Chapter 40 #2
“They don’t deserve it anymore,” Nandani Bhabhi-sa teased.
Rudra Bhaisa stared at her, and I could already sense trouble brewing.
“Open your eyes wide,” Aishwarya Bhabhi-sa said.
I widened them as she applied kohl, followed by Nandani Bhabhi-sa.
“Now we’re going to check on Suman,” she said.
Just hearing her name made my pulse quicken.
“Nervous?” Ranvijay Bhai-sa asked.
“Very,” I admitted.
He sat in front of me.
“Do you know how to make a marriage happy?”
I shook my head.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” he said seriously.
“What?” I asked.
“Guruji checked your charts. The timing of this marriage is very auspicious.”
“I know that,” I said, smiling.
“But,” Rudra Bhai-sa said, placing a hand on my shoulder, “there’s one problem.”
My heart raced at the word ‘problem’.
“What?”
He cleared his throat and said, “Um… I don’t know how to tell you this.”
I looked at Ranvijay Bhai-sa, who wore a sombre expression, and nodded.
“But, Bhai-sa, for the stability of his married life, we’ll have to tell him,”
I clicked my tongue. “Stop beating around the bush and cut to the chase,”
Rudra Bhai-sa sighed.
“Guruji says that for a happy married life, you must wait seven hundred days after marriage before consummation. I’m not saying that we believe this, but he said the right time to do that is after seven hundred days.”
My eyes widened in astonishment.
I laughed nervously. “You’re joking, right?”
He handed me a letter.
I opened it, and it was actually from Guruji.
My smile faded.
“But I’ve already waited so long,” I said helplessly. “Why is this happening to me?”
“It was our duty to inform you.” Ranvijay Bhai-sa said gently. “It’s your choice. But why take a risk? What if it concerns Suman’s health?”
The words hit me like a blow.
Seven hundred days?
I had waited for so long, and then two more years. Ridiculous.
But what if it’s true? What if something happened to her?
No. Never.
I stared at my brothers, hoping that they would laugh and tell me it was all a prank. But neither of them even smiled. I sighed deeply in frustration.
“How am I supposed to look at her and stay away?” I groaned.
They exchanged glances and shook their heads.
“We know it’s cruel,” Rudra Bhai-sa said.
I rose from the couch and faced my reflection in the mirror. After a moment, I nodded to myself.
“I can do it. I’ll stay away,” I said quietly. “I love her.”
Ranvijay Bhai-sa patted my shoulder with a smile.
“That’s what a good husband sounds like.”
Just then, the attendant’s voice interrupted us.
“The priest is asking for Kunwar-sa at the mandap.”
Something twisted in my stomach. I looked at my brothers; both smiled reassuringly and placed their hands on my shoulders.
“Think again, Agastya,” Ranvijay Bhai-sa spoke softly. “You won’t be able to touch her for almost two years, even after marriage. Do you still want her?”
My gaze sharpened as I stepped forward,
“My love isn’t a slave to desire,” I said firmly. “Even if I can’t touch her for two years or my whole life, she is my life.”
He lifted his brows and glanced at Rudra Bhai-sa, who laughed lightly and nodded.
“Let’s see how long you last,” he teased.
I gulped and looked away.
As we walked out of the chamber, King Abhinandan joined us, along with Eklavya and Ashwin. Other male guests followed. Maidens lined the path, showering me with flower petals.
The air was alive with the music of flutes, tablas, and dholaks. I inhaled deeply, searching for my mother.
I found her standing at a corner. Smiling, I walked toward her. She circled her arms over my head, warding off the evil eye.
I bent to touch her feet.
“May God give you all the love you deserve and desire,” she blessed.
Her blessing brought a broad smile to my face.
I touched Daadi-sa’s feet next.
She kissed my forehead gently. “God bless you, my child.”
Together, we walked toward the mandap.
As I climbed the steps, I saw the priest seated before the hawankund. With folded hands, I greeted everyone at once. My sword rested firmly in my hand.
“Pranaam, Panditji,” I said, touching his feet.
He blessed me.
“You may take your place now.”
I sat down, leaving my left side empty for her.
“Pray to your ancestors and the deities,” the priest instructed, “as I light the sacred fire. Invite them with a pure heart.”
Closing my eyes, I joined my palms and prayed, inviting every known and unknown divine presence to bless our union.
The priest lit the fire and placed bowls of ghee60 and hawan saamagri61 before me.
“I will chant the mantras,” he said, “and you will offer the aahutis to cleanse this ceremony of all evil and seek blessings from the four directions.”
I nodded, following his every cue. With each chant, I offered ghee into the fire. As the flames rose higher, the air felt sanctified and divine.
“Call the bride,” the priest announced.
My heart raced. I bit the inside of my cheek as nerves surged, but then when I sensed her presence, a smile bloomed instinctively.
I lifted my gaze and watched a group of women enter, scattering flower petals. As they parted, I saw her.
My chest tightened. Tears welled in my eyes. How far we had come.
I inhaled deeply to contain my emotions.
She looked divine.
Draped in deep red, adorned with gold, her steps were slow as if she was burdened by the weight she carried. A soft chuckle escaped me. Her face was hidden behind the veil. Red and gold bangles hugged the dark henna on her hands.
As she walked closer, I stood up without thinking and made my way down the steps.
My bhabhi-sas laughed as I extended my hand. She hesitated for a moment, then gently placed her hand in mine.
A rush of sensations coursed through me.
I tightened my hold slightly as she climbed the steps. Her skin was warm, slightly damp.
“You look like a goddess,” I whispered, but she said nothing.
With help from the Bhabhi-sas, she sat beside me. As she settled, I noticed her fingers tracing her bangles.
The priest resumed chanting, guiding her through her aahutis.
“With the beginning of the world, our gods established the foundations of a sacred relationship, where two souls unite forever,” he said.
“Our strength does not lie in the body, but in unity. These beings, as one, forge together, devoting their lives to each other and enjoying the riches of life, finally to journey toward heaven side by side.”
I swallowed hard, staring at her veiled face. I could sense her nervousness.
With thousands of eyes upon us, as I gently took her hand, she stiffened, then relaxed.
“It’s okay, love,” I murmured near her ear. “I’m here.”
She nodded faintly.
“Ab var aur vadhu saptapadi ke liye khade ho jaayein,” “The groom and the bride are now requested to stand for the saptapadi62.” the priest instructed.
I stood and reached for her, seeing her struggle with all the weight on her. I held her hand and lifted her gently.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Ji,” she replied; her voice was impossibly sweet.
“For the first four steps, the groom will lead,” the priest announced.
I held her hand and stepped forward. Her palm was sweaty. The fire blazed tall, and I realised she must’ve been scared.
“Suman,” I asked softly, “are you afraid of the fire?”
She didn’t answer, only tightened her grip and stepped closer.
Smiling, I took every step carefully and repeated every word clearly after the priest.
I looked around at the people raining flower petals upon us, showering us with love and blessings.
Finally, it happened. I was becoming hers with every step, and she, mine. Finally, Sumanika and Agastya were getting married.
“Now the bride will lead and take the final three vows,” the priest said.
She stepped ahead, but stumbled slightly.
I steadied her, teasing softly, “Should I carry you?”
“Beyond your capabilities,” she whispered. “Too heavy.”
My jaw clenched as I could sense a challenge hidden beneath those words.
She completed the remaining rounds, repeating each promise. The mandap bloomed with petals. I saw my brothers wiping tears. Rudraja squealed from Rani-maa Abhishree’s arms.
“Now you both may take your seats,” the priest announced. “It’s time for kanyadaan63.”
I saw her parents step forward when she spoke firmly, “I want King Abhinandan and Queen Trisha to do the ritual.”
They stepped ahead.
As I held my hand out, she placed hers on mine.
They poured flowers and milk into our palms. And I promised myself to give her the world.
The priest proceeded with the ritual, reciting the mantras, and once the Kanyadaan was completed, he held out a plate.
“It’s time for Sindoordaan64,” the priest said.
I picked the silver coin from the plate, collected some vermilion over it, and turned toward her.
As my bhabhi-sas lifted her veil, I noticed her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“Maang bhar doon na, Suman? Pareshaan to nahi ho jaaogi humse?” “Shall I fill your partition, Suman? You won’t get tired of me, will you?” I asked gently.
Laughter rippled around us.
“Ho bhi jaayenge to koi baat samasya nahi. Humein pareshaan karne ka to adhikaar hai aapka.” “Even if you do, it’s no problem. After all, you have every right to trouble me.” She replied softly, smiling through tears.
Cheers erupted around us, and flowers were strewn in heavy bunches.
She closed her eyes as I filled the partition of her hair carefully. A little fell on her nose; I redid it twice, smiling at her chuckle.
“You’re mine,” I whispered.
She nodded.
“Vivaah sampann hua. Ab aap badoan ka aashirwaad le lijiye.” “The wedding is complete. You may seek your elders’ blessings.” the priest declared.
I held her hand as we moved the priest first, then moved on to everyone for their blessings.
“Kaakkkaa!” Rudraja squealed.
I lifted her in my hands and kissed her cheek, and her doe eyes fell on my turban.
“Now your Maasi-maa is your Kaaki-sa,” I told her.
“Suuuuuuttttttaaaa!” she squealed, reaching for Suman.
Suman took her effortlessly in her arms. She nuzzled her face on Suman’s shoulder, humming in her own language.
“Suman,” a distant voice called, and we turned to see her parents step forward.
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