Chapter-15
Aaron Malhotra
Three days back I received a call from mom. She informed me about the Wedding day and Venue. I was stressed that this all is happening at a fast pace.
I mean the wedding in a week.
I haven’t saw her yet, it's not like I don’t trust my parents but you know curiosity. Tomorrow I have the meeting and presentation scheduled with the top industry in the USA. I told mom that I can’t come before that. She sadly accepted it. I decided to send Riya yesterday so she can enjoy rituals.
I am doing some last-minute editing in the presentations. I hope this deal gets finalized tomorrow. I don’t know why but whenever I close my eyes, I see a café girl. I used to imagine my girl no-not my girl- Radha but now I don’t imagine her. Instead of her, I see the smiling face of a café girl. Her face filled with happiness brings a smile on my lips unknowingly.
I told mom that I‘d be in Punjab before rituals will begin but now I am stuck here so I will reach India after a day or two. I am going to get a lot of scolding from mom.
Shraddha Kumar
I woke up early and had breakfast with the whole family. I wore a sea-green tree print kurta paired with white churidar. A pair of silver Jhumkas and Kolhapuri flat rounded out my look.
As time is less so it was decided that instead of Roka (Pre-Engagement ceremony), the engagement will take place. I called Shreya to ask them whether they reached properly or not. I talked with her for a few more minutes then Sush Aunty took her cellphone to talk with me. She informed me that her oh-so-busy son will not attend Engagement because still, he is in the USA. I felt disappointed but then shrugged it off. I said to her that it’s ok.
I asked her to send Shreya and Riya here so that I can show them my village. She said yes and also some of my would-be husband's friends will also come with them.
Evening
Shreya entered home with one girl. Behind her two people also entered. She came near me and hugged me tightly saying “I missed you Sister-in-law,"
For this sentence of her, I heard throat clearing from Kary. Shreya looked at him and shyly smiled. I smiled inwardly thinking of both of them. I introduced myself to Riya and others.
“Hi! I’m Shraddha,” I said.
“Hi, Sister-in-law, I’m Riya.” She said smiling at me.
“My elder sister and Bhai’s (brother’s) younger sister.” Shreya chipped in between the sides hugging Riya. She also pulled me in the hug.
“He is Rajeev Agnihotri and he is Ishaan Kapoor. Both are Bhai’s (brother’s) best friends.” Shreya said pointing towards the two guys.
They both congratulated me and wished me a happy married life. Ishaan Bhai (brother) and Rajeev Bhai (brother) are very funny and good-hearted people. I love talking to both of them. They also told me a few incidents of their school life where their whole group formed. They also have two more members in their groups but didn’t tell me more. Listening to their talks I realised that they both are very close to my would-be husband.
We all decided to roam in my village. I showed them the lake and rivers in my village. They all enjoyed the whole time with us. We youngsters as in my cousins, Kary, Divi, Malhotra siblings as well both Bhai (brother) decided to eat on the terrace. We all sat on the floor with our legs folded and enjoyed the whole dinner. The cool breeze of the night was giving me some solace.
After some time Shreya, Riya, Rajeev Bhai (brother) and Ishaan Bhai (brother) went to their farmhouse. We all also settled in our rooms.
Tomorrow evening the engagement is going to take place so we decided that in the morning we will roam Punjab and a few places.
Morning
We all decided to meet at the Amritsar. I opted for a breezy yellow kurta that featured flared sleeves and ruffles. To complete my look, I went with a pair of Kolhapuri flats and silver earrings. Even Divi wore white Patiala suit. She kept the rest of the look simple and minimal by leaving her hair loose and picking nude coloured sandals for footwear.
We took a driver with us so he can return here after dropping us. We 3 as in me, Divi, Kary reach our destination. The driver dropped us and went home. We were taking some selfies and Group selfies.
Shreya came running towards me and stood beside me when I was taking a selfie. I turned towards her and hugged her. Behind her Ishaan Bhai (brother), Rajeev Bhai (brother) and Riya were coming towards us.
I hugged both the brothers. Shreya told me that they adopted Riya but she won't stay with them. She definitely joins the weekend with them. I am so happy that I am going to join this family. I hugged her also.
Her brother sent her early so she can enjoy wedding functions. We all decided to roam Amritsar. Sush aunty told Shreya to inform me that after the wedding we as a newly married couple had to visit the temple. So we all decided that we can skip it for now because we have less time and also we will be visiting there after the wedding. So we first went to the Jallianwala Bagh. We roamed and got to know about the history behind the Bagh.
After that, we went to nearby Dhaba for breakfast. We ate many Punjabi delicacies in the Dhaba. I and Riya also bonded in the meantime.
We went to the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum. It is a lovely building with Royal heritage.
Then we went to the various markets like Hall Bazar (market), Guru Bazar (market) which are very popular in Amritsar for street shopping. We bought various dresses, jewellery, bangles etc. After it, we had some street food for lunch. After that, we went to the ISKCON Temple. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu gods Krishna and Radha.
In the end, we visited Khalsa College. Khalsa College is a 124-year-old college in the city of Amritsar, making it a historic educational institution in India. It has a 300acre campus. Many Bollywood movies shooting took place here.
There were many places which we wanted to visit but due to time constraints, we couldn’t. We bade bye to Malhotra Sisters and both my elder's brothers.
Flashback
Ishaan and Rajeev Bhai (brother) came to visit me. We trio were talking about each other when suddenly Ishaan Bhai (brother) asked me something.
“Shraddha if you don’t mind then can we be your brothers?” He asked nervously. I looked towards Rajeev Bhai (brother). He was also looking nervous. I realised that they both are nervous about my answers.
“No,” I said. They both were shocked and hurt. There was sadness in their eyes.
“No… because you both will be my Elder brothers,” I said smilingly.
They both breathed in relief. Ishaan Bhai (brother) hugged me and kissed my head. Rajeev Bhai (brother) also hugged both of us.
“Now we three will plan pranks against your husband Shraddha.” Ishaan Bhai (brother) said.
Ishaan Bhai (brother) is mischievous, playful whereas Rajeev Bhai (brother) is Calm, and composes.
Shreya came running towards us and took me with her.
Flashback
After reaching home I and Divi slept for some time. In the evening we got ready in our outfits. I chose to wear Manish Malhotra designer lehenga. Its blouse is in red whereas the lehenga is in beige. It has Multy & Sequence work on the lehenga.
Bhabhi (Sister in law) came in and informed us both that Malhotra’s came. Bhabhi placed the dupatta properly.
“You are looking so pretty,” Bhabhi(Sister in law) said, kissing my forehead.
Sister in law and Divi took me down in the living room. I sat on the sofa where Sush aunty came near me and gave my blessing. She began with the rituals. She draped a chunni (stole) over my head which is very ornate. She applied the tikka to my forehead.
Then she gifted me some jewellery which Shreya and Riya helped me to wear. Then Sush aunty kept a small dot of Heena paste (mehndi) on my palm. In the end, she gave me the ring of the engagement which I wore in my left-hand ring finger. After that Mumma gave the ring to me which I gave to Sush aunty to give I would-be husband. Then Mumma- Papa gave Nek, fruits and sweets to the Sush aunty as my would-be was absent *rolling my eyes* Everyone started congratulating me by feeding sweets.
After completing rituals we youngsters were having a photo-shoot. We clicked many pictures in many different poses. We all decided to have dinner in the backyard lawn. We all had very much fun. We retired to the bed. Shreya and Riya told me that their brother will come tomorrow in the early morning. After dinner, I went to my room to sleep. I slept thinking about tomorrow's rituals. I'm very much excited about rituals.
Aaron Malhotra
I reached 2 hours before the scheduled time. I directly came to Punjab. It is 3 a.m. so I went home and slept in my bedroom which is shared by me with my two best friends.
I woke up to the ice water which is planned by my devil sister Shreya and Ishaan. I looked towards both of them to see they were laughing and beside them were standing lovebirds a.k.a. Rajeev-Riya who are staring at each other. I coughed loudly and broke their trance. Mom came with dad behind her. Oh no!!! Dad was giving me a smirk. He does not even love his son.
Flashback
Shreya posted a few pictures of her and Riya in ethnic wear. Still I couldn't get hold of my would be wife's picture. And My both sisters are looking so pretty. Suddenly I remembered that I missed a very important ritual of a wedding that is Engagement.
Oh, Shit!!!!! Mom is going to kill me. I have to leave right now because mom will get angrier if I again miss any of the wedding functions. However, before that I have to ask someone to cool mom otherwise she will explode on me. Whom should I call? Ishaan? He will increase her anger on me. Rajeev? If mom says a few words then he will be on her side.
Oh God! Help me!
Oh, yes! Dad. I am sure he will help his only son.
I called Dad. He picked up the call after three rings.
“Dad, please help me,” I said to him.
"Oh is this Aaron Malhotra? You are going to get a lot of scolding because my wife is very much angry with her Ladla( Dear) Son. I am not going to help you. This will be the payback for your last mischief, which you played on Shreya and me. This time you made her angry. *whistling* one small tip. Save yourself. I can’t help you and as you missed the main important rituals of the wedding no one will help you. So be ready to receive your punishment or it might be punishments…” Dad said to me.
I can imagine his smirking face.
Oh god. Aaron is ready because your main support system is turning his back to you and planning punishments. I said to myself.
I packed my clothes in my luggage and left for the airport.
Flashback ends
Mom came but she didn’t look at me. She talked with my sisters and best friends gave them work but not for a single second she looked at me. She is very angry with me and she is ignoring me. I went near her and hugged her tightly.
“I’m sorry Mom,” I said, making a cute puppy face.
“Please talk to me. Don’t ignore me.” I continued making a sad face thinking she'll forgive me.
"Shekhar, who is this man? I do not know him. Why is he talking to me? Please tell him not to talk to me. I’m not going to listen to any of his words." Mom said to dad.
I showed my puppy eyes to dad for help but he is also not helping me. I asked my sister and my best friends, who all are laughing at my situation.
"Mom please forgive me this time. I’m sorry mom. I was busy with an important project and an upcoming dance show. Please, Mom." I pleaded for her to forgive me.
"Aaru how can you miss your wedding rituals?” She asked in a sad tone.
"Mom next time I won't be late. And I won’t miss it. Please, I’m sorry." I said.
"Hey just for marriage rituals you can't marry the second time," Ishaan said in a teasing tone.
After listening to his words, a smile came on Mom’s face. I showed thumbs up to Ishaan.
"Ok, only this time," she said and twisted my ear.
"Ok Mom," I said and hugged her.
"Aaru, go and sleep for some time and then come for breakfast ok," she said.
After that mom took everyone else out of the room and I drifted to sleep.
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