CHAPTER-12

KETU

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I got up by 2p.m today... Everyone of us... As everyone were tried.... Today is my mehendi function... No grand function... Just we girls... In our house... Boys are having their bachelor party in yash home... While we girls are having here.... As promised neha had given me fake nails and given me Classic French art in it...

The mehandi function started by... Five in the evening to close it earlier... My family ladies and my sisters with deepu and swathi... And some from yash side came here... We are having mehandi's in our hands... The contusion in my hand has reduced... That becomes only visible if you look carefully....

My mehandi paste came from yash home.. Brought by sumathi aunty.... And now neha is decorating my hands.... And everyone are teasing me... As a new bride thing and dreaming about whom...

Shavatri athai-" let's see how bright the mehandi catches in your hand" there is a saying that if the mehandi catches dark... Then your husband will love you a lot....

Deepu-" yes, yes let's see... How much my bro loves her...?"I blush... And everyone smiles..

Preeti-"on seeing the dance they shared yesterday... I think...it will be darker...."

Deepu-"I agree... What do you think ketu..?" I am blushing as all the women and girls are teasing me...

Yoni-"ketu... What sis seeing your blush... Is it a yes.. That it will be darker than betal's red" and she winks... Oh no... You to yoni...

Bhanu-" ha aha... I think it will be like..." I didn't leave her to finish...

Me-" don't forgot girls... I have my chance of teasing too.. "

Bhanu-" but not know right?"

Me-" whatever... Will see how it catches when we can see..." Everyone laughed at my discomfort....

And neha finished putting me mehandi in my hands and now putting in my legs....

Madhu aunty-" ok.. Now find the name of your husband in you mehandi.... " and winked at me....

Preeti-" what...and why?"

Deepu-" it's just a custom... The husband name will be scrabbled in your mehandi.. And if you find it before they finish your mehandi in leg... You will get a loving family... And everyone will love you... And treat you like a princess in your in law house... Hurry up ketu...."

My mehandi is looking great it's a identical mehandi in both the hand... But a bride in left hand and a groom in right hand.... The mehandi is little above my elbow.... And everyone are encouraging me to find.... And also neha to speed up to finish mehandi....

neha is about to finish I can't find one letter....

Me-" I got it.... " I am grinning like a mad

Neha-" show ...." Winking at me....

I showed them that the letter Y in the middle of the right palm... The letter A in the tip of the pointer finger... The letter S in the left hand ring finger where we put ring... The letter H in the elbow joint of left hand ... The letter W in the wrist joint of the right hand... The letter A in the grooms design.... The letter N in the left arm palm near the thumb.... The letter T in the bride design and smiling like I have found some treasure....

Neha-" correct... Great... Only two of the youngster have found within the time limit... One is you...and I didn't wait for you to find... I just went with flow... The other was deepu... She has finished finding all letters except J of jaisukh... And I just gave her extra five minutes not a long time... I used to give that to everybody... And she finished it.... Within that..... Congrats....." Said with smile...

Me-" thanks..."

Deepu-" welcome to princesses world...." I laughed and blushed....

And the evening went with people having mehandi and playing dumb charades and antakshari and with some teasing...

And everyone left to their places... I slept in the sofa with mehandi in hands and legs

Next day

I got up and my sisters helped me removing the mehandi and when I removed it has catched in dark red... And everyone teased me again ... Saying ... That the yash boy loving me a lot.... And I am already having him in my tips.... Etc....

And after refreshing I came down.... For chuda function... And I was sited in a stool.... Ghanapathy uncle and his wife poorni.. Came and gave me sleek bangles of sliver and golden colour.... Set Of 21 bangles for each hand.... And asked me to wear it and not to remove it till 40 days of wedding ..... And my relatives came and tied me some gold and gold plate decorations around my hands as their blessings.... And we all Speaked and the day with me being stupid and others doing some works....

Next day

I got up to see my whole house decorated with flowers... All thanks to my brothers and sisters as it was their doing spending a whole night..... As it a day of my likeness .... Will be doing all my liking...

The breakfast menu is all my favourites by mom... Idly sambar.. Dosa with groundnut chutney... Pal playasam.. Bread omelet.. Kulipanigaram with garlic chutney.

And I asked them that I want to do food for afternoon... And they want to eat it no matter how it tastes... As today they will do according to my wish.. They accepted.... I done kesari, vegetable briyani with raita... Chappathi, Chicken fry, prawn thooku, fruit salad with ice cream.... They said it tasted good... But I know that I put little bit of extra salt in briyani... But they said it tasted good too... Stupid liars...

Then we all played cards... In between we had coffee with bajji... Then for night my dad ordered us from KFC their chicken and mango buster for me.. And whatever others needed from KFC... And a coffee day frappe with ice cream too for me.. Which I kept to have before I goto bed.... After eating we all seated in the hall to chat...when mom nd dad came

Mom-" u are our little princess... We allowed you to do what you want .... But you can't expect the same from your in-laws... You know want to do and what not to do... All I can say is... Smile as long as you can and control your temper at the maximum you can.... And do things.. That would make us your family were you born to stand with heads up in pride that we are the one that gave birth to you and thought you the values ....with your new family... You always made us proud.... I have no doubt that you will keep up with it.... " said with her eyes watering and my father hugged us in each hand... And he wiped my tears... Until that I don't know that I was crying...

Dad-" never forgot that even we send you to another family.... We always will have you in our minds... And we are still same to you... And will like always watch your back... This is a small present from me and your mom.." Said and gave me a box...

And I opened the wrapper to see... A notebook and a file...

Mom-" the notebook is from me... It's has recipes... Maybe I can't give you every time a recap befor you start cooking... So use it to memorise ..." We laughed and I said thanks to her...

Dad-" it is something we saved for your marriage... Ram didn't allowed us to spend a money to ur marriage... And he also said that he don't need dowry as we only want you to give your daughter's hand to yash and it itself a great gift to them.. So it's something we saved to use for your marriage... Since we didn't... We changed it into your name.. Use it as you like wisely......." I hugged them and thanked them....

Varun-" our gift to our sis" said pointing All of my cousins too and gave me a box...I opened it to see a empty box...

And they all laughed at me..

And Nadan put a paper in the box.. And they all said me to read it...

I opened it to read that their treat will be a honeymoon trip for me and yash... Like what we are going to do for bhanu and Preeti.... And said me.. To plan a trip and say them the place and date... And bookings will be their gift.... I was blushing...

And then mom asked us all go to bed as tomorrow is my wedding day and everyone of us need a beauty sleep to shine tomorrow... And we all left to sleep..

Next day(wedding day)....

Mom came and woke me... And I got refreshed and came down...Mom asked me to sit in the centre of four lamps....

Mom-"it's a haldi function and we apply the paste of tumeric and mustard oil all over your body...." As explaining me .... She took and applied it in my cheeks and forearms and foot....

Me-" really ... Just now I had bath.... Mom..."

Radha athai-" choo...ketu... It's a tradition .... It will bring glow to you...."she was not allowed to finish...

Preeti and bhanu-" that yash will have no time to notice others...."

Me-" mom... Ask these two to be quiet mom.... They are not giving me rest at all... Mom...."

Mom-" don't tease her... She will too tease you girls.... Ok ketu..... " I was laughing at them.... "But what they are saying is true... I can't scold someone or ask someone not to speak truth ketu...so you can continue girls..." That it they are smirking at me....

Me-" moooommmmmm......" I cried,.... Thanks for the help mom...note the sarcasm....

And everyone laughed and applied me the paste and I applied on others and then I become a paste applying fight.... And everyone are laughing.... So... All the women's I the home are having the paste in them.... And we took bath...

And then savannan mama and ghanapathy mama came and give me the dress I need to wear for the wedding ceremony... But I can't still see the dress... As they gave me in a covered plate and then it is suddenly grabbed from my hand by varun befor I can see the dress... They and their surprises... And neha aunty came to our house to help me get ready ... And her assistance to help other ladies to get ready....

Like As usual she closed the mirror and also closed my eyes this time... With a tape and asked me to change into my wedding clothes.... Mom came and helped me to change into my dress.... As I won't allow except her while I change my dress..... so, everyone teased me what will I say to yash ....That I won't allow him too... I blushed .... And the dress was heavy and felt like worked heavily... And then she asked me again to sit in a chair done something in hair and then in my face then adjusted my dress and then she put the accessories to me.... After giving all touch ups that's needed she removed the tape.. And quickly started doing my eye makeup.... And after finishing everything ..... She removed the screen of the mirror...

I opened to see a beautiful girl before me... It was me... I was wearing a reddish orange wedding lehenga which has too many dozens of layers... Paired With a little darker shade blouse ... Both the lehenga and the blouse are designed heavily... Think with diamond stones, crystal beads,etc.... The dupatta or chunni is same mixed colour of my lehenga and blouse... But it is transparent and it is also worked heavily....I am wearing diamond vintage and kundan necklace, earring, matha patti (hair accessories) with pearl drops set... that matches my dress and the chuda matched with the dress as the bangles having same reddish orange and ivory color..... And I am wearing a anklet... That's producing sounds when I walk.. And a matching 2inch heels( I actually don't like heels..) slipper with two single row of stones.. One around the ankle and one in the toes... And my hair is combed in tradition bun style which is decorated with same matching juda pin(hair decorating ornament) with other jewels... And the net dupatta covering it gives a more beautiful look.... The back of the blouse is low cut... And has cross knot design..

Bhanu and Preeti came my side

Preeti -" looking exquisite.."

Bhanu-" yash is going to die.." What... On seeing my reaction she added " because he can't control his hands as you are drop dead gorgeous bride.." I blushed and everyone laughed...

Me-" I think even your Fiancé's too is going to die.. You two looking gorgeous..." They blushed and I laughed... We thanked neha aunty and sumathi aunty for the make up and dress design... And said we are welcome and they went... Sumathi aunty came to pick neha aunty .. So they both can get ready... I learned They both are best friends...

Preeti, yoni, anisha, bhanu are wearing same type of dresses...lehenga and 3/4th sleeve blouse is charm pink designed with periwinkle blue.. And worked with crystals, gold, etc... The dupatta is periwinkle blue netlike with charm pink coloured design and worked with crystals, gold, etc...

Preeti and bhanu put the shawl over one shoulder.. And draped it in a North Indian style.... While yoni and anisha .. Hang the shawl in both the hands around the back of the waist.... And wear wearing a matching accessories

Varun, Nadan,Gokul, praveen, chandu, anish, karan... Were wearing a sherwani of blue colour with multicoloured design.. Paired with golden colour chudihar pant and shawl.... With matching accessories...

My mom and athai's were wearing a kanchipuram silk saree of golden colour with designed green border paired with designed green blouse with short sleeve... With matching accesories...

My dad and mama's were wearing a green silk kurtha and paired with a golden chudihar pant.....

Mom asked all my brothers and sisters to sit in a line and asked me shake my hands above each of them... As their it is a tradition that the gold plates that are tied in my hands falls in their heads they will be next in line for marriage (like bride throwing the bouquet in western culture).. It fall on bhanu' head and we all laughed as it was right...

And about when We a starting to leave to the marriage venue.. my mom came towards me and took me to prayer room in the house to pray to god ... After we finished praying... And I was about to leave out of the house... My mom asked me to through the rice backwards above my head and leave the house without turning back.. As the meaning says.. Even though I leave the home forever, but my memories will stay with you.. And I started to cry... Varun took me to the car... Asking me to control as it may renew my makeup

We went to the venue little later.... As went to temple and I prayed to god to be with me and support me in every step of my life. and give happiness and health to everyone.....while others came here earlier to welcome the groom... Venue was in some garden... As the ground has a lawn texture...But it was covered in four sides and in the top with white, red, orange clothes... And with flowers.. Decorated cosily and it looked elegant... The lighting effect are two.. Super... In the centre in a far back.. Is a mandabam(stage) which was decorated with flowers.. And it is beautiful... And in the centre there is a salat phere(pious fire is lit for Vedic mantras)..

Yash is looking ravishing in his golden colour sherwani with reddish orange coloured design worked with diamonds, crystals, gold, etc,... Paired with reddish orange chudihar pant and shawl... And a red turban and a matching accessories...

They took arthi as I entered the Hall.. My sisters took me to the mandabam.. And made me sit before the phere... Were the priest said me to say me some lines.. And my dad took and gave my hands in yash hands(kandyadaan) And started crying... He never cries for anything... He was strong all the time and for us...this is The first time I am seeing my dad crying.... I am too crying on seeing him... Then he controlled and consoled me... And said yash to take care of his princesses... To which yash said he will do his best... And my dad left the stage...Think to control himself as he was in the edge of crying fit..

Then the priest was saying some mandras and asking us to recite some of them... And asked deepu to come and tie tightly my dupatta's one end with yash's one end of the shawl... And stared to continue some mantras...

Then he asked yash to keeps sindoor(vermilion in the partition of my hair) and then yash tied the mangalsutra ( scared chain) in my neck... I don't know but there is this fear and happiness and nervousness in me... But all together I am in good mood...

And the priest asked us to stand up and asked me and yash to round the phere seven times to take seven vows and we started to round the phera.. With yash leading to take the vows as follows

1. In the first round or phera, we prays to God for plenty of nourishing and pure food. We pray to God to let us walk together so that we will get food.

2. In the second round, we prays to God for a healthy and prosperous life. We ask for the physical, spiritual and mental health from God.

3. In the third Phera, we prays to God for wealth. We ask God for the strength for both of us so that we can share the happiness and pain together. Also, we pray so that we can walk together to get wealth.

4. In the fourth round we prays to God for the increase in love and respect for each other and their respective families.

And now the priest asked me to lead and yash is coming beside me..

5. We together pray for the beautiful, heroic and noble children from God in the fifth step.

6. In the sixth holy round around the fire, we asks for the peaceful long life with each other.

7. In the final seventh round, we prays to god for companionship, togetherness, loyalty and understanding between us. We ask God to make us friends and give the maturity to carry out the friendship for lifetime.

And I don't know.. I have a fear that can I keep up my promises... And nervous how to act the promises and happy that I made those..

Then guests who have came.. Came and wished us and blessed us to have a happy life together in future... And they gave their gifts... And by 9.30 we went down and started having food.. I was hungry.. As I was in fasting... I ate a lot and my brothers and sisters teasing me..

After we finished having our dinner.... As we are about to start... My witty sisters had stole yash's slipper... It's a tradition joota chupai.... Were brides sister will steal the grooms slipper which was removed to get to the mandabam ... He leaves it and asks his brother(best man) to watch over for him...from the brides sister(bridesmaid)... If the sisters stole the slippers then the groom has to give what they demand inorder to get back the slippers...

In our case the best man is sesh and under him are jai, Gowtham,sharth, Vicky, prasana... Who lost yash slipper to my sisters Preeti, yoni, anisha,bhanu...

Me and my family were laughing at the boys... And my sisters are smiling at them ... Sesh says he has a new pair of slippers and no need for my sisters to give back the slippers.. And everyone even in their family were laughing at their sulking faces... And my sisters and brothers started shouting cheating cheating..

Yash- " I accept my men's are inefficient to safeguard my slippers from u girls.. Fine now place your demand girls"

Sesh and other boys sighed and keeping a straight face and mouthing under their breaths and we are all laughing at them... By family members are asking my sisters to place big demands..

As it is a team work... And everyone in the team has the rights to ask what they want and yash has to do each ones demand...

Girls-" we want"

Anisha-" all apple products.. "Wow..

Yoni-"an art studio" wow...wow...it's her dream...

Preeti-"Porsche car" awesome...

Bhanu-"diamond set of necklace, long chain, earring, juda pin, bangle, hip band, nathichuti..."super...

Yash's mouth is slightly parted away... All the girls started laughing..

Girls-"But"

Anisha-"we "

Yoni-"don't "

Preeti-"want "

Bhanu-"those.."

What is that they want then

Girls-" all we want is you to take care of our sister... " oh... Really.. Thanks girls...

Yoni-" promise it"

Anisha-" you will have you slipper"

Yash looked at me.. Can't read his face... Then turned towards my sisters..

Yash-" I promise that I will do my best to take care of your sister..."

Then anisha came and give the slipper to yash.. And he wearied it... And the girls came towards me and hugged and I hugged them.. And I thanked them....

Then deepu came and said me that we are leaving to yash house... Me and yash went to get blessings from my uncle and aunties.. I controlled the tears.. Then came and took the blessing for my parents...I don't know what took over me.. I started crying...me, mom, dad.. All three were crying...

Mom-" be a good girl.. " I nodded...

Dad-" don't cry... Ketu... Take care of yourself... " I nodded...

Mom-" take care of my child... If she does something stupid.. Forgive her.. Don't get angry on her... I accept you as my son in law... Hoping you will make my daughter happy and will make her smile everyday... Keep up to my hope..."

Yash-" will try my best to do it aunty..."

Mom-" take care of yourself ketu... Bye.." Said and hugged me.. I am crying.. She wiped my tears.." Keep smiling.. Thats what I like in my daughter.."I smiled and cried...

Dad-" bye ketu.. Tc" and to joined in our hug..

Then I hugged my sisters and they wished me a happy life.. And said yash to remember their threats and his promise...

Then Gokul, praveen, chandu said me byes.. And gave me hugs and wished me to have a happy future..

Nadan and varun hugged me and I started crying as we three are close in our gang...

Nadan wiped my tears

Nadan-" act to your age be a mature girl?.. And not as a child...u are married now.. "

Me-" I am mature girl only..." I snapped

Varun-" your age says you are a mature girl.. But you act as a child.. "

Me-" no.. I am not.."

Nadan-" u are .."

Me -" no.. Am I yash?" Asked him as he is standing next to us..

Yash-"u were crying like a waterfall one second and another second you are fighting with your brothers that you act normal... That's definitely a mature act" said the last part in teasing way.. And we all laughed.. And they said me to have a happy life in the days ahead..

And helped me to get in the limo.. Which is decorated and yash sat with me and sesh sit in the front seat with the driver... And Nadan and yash pushed the car in the back for a meter ....As a tradition and I am swinging my hands through the window and saying bye to everyone.. Till I can see them.. Then the car took a turn.... I closed the window...