Chapter 74

Gautam's POV



We reached there at the venue with Baraat. Uncle and aunty welcomed us. I got down the white wedding mare. Aunty welcomed me with an Aarti platter. Then did a few cute customs like holding the nose of the groom ( me ). After that, we came inside

I had occasionally seen one custom in various weddings which was Feet washing ceremony of the groom. Once the groom entered the house of the bride on the wedding day, the bride's mother washes his feet with honey, curd, milk, ghee and sugar

I personally never liked this custom. I didn't know what was the logic or the story behind it. But I refused to let aunty do this custom.

I am just like her son... So it should be me who should be doing it not the other way around. She was as old as my mom and I could not let her wash my feet. So I refused to let her do that to me I washed my feet on my own. I didn't care if someone felt that I was trying to be some kind of reformer. I did what I felt was right.

Then we were taken to the huge stage which was decorated very tastefully with different pastel coloured flowers and drapes.

I waited there with my friends and then the moment came for which I seemed to be waiting for very long. I saw her coming towards me and all other people around us seemed to fade as if we were the only two living things here.

She was looking at me and slowly but steadily coming towards me. She kept smiling with a delicate blush adorning her beautiful face.

She came and stood in front of me and I even forget to blink. She looked like a beautiful angel wearing a light coloured lehenga with very heavy jewellery. I came back to earth when all our friends started clapping and whistling. I smiled at the fact that I was miles away.... with just my angel

We exchanged garlands and our families and friends applauded for us. They showered flower petals on us.

My friends came and hugged me and gave some funny or naughty suggestions. My face was getting red like my tomato... Thank God... she did not hear them. I saw Sagar coming towards us and he congratulated and hugged me and then Maurvi and whispered thanks to her. She smiled and said welcome.

I was aware that Maurvi helped Sagar in breaking the ice between him and the love of his life... and then I realised someone else was accompanying Sagar...... Damini.

Oh My God !!!!! Maurvi had also invited Damini? It was so nice to see her after all these years.

She used to be our classmate and was considered one of the best looking girls of our school and Sagar was crazy about her since he saw her for the first time. He was so crazy about her that he used to keep ogling at her for the whole time. She was a new admission in our school and half the boys went crazy after her and only we know how he managed to keep everyone away from her.

She looked even more beautiful now. They looked perfect for each other. All my friends were so happy to see her but didn't ask or say much as we didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

Damini congratulated both of us and hugged Maurvi. Maurvi thanked her for accepting her invitation. Damini smiled at all of us but still was not very friendly around Sagar. But at least she was talking to him now. I smiled at Maurvi, feeling very proud of her.... she had a heart of gold and she was ready to go to any extent to help her friends. She looked at me and smiled back

Our friends kept saying naughty things to us... They even gave me some very naughty wedding gifts and then I realised that how it feels to be on the receiving side of all the teasing and pranks.

After that, we enjoyed the dinner with all our family and friends

We proceeded for saat phera, but before that, the Maurvi's father performed Kanyadan ceremony ( where all the responsibilities of the bride like happiness, financial, physical, and emotional and others given to the groom. Just like giving away the hand of the daughter to her groom. )

We took our Saat Phera around the pious fire with Pandit Ji ( priest) reciting the wedding mantras and we said our seven Vachans ( vows ). Everyone was showering flowers over us. I tied the Mangalsutra around her neck and applied vermilion on her forehead. With this, the pandit Ji pronounced us as man and wife.

She was mine now. I held her hand and we both took blessings of our elders. Once all the rituals were performed, it was time for us to leave. Her parents became very sentimental and hugged Maurvi. My dad assured them that my family and especially I would take very good care of her. They nodded and made her sit in our beautifully decorated car.

We came back to our rented bungalow and a few rituals and traditions were followed

I told everyone that I was just very tired because of the long ceremony so I just wanted to sleep... but mom wanted to play some fun games with me and Maurvi...

" Oh please, mom can't we play those games tomorrow??? "

" No... " Mom said

" Mom, I am tired and want to sleep... Please don't waste my time. " I said that and everyone burst out laughing.

" What??? I want to sleep... " I said

" Hmmm and we all are wasting your precious time. " Sid said and all my friends burst out laughing.

" What is so funny??? Idiots. " I said and they laughed again

" Oh... Sudha don't waste his time... He wants to sleep. Gautam you go and sleep beta... Sudha please do those ceremonies which involve only Maurvi... She can be here while Gautam sleeps... " Dad said to mom and smirked at me.

I looked at Maurvi but could find only an absolutely red coloured tomato looking downwards. All the girls were whispering something which made her blush even more.

So I kept quiet. After some time she was sent to our room. It was a room at the back of the house on the ground floor itself.

My friends started teasing me. Rahul asked me if I wanted to know anything, but I said, "Thanks.. but no thanks " All others laughed.

Then Mehul and Vikram gave me those gifts again and said that these gifts would be very useful to us... And insisted me to use them and then winked. But I had an idea of what that would be... So I accepted them and planned to take them to my room as I could not leave them on the table...

I was walking towards my room and my friends were walking with me, still teasing me.

" Friends thanks a lot for coming to my wedding. I loved it that you could make it. Now you all may leave... " I said to them. But they kept on laughing.

" Aww don't try and act smart Gautam... We are not going anywhere... Tomorrow morning you are going to come with us to show us this beautiful city. " Vikram said

" Are you crazy... I am not going to do any such thing... Don't you dare to disturb us... Or I will beat you. " I said and they all laughed

" Vikram said the same but he had to come... And our dear friend you would have to come too. "

" Get lost...we are not coming anywhere with you. " I retorted

" We will see in the morning... Waise we are not feeling sleepy. Why don't we all just talk... Megha please go and get Maurvi... We will play truth or dare... Gautam... You can sleep if you want.. " Mehul said.

" Go and play whatever you want with your wife.. leave my wife alone.." I said and everyone laughed.

Oh god... I hate my friends... I don't want to kill anyone today as it is one of the best days of my life. But they are trying my patience...

I ignored them, walked towards my room, went inside and locked the door. I took a few deep breaths and turned to look at my tomato. She was looking so pretty. She was standing in the middle of the room. I went to her and stood in front of her.

I could see her being nervous. I took her hands in mine and kissed them. She looked at me through her long eyelashes. I pulled her in my arms.