Chapter-19

Shraddha Kumar Malhotra

 
After taking blessings of all elders we went to wear our footwear. But there was only one pair which was worn by me. He was looking for his footwear. 

I knew that it’s the work of my best friend and my brothers. I looked towards Divya and Kartik to see both are smirking looking towards him. Divya from her behind bought the shoes forward. He smiled at her and removed some thousands of rupees to give her.  

"Here," he said, forwarding money to her. 

She and Kartik looked towards each other and shook their heads in no. 
We all were confused. 

“We want a promise from you." Said Divya. 

“We want you to promise that you will never make our sister cry. You will always keep her happy. She shouldn't be sad. She shouldn't cry remembering us. Give her a lot of love." Said Kartik with teary eyes. 

“I promise you both that I will try my best to keep her happy. I will make sure that she will cry only happy tears..." he promised to both of them.  

Listening to them, tears brimmed in my eyes. I went forward and hugged them tightly.

After that, we moved towards the dining area to have dinner. 

I was in the veil only. His granny said that it is custom. The bride and groom can see each other at night only. Well, Mom-dad doesn’t follow all this strictly but not to hurt Granny's feelings they were accepting it. My friends took me to the dressing room where I will have my dinner with my friends where as Ishaan Bhai took him to his dressing room where he will be having dinner with Ishaan Bhai and Rajeev Bhai. 

After dinner, there were few small rituals pending which took place.
Now was the time of Vidaai (Farewell). It marks the departure of the bride from her parental home. 
I started throwing puffed rice over my head. I did it three times. My mother catches this in her pallu.

After that, my parents gave my hand to him. They requested him to take good care of me and always be there to guide and support me in our future.

He was ready to go home but I was crying hysterically hugging my dad. Tears were not stopping from my eyes.

Papa’s eyes were teary. I moved towards Mumma and hugged her. Kary and Abhi Bhai-Bhabhi came forward and circled me in a hug. 
Divya also cried saying her goodbye to me.

After bidding bye to all, we both moved towards the car in which he came to head towards my new home. 

Abhi Bhai kept a coconut under the front right tyre of the car. We both settled ourselves in the car. My all brothers/cousins started pushing the car from behind.

There was a silence in the car except for my sniffing and bangles sound. He looked at me. I was still in the veil. I was weeping about remembering my family. He passed me a tissue box. I understood his care and took a few tissues from it and wiped my tears. Again the silence took place in the car.

Soon we reached my new home.
Mom was waiting for us with relatives near the door. We went to her. She welcomed us by putting some mustard oil at the corners of the entrance door. She has a glass of water in her hand, which she circles 3 times around me and then offers it to me to drink, as a symbol of my acceptance and blessing as her newest daughter.

A pot filled with rice is kept at the entrance door and I gently kick it with my right toe which spreads the rice on the floor. After that, there was a big plate filled with vermilion water. I kept my both legs in that plate for a moment and then with my right leg I stepped out of it making my red footsteps print on the white sheet which was laid out.

After that, we all moved towards the Mandir. We both prayed to god. 
I prayed to the god to keep everyone happy and help me to fulfil all my duties and responsibilities of my new family.

As we all were tired so Mom said to both of us to rest for the night. Remaining rituals will take place tomorrow. Riya and Shreya took me with them. 

They both took me to His bedroom and helped me to sit on the bed. Then they both teased me and left the room. I heard some sounds from outside of the bedroom. After a few minutes, the door opened. He came and closed the door. 

I was very nervous. I want some time. I’m not ready for any intimacy right now. As we both don’t know each other. I want us to know each other, fall in love with each other. 
He sat in front of me. He lifted the veil from my face. I was looking downwards. He was staring at my face. I blushed to feel his intense gaze. I lifted my eyes and looked in his eyes. We both were just staring at each other.

Looking at him, I was shocked. I felt happiness in my heart. He is Aaron Malhotra. My crush… he is my husband. I still can’t believe it. He became my everything today from this moment. I always used to think that I just had a simple crush on him, but today I realised that it is more than a crush. 
Suddenly he broke our eye lock. He looked in other ways.

“Shraddha, I want to tell you something,” he said.
“Yes, tell me. I’m listening.” I spoke looking at his sparkling eyes.

But why do I feel that his words going to break.

Shut up stupid.

You're imagining things, scolded my brain.

“I……want…… to…… say……” He was stammering. 

I took his hands in my hand and looked into his eyes and said, “Be calm. Take a deep breath.”