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And Thus Began Our Journey
We will be 18 soon. Why did we marry on a blistering, mind-numbing summer afternoon in Delhi? I am guessing 'lou' (& a bit of rush).
28th May, 2006—Phoolwari in Pragati Maidan was booked for four hours. We had to get married between 12 and 4 pm. Mama had planned everything for this peak summer afternoon like clockwork. Mom and Mami had slogged for a whole week to ensure a glitch-free afternoon.
3.45 pm—Marriage done. It was time for the Vidaai. I was brimming with joy. Mum, a little teary eyed, hugged me tentatively and said into my ears “If you can’t cry, then at least stop grinning.”
I had said two things back then— 1) why are you crying now that I am finally married, 2) It is almost 4.
In retrospect, I could have been pinched by mum (yes, that is her most violent state) for either of the statements. I hugged a couple of sobbing Mausis and Mami, smiled at my crying mother-in-law (yup she was actually crying the most), lifted my saree and in my brown heel-wali sandal with the new husband in tow sprinted towards the exit.
3.55 pm—I was at the car. The one with the red roses. I turned around and waved good bye. I was going to meet most of them within a week. And, to my eight younger brothers, I said “see you, soon”. I was still grinning ear to ear.
4 pm—I quickly sneaked a peak at mama checking his watch. A relieved man—Mission Accomplished. By the time everyone went back in the hall, the mandap had given way to a DJ console!
5 pm—The shaadi party aka Baraati was at a hotel in Ghaziabad. My in-laws (parents, brothers, uncles and aunt) would all leave by the Gomti Express at night after dinner and Udit and I would take the Shatabdi for Lucknow, the next morning. Ma insisted that I spend the evening in her room with chachi. Aakhir suhaag raat toh raat mein hi hogi!
I imagined they would want to chat with and know this strange creature—the new bahu. Instead, they chose a bed side each and lied down. I was still twiddling my thumb, trying to choose a spot when Udit came in—my knight in shining armour—and swept me away much to the dismay of my in-laws. I was still grinning.
The rose spangled room beckoned us. I was still in my wedding saree—neither of us had any idea how to wear it—and it never crossed my mind that I could wear something else in the evening and on the next day.
The silk saree, mustard with tinge of vermillion, was going to be my costume for the first two days of the rest of my married life. I remember choosing the saree because it had two shades of colours, kabhi lal kabhi peela which meant I didn’t have to change clothes during the four-hour ceremony!
Back to the problem at hand. Keeping the safety pins intact, we took off the saree (just like a dress), made a mental map of what, where and how and placed it carefully on a chair. The jewellery was put in a red velvet box and packed away in the suitcase. I wore the safety-pinned saree for dinner with the family.
29th May, 2006—And again the next morning to board the train. So with zero jewellery, zero make up, brown heel wali sandal and husband in tow I was now headed to Lucknow. I still can’t remember why we took a cycle rickshaw to the station though!
Akeel dada, my father-in-law’s old time driver, in the official ambassador, was at the station to receive us. In my head I was tip-top. I was dressed in a saree. Never mind that it was the same saree, I had worn over 24 hours ago at a beautician’s house in Noida.
Akeel dada pulled up the car on the side not far away from home, looked at both of us and said in his most gentle, concerned avuncular tone—“there are a few people waiting at home. Shouldn’t you wear some jewellery?” The necklace and the earrings were taken out from the boot of the car. I put them on, mechanically. Just as I had put the saree on.
I wasn’t tip-top for the world. But this wasn’t the time for revolt. Choose your battles wisely, they say. I was still grinning.
The journey had just begun.
This was written during the writing workshop during the
writing workshop by & . The prompt was “The Journey”.
Reading you means smiling one smile after the other. 🌺💜 My favourite is the sari scene...reminds me of so many moments..
Yes yes agreeing with Raju there!