SONG:-IKTARA(WAKE UP SID)- KAVITA SETH
On the day of Meet
In the hushed confines of my room, I fidgeted with trembling legs, my heart pounding with nervous anticipation. The room was cloaked in an eerie silence, broken only by the faint hum of an unseen fan.
I could hear my mother's footsteps approaching, each step echoing through the void like a herald of impending doom. "Mumma, you should've knocked," I blurted out, my voice laced with a hint of exasperation. But my mother, ever the epitome of calm, rolled her eyes with nonchalance. With a graceful flourish, she laid a pair of chandbali before me, its intricate filigree shimmering in the dim light. "Here, wear these. They'll complement your outfit," she murmured, her voice soft as a summer breeze.
The Chandbalis
Her Outfit
As she reached out to pat me gently on the head, I couldn't help but wrap my arms around her, seeking solace in her embrace. "Mumma, I'm really nervous," I whispered, my voice barely above a trembling whisper. "What if something goes wrong?" "Nothing will go wrong, my child," she replied, pulling away and gazing down at me with eyes that reflected a lifetime of love and wisdom. "Just remember, if you don't like the man, don't feel pressured. Take your time, get to know him properly, and then make your decision. Okay?" I nodded slowly, my mind still racing with doubts and fears. "Okay," I said, trying to force a smile. "Now get ready. They'll be here in two hours," she said, her voice brisk and efficient. I nodded again, and she turned and left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
With a heavy sigh, I rose from the bed and made my way to the dresser, where my kurti hung, waiting patiently. Beside it lay my makeup kit, its contents promising a transformation from the ordinary to the extraordinary. As I slipped into the sleek suit, I could feel a sense of purpose growing within me. The makeup, deftly applied, served as a mask, hiding my vulnerability and revealing a fierce confidence that belied my inner turmoil.
When I finally emerged from my room, my brother, Karthik, was lounging on one of the couches, engrossed in his phone. His eyes widened in mock surprise as he caught sight of me. "Oh my God!" he exclaimed. "When did a donkey transform into a human?" I gasped and smacked him playfully on the shoulder. He winced and rubbed the spot where I had hit him. "Deserved," my sister-in-law, Mahira, said as she entered the room, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. I stuck out my tongue at my brother and side-hugged her. "You were supposed to be on my side, Mahi," Bhai whined, while Bhabhi and I laughed at his antics. "But seriously, Idika," Mahi said, her voice sincere, "you look gorgeous." I blushed and thanked her, my confidence growing with every word of praise. She giggled and went to join my mother in the kitchen.
I followed her, my stomach rumbling in protest. I reached out to grab a piece of dhokla, but my mother's hand shot out and slapped mine away. "These are not for you," she said firmly. "They're for the guests." I pouted and grabbed an apple instead, slicing it into thin wedges and munching on them to appease my hunger. I'll have the leftover ones once they leave, I thought and continued munching on them.
In the confines of my bedroom, I found myself perched on the edge of my bed, my hands anxiously gnawing at my fingernails. I cast a restless gaze towards my mother, who was engaged in the seemingly futile task of selecting an outfit for me to wear.
Time seemed to drag on at a glacial pace as she meticulously examined each garment in my closet, her indecision palpable. Exasperation bubbled within me. "Maa, how much longer do you need? It's been half an hour!" I exclaimed, my frustration evident in my voice. Her piercing gaze met mine, sending a shiver down my spine. "It's not my fault your wardrobe consists solely of formal attire and casual wear. You lack any semblance of a decent kurta," she retorted, her words laced with a hint of disapproval.
She hurled a shirt towards me, its fabric landing on my face. "I'll buy new clothes, Maa. Just please find me something I can wear right now," I pleaded, my voice laced with desperation.
Reluctantly, she relented, retrieving the most presentable outfit from the depths of my closet and handing it to me. "Get ready quickly. We need to leave now," she commanded. I nodded in acquiescence and swiftly changed into the chosen attire.
His Outfit
As I made my way downstairs, I encountered my younger brother, Aditya, who flashed me a mischievous grin. "Are you joining us?" I inquired, unable to resist a flicker of curiosity. He nodded enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I want to meet my future bhabhi," he proclaimed, his words laced with an infectious cheerfulness. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his antics as we piled into the car, Aditya taking the wheel.
The journey passed in a blur, my mind racing with anticipation. As we approached the destination, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. My mother reached out and placed a comforting hand on my knee. "Relax, Advay beta. You're far too nervous," she whispered. My foot ceased its restless tapping as we made our way towards the house. With trembling hands, I bent down to seek the blessings of the elders, offering my heartfelt wishes and prayers.
"Welcome, please have a seat," Idika's father, Rishi, said after the greetings were over. Advay was trembling with nervousness, he gulped all of the water he was offered. "Can I have some more please?" He asked the maid. The maid nodded and went to get a glass of water.
Advay looked around the living room. It was spacious and well-lit, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The walls were painted in a soft cream color, and the furniture was upholstered in a comfortable beige fabric. A large flat-screen TV hung on the wall and a cozy reading nook was tucked away in one corner of the room.
"I hope it was not difficult to find our house Aman JI," Rishi asked Aman. "No, No Rishi Ji, The maps helped us to get here," Aman said with a smile. Advay couldn't help but notice how friendly and welcoming everyone was. He had never been to someone's house for an arranged marriage meeting before, and he was starting to relax a little.
"Advay beta," Rishi called out, and Advay looked up, responding with a respectful "Hanji, Uncle." "Allow me to introduce you to the family," Rishi said. "This is Idika's brother, Karthik, and beside him is his lovely wife, Mahira. I'm Rishi, Idika's father, and this is my wife, Kritika, her mother." Advay greeted each family member cordially, receiving warm responses in return. As the maid brought Advay another glass of water, which he gratefully accepted
Kritika instructed Mahira, "Mahi bete, go and fetch Idika." With a nod, Mahira eagerly headed upstairs to bring her down.
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Idika was nervously fidgeting with the dupatta of her suit as Mahira entered the room. "Let's go, Idika. Everyone is waiting for you," Mahira said with a reassuring smile. Idika stood up, her nerves palpable, and hugged her Bhabhi tightly. Mahira gently stroked her back, offering a comforting presence.
"Don't feel nervous, Idika. Do not hesitate to ask him anything you may have in mind." Mahira advised kindly as they pulled away. Idika nodded, grateful for the encouragement, and followed Mahira and Sarah out of the room.
As I made my way down the stairs, my heart pounded in my chest, the weight of the moment heavy upon me. I was about to meet a stranger, a man I was expected to marry. The thought filled me with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation.
I found herself in the hearth of the living room, the family I had yet to meet faced away from her. My father beamed a proud smile in my direction, his arms open for an embrace. "Here she is, our daughter, Idika," he exclaimed, his voice warm with love. The family rose in unison. I approached, my hands clasped together in a respectful greeting.
Advay's mother broke away from the group, enveloping me in an unexpected but welcome hug. The gesture startled me momentarily, but I quickly regained my composure, returning the embrace with equal affection. "You are so beautiful, beta," Advay's mother whispered as they parted, her eyes sparkling with admiration. I offered a gentle smile and expressed my gratitude. Advay's father approached, his hand gently patting my head as he too bestowed a warm smile upon her.
I took my seat opposite the family, situated between my parents. My father initiated a conversation with Advay, inquiring about his profession. Advay affirmed that he was indeed a restaurateur, his gaze briefly meeting mine before he quickly shifted it away. Oh, so he's a shy man I thought and chuckled inwardly.
"Idika beta, this is my younger son, Aditya," His father introduced, gesturing towards the man seated beside him. I flashed a cordial smile and uttered a soft "Hey" in greeting. Aditya responded with an enthusiastic grin, waving like an excited child. Cute I thought, "He was quite eager to meet you," His mother remarked teasingly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Aditya pouted playfully, eliciting laughter from everyone present except Advay, who remained seated with his gaze lowered, avoiding eye contact.
Papturned his attention to Advay, posing a question that caught me by surprise. "Advay beta, would you allow my daughter to continue working after marriage?" he inquired. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the nature of the question.
Advay's response was swift and decisive. "Uncle, I am not the one to prevent her from working. She does not require my permission. Idika is an independent woman with the right to make her own decisions. However, if she desires to stay home after marriage, that is entirely her choice. I earn sufficiently to provide for our needs." Advay's words resonated with conviction, his voice firm and unwavering.
My father beamed with satisfaction, his eyes reflecting his approval. "I am delighted to hear you share this view, beta," he stated. Advay appeared flustered, his ears turning a faint shade of crimson at the unexpected praise.
As Advay's mother posed her question about my culinary skills, I nodded knowingly, anticipating this inevitable inquiry. Her playful pout and subsequent remark caught me off guard, however. "It would've been better if you didn't," she teased, her words laced with a hint of jest. Her unexpected revelation was met with shared laughter, though the younger men of the Malhotra family appeared somewhat flustered by the exchange.
"I always dreamed to chill with my daughter-in-law, while these men cooked and cleaned for us," she continued, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she shared her vision of familial bliss. The room filled with mirth as we all chuckled at her whimsical statement, though the underlying sentiment resonated warmly.
Seeking to lighten the mood further, I replied confidently, "No problem, aunty. If we get married, we'll make them work, and then we can chill." A mischievous grin spread across her face at my retort, her eyes twinkling with approval.
Amidst the banter, Karthik Bhai interjected, his voice breaking the jovial atmosphere with a note of seriousness. "We should let them speak to each other alone for some time," he suggested, subtly hinting at the need for privacy and space for Advay and me. The rest of the family nodded in agreement, and with a shared understanding, Advay and I rose from our seats, ready to retreat to the relative seclusion of my room upstairs.
With a polite smile, I gestured for Advay to follow, leading the way up the staircase.
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2131 WORDS
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THEY FINALLY MET!!
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Goodbye for now, but stay tuned for the next chapter
Your Author, Paavni~