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January 2020

Udaipur

In between endless preparations, planning, shopping, finalising stuff, all in all a perfect mix of wedding chaos, we are already in the end of January.

Since both, Monami and Karan would be able to make it to Udaipur just a week before the day that will bring in a significant change in their lives; their families took it on themselves to make everything available for them so that the bride and groom won't be under any pressure. All they needed to do was just the last minute preparations and dress trials.

Thanks to the technology, all this was made possible via incessant video and normal phone calls, at least as much as they could. But two people, who actually should have made the most use of this technology, were busy being busy and awkward and hence, the only conversation they made on the message was on the day they met, after Monami dropped him a text of reaching safely. This proved one thing that no matter what steps they take, the awkwardness will prevail between them until they actually start living together and get in a routine.

When the conversation regarding her marriage took place, Monami's mind went to the lanes of a few flashback memories of her childhood. Ever since Monami was a kid, she had heard about the tales of wedding of her maternal and paternal grandparents, how there used to be absolutely no contact between the bride and the groom until it's the time for wedding. And how authentically all the rituals were performed without any extra materialistic charms. All they had were people from their entire neighbourhood who used to participate and help as if it's the wedding in their own families, the traditional folklores, and the simplest of rituals with great meaning behind it, all with a heartfelt smile plastered permanently on their lips.

Hearing all of this, somewhere a seed sprouted in Monami's heart to do the same, just with one thing that the bride and groom have met and consented to each other before the wedding would be finalised. Moreover, it was something necessary in today's time.

Since, the wedding date was already finalized and preparations were commenced too, Monami albeit hesitant, but she conveyed what she felt regarding her desire for her marriage, to her father who was pleasantly surprised with this sweet wish of his daughter and took it on his shoulders to see if this can actually work; and it actually did. Monami's family and best friends were in high spirits for the festivities to roll in.

Even Karan was surprised when his father discussed it with him. He thought that in the world where everyone is running behind the luxury, his would be better half wanted these celebrations to be held with utmost comfort and real happiness and include only those people who actually matters to them. So after a few inputs from his side, it was decided that they will have a close knit affair and two weddings will take place, one a proper Marwari one and one as per the Sikh rituals and host a grand reception for their colleagues and friends, especially in Karan's case. Hence, a week full of unmatchable excitement, happiness and tiredness.

As decided and agreed, the families have booked a villa in Udaipur and the rituals will take place in both the front and back lawn of it. They thought that it would be better if Anand Karaj would take place in the day and Marwari wedding, on the same day, at midnight; although quite hectic and tiring, but they thought it would be better so that the Vidaai rituals would be done on the next day. It was also pre decided that they will try to sum up all these customs in a week long period with the bride and groom so that Monami and Karan could actually spend some time together, since all Karan got was an off of 20 days, out of which he had to train in last 5 days as well.

Karan made sure that there is no news of any development of his personal life and tried to keep it under wraps, as much as he could. Even the remaining players and the council members were surprised when they received an invitation of the reception.

Karan took his Bhabhi into confidence and asked her to have a conversation with Monami about the same, who agreed. So it was decided that they'll have an intimate wedding and a grand reception, especially for the people from their work and other important guests and Karan did have quite a number of people that needed to be invited.

While on Monami's end, even her fellow soldiers and seniors and this new team's officers were pleasantly surprised and were happy for her. Monami invited a few of her colleagues from both her recent team and few people who were more than mere acquaintances from IAF.

Time skip ~

It was on 28th of January, that the couple who would be wedded soon, landed in Udaipur; Karan, because he was busy with his matches until 27th and Monami because she did not wanted to come back before celebrating the Republic Day. This day was scheduled up for their rest and the trials of their dresses, that they'll we adorning for the wedding.

The day literally flew away in a jiffy, with sneaking some power naps here and there and trying different attires and also, a much needed parlour appointment for the bride to be. Even, the family members sat together and spent some time before they got busy with the festivities.

On 29th, Mahajan's, Shergill's along with Sidharth and Sanjana's parents and Faizi's family and some extended family members left for the venue. But there was this one thing that made Monami and her family extremely emotional and that was when Juhi with a teary smile said Monami to bid adieu to her home once from here only because her vidaai will be done from the venue itself. So throwing the puffed rice at her back on her mother's veil while walking forward, left everyone including her in misty eyes.

The villa was booked and mildly decorated for the welcome of the families and the bride and the groom side were settled in their rooms and except for the bride and groom themselves; they met each other along with an organiser and coordinator who would help them out with carrying on with the preparations and handle the work with decorators and others. The families did not wanted a team of wedding planners so they settled for this. They had lunch together, discussing the further plans and timings and related stuff for the week.

Last three days of the week were already sorted, what needed to be fixated was the 3 days before them. They all mutually decided what and how is to be done, since there were two different customs according to which this wedding was going to be held.

Soon, the night passed too with the family members arranging the necessary stuff for the rituals that will be held on the next day and a few items that will be required for the whole week. Although they did carry whatever they could, but some things are always left for the last moment.

One small change took place in the dinner and that was that all the Shergill's had their meal with Monami and Mahajan's with Karan, but their friends stuck to them and they had a great bonding time.

It was the morning of 30th January and the entire clan was dressed up in traditional attire and finally it was the time for the first ritual.

First Mahajan's began with the ritual of Ganpati Sthapna, since no auspicious work is begun without his blessings and then they proceeded with the Roka ceremony by the groom's side in which they went to the bride's side with sweets, clothes and gifts and then begun with Kurmai, which is engagement according to the Sikh tradition and draped a red Chunni on Monami's forehead and showered her with a few gifts.

Then Mahajan's carried on with the Rupiyo Nariyal which is the engagement ceremony as per the Marwari culture. The male members from the bride side went in the hall where the ceremony was decided to take place since all of them are at the venue and not at home. They carried a few gifts for Karan's family and finally Vedant applied the tilak on Karan's forehead and they presented him the ring for the engagement. Deepak too applied tilak on Karan's forehead as a part of Kurmai and then he along with Sidharth, Vedant and a few elder members from Monami's side also presented Karan a kara.

{Couple did not exchange the ring since it is done as it was done in olden times.}

Next day it was time for Maiya as per the sikh traditions in which oil is applied on the bride and groom. The next in line was Pithi Dastoor as per Marwari rituals and Vatna as per Sikh wedding rituals, which is the ritual of Haldi. During this, Sidharth and Sanjana avenged what happened with them. Monami was quite literally transformed into a yellow spirit.

(Vatna is a proper haldi function as per Sikh tradition.)

"Yaar Sid, poora ka poora peela Bandar bana diya hai tum logo ne mujhe. Maine aisa bhi nahi kiya thha." Monami huffed in accusation.

(Sid, you guys have literally transformed me in a yellow monkey. I did not go this far.)

"Brooo, ab kya hai na hum tere jitney acche nahi hai. Toh bas." Sidharth was looking nothing but smug, with a smirk plastered on his lips making Monami roll her eyes and everyone erupted in laughter seeing their banter.

(Bro the thing is that we are not as modest as you. So yeah.)

"Aur Ved tu? Tera kya bigada tha maine? Tu toh mere side per reh sakta thha na?" Monami narrowed her eyes at Vedant, pointing her index finger at him.

(And you Ved, what trouble did I caused you? At least you could have stayed on my side.)

"Voh kya hai na di, iklauti behen hai meri aur chhote bhai ka farz hota hai ki kisi bhi cheez mein koi kami nahi rahe toh bas isiliye." Vedant cheekily said.

(Actually di now you are my one and only sister and as a younger brother it is my responsibility that there is no paucity in anything, that's why.)

"Now you just wait and watch what I'll do when it's your time." Monami narrowed her eyes and pulled her lips in a thin line.

This scene left everyone guffawing. Deepak and Juhi were really happy seeing their daughter, it is the time that Monami has literally got her "Haath peele."

(Haath peele- To get someone married.)

There was no difference in scenario at Karan's side, Faizi, Param, Barkha and even the little goofball, Baby didn't left any stone unturned to drench Karan in Haldi from head to toe.

Faizi and Param literally went bonkers and they had to clear some "Purana hisaab" from Karan, because he was mad enough in their weddings too.

"Yaar Bhaiya chhota bhai hoon aapka, aisa karte hain kya uske saath? Aur saand tu, tujhe maine itna bhi koi haldi mein nahi dubaya tha." Karan whined to Param and asserted to Faizi.

(Bhaiya, I'm your younger sibling and does anyone do what you did with me? And you ox, I didn't drowned you in Haldi.)

"Accha toh tujhe yeh baat yaad nahi aayi thi ab meri haldi thi? Tab toh bade maze le raha tha." Param backfired at him and Karan blinked a few times, to avoid looking at his elder sibling.

(Oh and you didn't remembered this fact when it was my Haldi? At that time you were busy having fun at my expense.)

"Aur Janaab ji, aap yeh bhool gaye? Agar hume haldi mein dubaya nahi thha toh kya sirf jitni lagti hai utni laga ke he aap shaanti se baith gaye the?" Faizi raised his eyebrow and Karan looked away from him too.

(And Mister, did you really forgot it? If you didn't drown me in Haldi then you must have applied only that much which is required and then you must have sat in peace, right?)

Finding no support and no one on his side, Karan cribbed and uttered the only person's name he had some hopes from. "Bhabhiiii."

"Ah ah, you bear what you sow Karan." Karan was literally heartbroken when he heard Barkha but then he too smeared the yellow paste on his close ones and had fun with them.

Atul was missing his better half the most at this, Karan's mother would have definitely taken their son's side but nonetheless he was really happy at the events that are unfolding.

After Vatna, Ghara Gharoli took place wherein Barkha gave water, some mixed with the water from Gurudwara in an earthen pot to Karan and Monami so that they could bathe with it.

Post that, the ritual of Gana took place in the Shergill family in which auspicious red thread was tied to Karan's right wrist to save him from evil eye.

Simultaneously, a red thread was tied on Monami's wrist too, along with Karan so that its knot can be opened by the bride and the groom on the day, post vidaai.

On the same night, Sangeet took place along with Mehendi but since both the families wanted to take part in it unanimously, they decided to conduct it together and they dropped a curtain in the form of a veil between Karan and Monami, in that way they enjoyed the entire ceremony.

On the next day, the ceremony of Mahira Dastoor took place where Karan and Monami's maternal family filled the bride and groom with the gifts.

(Mehendi was applied on both Karan and Monami's hands but Karan's henna was applied only till his palms and Monami's hands and legs were filled.)

Post that, the Chooda ceremony of Monami took place and her bangles were tied with a cloth so that she cannot see it, until Anand Karaj and Kalire were tied on her bangles and she shook them on the heads of her cousins, as it is said that on whom so ever it falls, they are next in the line to get married.

The rest of the day was spent in taking some rest and making the final arrangements for the next day and as two weddings were taking place they thought it would be best if they could take some time for rest and then gear up for the next day.

Sometime in the eventide, Deepak, Juhi and Vedant entered in Monami's room and they spent a few hours talking and recollecting their old memories.

"Monu, bacche kal se tera ek naya parivar hoga, I know this will make you feel overwhelmed and it will not be easy, but I assure you that with Karan by your side, it won't be that difficult. I have seen that boy and I know his father, so if anything you'll get a father, an elder brother and an elder sister and hopefully a great companion in Karan." Deepak said to Monami, caressing her head, who was sitting in her father's embrace.

(Monu, from tomorrow you will have a new family from tomorrow...)

"Monu you have always made us proud and no matter what, we will always be your people who will have your back whenever you will need it. But this new journey will require you and Karan, more than anyone else, to walk along side each other, neither ahead and nor behind; just together. Yes, it'll be difficult, seeing that you both will not have that much time together when it requires the most, but how do you both make time for yourself will matter and nothing else. Just go with the flow and if required, take a free fall too." Juhi held Monami's palm in between hers and said softly.

"Di, I don't know what to say, but just know that you are not allowed to forget me and share my part of craziness with anyone else."Vedant said to make the atmosphere light and hearing him, everyone chuckled.

Monami's eyes were moist, she just held on to her father tightly and feeling the grip, Deepak's eyes were filled too, he looked at his wife and son and the scene was no different, he just nodded his head a bit and then both the people joined the hug.

When her parents and brother left after a few minutes then Sidharth and Sanjana too arrived, and the best friends spent some time together. They discussed how a month back Sid and Sanju were hitched and now the only person of the trio will be hitched by tomorrow. There was a time when they used to avoid this topic like plague and now look at them, all set for the new endeavours.

The couple soon left her room so that she could take a much needed night sleep.

Even Karan's side was not any different. First her family entered along with Zeenat, Faizi's mom and they spent some time with him.

"Karan, I know you and I know Monami as well, she is a bit different and a bit too closed and of course it is so because of her work. I want you to fill her life with your goofiness, understanding and warmth. I know that it will be difficult for you to open up with all your secrets but just go with the flow. Don't hold yourself back, okay?" Atul said to his son who was sitting on the bed with him.

"Yes chhotey, as it is you will have us whenever you need. But now more than us, she will need you until she is on the same tangent with us as you are, just be there." Param advised.

"You know what Karan, just be you. That'll be enough."Barkha smiled at him.

"Karan, just keep one thing in mind, that just like she is getting a new family, you will be a part of that family too. Don't distinguish between yours and hers because from henceforth, everything will be yours, jointly. Be her friend first and then husband. But more than anything be each other's companion." Zeenat smiled at him and gestured to him to come to her and when he did, she kissed his forehead affectionately which made him smile softly and he took the old lady in his embrace.

When they finally left, Faizi too came to his room and they sat together with Faizi turning on his "Love baba" profile time and again and he shared a few bits of his experiences in forms of advice to his best friend and they chilled a bit before he left the groom's room.

The night was filled in with a lot of overwhelming emotions, anxiousness, jitters, nervousness, dilemma and what not. Karan and Monami were only twisting and turning on their bed with sweaty palms and rugged breaths in anticipation of the next day.

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3.1k+ words.

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Much love,
Nehal.