Always and Forever
Part - 46: Beginning of Everything

The morning light filtered through the curtains, lighting up the room, and the brand new furniture… The teal looked a bit brighter, the dark wood shinier, the borders of photo frames glittered, and the glass flower vase seemed to radiate light. Sameer sat on the mattress on the floor, holding a pillow to his chest, his eyes focused on nowhere in the distance. He was lost… lost in the thoughts of all the years of his relationship with Naina. Each of their special moments flashed in-front of his eyes, and there were too many because every moment with Naina was special.

Today finally they would be engaged… It was truly a dream come true; his family was there, her family was there, and everyone was happy. He had never thought he would find a home, a family, a life where there would be so much love… In his teenage he had prepared himself to stay alone forever. Ahmedabad had just been an escape for him… escape from the bounds of Nainital, from his step-father’s atrocity, from his mother’s expectations. But he had no idea this place would become everything for him. He blessed the day he had been suspended from the Nainital school, and keeping in line with the spirit he had even sent invitation to his two supposed friends in Nainital. Maybe he shouldn’t have done that… But he just wanted to tell them that he had stopped feeling bad about their lack of support a long time back. He still didn’t know if they would come or not.

He remembered the college days when Naina was bit more vocal about her love, her wishes and her demands. In school she would always be shy, refrain from asking anything, she would even feel embarrassed of talking in-front of others. But a lot of things had slowly changed in college. It was also because of the fact that she understood how lonely he was without Nanu. That had made her shed a lot of barriers and she had this inherent need to take care of him. And she usually just listened whenever he talked about wedding, but sometimes… just sometimes she would state some demands. Today he was going to fulfil one of her demands, or rather a wish which she didn’t know he had heard.

Suddenly the door opened, and Rohan entered, “bhai… Kya kar rahe ho? Neeche kabse mummy awaaz laga rahi hai.”

Sameer smiled, “sapne dekh raha hun.”

Rohan plopped beside him, “khuli aankhon se?”

“Kya karu”, Sameer sighed, “neend hi nahi aa rahi ab. Aisa lag raha hai seedhe shaadi ke baad hi sounga.”

Rohan chuckled, “shaadi ke baad sone wale ho toh shaadi kyun kar rahe ho?”

Sameer threw a surprised look at his brother, and then laughed, “ruko zara tum…” And he lifted the pillow to hit him, but then paused, “nahi… isse nahi.”

“Haan bhai… bhabhi hai yeh toh”, Rohan teased, chortling with mirth.

Sameer gently kept aside the Naina pillow, and then grabbed Rohan, pushing him face down on the mattress, and sat on his legs, tickling him on the sides. Rohan laughed helplessly, “bhai… please… gudgudi nahi.”

The door opened once again, and Vishakha entered along with Deepika. The teenage girl giggled, “yay… main bhi karungi.” She also sat down on the mattress and started tickling Rohan, who tried to flip and retaliate. Vishakha stood amused at the door, watching her children roll on the mattress, and had a sudden thought that if Naina had been there with her admiring the scene then it would have been perfect.

As the three siblings panted for breath, Vishakha instructed, “chalo ab… bahot ho gaya. Sab log naha lo… Ganeshji ki puja karna hai, khana khana hai, phir Sameer ko taiyar hona hai.”

They stood up, and Sameer immediately started to arrange the mattress and pillows. He looked around the room, and adjusted the vase a little bit, straightened the new photo frames on the wall, and a few other things. Vishakha watched amused, and asked, “Sameer… kya kar rahe ho?”

“Sab theek kar raha hun Mummy”, he replied earnestly, “Naina aayegi iss kamre me toh sab bilkul perfect hona chahiye na.”

She laughed, “sab kuch theek hai yahan pe… Baki Naina khud kar legi.”

“Aur jo theek nahi hai woh hum theek kar denge”, said two voices in unison from the door, and everyone turned to see Munna and Pandit standing on the threshold of the room with broad grins.

Sameer was surprised, “tum dono itni subah subah yahan kya kar rahe ho?”

Pandit clapped his hands, “aree bhai… bhabhi ke behen ke shaadi me hum teeno ne itne tambu gaade the, toh ab iss shaadi me toh hum dono yahin dera jamaye bethenge..”

Munna nodded, “ek pal ko bhi tujhe akela nahi chodenge… naa sagai me, naa mehndi me, naa sangeet me, naa shaadi me…”

“Aur naa hi suhaagraat me”, Pandit added with gusto.

Vishakha’s eyes widened, and she folded her arms. Sameer tried to hush his friends, “chup karo… kya bole jaa rahe ho…”

Munna and Pandit shuffled their feet, and Vishakha laughed, “main neeche jaa rahi hun. Tum log sambhalo apne dost ko. Aur jaldi se neeche le aana isko.”

As soon as Vishakha, Rohan and Deepika left, Munna and Pandit jumped on Sameer, singing “aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai.”

Sameer laughed, “jabse roka hua hai tabse yahi gaana gaa rahe ho… Kuch aur nahi sujhta?”

Munna and Pandit looked at each other, and then started singing, “rukmani… rukmani… shaadi ke baad kya kya hoga…”

“Abey saalo”, Sameer muttered, dashing after them to hit them, but they kept singing continuously. His face flushed at the teasing, and he quickly escaped into the bathroom. Closing the door, he leaned against it, his face split in a grin as he could still hear his friends, and he knew he was blushing. But what else could he do… It seemed as if everyone knew of his desperation and they were keen to announce it to the whole world. He might not have been so obvious to his friends if he had only progressed to the stage of kissing with Naina. But then she had totally turned the game on him by being so bold and sensuous… something he had never anticipated of his shy nervous girlfriend. As he took shower he couldn’t help but wonder in just a couple of nights how many marks he would have on his body from her sharp little teeth and those long nails.

On the other side Naina was also inside the bathroom, for her second round of bath since morning, because naturally her family had made her apply ubtan. As she scrubbed off the layers of haldi-chandan with rose infused water, she couldn’t help but think if all this would make any visible difference. She wasn’t going to turn fairer suddenly or look like a Bollywood heroine. The way Sameer wanted her was so basic and so natural that she didn’t think he would care if she had applied ubtan or not. And she was not naïve anymore… She knew all these preparations were not for the marriage ceremony per se, but for the first night. Naturally her family cannot tell her the real reason, but she completely understood it now. She finished bathing and then wiped herself gently; looking down at herself she wondered how it would be… He had waited for so long… So would he take it slow? Or now that he knew that she understood everything he would be impatient? He had already seen some of her… would he want to look? Or would it be in darkness like the movies? The anticipation and the wait were almost intolerable. There wasn’t much time now… just a couple of nights… but still it seemed too long. Well… at least she would be able to meet him this evening.

As she dressed in a maroon salwar-kameez she reminisced the demand she had made from him. Had it been too much? How would he even fulfill it? Plus it was also risky. Maybe she should tell him that he need not do it… But oh how she wanted it… It wasn’t just about his right on her… She wanted to have the same right on him. As the days to wedding came nearer, she had started to feel a strange sense of possessiveness for him. Her need to see him, touch him, feel him seemed to be heightened. That night, during her supposed bachelorette, when he had held her in his arms in-front of everyone almost for the whole duration, not once had she thought of objecting. It was natural… It was something they both wanted. She suddenly chuckled at the thought that after their wedding Taiji was sure to get a heart attack if Sameer stuck to her like that all the time. The thought made her grin impishly, and she almost looked forward to such reactions.

Ganesh puja was done at both the home, and then there was lunch. While Sameer stuffed himself with the puri-bhaji; Naina didn’t feel like eating much because something kept fluttering in her belly. When she told this to Preeti and Swati, few women overheard and teased her, saying it was the anticipations of a new bride. And then started the advices on how she could keep her husband happy. Naina heard them, amused, and tried to relate the statements with Sameer.

Pati ke dil ka raasta pet se hoke guzarta hai.

Naina smiled as she thought that her Sameer was really a total bhukkad but his love was not based on that. However, this tip could come handy if sometimes he was angry on her for some reason… Some good aloo dishes could surely melt him in no time.

Hamesha saj-savar ke rehna… Nayi dulhan shringaar me hi achchi lagti hai.

This time she recalled how Sameer loved it whenever she dressed up. He loved when she wore bangles, bindi, kajal… And he felt very happy when he knew all those preparations were for him. Hmmm… maybe this could also be a way sometimes to calm him or maybe… to entice him.

Sasural walo ke saamne ghunghat me rehna, aur pati ke saamne nazre jhukaaye rehna.

She almost felt like giggling at this… Maa was probably the most understanding mother-in-law in this world. She knew she would have to keep on pallu for the initial rituals after wedding, but after that she didn’t think it would ever be a compulsion. And as for keeping her gaze down in-front of Sameer… if she did that how would she get lost in his wonderfully deep eyes. Nope… never happening…

Pati ki baate manna patni ka sabse pehla dharm hota hai. Woh jo bole, jaisa bole, tumhe karna hoga. Kabhi naa nahi bolna.

Well… she already listened to Sameer all the time. Umm… maybe not. She thought of all the times she had tiffs with him in college because of some difference in opinion. But wasn’t it okay? She was an individual with her own thought process… And didn’t Sameer also value her opinions? Would it change after wedding? Why couldn’t she say no?

Pati ko hamesha khush rakhna hoga tumhe… Unki zarooraton ka dhyan rakhna… Idhar bhi naa mat bolna.

Some color tinged her cheeks at this… Oh yes! Her Sameer had lots of zarooratein. The hints he had given of his fantasies flashed in her mind, and she thought that it would take a lot of time to fulfill all of them. As for saying no… Well… Until now she didn’t feel like saying no and plus her need for him was also so strong that she felt that maybe sometimes he would have to say no.

Din me zara dur rehna pati se… Warna sasural wale galat sochenge tumhare baare me. Kuch rishte sirf bandh kamro ke liye hote hai.

She recalled Sameer pulling her to him every now and then, hugging her in-front of other, his promises of romancing her in-front of family. And she chuckled… She knew it was this was never going to happen. Even if she tried to maintain some distance from him, he would be there… sliding his hand around her waist and pulling her to him possessively.

Preeti and Swati were also amused at all these advices and wondered if they would also to hear to all of this. Suddenly a woman said, “aur tum dono ladkiya bhi yeh sab baato pe gaanth baandhlo. Tumhari shaadi bhi jaldi hi hogi, aur tumhe bhi inn sab baato ka dhyan rakhna padega.” Both the girls blushed. Just then Bela entered the house, “Naina… tujhe khana nahi khana? Aur Preeti, Swati tum dono bhi khalo.”

“Chachiji mera man nahi hai”, Naina replied, “inn dono ko le jao. Main kamre me araam kar leti hun thoda.”

Bela clucked her tongue, “beta khayegi nahi toh tabiyat bigad jayegi.”

“Haan haan”, a woman teased, “aur phir kamzori aa jayegi toh hamare damadji ko khush kaise karegi.”

Naina gaped at the lady, and a few other women giggled. Bela shook her head, thinking that the teasing was too much. How would Naina understand any of this? Her sweet simple daughter never understood anything apart from her books. Damadji would surely have an extremely tough time with Naina, but she was relieved because Sameer loved Naina so much that he would surely be ready to wait a bit… Hopefully… and if not, then surely Naina loved him so much that she would give him what he needed even if she didn’t understand everything. As she was about to convince Naina to eat, Arjun stepped in with a dish of food, and said, “rehne dijiye Chachiji… Aap sab log khane jaiye, main Naina ke saath bethta hun, aur use khila bhi dunga.”

Bela agreed, and the women left for lunch. Naina smiled at her brother, and gestured him to sit. He sat beside her, and showed the dish, “khana…”

She scrunched her nose, “sach me bhuk nahi hai.”

“Khushi me toh bhuk nahi khoti”, Arjun suggested, “toh phir tujhe kya hua. Darr lag raha hai?”

She chuckled, “nahi bhaiya… darr bilkul nahi hai. Bas abhi thodi der pehle hi prasad ka halwa khaya na, shayad isiliye.”

He kept the dish aside, “achcha chal… toh phir thodi der baate karte hai. Jab se aaya hun tujhse baat hi nahi hui hai.”

She glanced at her brother wondering if she should voice her thoughts, or refrain from saying anything. Finally, with a sigh, she decided to ask, “aap hi toh dur-dur rehte hai. Naa mujhse baat karte hai, naa Sameer se mile. Aisa lagta hai jaise aap iss shaadi se khush nahi ho. Kya yeh sach hai?”

He looked surprised, “bilkul bhi nahi… main bahot khush hun tere liye. Mujhse zyada aur kaun samjhega ke tu aur Sameer ek dusre se kitna pyaar karte ho. Sameer ne itne saal tujhe jo pyaar aur khushi di hi woh iss parivaar toh kya, iss duniya me koi aur nahi de sakta.”

She queried, “itna samajhte hai toh aap Sameer se baat kyun nahi karte?”

“Karta hun”, he immediately replied, “Mt. Abu trip ke waqt jab usko zaroorat thi tab baate ki thi na. Woh jab bhi call karta hai, main baat karta hun.”

She scoffed, “aupchaarikta karne ko rishta nibhana nahi bolte bhaiya.”

“Rishta rakhne layak kaam bhi nahi kiya hai maine”, he countered.

She placed her hand on her brother’s arm, “bhaiya… kab tak beeti baato ke liye khudko sazaa doge? Sameer ko wakai me yeh sab kuch yaad nahi hai, aur naa hi uske dil me aapke khilaaf kuch shikayat hai.”

He sighed, “par main kaise bhul jau ke ek din aisa bhi tha jab mere sar pe itna junoon sawaar tha ke main uski saanse rokne chala tha… Jin haatho se apne behen ki zindagi sawarni chahiye thi mujhe, unhi haatho se uske pyaar ka gala ghotne nikla tha.”

“Maar thodi na daalte aap use”, she argued exasperated, “galtiya hum sabse hui hai… Aapse, mujhse, Sameer se… Hum sab insaan hai… Aapne kabhi yeh socha hai ke agar main aur Sameer apni ki gai puraani galtiyo ke saaye me jeete rehte toh kya hota? Aaj hamari shaadi nahi ho rahi hoti… Rishte banane ke liye kabhi samjhaute karne padte hai, kabhi kadvi yaade bhulani padti hai, aur kabhi kabhi khudko maaf karna padta hai. Sameer se sach chupane ke liye maine khudko maaf kiya hai, mere dil pe shart lagane ke liye Sameer ne khud ko maaf kiya… Toh aap kyun ek puraane jhagde ke liye khudko maaf nahi kar sakte?”

Arjun closed his eyes as if in torment, “kyunki agar maine paper nahi churaye hote toh naa tujhe sach chupane ki zaroorat padti aur naa hi Sameer tere dil aur pyaar pe shart lagata.”

Naina smiled, “zindagi me jo bhi hota hai kisi na kisi wajah se hota hai. Sameer hamesha pyaar se dur bhagta tha kyunki use pyaar pe yaqeen nahi tha. Agar usko main thodi si pasand bhi hoti toh bhi woh kabhi mujhe nahi batata… Par aapne paper churaye, jiska ilzaam Sameer pe laga meri wajah se, aur usne shart lagai… Aur shart bhi kaisi… Pyaar ki… Sameer ne mujhe bataya tha ke use bahot baad me samajh me aaya ke pyaar se dur bhaagne wala insaan pyaar ki shart kyun laga raha tha… Uska kehna hai ke uss waqt bhi main uski zindagi me bahot maaine rakhti thi. Aap khud ko dosh de rahe hai na…? Toh ab yeh sochiye agar woh shart nahi hoti toh mera aur Sameer ka pyaar bhi nahi hota.”

He looked at her surprised, trying to comprehend what she was saying. Naina patted his hand and continued, “uss waqt jo bhi hua, jaise bhi hua, usse naa mujhe shikayat hai, aur naa Sameer ko… Kyunki jo hua usi wajah se hum saath hai. Aapko agar beeti baato ke baare me sochna hi hai toh yeh sochiye ke aapne jo kiya uske wajah se Sameer ke zindagi me main aai aur meri zindagi me itni saari khushiya. Yeh toh jashan manane ki baat hai na… Dukhi hone ki nahi.”

“Par… aise kaise…”, he stammered trying to make sense of this alternate scenario which he had never thought of.

She interrupted, “bhaiya… aapko pata hai Sameer ko kya chahiye? Use mera pyaar aur ek parivaar chahiye. Jo uske paas bachpan me nahi tha. Ab uske saale sahab ke bina yeh parivaar adhura reh jayega. Agar aap prayaschit karna hi chahte hai toh Sameer ko jo taklif di hai, uske badle use khushi dijiye… Uski khushi isme nahi hai ke aap khudko dosh dete rahe. Uski khushi uske parivaar me hai, jisme aap bhi shaamil hai. Sochiye zara iss baat ko…”

Arjun smiled, “sochunga… par filhaal toh tu khana kha le.”

Naina grinned and nodded, “par mere bhaiya apne haatho se khilayenge, bilkul jaise school me khilaate the, toh hi khaungi.”

The wide smile never left his face as he picked up the dish and fed his sister just like old times, and they chatted of old memories, which included even his and Sameer’s fight, but somehow he could laugh on that now. As the food finished, and a few women started to enter the house again, Arjun stood up to leave. But before he could take a step, Naina held his wrist, “bhaiya… aaj Sameer ko paraya mat banana.” Arjun smiled at her sister, and patted her head, wondering if it was really possible to get rid of this guilt. He had never thought so, but today after talking to Naina, it seemed there was some hope in the air.

Naina took some rest, while at the other end Sameer was busy in preparations of the evening surprise. The parlor ladies arrived at 4pm, and asked Naina to freshen up and change. The blue lehenga sat perfectly on her body, the embroidery on the blouse highlighting her curves and the scooped neckline. One of the ladies helped her tie the dori at back, and she smiled remembering how Sameer had said it was his fantasy to undo the knot of her dori. The makeup was kept light, mostly natural, and her hair was open with strands twisted on side with pearly pins. The jewelry chosen for the occasion was also a delicate one, but the earrings were long, and they framed her face to give a sophisticated look. The look was finished with bangles and payal, and the dupatta was tucked in cross, leaving several pleats open on one side. After she was ready, Preeti and Swati were allowed to enter the room, and they immediately gasped at how pretty she looked.

Swati even teased, “aaye haaye… aaj pata nahi jijaji ko kaun rokega.”

Preeti immediately countered, “tu rehne de… mere jijaji hi itne handsome dikhenge ke Naina khud ko rok nahi paayegi.”

Naina pulled Preeti’s ear, “jijaji ki chamchi… ek din jijaji ko chodke apne behen ki tareef nahi hoti.”

Preeti giggled, escaping from her hold, “kyun? Jalan ho rahi hai tere alawa tere Sameer ki tareef koi aur kar raha hai toh?”

Naina looked surprised for a moment, and then blushed making the other girls giggle. She turned to look into the mirror once more, and adjusted her bindi even though it was not needed. She was getting married! Just that thought was unleashing hordes of butterflies inside her stomach… every single time. She was nervous, she was happy, she was excited, and she was yearning to see him… Oh God… She was so eager to meet him that she felt as if she would fling her arms around him and kiss him as soon as she saw him. She rubbed her belly, trying to calm down the butterflies… Oh when would he be here?

As if in answer to her thoughts, suddenly horns beeped and several people started to talk simultaneously. But Naina didn’t need all that to know that her Sameer had arrived, her thumping heart told her that clearly. She lifted her lehenga a bit, and started to rush out, but suddenly she was caught by Preeti and Swati.

She struggled to free herself, “chod na mujhe… Sameer aaya hai.”

“Pata hai hume”, Swati said, “aane de jijaji ko… Tu yahi ruk.”

“Nahi… mujhe use dekhna hai”, Naina declared, struggling harder.

Preeti panted as she tried to keep her wiggling sister in control, “Naina ruk jaa… abhi aise nahi. Jijaji ko bhi thoda tadapne de.”

Naina stopped at that, and turned to look at her sister, “matlab?”

Preeti smiled, “matlab yeh behna… Jijaji bhi neeche se gardan unchi karke tujhe dhund rahe honge. Itni asaani se haath mat lag… Thoda intezaar karne de unhe. Yaad hai na tujhe… Jijaji hi kehte the, pyaar me jitni tadap hoti hai utna hi zyada mazaa hota hai.”

Naina bit her lip, smiling, recalling their moments from Pooja didi’s wedding. Yes, he had said that. And he had made her wait for one whole day before accepting her apology, even after she had done so many things to appease him. Maybe Preeti was right… This was the right time to make him wait. After all, post wedding it was usually always the wife who has to keep waiting for her husband. So maybe today he could wait for her.

Downstairs, just as the girls had predicted, Sameer was standing near the open car door and staring upwards trying to get a glimpse of Naina. He was in a strange mood since morning… Sometime smiling, sometimes tensed, sometimes fretting that he had forgotten something, and sometimes in a complete day-dreaming mode. His fantasy had escalated to another level today when he had taken a short nap in afternoon, and somehow his overactive imagination had landed him in his honeymoon. A spacious room, big bed, sheer white curtains, white bedsheet, him sprawled on it in his tracks, and Naina walking up to him dressed in a pink night gown… Her open hair flying in the non-existent wind, the fire in some hearth glowing orange, and her soft dainty hands opening the robe of the gown and throwing it in the air before she climbed on the bed and on him… Oh dear God… Not to mention he had woken up covered in sweat and painfully hard. He didn’t know the destination or even some place like that existed, but he deduced it could only be honeymoon since Naina had refused to buy white bedsheets for their own bed. And on top of that he had also remembered that he had hadn’t bought a pink night gown… just that one purple gown and even that he hadn’t dared to give to Naina. He sighed, thinking that he would have to go shopping before honeymoon trip for sure. But for now he just wanted to see her… Where was she?

He kept looking at the balcony, at the window but she was nowhere to be seen. How could she not come out to see him? She always did. Wasn’t she wondering how he looked? A small frown curved his lips, but Munna patted his back, “aree yaar udaas mat ho… upar dusri ladkiyo ne bhabhi ko pakad rakha hoga. Bahar nahi aane denge.”

Sameer frowned, “aisa kyun?”

Rohan replied, “bhai woh hota hai na… rasam ke pehle nahi dekhneka aur yeh sab…”

“haan yaar”, Pandit added, “bhabhi toh tadap rahi hogi tujhe dekhne ke liye par teri saaaliya hi unko rok ke rakhegi.”

Sameer thought about it, and smirked, “koi baat nahi… mujhe pata hai Naina kaise aayegi… Ek signal hai jo use hamesha khinch layega, chahe koi kitna bhi roke.”

Rohan frowned, “kaisa signal?”

Sameer winked, and leaned down to whisper something in Deepika’s ears, who grinned up at her brother and then went back inside the car. Two loud honks sounded in the air, and in a matter of seconds Naina was at the window, albeit hidden partially by the curtain. He could only see a glimpse of her face, and he could gauge that someone was trying to pull her away, but she stood there adamantly. He smiled, inconspicuously waving at her, she hesitantly waved back. In the next second she was gone from the window.

Vishakha came near the car, “aree Deepika… yeh horn kyun baja rahi ho?”

“Aisai mummy”, Deepika smiled impishly, “bas signal check kar rahi thi.”

Vishakha didn’t understand what her daughter said, but before she could ask everyone from Naina’s family came to welcome them.

Upstairs in the room, Preeti slapped her forehead, “hey bahgwaan… ek pal ke liye nazar hatao aur yeh pahonch gai Sameer ko dekhne.”

Swati rebuked, “haan… kya zaroorat thi tujhe khidki pe jaane ki? Bola tha na intezaar karne de.”

Naina sat down on the bed, her vision still filled with how handsome Sameer looked in that indigo blue kurta. She smiled, “kya karti… Sameer ka woh signal hi aisa hota hai ke main hamesha uske saamne pahonch jaati hun. Jo itne saalo se kiya hai woh aaj kaise nahi karti.”

“Inka kuch nahi ho sakta”, Preeti huffed, “Naina ko Sameer se dur rakhne ki koshish karna jaise surajmukhi ko suraj ki taraf mudne na dena.”

“Aur Sameer ko Naina se dur rakhna jaise suraj se uski roshni cheen ne ki koshish karna”, Swati commented sitting next to Naina.

Preeti giggled, “bilkul namumkin… kudrat ke khilaf…”

Naina blushed, lowering her gaze, her heart beating in a heavy rhythm as she waited for the time when she could go downstairs and meet him properly.

Downstairs in the mandap, Sameer’s family and relatives were finally seated; a few men were doing rounds with trays carrying glasses of cold sharbat. Mamaji looked around the small space and commented, “bapa sitaram… idhar sagai karne ki kya zaroorat thi… Koi hall book nahi kar sakte the.”

Mamiji wrinkled her nose, “hamare Mumbai me toh badhiya bada wala hall book karte hai ladki wale.”

Dadi tucked her hair behind her ear and smirked, “kya kar sakte hai ab… bechare gareeb gharana hai ladkiwalo ka… toh pasand kahan se unche logo jaisi hogi.”

Taiji overheard the discussion and swelled in anger, “oh bai! Yeh dekho… ladke wale toh abhi se hi taane de rahe hai.”

“Bhagwaan jhooth na bulaye bhabhiji”, Bela pacified, “aap gusse pe kabu rakhiye. Ladkewale hai toh thodi kamiya nikaalenge hi. Aur jagah bhi sach me choti hai.”

Taiji adjusted her pallu, “neva! Toh hum toh hall karva rahe the na… Woh toh bholuram aur Naina ko yahi se shaadi karni thi. Ab bachcho ki shaadi me unke man ka toh karenge hi na.”

Bela had a small smile on her face, “waise bhabhiji… aap yun toh Naina ki buraai karte rehte hai par aaj ladke walo ne shaadi ki taiyari ki thodi buraai kya kardi aapko khatakne laga.”

Taiji gasped, but before she could argue back Bela had left. She kept grumbling for some time until she saw Phulla Bua arriving and quickly disappeared.

Sameer sat on the wooden chowki in the mandap, waiting for the tilak rituals to begin. His friends and brother were chattering behind him, and he kept trying to look towards the house hoping to see Naina as soon as she stepped out. Just then a glass of sharbat was held in-front of him, and he looked up to thank the person, and started smiling, “Arjun…”

“Hi Sameer”, Arjun smiled back.

Keeping the glass down, Sameer immediately stood up and hugged him. Arjun was a bit surprised but returned the hug, recalling Naina’s words about Sameer’s happiness. Pulling back, Sameer asked, “kaise ho tum? Ahmedabad aake milne bhi nahi aaye.”

Arjun shrugged, trying to be nonchalant, “shaadi ki taiyario me thoda fas gaya tha.”

“Koi baat nahi”, Sameer replied, “ab toh milte rahenge… haina?”

Arjun nodded, “haan… bilkul… tum betho, rasam ka waqt ho gaya hai. Aur kuch chahiye?”

Sameer grinned mischievously and lowered his voice as he said, “haan… tumhari behen. Aur aaj toh tum kuch kar bhi nahi sakte.”

Arjun couldn’t help but laugh aloud at this, “khud le aaunga use tumhare paas… aur kuch utla-seedha kiya toh phirse taang tod dena meri.”

“Idea achcha hai”, Sameer replied exuberantly and both the boys chuckled. Someone from the guests commented that jija-saala duo seemed to have a good bonding, but none of them knew how long and how much effort it had taken for this bond to develop.

Finally it was time to bring Naina, and Sameer’s breath shuddered out of his mouth even before he saw her. The voices in the surroundings seemed to slowly fade, the lights seemed to focus only at the point from where he knew Naina would arrive, and his senses seemed to heighten. He didn’t know if she was wearing any fragrance yet he felt as if he could smell her essence in the air… He had no idea if she was wearing bangles or anklets, yet he felt as if he could hear the clinking sounds that tripped his heartbeats… And then finally she appeared in-front of him as if stepping out of a cover of clouds… It was magical… He stopped breathing. His eyes slowly moved over her face, down her body and finally focused on her feet that were taking small steps, one at a time, to reach him. His life, his world, his everything was walking towards him…

Naina had taken one look at Sameer and then glanced down conscious of all the people around them, but that one glance was enough for her to register the impact she had had on him. It made her feel happy that he was so lost in her that his gaze wasn’t wavering at all. She felt as if she could feel his laser sharp gaze on her face and every part of her body. Her heart kept jumping inside her ribcage, and she had to remind herself to walk slowly. It was difficult… so difficult to not run up to him and hug him. As she climbed up the three short steps to the mandap, and stood beside him, her body shivered. He wasn’t touching her at all, yet the intimacy in that moment was too strong because she could feel his every sense focused on her. Drawing in a deep breath she looked up at him, and found him staring fixedly at her feet. She whispered almost inaudibly, “Sameer…”

He looked up at her face and her soft gaze collided with his dark glittering ones, and she felt her breath hitch. Swallowing once, she murmured, “saans lo.”

A muscle in his jaw clenched as if he was trying hard to control himself, and then he dragged in a huge gulp of breath, feeling all his senses popping to reality one by one. The numerous voices could be heard again, the light wasn’t just focused on her, and he could even smell the food being cooked. Flashing a lopsided smile at her, he greeted, “hey sweetheart…”

And she blushed immediately at the simple and frequently used endearment… maybe it was just the effect of the moment. They sat down once again on the wooden chowkis, and a priest sat on another chowki, readying the things for the tilak. A long table on the side was laid out with things there were being given by Naina’s family to her or her sasural wale for the wedding. It displayed an array of things like sarees, shirt-pant materials, utensils, home décor stuff, sweets, fruits, and even a silver Ganesh idol.

Sameer’s tilak was to be done first, and the priest asked for the girl’s father. At a nudge from Phulla Bua, Rakesh stepped forward to start the ritual. Naina smiled at her father, but her gaze wandered to Chachaji which didn’t go unnoticed by the two men near her. Rakesh took a bit of kumkum and did a tilak on Sameer’s forehead, and then stuck a few rice grains as instructed by the priest. Picking some flower petals and rice he sprinkled it on Sameer’s head, and Sameer pressed his lips to control his smile. Never in his dreams had he thought of Rakesh sir throwing flowers on him… maybe a duster or two, but definitely not flowers. Yet here he was, sitting docilely while Rakesh sir aka his sasurji threw flower petals on him, blessed him and also fed him sweets instead of slapping him. Some clothes, an envelope of money and a coconut was placed in his lap, and then the same ritual was done by Tauji and Chachaji, and then by Arjun.

Then it was Naina’s turn, and Vishakha stepped forward to do the same ritual. Sameer watched his mother dip her finger in the kumkum and lift her hand to do the tika, but an inch from Naina’s forehead, he suddenly said, “mummy ruko.”

Both Naina and Vishakha frowned at him, and then his mother asked, “kya hua?”

Sameer had a rather concerned expression on his face as he said, “Naina ki bindi kharab ho jayegi… aap thoda upar ya thoda neeche tika karo na.”

Naina stared nonplussed at him, while Vishakha chuckled, “waah beta… Biwi ki har cheez ka dhyan hai abhi se.”

“Pehle se hi hai”, he smirked, raising his collar.

Naina blushed, trying to cover her smile with her hand. Vishakha did the tilak a little bit below the blue-gold bindi, sprinkled some flowers on her head, kept a saree along with a jewelry box in her lap, and then blessed her. Cupping her face, Vishakha kissed her forehead, and then whispered in her ear, “Sameer na bilkul apne papa jaisa hai… Tum dekh lena… Shaadi ke baad tum taiyar hogi na tab uski bahot maange hogi.”

Naina smiled, looking up her mother-in-law, and muttered, “woh toh ab bhi hai maa.”

Few other ladies including Sameer’s mamiji did the same ritual, and Sameer kept a lookout that no one spoiled his Naina’s bindi. Then Vishakha and Chachiji started to arrange the shagun gifts properly to take them inside. Just then a lady said, “aree Vishakha ji… kya aap bhi sab samaan sametne me lag gai. Hume bhi toh dikhaiye ke ladkiwalo ne kya diya hai, aur aapne apni bahu ko kya diya.”

Naina tensed a bit, and immediately Sameer whispered, “ghabrao mat… koi kuch bolega toh main hun.”

Vishakha saw Dadi smirk and tried to dodge the situation, “dikha denge na… abhi sagai ke baad karte hai yeh sab.”

“Sagai ke mahurat me toh waqt hai thoda”, another lady said, “aur yahan konsa koi paraya hai. Sab ghar ke hi toh hai.”

Vishakha and Bela looked at each other and sighed, there was no way to get out of this situation. And so the things arranged on table were seen by all, or rather inspected. Someone even asked if this was all that was being given to the girl but Chachiji hastily clarified that there would be more on the wedding day. The gifts given to Sameer were opened to reveal a watch, a gold chain, and several other stuff like wallet and perfume. Sameer frowned trying to calculate the cost of so many things. He glanced at Naina who wasn’t looking at the guests but rather seemed to be fascinated by her own feet. And then came out the stuff given to Naina, which included mostly sarees and jewelry. Most of the ladies had blessed with money, but there was one silver payal set, a delicate gold set that was given by Mamiji, and finally a big box was pulled out. Sameer knew it was given by his mother but he didn’t know what it contained. This hadn’t arrived from the jeweller’s shop, his mother had brought it this time from Delhi.

Taiji leaned towards Bela and muttered, “oh bai… itne saare zevar banvaye the shaadi ke liye aur diya sirf ek.”

“Aisa mat boliye na bhabhiji”, Bela pleaded, “ladkewalo ne sunn liya toh aafat aa jayegi.”

A lady queried, “isme kya hai behenji… Shaadi ke din ka zevar?”

Vishakha smiled, “nahi… woh toh alag hai… isme Naina ka haq hai.”

On hearing this Naina looked up with a confused expression. Vishakha came to sit next to her, and said, “beta… yeh gehne kai peedhee se hamare khandaan me hai… Har saas apni bahu ko deti hai. Sameer ki daadi se yeh mujhe mila tha… Ab jis tarah uske nani ke saree pe tumhara haq hai usi tarah ispe bhi tumhara haq hai.”

Naina’s hands trembled a bit as she accepted the velvet bound box, and Vishakha instructed, “kholo ise?”

Everyone waited in anticipation but Naina didn’t do anything, her nervousness was visible. Sameer looked at the several onlookers, at Dadi’s shocked expressions, at Taiji’s disbelief filled eyes, at Bela’s apprehensive wringing of hands, and then sighed. If preferable he wouldn’t have wanted to open the box; just like he never wanted anyone’s opinion on the gifts. He didn’t care a tuppence about gold chains and wallets, and he knew Naina wasn’t the kind of girl who would be flattered with expensive sarees or jewelries. But no matter how much they hated them or wanted to shun them, the societal customs were unavoidable. The least he could do in this situation was support Naina, and shift the people’s focus from the price of jewelry to him. Having decided this, he placed his hand on Naina’s trembling palm, which immediately elicited several gasps. He didn’t try to check everyone’s expression, but rather focused on Naina’s eyes which had rounded in surprise. He smiled at her, assuring her, “kholo… mujhe bhi dekhna hai.”

Naina swallowed once, and then obeyed, gently lifting the small clasp, all the while thankful of Sameer’s hand that never left hers. It gave her strength to follow through. And as the lid was lifted, there were several more gasps. This time Sameer understood, because the gold set with precious stones that was in that black velvet box was indeed something worth gasping at. The entire set consisted of a broad choker necklace, a longer necklace with a big pendant, earrings, two kangans, and a maangtika. The design was… royal. That was the only word Sameer could think of. The curvy floral designs was set in precious white and red stones, and the gold encasing them shone even all these years.

Vishakha softly queried, “pasand aaya?”

Naina nodded, “bahot khoobsurat hai.”

He saw Dadi’s mouth twist sourly, and jealousy flashed in Taiji’s eyes. And he tilted his head, mischief sprouting inside his overactive brain. He picked up the maangtika from the box and held it up in-front of his eyes as if he was inspecting it. Vishakha was puzzled, and asked, “kya hua Sameer? Kuch problem hai?”

“Chamak thodi kam lag rahi hai”, he murmured loud enough for the assembled people.

Vishakha was genuinely concerned and extended her hand to take it, “achcha? Dekhu toh… maine thode din pehle hi polish karwaya tha Naina ko dene ke liye.”

He drew back his hand, “uh uh… main dekhta hun.” Saying so he turned to Naina, and placed the maangtika on her head, adjusting the round portion so that it lay properly on her forehead. He looked at her, to find her eyes closed, and lips quivering a bit, her hands on the box clenched. He smiled, adoring her, and said, “ab sahi lag raha hai… box me pheeka lag raha tha, Naina ko pehnaneke baad chamak bhi theek hai aur khoobsurti bhi.”

Pandit pursed his fingers inside his mouth and whistled, Munna cheered, and Vishakha grinned at her son while the onlookers’ expressions ranged from mild adoration to surprise. In just one statement Sameer had successfully conveyed that Naina mattered to him more than any gifts or jewelry.

The discussion died down after this, or rather shifted to Sameer’s action. Naina looked at him, several emotions dancing in her eyes, and he winked at her.

She checked to ensure no one was eavesdropping, and asked, “tumne yeh jaan-bujhke kiya na?”

He chuckled, “haan… par tum yeh bhi jaanti ho ke jo maine bola woh bhi sach hai.”

She smiled, lifting her hand to touch the maangtika, “thank you.”

He leaned a bit towards her, “sweetheart… pati ko thank you aise nahi bolte.”

She tilted her head, intrigued, “toh phir kaise bolte hai?” His eyes glittered as he tapped his lips with a finger, and she blushed, but said, “pehle meri wish poori karo, phir kiss.”

“Karunga”, he assured, “sab wishes puri karunga. Main abhi aata hun… bathroom jaana hai.”

Her pretty eyes widened, “abhi? Aisa toh maine kya kiya?”

His brows furrowed for a moment as he tried to understand her question. It only took him a moment, and he laughed softly, “tumne kuch nahi kiya… mujhe bas bathroom jaana hai.”

She nodded, biting her lower lip, and glanced down shyly. He chuckled once more and left from there with Munna and Pandit.

Soon it was time for the sagai ceremony to start. The chowkis were taken away from the mandap which looked even prettier with all the lights now that the sun had set. Naina was sitting on a chair, waiting for Sameer to arrive so that they could begin the ritual. Preeti was safeguarding the ring they had chosen for Sameer. Everyone started to look around, but none of the young men could be spotted.

Chachaji was puzzled, “yeh Sameer kahan chala gaya?”

“Bhagwaan jhuth na bulaye, rasam ka waqt ho raha hai”, Chachiji wrung her hands in worry.

Even Vishakha didn’t know where they were, and mused, “Rohan aur Deepika bhi gayab hai.”

Arjun asked his sister, “tujhe pata hai?” Naina shook her head; Shefali and Swati also looked tensed as the gossiping murmurs increased in the crowd. Suddenly Munna and Pandit walked in followed by Rohan and Deepika, and all four of them were chatting as animatedly as if nothing had happened. Naina also stood up now, inching towards the mandap for a better view.

Deepika hopped up to her, “aree bhabhi… aap neeche kyun khadi ho… aapko toh stage pe hona chahiye na.”

Naina giggled as the girl pulled her up the steps. Everyone looked at Naina, who was smiling and talking with Deepika, not a glimmer of worry on her face. But the families of groom and bride were extremely worried at this sudden disappearance. The guests also started to whisper among themselves.

Suddenly Taiji gasped, “oh bai! Kahin dulha shaadi chodke toh nahi bhaag gaya.”

Rakesh was irked, “yeh kaisi baat kar rahi hai aap bhabhiji…”

Vishakha also pacified, “haan… Sameer yahin aas paas hoga… Hume pareshan kar raha hoga.” She asked Rohan and his friends but none of them knew about Sameer’s whereabouts. The only one who was not bothered was Naina as she stood waiting in the mandap. Chachiji muttered a prayer, and Taiji again started her rant, “chala hi gaya hoga… Ab damadji ki bhi kya galti… Lagta hai aaj theek se apni hone wali biwi ka chehra dekh liya hoga, tabhi chala gaya.”

At this few women immediately started to mutter about how it could be true since the bride was average looking. Chachiji cursed, “bhagwaan jhuth na bulaye, Naina ke sasural wale kuch bole na bole, bhabhiji ko har baar aag lagani hoti hai.”

Phulla Bua-Dadi stood up with Arjun’s support, and went near the mandap, “Naina… tu fikar mat kar bilkul.”

Naina glanced down and smiled, “main theek hun bua-dadi… mujhe pata hai Sameer kahi nahi jayenge mujhe chodke.”

Most of the people looked at the calmly smiling bride, feeling surprised at this confidence. And in less than a minute there was a sound of bike which made everyone turn towards the entrance. Naina’s mouth fell open as she saw Sameer enter the venue on his bike, his hair flying in the wind, his eyes covered in sunglasses. People stared in amazement at him and mamaji commented, “yeh ladka pagal ho gaya hai kya? Andhere me chasme kyun lagaye hai?”

The bike stopped near the mandap, and Sameer got down, removing his sunglasses he walked up the mandap to Naina. She was still staring at him, and as soon as he reached near her, she stammered, “Sameer… yeh… yeh sab…”

He smiled, “pata hai mujhe… bike pe kurta-pyjama pehenke, aur shaam ko sunglasses lagake aaya hun… Ekdum stupid dikh raha hounga… Bewakuf. Par… tumhare wishes puri karne ke liye main stupid bhi dikhneko taiyar hun Naina…”

She frowned, confused, “meri wish?”

He nodded, “college ke second year me… tumne aur Swati raste pe baraat dekhte hue baat kar rahe the na… Swati ne bola uska dulha car me aayega, aur tumne kaha tha…”

“Mera dulha toh bike pe hi aayega mujhe lene”, she finished his statement, recalling her own words, “goggles lagake, muskurate hue, ekdum style se entry maarega.”

He grinned, quirking his eyebrow, “toh… stupid tha, ya theek tha.”

She chuckled, her eyes misting a bit, “mera dulha hamesha handsome lagta hai.”

“Naina”, he hesitantly said, “umm… kuch aur bhi hai.”

She looked at his expressions of suppressed excitement, and asked, “kya karne wale ho tum?”

Amused at how well she knew him, he laughed softly and extended his hand to touch her shoulder. She shivered at his touch as he trailed his fingers down her arm, and gently held her hand. Smiling at her, he crouched on one knee in-front of her, still holding her hand. Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened and closed as if she wanted to say something but no words came out. He took out a rose from his kurta pocket and gave it to her. In a trance, she accepted the rose from him, her fingers brushing against his, and they both felt the sparks from that touch. Taking a deep breath he started speaking, “jabse tum meri zindagi me aayi ho tabse kuch bhi seedhe se nahi hua hai… kabhi market me takrai, kabhi canteen me… kabhi maine tumhare baalo pe chewing-gum laga diya toh kabhi tumne meri shikayat principal se kardi. Hum lade, jhagde, gussa hue par chahkar bhi ek dusre se door nahi reh sake. Aur yeh sab hua tumhare pyaar ke wajah se… Agar tumko pehli nazar me pyaar hua toh usi nazar ne mujhe bhi qaid kar liya. School me kitni ladkiya thi par ghum-firkar meri nazar tumpe hi atakti thi. Aur aaj bhi… meri nazare tumpe se hatna hi nahi chahti Naina. Tumne dheere dheere meri zindagi me itni khushiya laa di ke mera laalach badh gaya hai… Itna pyaar diya ke uske bina jeene ki ab main soch bhi nahi sakta. Sameer Maheshwari sirf dosti nibhana jaanta tha, pyaar ke wade nibhana tumne sikhaya. Ab main tumhe hasana chahta hun, tumhe tang karna chahta hun, tumhare saath zindagi ke har mushkil ka saamna karna chahta hun. Agar zindagi ek safar hai toh main tumhara humsafar banna chahta hun. Main tumhare saath hun, abhi aur hamesha… Main tumhara hun, abhi aur hamesha…” Pausing for a moment, he took out a ring from his pocket, and held it out for her to see, “Naina… Kya tum bhi meri banogi? Mujhse shaadi karogi?”

The tears shimmering in her eyes spilled, but she smiled through them, her smile reflecting the happiness in her heart. She swallowed, trying to clear her throat and managed to say, “main tumhari hi hun… abhi, aur hamesha.”

He grinned, gently slipping the diamond ring on her finger, “I love you Naina.”

She tried to help Sameer stand up, but he shook his head, gesturing towards his hand. Preeti quickly came over, to give the male ring to Naina, and then left. Naina held the ring, looking down at Sameer who was waiting. There was so much happening inside her heart right now that she couldn’t decipher any of it… A simple wish that she had stated to him, not even seriously, but to tease him when he had asked her in her room if she would marry him, and then again in Mt. Abu… She hadn’t known that she would really like this, but somehow he had heard the unspoken. She loved the proposal, the way he proposed… But like Sameer always said, they were equal… And so, she too sat down on her knees, surprising him, and said, “woh pehli baar se leke ab tak jab bhi main tumhari aankhon me dekhti hun mujhe bahot sukoon milta hai. Sirf tumhare saath honese duniya khoobsurat lagti hai. Tum muskurate ho toh lagta hai zindagi me sab kuch theek hai. Main jo hun, jaisi hun, tumne mujhe hamesha waise hi pyaar kiya hai… mujhe bina badle mujhe apnaya hai… Bina kisi shikayat ke, bina kisi ahankaar ke, tumne bas… pyaar kiya… bahot pyaar kiya. Meri khushiyaan, meri marzi, mere sapno ko khudse zyada ehmiyat di… Hamesha meri raksha ki, mera saath diya, mujhe protsahan diya… Main waada karti hun Sameer main zindagi ke har mod par tumhare saath rahungi… Khushi ho ya gam, har haalaat me mera haath tumhare haath me hoga. Sameer aur Naina ka naam puri zindagi ke liye juda rahega… I love you Sameer, pehli nazar se leke hamesha ke liye.”

His eyes glittered with happiness and tears as she slipped the gold ring on his finger, and then she smiled, lighting up his world a bit more. He forgot everything around them as he wrapped his arms around her, feeling blissfully overjoyed when she too hugged him. He stood up with her still encased in his arms, and the thunderous applause around them nearly shook the stage. Munna, Pandit and Rohan threw flowers at them, and Deepika jumped up and down in joy, while Preet and Swati held each other’s hands as they also had happy tears in their eyes. Naina drew back from his arms, and promptly blushed on seeing their family clapping. He chuckled, and bent, wrapping his arms around her hips, and picking her up. She gasped, clutching onto his shoulders, and looked down at him in surprise. He winked at her, and then twirled, making her squeal and laugh while their friends cheered and whistled. The fairy lights were a blur, the flowers still falling on them were like soft whispers against their skin; the only thing real in that moment for them was their love for each other. There was no reality other than what they could see in each other’s eyes. And that reality, that love, that togetherness was for eternity. With the exchange of rings, promises and expectations; tonight had become the beginning of everything… beginning of always and forever.