Early Update again...
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ANIKA
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I took a look at all the jewellery and the bridal clothes kept in front of me. They looked exquisite, beautiful yet extremely expensive. Ahaana indeed put her best efforts in designing a beautiful wedding outfit for me. Traditional and beautiful.
My eyes filled with tears as I recalled how last time all my siblings were there to get me ready for the ceremony. Today although Miranda and Simi were here, Shailaja along with her entire team were here I still felt extremely emotional.

A few months ago when I did not even know the real meaning of a marriage, when marriage was just a fancy term for me to dress up and deck up like a doll I had everyone around me but today when this marriage means so much more than just a bond...I feel so lonely. A drop of tear slipped out of my eye and I wiped it off quickly.

I could see Miranda, Simi and Shailaja discussing and struggling to check what goes where making me chuckle. Neither of them had any idea of traditional Sikh jewellery as both of them spent most of their lives here in New York. Ahaana did a fine job. She got exactly what I requested. Not only did get me some extremely traditional jewellery of course not gold...I can't afford any but then they looked beautiful. Gold or not...I'm going to treasure them for my lifetime.

The jewellery collection had a Matha Patti (Jewellery circling forehead), Choker necklace, haathphool (floral jewellery connecting the ring to a bracelet with chains), Pazeb (thick bridal anklets), Baaliyan (earrings), Laung te Latkan Nath (nose stud along with a floral motif ring along with the chain), Jugni (heavy gold pendant with small bells to it along with a chain), Kangan (thick pair of bangles). They all looked beautiful but then when my eyes fell on the red Choodha and Kaleerein which are the most important part of a Sikh bridal attire my eyes welled up again.

I blinked through my tears trying not to be emotional. This is a happy day for us. I would gain a loving daughter, a secure home for my unborn child and annoying yet a caring husband. If ever Meet tries to return, he would never even know that I was pregnant due to what he did that night. My baby will always be mine and mine only. I slowly caressed my belly when Simi asked 'Anika??? All ok??? You need anything??? Juice... food??? Junior is hungry???' she asked and I smiled shaking my head.

'Look !!! You don't need to follow anything ok...I know you need to fast and all that but you are a special case. Junior can eat whatever he wants okay??? So feel free to tell us and Shailaja will get you whatever you want!!!' Simi said when Shailaja spoke up

'Yes Mam!!! I...I may not understand this complicated jewellery thing but I certainly understand Indian food!!!' she said making me giggle. I smiled and slowly started helping them with what goes where and they helped me getting ready. Once I was ready my eyes again went to the Choodha and Kaleerein. Last time Titu made me wear it as I did not have a maternal uncle. This time probably I will have to wear it like any other jewellery when I heard a voice from behind my back

'Excuse me!!! That's my department!!!' and I turned around to see Linda and Richard standing there. I was shocked to see Linda in traditional Lehenga Choli whereas Richard wore a kurta pajama had his head covered with a small handkerchief. I was speechless when Richard said 'I have always considered you like a daughter since you came home Anika!!! I may not be your paternal uncle but today Linda and I would officially want to claim that position in your life. Would you let us do that child?' he asked so warmly that I couldn't help but throw my arms around Richard and burst into tears. I had always seen a father figure in him and today he indeed made me extremely emotional by his kind gesture.

After Simi and Miranda asked me to not cry more as they teased my makeup was wash away, I wiped my tears. Linda wiped my tears and kissed my forehead. Richard slowly made me wear the Choodha and tied the Kaleerein to those bangles as well post which I asked Miranda and Simi to sit down quietly. They both wondered what I was doing when I told them that as part of the rituals I'm supposed to shake my hands and move over all the unmarried friends around me to see whom the Kaleerein would fall upon. When Simi raised her eyebrow asking 'And what if it falls on us' and I smiled saying 'It signifies...you are next in line to get married!!!' and her eyes widened as she jumped from there and stood up saying 'No thank you!!!' but I pushed her down the chair forcefully and tried shaking the Kaleerein rigorously on both their heads when a piece fell on Miranda's head and she squealed in excitement but then a small chunk also fell into Simi's lap making her jump like it was some lizard that fell upon her when she tried to hand it over to Miranda but I shook my head saying

'Uh Uhhh Uhhhh!!! That's yours Simone Madam!!! Which means not just Miranda...you are also in the line!!!' and she pouted angrily saying

'I am not getting married!!! So please!!!' and I giggled saying 'We will see!!!' while she rolled her eyes and slowly kept looking at the bunch of Kaleerein that fell into her lap. I smiled.

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I was extremely emotional as I was visiting a Gurudwara after so many months. Honestly I had not expected such a beautiful Gurudwara in NY. I remember when Meet had conveniently lied to me when I had asked him if there were any Gurudwara that I could visit calling me a Gawaar (illiterate) just because I wanted to visit my Rabji and cry some tears. It's later when I understood he put me on a house arrest and wouldn't want me to go anywhere because he thought I would run away.

'Anika!!!' Linda's voice fell on my ears and I smiled and slowly stepped into the Gurudwara which was so divine and beautiful. I was slowly walking inside when suddenly my eyes fell upon Shankar who was sitting infront of the Guru Granth Sahab. My lips parted as I took a fine look of the man who was dressed in traditional Sherwani Kurta Pajama but what made me emotional was he had adorned a red turban with Sehra. I had not expected him to adore my culture so beautifully.

We were side by side and the Granthi Sahab (priest) began the Ardaas (prayers). Although none of the folks I came along knew any of this, but still this felt so much homely. I didn't expect any of this. Rabji made this more beautiful for me. All I was expecting was a silent sign on some papers but here we were at my Anand Karaj ceremony. After singing Shabads (hymns) we both were asked to stand up for the Lavan Pheras which made me extremely emotional right now.

This moment I couldn't stop the tears that I had held back. I started missing my Daarji so much right now. Ideally a father is supposed to give his daughter's hand into her future husband's hand with all his blessings and love. Here I was feeling extremely lonely and emotional. I helplessly burst into tears when Simi and Miranda tried to hug me and console me. Linda wiped my tears and pressed me to her chest showering me with her motherly love but I was helplessly shedding tears right now. I had not even informed the man who gave me a life when my own birth parents abandoned me. I felt like a liar. A cheat right now.

'I am sorry Daarji!!!' I said as I hugged Linda and continued crying rivers in her arms when I heard

'Koi na Puttarji!!! (It's fine my child) I am sorry too!!!' and I froze.

I pulled out of Linda's arms and turned around to meet the most unexpected yet awaited person at the same time. I was shocked, surprised and emotional at the same time as I saw the man himself in a simple white Kurta Pajama, blue turban with his all white moustache and long beard. His eyes were filled with tears as he spread his arms and I couldn't believe my eyes. I looked around to see if I'm dreaming. I was still in disbelief when I pinched myself but it seemed like reality.

When Shankar said 'He is here Anamika!!! It is your Daarji!!!' and my teary eyes met his blue ones when he smiled and nodded and the next second I threw my arms around my Daarji and burst into tears helplessly. He patted my head when I didn't know for how long I cried on his chest.

'Na Puttar!!! Main aagaya na!!! Bass Puttar... Shhh...Naa Rote...Bas!!! Shhhh'

(No my child!!! I am here na!!! No My child..Shhh!!! Don't cry...Enough!!! Shhh')

He kept consoling me when I couldn't help but say 'I am sorry Daarji!!! I didn't tell you anything. I didn't mean to-'

'We can talk everything later Puttarji!!! Shall we complete the rituals now please? I always wanted you to have a Anand Karaj...last time not only was the man fake...even the people whom he got to perform rituals was also a fraud...I always wondered why did he make it a big scene back then when I asked for a Anand Karaj in Gurudwara but he insisted his mother was a Hindu and he always wanted a Hindu wedding...only to know neither was he a true Sikh nor a true Hindu ..he was a complete monster...who hurt my child...cheated on her and hurt her so much...I am sorry Puttar for not being a good father!!!' he asked and I shook my head saying

'You are the best father Daarji!!! Infact you are my everything. You are my Rabji too!!! Sorry Rabji if you are jealous!!!' I said when he chuckled and kept a hand on my head while wiping my tears.

'Okay... come on... everyone's waiting!!!' saying he slowly smiled and pulled out a saffron colored scarf and kept it on Shankar's shoulder and kept the other end of the scarf in my hand. Keeping a hand on Shankar's shoulder while still holding my hand he said 'I am giving you my life Shankar Puttar!!! Please take care of her...my child has endured a lot... please give only happiness to her...No more tears for my child!!! Never again' he said wiping his tears when Shankar smiled saying 'I promise you Sir!!! There will only be happy tears in Anamika's eyes...from now on...till forever!!!' and I didn't know why those words brought a shiver down my spine. When our eyes clashed it felt like he meant every single word that he spoke.

And with that we began the Lavan Pheras by walking around the Guru Granth Sahib in clockwise direction when the Raagis sang the Lavas and we completed the Pheras post which an Ardaas was offered again and then the Khadah Prashad was offered to everyone in the Gurudwara. With that we were tied to each other forever after.

We had the Langar Prashad (lunch) at the Gurudwara post which we returned home. On my way back home Shankar made sure Daarji sat with me while he took the seat next to the driver in front. He knew I was extremely emotional right  now and I sat silently hugging Daarji when he patted my head trying to calm me down. My respect for this man had increased ten fold now. I didn't even realise when and how he managed all of this. Not only did he manage to keep such a tight security at the Gurudwara but he also managed for every ritual to happen without any compromise. He even got my Daarji. I had so many unanswered questions.

As we reached home I was up for another big surprise and this time my eyes widened but weirdly this time even Shankar looked shocked.

There were a bunch of people all dressed in south Indian attire...to be precise lavish women in lavish colorful Kanjeevaram sarees and decked up with gold and diamond jewellery while men wore white veshti and shirts except one of them who weirdly wore a sleeveless ganji tshirt, a long coat and a shredded jeans. Who wears that for a wedding?

But wait a minute...why does he look like Shankar though?

Then I noticed an old lady carrying Roshni in her arms as she happily kept nuzzling her nose with Roshni's making her happily giggle and laugh. There was another old couple who kept tickling Roshni standing along with that old lady while the old man made funny faces and the old lady was laughing seeing Roshni jump like a little rabbit.

I was still wondering who they were when I noticed four women one who was extremely short amongst them all who stopped us from entering the house saying

'Uhhh Uhhh!!! Stay there!!!' and I was confused as I looked at Shankar who looked extremely nervous and stood there silently agreeing to the lady who slowly placed a coconut at the door of the house on either sides and asked me to kick it and I narrowed my eyebrows with confusion only for Shankar to nod his head saying 'Do it!!!' and I nodded following the same.

Post that I was about to step into the house but suddenly the other three women sat on the floor blocking our way.
I was confused again when I looked at Shankar.

What was happening???

When suddenly I heard the two young women who sat in front saying
'Not so easily Nameless Vanni!!!'

Nameless what???

'Eyyy!!! Don't call her that!!!' said the one next to her in a chirpy voice when the first one said 'Then what should I do??? Shankar Anna didn't even tell us about the wedding...I don't even know her name!!! So for me she is Nameless Vanni only na???'

What are they even talking??? Who are they??? What was Shankar supposed to tell them??? I was completely confused.

I looked at Shankar when he simply looked elsewhere trying to not meet me eyes when the lady who performed the first ritual said

'Dont be surprised!!! Obviously anyone would be confused if random bunch of people pop out of nowhere whom you have never seen in your lifetime suddenly at the doorstep trying to stop you from entering your own home.

Even we were surprised. No!!! Wait!!! We were shocked. Because our darling brother in law just got married and no one even bothered to invite us!!! Right Shankar Annaaaaa????' she dragged the last word as she shot him a death glare and I looked at Shankar who cleared his throat saying

'Ahhhhemmm she ..she is Anamika!!! And ummm Anamika...meet my family!!!'

And my eyes widened as my lips parted when I turned around and saw so many people some who were smiling, some who were giggling, some who were shooting daggers at Shankar and then smiling at me.

But wait a minute...he told me he only had two sisters whom he did not inform about this wedding.

Then who are these???

What is the occasion today???

National Shock Day???

What's happening???