Hiranmayi is in a hubbub.....

And why not....
Her three favourite daughters are getting married to their love and with their own will and everything will be done to make sure that they are wedded off in the biggest way possible no matter how many nights everyone has to stay up for......
The engagement was without a doubt beautiful and every one literally loved the rings. The rings became the talk of the whole of Hiranmayi and Korea included. None ever saw girls make their own engagement ring. It was heard that men in love made big heavy jewellery or palaces for their lovers not girls make things. During the engagement ceremony everyone saw the girls hands and it surely made them worried. After fights and wars it was still acceptable but this time it looked as if they were least bothered. As soon as the engagement ceremony was done they had to sit for receiving blessings. Gifts or small flowers were given as blessings with goodwill. After that it was a royal buffet and who will miss that. The girls went back to bed and was about to go to sleep when they heard the door open. They saw that their mother in laws came in.

Siya: is something wrong? You should have called us out.

Sreya :yea.... Why come all the way here....?

Sneha: it's the room farthest from everything...

Jk eomma :uff girls chill you know....

Jm eomma: right... We are here because its needed.

Tae eomma : show your hands....

The girls hesitated for a moment but reluctantly showed it. It was really not that good still. There were still watery blisters and unhealed cuts. All the mothers started putting some medicinal paste on their hands.

Jm eomma : should take care of yourself too

Jk eomma : obviously otherwise how is it good hmm?

Tae eomma : you three take care of your country so amazingly but why not yourselves hmm?

Siya: we... Never knew how to....

Sreya: not our fault...

Sneha: maybe if...

Jk eomma : maybe what..?

Siya : our mothers.... Maybe if they were alive.... We wouldn't be Queens nor princesses just....

Sreya :their daughter....

Tae eomma : we heard from your fathers' about that and actually we don't think that sympathising with you is what you all want....

Jm eomma : but maybe this will help...

All the three mothers pulled the girls together in a group hug. None of them remember how their mother felt except a warmth but they realised that all the mothers hugging them right now is feeling the same. Maybe every mother is warm and this soft. For the first time in a whole life they were feeling this and they were scared that they would lose it. Their heart was swelling in pain and fear of losing and wanting to hug them back and never let them go ever simultaneously. If their mothers were still there.... Maybe... Just maybe.... Would they hug them the same? The lived in a Palace full of abundance and they had no external want of marrying the guys but now if someone asks them why they married them they would shamelessly say that because they wanted to steal their mothers love from them. This is going to be a joke as they can never steal one's mother but oh how they wished they could.

Even for one night.... Even if for an hour and even if its a lullaby.... That's all they need.

Maybe that's really what they need....

A mother's lullaby for them only.

Countless nights they spent in their gurukul where they heard their teacher's wife singing to their kids. At times they sneaked in through the window catching a glimpse of her caressing their heads and making them fall asleep before going to sleep herself. Sometimes when anyone of them got sick she would stay by their sides the whole night making sure that nothing was going amiss in their recovery. And it was enough to make them feel melancholy and jealous.
(gurukul or guru in India was when the students lived in their teacher's home and studied there and the students remained there till there studies completed)

They found themselves clinging on tight and crying their eyes out. Calming them down was no joke and they didn't want to be calmed down either. They were lucky to get a mother's arms to cry in after all. And here the mothers who wished that maybe if at least one of them had a daughter they would pamper her till no ends. But that wish remained unfulfilled. They were happy with their sons but still that was a longing. Hearing that they were getting daughters.... Not one but three made them happy beyond reasoning. They clearly didn't mind them being a warrior or ruling over a country but the cuts bruises and scars hurt their hearts so much. They appreciated all of their efforts but they were unable to accept the present condition of their hands. They learnt how to make medicinal paste and ran to their rooms. Having not one but three daughters crying to them felt like a wish come true.

Who knew that having a daughter would be this heart jumping?

They pulled them up and put them on their bed. They sat beside their heads and caressed it. They sang a lullaby to them and the three daughters of theirs slept.

Slept deeper as the night went darker.

They couldn't bring themselves to leave the room but reluctantly did so.

And.... The three guys were outside on a tree that  could see everything in that room. They smiled because they knew what awaited them and even if it was going to be them ganging up to tease them....
At least both of the women they loved so much.....
The one they were born from and the one born for them would be together and happy....
And that's all that mattered.

Wedding was barely some days away and the mother daughter bond was quiet stronger now. The mothers brought them food to the court while they worked and made all the subordinates understand the things that they should do when they won't be there. While they discussed over policies their mother's fed them. Back when they returned from work and stuff their fathers would sit with sweets and would narrate to them how much the preparations was ongoing.

And at night the guys would spend time with their loved ones because the whole day the girls were hogged down by their parents.

Days passed and wedding days neared.

The heart beats became faster and everyone busier. The Palace cooks were cooking more and more to accommodate the guests and people whoever came. Foods were sent to orphanages and old age homes too. And then the day starts for the parents.

The bride and groom are forbidden to meet each other. First day of the wedding and the parents had to do Ganesh puja. After the worship of the great elephant headed God who is said to bless every start, they donated clothes and golds. Every poor was welcomed irrespective of any discrimination. Surprising things always happened. Even the poor had a heart richer than anyone else. Everyone gave something small as a gift. But mostly it was bracelets and hair accessories all handmade. Craftsmanship was running through their fingers as if it was natural. Everything was either made of wood or small metals. They used the resin of the trees and glass to make artificial looking gems and truth be told that even though they weren't the expensive gems it sure was costly. The made everything three so that none of the girls were left out. Such is the love of the people for their daughters. Happily accepting them it was all sent to the Hiranmayi Palace. With that they exchanged the clothes to be worn by the brides and grooms.
The Palace was decorated daily with bright red yellow and orange flowers with green leaves. The whole country was dressed in colours as if welcoming goodness for the couple. Everyone decorated their own homes themselves as if it wasn't the wedding of someone from the Palace but of their own daughters.

Returning home the preparation for celebrating next day's event mehendi started. The maidens spent all night making the henna out of leaves so that it could be applied to the girls' hands. As soon as it was morning the boys were woken up and taken to the holy river for a dip. They went out just before the break of dawn. They did everything suggested by the priests. And after taking a dip they took a small earthen lap put it in a leaf boat and let it go along with the water source. A custom said to bring good life and purity. The older women started to talk about how pure it would be as the foreign guys did it without even knowing the meaning of the ritual that when they consummate their marriage on their first night. Hearing this Jungkook coughed so bad that Jimin and Taehyung eyed him suspiciously. He surely hid something and that was for sure. They returned into the Palace while everyone went for work to the Beauty Room for the mehendi ceremony. They pulled him back in their room and locked the door after asking the guards to take their leave for sometime.

Tae : what happened?

Jk : I should be asking that to you two. What happened?

Jm: Don't feign innocence when we both know you have done something.

Jk: about what?

Tae: what happened that night?

Jk: huh? Wha....

Realisation struck Jungkook. He realised that they were talking about that night. He became red and started awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

Jk: wh.. Why..?

Jm: goodness.......

Tae: yeah goodness.... But why goodness? What did he do?

Jimin looked at taehyung thinking how dumb can someone be I wouldn't have known if it wasn't for you. He thought of ignoring him and looked at taehyung. His main worry was....

Jm: is she pregnant?

Jk: no.... She ain't...

Tae: oh... Ok... But who's pregnant?

Taehyung was testing Jimin's patience even without trying and that irked him out more. He again moved his head towards Jungkook as Taehyung wasn't the main concern at the moment.

Jm: why did you do it?

Tae: yeah why did you do that but.... Do what?

Jimin huffed and rolled his eyes. He is trying his best not to murder Taehyung as because... He. Isn't. The. Main. Concern. Right. Now.

Jk: what do you mean?

Jm: why did you make love to her this early? You aren't married.!

Tae: yeah right but.... Who? You going behind Siya's back with someone?

Jk: do you even know what he is talking about taehyung?

Tae:...hmm....no

Jm: THEN SHUT UP!

Jk:listen... I... Umm... We.. Ok we did it... We consummated our marriage. And....

Jm: stop there.... I don't want details.

Jk: I ain't giving you the details nor a summary. Just saying that don't worry about it.

Tae: so.... We aren't going to say about our first night to each other? Like not even how it is consummated? I wanted to say it to all of you... Even the girls.

Jimin and Jungkook looked at each other and thought that it really wasn't a good sign. They picked him up and threw him on bed and to his usual habit.....
He fell asleep.

They face palmed themselves. Taehyung was like writing his own divorce before marriage by saying such things.

In the Beauty Room.
It was decorated with white flowers and yellow flowers. It was a contrast to the mehendi colours. The full night was spent separating the leaves of good to poor quality. Then in the morning everything was arranged. Small couches were set for everyone to sit on. The mehendi leaves were grinded and made into a paste. Then certain hydrating oils were added to make sure that no matter what it is the hand is not harmed in any way. More and more leaves were brought for making the paste. The applicants tested and chose the best and went to get a peacock feather. Each applicant got one. They cut a slight slit on the lower bottom of the feather. It was now going to behave like a pen for drawing with the henna on the hands. Everyone came except the brides. Soon after waiting for sometime more time they come yawning and tired. They wrecked themselves by working. The people saw how much they worked and it was necessary for various reasons. They sat down and the bride's hands' were getting done. It covered their hand till elbow. Beautiful intricate designs and very simple. Getting this done they were getting their feet done with red dye that is quiet common in the Indian subcontinent. While getting all these done everyone was dancing around and singing. It was a feast in itself. As soon as it dried they were to put lemon juice on it and they had been hungry. That's when their lovely mothers' came with food and fed them because if they ate it with their hands everything will be a mess especially the taste buds. As a prank to the grooms' their name was hidden in the henna and they were to find it. As the time went by soon it was bed time. They washed off the mehendi and it gave a really deep colour. Before any more gossip could start the girls left. They were beyond beaten up plus the wedding was just after a day. Tomorrow they had to wake up early morning and go to Gauri temple for puja.

They passed out on bed after changing into more comfier clothes. As the night grew darker the three guys entered the room. They brought some henna with themselves and made certain structures simple but on the ankle and above it and left.

In the morning while showering all of the three girls saw it and guessed what happened. They just let it be. They went to the Gauri mandir and worshipped her asking for her blessings. Two things happened then and there - one.... They felt flowers fall on their heads and two.... The purple string tied by their mother's that apparently showed their lifeline broke too. Purple has been a rare colour and thus it was only used by the royals. It has been quiet expensive to get this dye let alone make a cloth out of it. The flowers were seen by everyone and the string by the girls. The girls never knew it was their string of lifeline so they just picked it up and tied it on Gauri mata's wrist and left.
Rest of the day passed in decorating for the wedding as it was barely couple hours later and so many rituals need to be done. Turmeric were heaped and hydrated. Necessary oils were piled up. Mandap was set up. It has four pillars and a temporary roof under which the wedding is to be held. Three of them were set up and half decorated. The rest was left for tomorrow as fresh flowers will be necessary. After a long night everyone retired to their room. The girls were sitting there and chatting when a white owl came in through the window. The owl sat in Siya's lap and made itself cozy. It brought a letter with it.

Hmm so... Where do I start? It started this way so before we tie knots for the rest of our life I am writing it. Its really confusing and awkward for me to put my feelings into words but bear with me. I actually threw around papers after crumbling because believe it or not it sounds to me as if a 5 years old boy who got a crush wrote it. And after thinking about it I just want you to know that I love you and I am going to be yours. Well if you find it cringe then throw it out.

Sreya :he is shy....

Sneha: did you threat him not to say I love you directly or something?

Siya : I have better things to say to him than that.

The night passed and it was morning. First thing first the boys were sleeping as if they were working all night. The truth is they barely slept because of Jungkook. They played a game in the evening that whoever lost will need to write a letter to his better half. And to Jungkook's dismay he lost. And if that wasn't enough now he had to put his feelings in pen and paper. After sending the owl he waited and nervously almost ate his nails. Jimin and Taehyung kept on laughing but soon they started pillow fighting. The room was filled with feathers and cottons. They were sleeping in that disaster. Their mothers came in and saw it.
They pushed them down the bed.

Jk:OWWWW EOMMA!

Jk eomma :don't! Just don't! You idiots are getting married today and THIS is what is your rooms condition huh?

Jm eomma : chance is there ask those girls to marry someone else other than these fools.

Tae eomma : it will be a loss for us but still I want them to be Queens not workers. Just see after getting married if the girls spend time cleaning the stuff up i won't be shocked.

Jm eomma :Useless!

Tae eomma : fool!

Jk eomma : monkeys!

Each words felt as if someone threw heavy metals on them. They were almost giving up on themselves when their mothers sent them to get changed.

Here in the yard of the Southern Palace the boys were to get drenched in turmeric as the ritual of Haldi was going to happen. They were made to stand on a stone slab and they had to stand absolutely still. First their mothers put it on their faces, arms and chest. Then their other relatives and more women.... All being married as unmarried girls and ladies couldn't do it. Soon they boys stood there like a turmeric monster everything other than the parts covered by clothes and eyes was dripping in turmeric. They were made to sit and water was poured on them to wash it off. The water had sandalwood infused oil to give off a glow. Once done the boys went to shower and the turmeric used on the boys were taken by their mothers to the girls who were in other side of the yard, directly opposite to them for which they had to cross through the Palace hallway. As they were their would be mother in law they only did the rituals. The girls were dressed in white and yellow. And after doing the ceremony every played with the rest of the remaining turmeric. They played so much that even after showering the colour of the turmeric was permanent in everyone's hand. Water was poured on the girls and then they were covered and taken for shower.

After the ceremony people were fed and the rest of the time was spent in getting the mandap ready. The priests arrived early. The bride and groom took a short nap while everyone was getting everything done and ready. Flowers was being put up everywhere. The path on which the bride was to walk was adorned with red roses. The table centre pieces were of frangipani and the mandap of marigold and roses and frangipani. The brides' friends all of them went crazy getting them ready. And the groom's side had barely put up with everything as they had to be the first one to go to the mandap.

In the girls room the King of Ramrajya with his old trusted minister and General entered. The brides friends left them alone closing the door on their way.

King: ready?

Siya:uh-hmm

General: did something happen?

Siya: obviously.

General : what happened?

Sreya: you all are coming to talk to us just before we are about to get married...

Siya: isn't that a bit unfair?

Minister: we have never been ideal fathers for you so we didn't dare to come in when you all were so happy.

King: we thought that...you all hated us and we deserve it totally.

Minister: we lost our wife and was in shock and then we forgot about you three.

General : growing up relying on each other is what you all did and that's why...

Sneha: and that's why you thought we won't need you?

Siya:baba.... We know it hurts. We all lost someone whom we needed the most and we learnt from that.

Sreya: it has been hard coping up with all these but... If you all just came to us before our wedding we would have been much happier.

General: don't worry we have decorated and done everything the same way you like. Siya is smell sensitive and thus nothing has mild or hard smell only light smell. Sreya doesn't like sweating so the mandap is set up beside the lake so that it doesn't make you all sweat and.... Sneha... For you only the best is made.

Sneha: best?....why would I need that when....I couldn't have...you to hug.

Siya: baba.... You... You all made us what we are. If it... Wasn't for you then none of us would have been here. It takes....

Sreya: it takes years to get over the loss and.... It takes more than just courage to let your daughter's go in the hands of someone who will take her far away from you.

The girls held their father hand and kneeled infront of them. They had silent tears flowing down and that's the way they learnt to respect.

Sneha: just.... Don't... Make us outsiders. Be it whatever ritual just... Call us.. Your daughter...

Siya: we have.... Spent all our life...learning and.... Fighting you....

Sreya : we... Are the.. Princess of your home... Just... Please... Don't make us... Outsiders...

Siya: take away our title and jewellery but.... Please baba.... Let us be your daughters.... That's everything we want...

Fathers.... That's what they felt. They found tears falling on their feet. They pulled their girls up.

King: idiots.... Don't sit there... You three live here... It hurts to see you three there. So many years passed.... Right?

General: still seems like yesterday when we held these precious girls in our arms while they laughed and made weird sounds.

Minister: girls sure do grow up faster than guys. Much faster than guys. Aish....

King :the Palace will fell empty now.

And guess.... Reminiscing the past they cried. They cried knowing that this marriage is bound to change a lot of things for them. But one hope is that the fathers were scared to lose their babygirls. They saw them grow up and now they had to hand them over to another man who will keep them safe. One wish.... To keep their girls better than they could. Soon they stopped hugging and the fathers left to welcome the groom and the brides went to take a tour around the Palace balcony because they still had an hour.

The fathers of the brides went to the wedding grounds. They stood there to welcome their son in laws. After welcoming everyone from the grooms side they were let to sit and given refreshments. The grooms stood there getting their mark of vermilion on their forehead and then they were taken to the mandap.
There they were doing the necessary rituals but looking at their faces it was quiet evident that they were waiting to see their brides.

The brides' arrival happened. A canopy of flowers was held above their heads by their relatives. And every step they took was measured. The fathers of the bride saw this and started remembering the times when they first walked, then ran and ran till they started ruling and then at last walking here making their eyes well up. No one blamed them, after all it really was hard to imagine that those small feet are now so grown up that they are going to establish their own family. They entered the mandap too and stood before their loved ones.

The boys looked at them and heaven forbid someone's bad eyes hurt this scene infront of them. Ganesh Puja started to start the wedding procedures. After taking his blessings, the had Gatri bandhan. The grooms' scarf was tied to the brides' shawl while the prayers to Lakshmi-Narayan and Mahadev-Parvati was chanted. The tied knot represented their souls being tied in this journey.

Hawan, the fire that was to witness the unification of these three couples was happening. The offerings of rice and ghee was done by the couples to Agni, the Hindu God of Fire to ask him for a pure relationship.

The most difficult time for a father came.
Kanyadan. The ritual where he hands over his daughter in the hands of the groom in hope that he keeps her much much happier than he ever could, that no small unhappiness should touch her if they are present. The fathers came in the mandap and did what was necessary. They put the right hand of their daughters' in the right hands of their son in laws'. And with this their mothers' poured holy water on their hands, hastemelap through which they are to hold each others hand and go through thick and thin together.

The garland exchange took place where Sreya by mistake put it inside his mouth. Truth be told Taehyung was really tall. And Taehyung had flowers in his mouth when the garland was pulled out. Instead of throwing it out, he chewed on those flowers and gulped it. Everyone looked at him as if they saw an utter alien.

Sreya: you.... Ate it up?

Tae eomma : you are getting married to a donkey so don't mind it.

Siya: give him flowers tonight to eat and don't decorate the bed with flowers. He will eat them rather than spending time with her.

Sreya: THAT'S ALL YOU CAN THINK HUH?

Sneha: she said spend time nothing else.

Jimin: why are we having a debate at the moment?

The priests and everyone present were laughing. Laughing as if there's nothing funnier. It's like they were kids not grown ups. Still fighting but it felt good to see. Many people changes into something they are not when they are in love but seeing the couples infront of them they realised that love is something that makes yourself you and not something else. After exchanging the garland for three times, it was time for the seven steps around fire, Saptapadi.
With every round around the fire the couple promised each other keeping the fire a witness for their promises. Seven steps representing seven different prayers.... Food, strength, family, health, prosperity, offspring and friendship. And with the final step they were bound to each other and married.
The boys put mangalsutra, the holy necklace which represents that the woman is married, around the neck of the girls and put vermilion, the red powder on their parting of the forehead as a symbol because that place, the forehead partition, which is really sensitive is being protected by them.
The parents stepped forward and blessed the couples and then the relatives and then everyone present and with this they were now a married.

A feast happened where everyone was fed and food was given to everyone. None should remain hungry and that's what was important. Not even animals were left hungry. And soon with the conclusion of the feast the couples retired to their rooms.

Sneha fell down on the bed and Jimin stood there closing the door. And then he asked...

Jm: will anyone really be hearing us all night?

Sneha: pooooosible

She yawned like a hippo saying that and thus the long o in possible. Jimin chuckled and indeed it was cute.

Jimin:so... Did you know that those two did it before marriage?

Sneha: Siya you mean? Yea... I know

Jimin: you knew?

Sneha: can be guessed, she couldn't walk properly.

Jimin: you know... You girls just look innocent. Nothing is innocent about you I realised.

Sneha: toooook you long enough to realise.

Another hippo yawn and a knock on the door.

In Siya's room the two of them kept on rubbing their nose. One is half allergic to pollens and another is smell sensitive.

Siya: one day I will be the murderer I *achoo* of my whole kingdom

Jk : right *achoo* I can imagine that *achoo*

Siya : you could have let them know that you are ha-*achoo* having allergy from certain flowers.

Jk :*achoo* forget it

Siya went ahead and removed the curtains. Cold breeze was flowing and surely their nose accepted it. They loved that. And just..... Picked up the sheet and threw it away. The put on another sheet.

Siya: I don't understand why give the most rough sheet and decorate it with flowers.

Jk: me neither. But really this feels better now.

Siya: I love fluffy stuff. So I have these.

Jk: yeah... Like your tummy.

And he poked it.

Siya: don't make me kill you this soon. Not even a day passed.

Jk: but it's fluffy.

Siya: none of your concern. Hmph.

Jk: but its so fluffy can I bite it? It has good food inside it right?

Siya: I will hit you.

Jk: huh... You will hit your husband.?

Siya: stop already.

Before he could annoy her more a knock was heard on the door. They opened the door and their eyes were open wide.

_______________________________________

Ok so this is a veryyyyy important chapter and took me long to write and I have never attended a wedding from first till last so deal with the wrong ones. If anything very wrong go ahead to rectify me.

Purple you lovelies.... 💜

Byeeeeeeee