Forever Yours

Chapter Eight

Sidharth had grown up in an all-ladies household for more than half his life. He had spent more time listening to fairy tales than he had, playing with race cars or helicopters. He had an unrealistic standard in ladies, fairy-tales and their more than exaggerating description of a girl’s physical beauty did that to you. He was quick however, to realise that physical and external beauty wasn’t all there was to a woman but for a little part of him that was still ten years old, he prayed for a princess all his life. A girl who would enter the room and turn heads, left right and center with her enthralling beauty, enchanting smile and beautiful eyes.  

Shehnaaz.  

It seemed to him that she had entered his life as an answer to all those prayers. All those childish innocent wishes that he had written down in an old, abandoned piece diary when he was twelve and his sister had told him the story of Snow White or The Sleeping Beauty.  

She looked so beautiful, dressed in a peach-colored Lehenga saree donning the bare minimum of make-up, her hair styled into a messy bun, and supporting simple jewellery. Sidharth was staring at her awestruck, not blinking, not breathing. The time seemed to have stopped as she was led into the orphanage hall accompanied by little girls dressed in cute gowns and lehenga cholis.  

Jay shook him out of his day-dreaming state and smiled knowingly. “Beautiful?” 

“That word doesn’t cover it.” He responded truthfully. 

Digwijay Sharma, the orphanage manager, intercepted the kids just before they reached near Sidharth and pulled Shehnaaz into a tight hug.  

“I am not your father but you’ve never treated me any less. You have considered this place your home and if I’m being honest you’ve turned this place into home for all of us. You are starting a new life from today, becoming a part of a family so loving and welcoming. God bless you my little girl. May all of your dreams come true, may you get happiness beyond anything that you have ever dreamed of. Tu kya deserve karti hai, tu khud nahi jaanti, par tujhe woh sab mile. Itna pyaar mile, itna dulaar ki tu bhool jaaye ki kabhi tu akeli thi. Itni khushiyaan milein tujhe, kay gham ki parchaayi tak tere ird-gird na bhatak sake. Khush reh banno!” He showered her with blessings which Shehnaaz accepted with tearful eyes and a watery smile.  

“Thank you Manager Uncle.” She said through a full throat as a tear slipped out of her eyes.  

Digwijay uncle wiped her tears, “Rote thodi hai, pagli. Aaj toh nayi zindagi shuru ho rahi hai teri. Khushiyan shuru ho rahi hai. Smile lar.” 

Shehnaaz nodded. Digvijay uncle held her hand and made her stand next to Sidharth, keeping her hand on his. Sidharth smiled and covered her tiny hand completely with his huge one, as if assuring the older man that he would never let any harm reach his daughter.  

Once Digwijay uncle had returned to his place, beside Sidharth’s mother, Sidharth looked at Shehnaaz.  

"You look amazing." Sidharth said softly.  

"You too."  

Jay and Maahi took their respective positions beside the groom and the bride respectively and made them sit on a low altar. 

A short hawan was conducted for the wellbeing of the to-be bride and groom, to ward any negativity and evil-eyes off them.  

A veneration was performed with Sidharth before Shehnaaz had arrived, where Digwijay uncle had presented him a variety of gifts, fruits and jewellery as a shagun to welcome him into the family of the bride as her husband. Now, the same process was repeated with Shehnaaz wherein Sidharth's mother and sisters made her wear a heavily embroidered dupatta and presented her with all kinds of cosmetics (shringaar), jewellery and gifts welcoming her to be a permanent part of their family.