Reshu,

Looking over my balcony , I smiled watching the greens of my palatial house. Every time I came here, it felt like a strange pressure. I always felt being scrutinised or pushed to things I don't like, but this time it was different. All seemed so beautiful and calm, just like it was when I was a kid.

''Reshu, abba is waiting for you join in him for breakfast.'' My mom's voice broke my stance. Smiling, I hopped one stair at a time to join my dad. 8:30 AM is the breakfast time in our house, ''Reshu, you are five mins late.'' Dad said pointing out to his watch.

''Mine shows 8:30 AM dad, I guess you should get yours checked.'' Shrugging my shoulders I joined him to savour my favourite dishes. In 15 days, I will be a Mathur. Mrs Reshu Mathur, and my parents are leaving no stone upturned to make it special.  They were pretty impressed after meeting Yash's parents and now are convinced that I made a right choice. 

After my parents broke the news to our relatives, there has been a big round table conference with everyone slamming my parents for allowing me go against the community. Some even started throwing proposals stating there are better guys than Yash. Well that was expected, Abba heard everyone patiently, his eyes moved to me as I stood in a corner staring my feet. Feeling his gaze on me, I lifted them to meet his .He smiled and gestured me to come to him, I obliged taking a place next to him on couch. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and silenced everyone, ''I think, I never asked for any opinion about my daughter's choice. I invited you as you are my family. if you have issues about the groom or my daughter's choice, you are most welcome not to attend the celebrations. Come what may, my daughter will marry the man she wants to.'' That bought a unexpected silence, then came a wailing voice of my aunt. My eyes went to dad, she is famous for her drama and I am hell scared of it. Dad rubbed his forehead, he had always tolerated her loud ways with patience . Today,  he wasn't looking for any drama. He dismissed everyone declaring the night, leaving my mom to tackle with her loud sister in law.

After lot of murmuring finally everyone gave in when my dad started reminding them of number of love marriages and inter community marriages in our family. Shikha landed a week after my arrival and she warned me against interfering in her work 

We had decided to marry according to both rituals with common functions to be celebrated in my place. Shikha did a splendid job organizing my Haldi, looking at the decoration I felt as if sun had landed to brighten and bless life in everything around me.

I stared at my self dressed in bright yellow fusion outfit, even to my eyes I looked beautiful. Yash effect. When I asked mom about Yash's haldi, she reprimanded me for behaving like a despo. I just rolled my eyes. Shika had already left for guest house where groom and his family were residing, she gave me a call while I was getting ready and my screen lit up so did my face. Yash sat in the middle getting tortured by his extended family, he kept whining for some time and then gave up, allowing the ladies to have their way with him. He winked at the camera and I felt my heart flutter, blush started creeping in as it dawned on me that he was aware that I was watching him.

''Its not a good sign'' The phone fell off my hands as mom startled me with a slap on my head. I heard the giggles of my cousins and quickly turned away. I hate all those girly teasing and tried to ignore. To my bad luck they took me for a blushing bride and I was being hammered with all kind of stupid girly comments. I was about to snap , but refrained when my mom glared at me . Once she left I answered all the teasing with words that made my not so experience cousins gasps and blush

Though I am not fond of lengthy rituals, I enjoyed mine to the core. Dressed in yellow and dawned with flower jewellery , I felt like nature goddess. I was showered with million blessings and then bathed in scented water. The event turned funny when my mom decided to apply haldi on Shikha, who gave a comical expression taking a flight from the place. Mom wasn't ready to give up and finally all helped catching hold of my best friend turning her into a yellow ghost. This girl will not get tied down that easily, but still I have a hope that it happens soon so that I can return the favor.

Mehendi and Sangeet were being combined as we were already having two weddings. The evening turned out beautiful with two families mixing with each other. I marvelled at the animated gestures around me. Few days back there was so much of hue and cry over my choice, now looking at these faces no one can make out that they weren't ready to be a part of any of this. ''You look like a girl.'' Yash whispered ,watching the intricate design being done on my palms.

''You will soon will be  sure  about it when I will smash this on your face.'' I warned showing him the wet Heena bowl.

''Phew! I had almost started to believe that my bride got exchanged . I missed my fiery Reshu.''

''You mean you don't like this one?'' My question had a warning for him to think and respond. He lifted his palms in surrender, I smiled looking at his palms that displayed my name in deep heena colour. ''You got my name done.''

''Yes, and looking at the colour the lady said that my would be wife will love me more that anyone.'' He teased, I literally wanted to punch him for making that teasing face and on the other hand wanted to kiss him for writing my name on his palms.

''Well, I got it inked somewhere else too.'' He said with a smile

My eyes went wide when he placed a palm on his chest, ''Are you nuts, there was no need.''

''Hey, don't be mean. It's my Wife's name , why are you acting jealous.'' I was about to scold him when dead silence made me look around. Every single eye was on us. I guess, they heard me screaming on him. Like good kids we quickly created some distance and pretended that nothing happened, next moment the hall was filled with roaring laughter. Many teased and others thanked us for giving them a glimpse of our future life.

***

On the day of Nikah my heart thudded in anticipation, mom and Shikha got me ready for my big day. This was the first time in my life that I felt shy of lifting my lids up, may be this behavior is synonym to every bride. I was being bought to the hall where the marriage has to be performed, taking my place in the middle of all the females. A this translucent parting cloth separated us from the males and my groom. The kazi (priest) started the process to unite the two souls, when it was Yash's turn in excitement he said I do even before the priest could ask, making all laugh as his mother banged her head. The consents were being celebrated as we got the glimpse of each other in a mirror, and he winked.

Though, I was married. I was going to stay with my parents till the our second wedding was done. Next day we all flew to Delhi, where Yash's parents had already made a grand arrangement. Shikha got a lot of support from Neha and our other friends. Between flower and glitter shower , I took the seven vows with Yash again . Once the priest announced us man and wife, Yash did a pathetic dance celebrating the moment. His mom or I should say now my mom pulled me in a hug, she held me for long thanking profusely for bringing her son back. I watched my mother standing a distance watching me with emotional eyes. She looked convinced and relived that her daughter was in safe hands.

I got a grand welcome in Mathur house, my in laws looked more excited than my husband. I was in the owe the way house was decorated, the staff kept peeping over one and other to have a glimpse of me. Mom later introduced me to everyone, they all seemed too enthusiastic to prove me their loyalty. Mom shooed everyone away stating I was tired , she later walked me to my room , ''Now, I leave you here.'' She cupped my face and pecked my forehead. ''Bless you my girl.'' She turned to leave , then stopped. Yash walked up the stairs and gave his mom an arm hug, ''Good night mom''

''So you are asking me to get lost?''

''Don't start mom.''

''See, this is the issue with current generation. They forget mom once they get a wife.'' I pressed my lips as mom started torturing impatient Yash.

''What do you want Mom?''

''There, I want to talk to Reshu for whole night.'' She replied her arms crossed, I couldn't hold further and burst out laughing. Yash looked from her to me, ''You guys planned this, didn't you?''

Mom pulled his cheeks, ''Baby this was spontaneous, the day we plan you will be cleaned bold.'' He just rolled his eyes. Mom wished us again. ''And by the way Reshu, you no more have to sneak into his room late in the night. You have all the rights.'' With a wink she walked off. I wanted earth to swallow me, she was aware that during my stay I would often sneak into Yash's room.

''All you fault.'' Stomping I walked in

''No, you can't be upset tonight. Let's postponed this upset session to tomorrow.'' He said in a serious tone.

My jaw dropped, I actually didn't knew what to tell him. I opened then closed my mouth, he held my chin between my fingers, ''Its an amazing feeling everytime I shut you up.'' That made me smile.

His arms went around my waist as he pulled me against his chest, ''Since we have me announced man and wife twice, I will now have the privilege to kiss my bride..'' My heart jumped, his wife. He was mine and forever. My lips parted as his leaned closer and just then , ''SURPRISE!!!!''

We jumped apart to find our cruel evil friends standing in each corner of the room. ''What the hell are you guys doing here?''

''I always had a curiosity to watch Resh romancing, so I crashed your wedding night'' Neha said as if I was romantically challenged human . Yash eyes went to Vivek, ''Oh! I came because she came.'' He shifted all blame on his wife.

''I was being lured'' That came for Yash's childhood friend . Finally it was Shikha, she sucked her cheeks in, ''I just came to hand you guys the bill of my services. No money, no night.''

Yash took a deep breath and started searching for something. ''What are you looking for?'' Asked SHikha

''Its time to take a flight, if he finds what he is looking for we will get broken...'' Vivek's words died as Yash spanked the racket on his bum. ''Hey man, that wasn't my plan. You know I am a good boy.'' He kept running round with Yash in tow. He tried escaping but Yash would give him a way out, finally they got a way out as I held Yash in one place. Once they left we heard a roaring laughter realising mom dad too were the part of the plan. I couldn't control and laughed, he looked so cute with that anger of his, ''Yash, calm down''

''They don't understand. How long I waited for this one day, how scared I have been that you would reject me. I had nightmares about you being married and your kids addressing me as uncle.'' That made me roll with laughter. He joined me throwing his back next to me on the bed, ''I took time Resh, I am sorry. But you were my only love, MY LAST LOVE.''

I watched him with emotional eyes, ''Thanks for finding me.''

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Next would be epilogue. Do drop in your views and comments