma. I was a fat child. No need to say that out loud." I rolled my eyes at her as she chuckled.

"That time the sherwani was literally overflowing from your shoulders but you looked cute... and today you are the groom."

"Yes, today I am the groom. Tell me, how many hearts am I gonna break today?" I winked at her as she rolled her eyes and then her expression turned serious again.

"Agnee... Meenakshi is their only sister. Vidaai is not going to be easy for any of them. Promise me to always take care of her and support her... forever."

"I promise ma." She smiled and held my hand gently.

"So tell me now, should I take a vodka shot now?" I looked at her in surprise. Leave it to her to ruin a serious moment like this.

"No, I don't keep vodka in my room." I gave her a disgusted look.

"Really? Just so you know Agneesh Rawat, the bottom cabinet was unlocked day before so I kind of know what is in it now." She looked at my horrified expression and shrugged.

"Is everything... Oh so mom and son are having a moment here." Papa entered the room in a black achkan and smiled at us. "Do I have the permission to talk to your son, madam?" He teased ma and she got up and left the room after giving a pat on my back.

"Agneesh, you are getting married today. There were some things that I just wanted to talk to you about."

"What are they papa?"

"Just some advice that my father told me when I was about to get hitched. Never ever hurt your wife, emotionally or physically, because even though the scars will fade but the wounds on her heart will never go. Always respect her and trust her. Even if you dont think that any decision of hers is great, discuss it instead of imposing your will on her. Marriage is hard. But divorce is also hard. You have to choose your hard. Make your kids idolize your relationship if you want them to respect you. Last one, never forget your parents. Congratulations Son!"

With this, he handed me the sword, hugged me and left the room and I just stood there admiring him. He speaks very less but whenever he does, its worth listening to. His experiences are golden. I am blessed to have them as my parents.

Meenakshi I will try to be the best husband for you.

Downstairs, the procession was ready. Lights were shining beautifully and ma and papa were dancing. The happiness on their face, the smile, the glow made me smile. They looked so happy. I will make you proud guys!

I was thinking this when my phone pinged. It was Misha bhabhi. She had sent me a picture. I clicked on it and it was Meenakshi, sitting on her bed in her bridal attire. It looked as if she hadn't done her makeup yet but her face had an unearthly glow. She was looking somewhere thinking about something, oblivious to the fact that her pic was being captured.

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, BIWI...!

        __________________________
     
               AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hey guys,
Sorry for such a late update.

Translation: Havan: sacred oblation
Mamu/Mama: Maternal uncle
Baraat: Wedding procession
Janev:
Palla Dastoor:
Vidaai: Farewell
Achkan: a long coat that buttons up to neck

Next: Meenakshi gets something special from her dadi.
Marriage.

Until then,
Love love 💞
A.S.