The wedding ground was decorated with red and golden drapes, canopies of red, white and yellow flowers, roses, lilies and marigolds. Yellow decorative lights were placed, and the mandap was made in a round shape, with a Red Carpet and a Yajna Kund in between. The four pillars of the mandap were shaped like an S, and they met at the temple-designed top made of a beautiful canopy of garlands and drapes, from where a jhoomar hung. Ram Rakh was checking on all the arrangements in his cream-white Sherwani and maroon dhoti teamed with a white pagri with a red border. Being the Bride's father seemed to be the toughest job in the world. Hansa arrived behind him in a deep Maroon saree embroidered with golden Zari, and her hair was done in a bun with roses in it. She wore her own wedding necklace, earrings and large stone rings, looking nothing less than a royal herself with her maroon lips and Kohl highlighted eyes. Ajab seemed to have her eyes.
" Ram, is everything arranged?"
" I think so... where is the aarti thaal?"
" Aarti thaal! Bhabisa! Aarti thaal!" She ran to Heer's mother, putting her pallu over her head.
" Chaks suno!" Bhago called him from behind as he was rechecking the seating arrangements for the royal dinner, post the wedding, at the Hall. Although the wedding was happening at the Employees' Quarters Ground like Ajab wanted it, the wedding dinner was supposed to be held at the Hall adjacent to the guest quarters, overlooking the wedding ground entrance. Chaks was under supervision there in his chocolate brown sherwani and Pagri, with golden embroidery as Bhago, dressed in a golden brown Saree with heavy white golden works, came to drag her husband to the wedding.
" Yes, baby?"
" Chalo na, Mahel se baraat nikal chuka, ajab bhi pouch gayi!"
" Tum jao main aa raha hoon time se." He smiled back.
Bhago went into the back section of the building. The Bride was made to sit in one of the rooms there before the wedding. Ajabde was sitting there, her veil lifted as of now, her face looking like a zombie as Bhago hid a peal of laughter. With Ajabde was Mahek in a White lehenga with silver zari and a tomato-coloured thin border, and Rosalina in a peach-coloured Anarkali flowing up to her heels, both busy discussing their sleek, stylish jewellery being better than Bhago and Ajab's heavy traditional ones.
" Bhago!" Ajabde exclaimed with a smile. " Where did you disappear to?"
" I went to call Chaks, you okay?"
" Yes." Ajabde nodded as Bhago smiled and touched her stone-cold hands.
" Woh... Baraat aayi Baaraaat Ayi!" Jaso and Asha were giggling breathlessly in their sky-blue lehengas.
" Aa Gayi? Chalo dekhte hai!" Mahek pulled Rosalina up as Bhago followed, leaving Ajabde alone. She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart and looked at her own bridal reflection in the huge mirror in the corner. She was about to look for water when a glass came up right before her. A smiling Heer said, " Lijiye Jija Paani." She gulped it down, yet it felt like it was stuck in her throat.
" Aap ko dekhna hai Baraat?" Heer smiled.
" Me? Nahi Nahi tum jao, am fine."
" Ohho Jija, chaliye. "
" Kaha?"
" Balcony pe, Baraat ka clear view hai waha!"
Ajabde breathed in the cool air. Other nights, this same cool air gave her goosebumps, on other nights. But tonight this air seemed to soothe her racing heart.
" Woh dekhiye Jija, Kunwarsa!" She pointed down from the first-floor open-air balcony.
" Itne saare log!" Ajabde exclaimed at the crowd below.
" Dekhiye ghodi pe." Heer pointed.
" Aree Sab dancing!" Ajabde smiled. Heer stared at her.
" Ranima hai na woh hugging mom? Aww, she looks pretty!"
" Jija! Hum aapko kisko dikhane laaye?"
" Shakti kaha hai?" His name made Heer's heart skip a beat as her smile faded.
" Hum jaa rahe hai." She started walking away.
" Aree nahi nahi, show me." Heer smiled as Ajabde blushed.
" Woh dekhiye, do guards ke beech dikhenge Kunwarsa."
Ajabde stared down at her " Prince in a white horse" as all her nervousness seemed to disappear, seeing him smile down at the crowd from his horse. Shakti was walking beside him, his eyes searching the welcoming crowd of Ladkiwale for someone. Heer saw that and blushed red, as Ajabde noticed. Shakti's eyes travelled to the balcony, which was somehow darker than the rest of the ground and hence attracted no attention. However, his heart pulled his eyes magically to it as he spotted her in her traditional attire, staring down and smiling. Someone else was there too. He nudged his brother's leg.
" Dadabhai."
He called amidst the song and dance. Pratap stared down at his brother, confused, as Shakti pointed at the Balcony with his eyes. Pratap's eyes followed his brothers, and as soon as they met hers... She... ducked. He narrowed his eyes, confused as Heer was still standing there like a statue. Ajab knew she was there, but she wouldn't show herself.
Hansa came out as Rohan, in his white and silver sherwani and pagri, decided to be all Dulhan's brothers and help Pratap get down from the horse. Hansa did his aarti, tilak and wanted to pull his nose too, as he pulled away, making everyone laugh. The toran todh sanskaar was done, and Pratap was escorted to a room on the ground floor of the same building where Ajab sat upstairs.
Pratap was in the room as Ven walked in with a peach-coloured sherwani, all smiles.
" Ven, where were you?"
" I ... was helping with some... arrangements..."
" Are you hiding something?" Pratap frowned.
" No, he is not!" Was a reply from Shakti. " I mean... I think he is not..."
" What's going on here?" Pratap scrutinised them.
" Pratap!" Mahek came in, saving the guys unknowingly! " You look handsome!"
" You look beautiful yourself, Mahek. Where is Heer?" The question was for Mahek, but Pratap was staring at his brother.
" She is at the mandap, I think now," Mahek replied before starting a conversation with Ven.
" I..." Shakti started.
" Go on, I'm fine." Pratap nodded as Shakti looked at him wide-eyed.
" Ohho Bhaiya, yellow marigolds left waale pe and orange ones right waale pe daaliye na, mix maat kijiye please." Heer was instructing a man to arrange petals for the audience to throw at the newlyweds. Shakti walked up behind her with a smile.
" Waise, balcony se accha view aata hai na?"
Her eyes went wide as she gulped and turned around, looking away.
" Woh... Jija ko dekhna tha ke..."
" Sirf Bhabisa ko hi..."
" Heer!" Bhago's call made her run away as he smiled.
Pratap was escorted to the wedding mandap by Ram and Rohan as he sat in the mandap with guests surrounding the round place in chairs and sofas. He religiously followed all the rules of the Ganesh Puja before the Pandit called Hansa, saying, " Kanya ko le ayiye." She was about to leave when he heard Ranima say, " Hum bhi jaenge humare beti ko lene." He smiled at his mother before she left.
Ajabde was sitting amidst the girls, chattering and teasing, when Ranima entered, causing the room to go silent and making Ajabde smile. She took her hand and pulled her up. " It's time, Princess, ready?" She nodded a shy yes as Ranima veiled her face and held her left hand, and her mom held her right as Heer, Bhago, Rosalina, and Mahek held a chunri over her head as she entered the grounds, making heads turn. She looked down at the grass as she walked, not looking but feeling all eyes on her when she shivered a little, knowing now she was being stared at by the pair of eyes that twinkled in her view. He watched her walk up to the mandap in her wedding lehenga, her face barely visible. A purdah was dropped between them as the Pandit went on... Gangeja yamuneja Godavari Krishna Kauveri.... The veil was now turned into a wall so that the crowd couldn't see Ajabde's face, but he could as Bhago helped lift her veil, and their eyes met. Nervous, happy, blushing eyes. As she lowered her gaze, her veil fell quickly. He looked away, smiling.
The priest said that it was time for the Jaimala, as two large rose garlands were brought by the servants. As they held the mala and stared at each other, Shakti smiled, and he and Ven lifted Pratap on their shoulder, making it impossible for Ajab to reach his head. Rohan and Chaks decided to help by lifting her as the audience giggled.
Ajabde gave a soft cry, " EEEE! The stupid guy put me down, you will make me fall!"
" If you call me stupid, I would surely make you fall, do the jai mala quick, bohot bhari ho tum!"
" Haww! Bhago!" Ajabde looked around.
"I'm here. " She waved.
Pratap was thinking about how to react to the cartoons his wife and best friend were being even at the wedding!
Ajabde threw her garland like a basketball at his head and missed it. Only managing to loosen his Sehra. Next time around, his " Stop" made everyone stop their giggles and instructions as he bent his head before she made her smile, and the others went " Ooooo" He garlanded her quite easily as Chaks and Rohan decided to put the heavy thing they called " Ajab" down. She mentally punched them both for the joke.
" Kanyadaan ke liye Ladki ke pita aage aye..." Ajabde was made to sit on his left, and Ram was called. As the priest placed Ajabde's hand on Pratap's and tied it up with a string, the professional photographer was clicking away, and he murmured.
" I hope you know you can't pout on the wedding pics!"
" I have already clicked some awesome selfies." She whispered back.
He felt her cold hands rub against him as he stared at the Mehendi. Her gaze fell on two people in the front row sitting three seats apart, and she noticed something. And a smile curved her lips. Ram was busy doing whatever the priest instructed.
" Princy." She called softly. Pratap, being the man he was, thought that his bride was being emotional on her kanyadaan, but ahh, well, he forgot his bride was Ajabde Punwar!
" I am there for you, always." He whispered.
" Hein? Look up front!" She whispered excitedly. He looked ahead to see Heer, Rosalina, Ven, Rohan, Shakti and Bhago up front.
" What?" He asked, confused.
" Specimens." She gave out a small giggle. " Heer and..."
" Not Today!" He sighed.
" Oops, wrong timing." She made him smile. The gaat bandhan was done by Bhago.
It was time for the Sindoor Daan, and Bhago stepped forward to help him with the veil, but it looked like Pratap didn't need any. He lifted the veil with his left hand, along with the mang tika and put the vermilion on her hairline with his ring, with such ease, making her blush redder than the vermilion that everyone went " Aww." He put the mangalsutra around her neck like he was told, and she could feel his face right above her face, making her blush more, in the veil. It was then time for the pheras.
" Ab Baojiraj aage, Kuwaranisa piche chalenge phere ke liye, ek dusre ke daine haat ka kanistha pakriye." Ajab was thinking about what the instruction meant when he put his little finger entwined with hers and moved ahead.
" Pehla vachan, titho pe, puja pe, koi bhi dharm karm pe, hamesha apne ardhangini ko aap saath le jaenge."
" Dusra vachan, hamesha aap eknistha rahenge, apne patni ke sivae kisi hi stree ke sansparsh mein nahi ayenge." Ajab hid a smile.
" Tisra vachan, jo bhi aapke nirnay honge, sansaar tatha kalyaan karya ke sab mein aapki patni ki anumati lena avashak hai."
" Chautha vachan, aap kabhi bhi koi bhi mahatpurn karma ya dharma karm kare, hamesha ve aapke saath honge." Ajabde now stepped forward for the rest.
" Pancham Vachan kanya ki, ke aapko ek sukhi grihasti dena humara dharm hai, aapko ek sakushal parivaar dena humara uddesh hai."
" Chatta vachan, kanya ka haar sringaar, har pasand na pasand ab aapke pasand se juri hui hai."
" Satva vachan, sukh mein, dukh mein, swasth mein, aswasth mein aap dono hamesha ek dusre ki sahay banenge aur kabhi ek dusre ko akela koi samasya pe na chodenge."
The vachans ended with flower petals raining over them. They took the blessings of the elders as Ranima hugged Ajabde, saying, " Hum th abhi se pratiksha kar rahe hai, kal bhor ka, jab aap mahal padharenge." The friends congratulated the couple. Heer was telling Mahek. " Am so happy for jija kal hi main Maata Pravati ki mandir jaungi subah unke liye!"
" Kaha hai mandir??"
" Gaon mein." Someone heard them and smiled.
" Chaliye sab abh Dinner hall chalte hai." Udai Singh called the guests. The friends were all flocking around the newlyweds, chatting when they were called, and Rohan got up, saying, " Thank god bhook lagi hai." They were about to help Ajabde up when Ranima came telling a Dasi, " Aj Kunwarsa aur Kuwaranisa ka dinner alag se hoga yaad hai na Rama? Unko le jao."
" Kaha?" It was a question in unison that Ranima left unanswered as they climbed up the stairs of the Hall building to a well-decorated room. Their food was served there, and Ranima was waiting.
" Humare raaj parivaar ka rasm hai aj saara raat koi bhi guest, family ya vaar vadhu sote nahi hai, aap log yeh dinner karenge, fir iss kamre mein tabh tak rahenge jab tak koi aapko bahar se bulata nahi Bidaai rasm ke liye subah, aur yaad rakhiye aap so nahi sakte." She went away as Pratap scrutinised the room with a small dining table, a couch and a sofa set. There was also a balcony with a couch. There was another empty room with a bathroom attached to it.
Ajabde was more bothered about the food. She walked towards the table as he walked towards the door to shut it, and the gaat pulled them back. He removed the dupatta from his shoulder and gave it to Ajabde. She sat down, confused. He closed the door and turned back to see her sitting without touching her food.
" What happened?" He asked, sitting opposite her. He removed the heavy pagri and placed them on the table.
" They told me not to unveil my face until muh dikhai, how on earth am I going to eat?" She exclaimed worriedly.
" Really? What exactly did they say?" He knew the rules and was amused by her confusion.
" That no one can see my face except... Ohhh!" She exclaimed as he chuckled.
He bent forward to make his hands reach her veil, and he removed it from her face. His heart skipped a beat watching her smile. Tonight is going to be a test of patience, Pratap Singh!
" Eat!" He said, looking away and then staring back as she childishly attacked her food, making him smile.
Ajabde Punwar keeps eating all night, and it will not be tough. She told herself.
Unfortunately, within an hour, dinner was over.
" I miss Brownie; he is stuck with Raghu Kaka." She exclaimed, trying to break the silence.
" He would be scared of the crowd, you know." He nodded reasonably.
" I know...."
" He will be there when you reach the palace tomorrow." He smiled.
" In my room?" She was excited.
" No. I am showing you a little sympathy coz you are leaving home, but not that much! I won't allow him in my room." He was stern, making her frown.
" Where will he stay?"
" In that pink room, Ranima has already ruined it for you!"He chuckled.
" Haww? Uss monotonous mahal mein ek akela accha room tha woh!" She protested.
" Go and see our redecorated room tomorrow." He beamed proudly.
" How is it?" She smiled.
" Like we decided." He shrugged,
" I decided." She pointed her finger at herself.
" You? Pink, green neon? Dehaati. It looks elegant to me!" He pointed at himself with both hands.
" How dare you call me Dehaati? I am Ajabde Punwar!" She shouted.
" No, you are not." He nodded a no.
" Hein?" She looked confused.
" You are Mrs Ajabde Pratap Singh."
She stared at his teasing smile, wide-eyed, before looking away.
" Brownie can't stay alone in a room, he's a baby!"
" We will keep an attendant for him, no more Brownie talks."
" Damn this lehenga, it's itna heavy, me 55Kgs this 100Kgs."
" Actually, you are 100 Kgs and that's 55!" He smiled.
" Shut up, Princy! Shut up."
" Pratap!" He corrected.
" Haan Haan..."
Ajabde tried to get out of her chair, but her lehenga got stuck in one corner, resulting in her tripping on her lehenga and falling toward Pratap. She was sure he would catch her, but in a reflex, he moved away, resulting in her falling, sitting down, and balancing herself with her hands. She looked up at his face, angry as he laughed.
" I got to tell everyone this, you know what I realised, every time you fall in a unique special way, it's strange!" He was laughing breathlessly.
" Why didn't you catch me?" she asked, disappointed.
"155 kg of a falling wife? One should let her fall rather than break a rib!" He shrugged, chuckling.
She grabbed a cushion and threw it at him as he ducked.
" First, you fall, now if you break anything, I am not responsible, and I don't owe an explanation to Ranima."
Another cushion hit him. It was followed by him making a dash for the balcony and then the other room as she chased him, holding the lehenga as high as her knees like a skirt.
" Chi, look at you, Strange Girl so unbridely!"
" Will you stop inventing words? UK chaap! Can't speak English."
" Huh, try me! Dilli Dehaati."
"Shut up!"
They were running to and fro until Ajabde gave up the chase and sat down on the floor.
" Okay, stop, tomorrow when I go home, I am going to tell Mom..." She stopped as realisation hit her. "I'm not going home!" She said softly.
Pratap was laughing till then, and suddenly he saw Ajabde in tears. He sat down beside her, confused as if she was crying coz he didn't catch her from falling and called her fat.
" What happened? Am sorry I..."
" I am not going back home..." She sobbed suddenly, making him turn pale. Shit, she is upset, what to say?
" Woh..." she looked up at his confused face, still in tears.
" Yeh kya kar rahi ho tum?" He looked shocked.
" Kya?" She asked, confused.
" Yeh, aasu... Kuch hi ghante kya gaye, tum ro padhi?" He wiped away the tears from his confused eyes. " Agar Ranima ko pata chal gaya mujhe to daat padhegi."
She smiled, saying, " Accha hoga waise bhi Ranima loves me more."
" Accha hua." He replied.
" Kya?" She asked.
" Even I love you more than I love myself, toh Ranima toh karenge hi."He smiled.
" Tum yeh dialogues khud likhte ho ya kahi se churate ho?" She giggled.
" Original hai Madam, aap dekhte jao, unhi nahi hoon main Prince Charming!" He teased.
" Accha?" She narrowed her eyes.
" Haan!"
"Oh, I want to see a movie," Ajabde exclaimed.
" Kyun?" He asked, narrowing his brows.
" Raat jagni hai na?" She shrugged.
" Raat jagne ke liye kuch aur bhi..." he smiled teasingly.
" Ji nahi bilkul nahi." She nodded.
" Kyun?"
" Woh kal..." She bit her lips.
" Kya?" He asked, amused.
" Kuch nahi."
" Kya bola?" He asked again.
" Chalo taare ginte hai!" She got up and went to the balcony.
" Kya karenge?" he asked, shocked.
" taare ginnenge. Tum woh side main this!"
She started counting like a kid as Pratap found it a pleasure to watch his bride in all her craziness, looking beautiful in the moonlight, until the first lights of dawn saw her doze off on the couch as he put his shawl on her curled-up body and kissed her forehead as she smiled in her nap, from some happy dream. He then headed to the sofa for a quick nap before people came calling for the Bidaai. He dreaded seeing her unhappy and in tears as he promised himself that no matter how crazy life is, he would never let her feel the pain she felt that morning, ever again.
" Ram, is everything arranged?"
" I think so... where is the aarti thaal?"
" Aarti thaal! Bhabisa! Aarti thaal!" She ran to Heer's mother, putting her pallu over her head.
" Chaks suno!" Bhago called him from behind as he was rechecking the seating arrangements for the royal dinner, post the wedding, at the Hall. Although the wedding was happening at the Employees' Quarters Ground like Ajab wanted it, the wedding dinner was supposed to be held at the Hall adjacent to the guest quarters, overlooking the wedding ground entrance. Chaks was under supervision there in his chocolate brown sherwani and Pagri, with golden embroidery as Bhago, dressed in a golden brown Saree with heavy white golden works, came to drag her husband to the wedding.
" Yes, baby?"
" Chalo na, Mahel se baraat nikal chuka, ajab bhi pouch gayi!"
" Tum jao main aa raha hoon time se." He smiled back.
Bhago went into the back section of the building. The Bride was made to sit in one of the rooms there before the wedding. Ajabde was sitting there, her veil lifted as of now, her face looking like a zombie as Bhago hid a peal of laughter. With Ajabde was Mahek in a White lehenga with silver zari and a tomato-coloured thin border, and Rosalina in a peach-coloured Anarkali flowing up to her heels, both busy discussing their sleek, stylish jewellery being better than Bhago and Ajab's heavy traditional ones.
" Bhago!" Ajabde exclaimed with a smile. " Where did you disappear to?"
" I went to call Chaks, you okay?"
" Yes." Ajabde nodded as Bhago smiled and touched her stone-cold hands.
" Woh... Baraat aayi Baaraaat Ayi!" Jaso and Asha were giggling breathlessly in their sky-blue lehengas.
" Aa Gayi? Chalo dekhte hai!" Mahek pulled Rosalina up as Bhago followed, leaving Ajabde alone. She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart and looked at her own bridal reflection in the huge mirror in the corner. She was about to look for water when a glass came up right before her. A smiling Heer said, " Lijiye Jija Paani." She gulped it down, yet it felt like it was stuck in her throat.
" Aap ko dekhna hai Baraat?" Heer smiled.
" Me? Nahi Nahi tum jao, am fine."
" Ohho Jija, chaliye. "
" Kaha?"
" Balcony pe, Baraat ka clear view hai waha!"
Ajabde breathed in the cool air. Other nights, this same cool air gave her goosebumps, on other nights. But tonight this air seemed to soothe her racing heart.
" Woh dekhiye Jija, Kunwarsa!" She pointed down from the first-floor open-air balcony.
" Itne saare log!" Ajabde exclaimed at the crowd below.
" Dekhiye ghodi pe." Heer pointed.
" Aree Sab dancing!" Ajabde smiled. Heer stared at her.
" Ranima hai na woh hugging mom? Aww, she looks pretty!"
" Jija! Hum aapko kisko dikhane laaye?"
" Shakti kaha hai?" His name made Heer's heart skip a beat as her smile faded.
" Hum jaa rahe hai." She started walking away.
" Aree nahi nahi, show me." Heer smiled as Ajabde blushed.
" Woh dekhiye, do guards ke beech dikhenge Kunwarsa."
Ajabde stared down at her " Prince in a white horse" as all her nervousness seemed to disappear, seeing him smile down at the crowd from his horse. Shakti was walking beside him, his eyes searching the welcoming crowd of Ladkiwale for someone. Heer saw that and blushed red, as Ajabde noticed. Shakti's eyes travelled to the balcony, which was somehow darker than the rest of the ground and hence attracted no attention. However, his heart pulled his eyes magically to it as he spotted her in her traditional attire, staring down and smiling. Someone else was there too. He nudged his brother's leg.
" Dadabhai."
He called amidst the song and dance. Pratap stared down at his brother, confused, as Shakti pointed at the Balcony with his eyes. Pratap's eyes followed his brothers, and as soon as they met hers... She... ducked. He narrowed his eyes, confused as Heer was still standing there like a statue. Ajab knew she was there, but she wouldn't show herself.
Hansa came out as Rohan, in his white and silver sherwani and pagri, decided to be all Dulhan's brothers and help Pratap get down from the horse. Hansa did his aarti, tilak and wanted to pull his nose too, as he pulled away, making everyone laugh. The toran todh sanskaar was done, and Pratap was escorted to a room on the ground floor of the same building where Ajab sat upstairs.
Pratap was in the room as Ven walked in with a peach-coloured sherwani, all smiles.
" Ven, where were you?"
" I ... was helping with some... arrangements..."
" Are you hiding something?" Pratap frowned.
" No, he is not!" Was a reply from Shakti. " I mean... I think he is not..."
" What's going on here?" Pratap scrutinised them.
" Pratap!" Mahek came in, saving the guys unknowingly! " You look handsome!"
" You look beautiful yourself, Mahek. Where is Heer?" The question was for Mahek, but Pratap was staring at his brother.
" She is at the mandap, I think now," Mahek replied before starting a conversation with Ven.
" I..." Shakti started.
" Go on, I'm fine." Pratap nodded as Shakti looked at him wide-eyed.
" Ohho Bhaiya, yellow marigolds left waale pe and orange ones right waale pe daaliye na, mix maat kijiye please." Heer was instructing a man to arrange petals for the audience to throw at the newlyweds. Shakti walked up behind her with a smile.
" Waise, balcony se accha view aata hai na?"
Her eyes went wide as she gulped and turned around, looking away.
" Woh... Jija ko dekhna tha ke..."
" Sirf Bhabisa ko hi..."
" Heer!" Bhago's call made her run away as he smiled.
Pratap was escorted to the wedding mandap by Ram and Rohan as he sat in the mandap with guests surrounding the round place in chairs and sofas. He religiously followed all the rules of the Ganesh Puja before the Pandit called Hansa, saying, " Kanya ko le ayiye." She was about to leave when he heard Ranima say, " Hum bhi jaenge humare beti ko lene." He smiled at his mother before she left.
Ajabde was sitting amidst the girls, chattering and teasing, when Ranima entered, causing the room to go silent and making Ajabde smile. She took her hand and pulled her up. " It's time, Princess, ready?" She nodded a shy yes as Ranima veiled her face and held her left hand, and her mom held her right as Heer, Bhago, Rosalina, and Mahek held a chunri over her head as she entered the grounds, making heads turn. She looked down at the grass as she walked, not looking but feeling all eyes on her when she shivered a little, knowing now she was being stared at by the pair of eyes that twinkled in her view. He watched her walk up to the mandap in her wedding lehenga, her face barely visible. A purdah was dropped between them as the Pandit went on... Gangeja yamuneja Godavari Krishna Kauveri.... The veil was now turned into a wall so that the crowd couldn't see Ajabde's face, but he could as Bhago helped lift her veil, and their eyes met. Nervous, happy, blushing eyes. As she lowered her gaze, her veil fell quickly. He looked away, smiling.
The priest said that it was time for the Jaimala, as two large rose garlands were brought by the servants. As they held the mala and stared at each other, Shakti smiled, and he and Ven lifted Pratap on their shoulder, making it impossible for Ajab to reach his head. Rohan and Chaks decided to help by lifting her as the audience giggled.
Ajabde gave a soft cry, " EEEE! The stupid guy put me down, you will make me fall!"
" If you call me stupid, I would surely make you fall, do the jai mala quick, bohot bhari ho tum!"
" Haww! Bhago!" Ajabde looked around.
"I'm here. " She waved.
Pratap was thinking about how to react to the cartoons his wife and best friend were being even at the wedding!
Ajabde threw her garland like a basketball at his head and missed it. Only managing to loosen his Sehra. Next time around, his " Stop" made everyone stop their giggles and instructions as he bent his head before she made her smile, and the others went " Ooooo" He garlanded her quite easily as Chaks and Rohan decided to put the heavy thing they called " Ajab" down. She mentally punched them both for the joke.
" Kanyadaan ke liye Ladki ke pita aage aye..." Ajabde was made to sit on his left, and Ram was called. As the priest placed Ajabde's hand on Pratap's and tied it up with a string, the professional photographer was clicking away, and he murmured.
" I hope you know you can't pout on the wedding pics!"
" I have already clicked some awesome selfies." She whispered back.
He felt her cold hands rub against him as he stared at the Mehendi. Her gaze fell on two people in the front row sitting three seats apart, and she noticed something. And a smile curved her lips. Ram was busy doing whatever the priest instructed.
" Princy." She called softly. Pratap, being the man he was, thought that his bride was being emotional on her kanyadaan, but ahh, well, he forgot his bride was Ajabde Punwar!
" I am there for you, always." He whispered.
" Hein? Look up front!" She whispered excitedly. He looked ahead to see Heer, Rosalina, Ven, Rohan, Shakti and Bhago up front.
" What?" He asked, confused.
" Specimens." She gave out a small giggle. " Heer and..."
" Not Today!" He sighed.
" Oops, wrong timing." She made him smile. The gaat bandhan was done by Bhago.
It was time for the Sindoor Daan, and Bhago stepped forward to help him with the veil, but it looked like Pratap didn't need any. He lifted the veil with his left hand, along with the mang tika and put the vermilion on her hairline with his ring, with such ease, making her blush redder than the vermilion that everyone went " Aww." He put the mangalsutra around her neck like he was told, and she could feel his face right above her face, making her blush more, in the veil. It was then time for the pheras.
" Ab Baojiraj aage, Kuwaranisa piche chalenge phere ke liye, ek dusre ke daine haat ka kanistha pakriye." Ajab was thinking about what the instruction meant when he put his little finger entwined with hers and moved ahead.
" Pehla vachan, titho pe, puja pe, koi bhi dharm karm pe, hamesha apne ardhangini ko aap saath le jaenge."
" Dusra vachan, hamesha aap eknistha rahenge, apne patni ke sivae kisi hi stree ke sansparsh mein nahi ayenge." Ajab hid a smile.
" Tisra vachan, jo bhi aapke nirnay honge, sansaar tatha kalyaan karya ke sab mein aapki patni ki anumati lena avashak hai."
" Chautha vachan, aap kabhi bhi koi bhi mahatpurn karma ya dharma karm kare, hamesha ve aapke saath honge." Ajabde now stepped forward for the rest.
" Pancham Vachan kanya ki, ke aapko ek sukhi grihasti dena humara dharm hai, aapko ek sakushal parivaar dena humara uddesh hai."
" Chatta vachan, kanya ka haar sringaar, har pasand na pasand ab aapke pasand se juri hui hai."
" Satva vachan, sukh mein, dukh mein, swasth mein, aswasth mein aap dono hamesha ek dusre ki sahay banenge aur kabhi ek dusre ko akela koi samasya pe na chodenge."
The vachans ended with flower petals raining over them. They took the blessings of the elders as Ranima hugged Ajabde, saying, " Hum th abhi se pratiksha kar rahe hai, kal bhor ka, jab aap mahal padharenge." The friends congratulated the couple. Heer was telling Mahek. " Am so happy for jija kal hi main Maata Pravati ki mandir jaungi subah unke liye!"
" Kaha hai mandir??"
" Gaon mein." Someone heard them and smiled.
" Chaliye sab abh Dinner hall chalte hai." Udai Singh called the guests. The friends were all flocking around the newlyweds, chatting when they were called, and Rohan got up, saying, " Thank god bhook lagi hai." They were about to help Ajabde up when Ranima came telling a Dasi, " Aj Kunwarsa aur Kuwaranisa ka dinner alag se hoga yaad hai na Rama? Unko le jao."
" Kaha?" It was a question in unison that Ranima left unanswered as they climbed up the stairs of the Hall building to a well-decorated room. Their food was served there, and Ranima was waiting.
" Humare raaj parivaar ka rasm hai aj saara raat koi bhi guest, family ya vaar vadhu sote nahi hai, aap log yeh dinner karenge, fir iss kamre mein tabh tak rahenge jab tak koi aapko bahar se bulata nahi Bidaai rasm ke liye subah, aur yaad rakhiye aap so nahi sakte." She went away as Pratap scrutinised the room with a small dining table, a couch and a sofa set. There was also a balcony with a couch. There was another empty room with a bathroom attached to it.
Ajabde was more bothered about the food. She walked towards the table as he walked towards the door to shut it, and the gaat pulled them back. He removed the dupatta from his shoulder and gave it to Ajabde. She sat down, confused. He closed the door and turned back to see her sitting without touching her food.
" What happened?" He asked, sitting opposite her. He removed the heavy pagri and placed them on the table.
" They told me not to unveil my face until muh dikhai, how on earth am I going to eat?" She exclaimed worriedly.
" Really? What exactly did they say?" He knew the rules and was amused by her confusion.
" That no one can see my face except... Ohhh!" She exclaimed as he chuckled.
He bent forward to make his hands reach her veil, and he removed it from her face. His heart skipped a beat watching her smile. Tonight is going to be a test of patience, Pratap Singh!
" Eat!" He said, looking away and then staring back as she childishly attacked her food, making him smile.
Ajabde Punwar keeps eating all night, and it will not be tough. She told herself.
Unfortunately, within an hour, dinner was over.
" I miss Brownie; he is stuck with Raghu Kaka." She exclaimed, trying to break the silence.
" He would be scared of the crowd, you know." He nodded reasonably.
" I know...."
" He will be there when you reach the palace tomorrow." He smiled.
" In my room?" She was excited.
" No. I am showing you a little sympathy coz you are leaving home, but not that much! I won't allow him in my room." He was stern, making her frown.
" Where will he stay?"
" In that pink room, Ranima has already ruined it for you!"He chuckled.
" Haww? Uss monotonous mahal mein ek akela accha room tha woh!" She protested.
" Go and see our redecorated room tomorrow." He beamed proudly.
" How is it?" She smiled.
" Like we decided." He shrugged,
" I decided." She pointed her finger at herself.
" You? Pink, green neon? Dehaati. It looks elegant to me!" He pointed at himself with both hands.
" How dare you call me Dehaati? I am Ajabde Punwar!" She shouted.
" No, you are not." He nodded a no.
" Hein?" She looked confused.
" You are Mrs Ajabde Pratap Singh."
She stared at his teasing smile, wide-eyed, before looking away.
" Brownie can't stay alone in a room, he's a baby!"
" We will keep an attendant for him, no more Brownie talks."
" Damn this lehenga, it's itna heavy, me 55Kgs this 100Kgs."
" Actually, you are 100 Kgs and that's 55!" He smiled.
" Shut up, Princy! Shut up."
" Pratap!" He corrected.
" Haan Haan..."
Ajabde tried to get out of her chair, but her lehenga got stuck in one corner, resulting in her tripping on her lehenga and falling toward Pratap. She was sure he would catch her, but in a reflex, he moved away, resulting in her falling, sitting down, and balancing herself with her hands. She looked up at his face, angry as he laughed.
" I got to tell everyone this, you know what I realised, every time you fall in a unique special way, it's strange!" He was laughing breathlessly.
" Why didn't you catch me?" she asked, disappointed.
"155 kg of a falling wife? One should let her fall rather than break a rib!" He shrugged, chuckling.
She grabbed a cushion and threw it at him as he ducked.
" First, you fall, now if you break anything, I am not responsible, and I don't owe an explanation to Ranima."
Another cushion hit him. It was followed by him making a dash for the balcony and then the other room as she chased him, holding the lehenga as high as her knees like a skirt.
" Chi, look at you, Strange Girl so unbridely!"
" Will you stop inventing words? UK chaap! Can't speak English."
" Huh, try me! Dilli Dehaati."
"Shut up!"
They were running to and fro until Ajabde gave up the chase and sat down on the floor.
" Okay, stop, tomorrow when I go home, I am going to tell Mom..." She stopped as realisation hit her. "I'm not going home!" She said softly.
Pratap was laughing till then, and suddenly he saw Ajabde in tears. He sat down beside her, confused as if she was crying coz he didn't catch her from falling and called her fat.
" What happened? Am sorry I..."
" I am not going back home..." She sobbed suddenly, making him turn pale. Shit, she is upset, what to say?
" Woh..." she looked up at his confused face, still in tears.
" Yeh kya kar rahi ho tum?" He looked shocked.
" Kya?" She asked, confused.
" Yeh, aasu... Kuch hi ghante kya gaye, tum ro padhi?" He wiped away the tears from his confused eyes. " Agar Ranima ko pata chal gaya mujhe to daat padhegi."
She smiled, saying, " Accha hoga waise bhi Ranima loves me more."
" Accha hua." He replied.
" Kya?" She asked.
" Even I love you more than I love myself, toh Ranima toh karenge hi."He smiled.
" Tum yeh dialogues khud likhte ho ya kahi se churate ho?" She giggled.
" Original hai Madam, aap dekhte jao, unhi nahi hoon main Prince Charming!" He teased.
" Accha?" She narrowed her eyes.
" Haan!"
"Oh, I want to see a movie," Ajabde exclaimed.
" Kyun?" He asked, narrowing his brows.
" Raat jagni hai na?" She shrugged.
" Raat jagne ke liye kuch aur bhi..." he smiled teasingly.
" Ji nahi bilkul nahi." She nodded.
" Kyun?"
" Woh kal..." She bit her lips.
" Kya?" He asked, amused.
" Kuch nahi."
" Kya bola?" He asked again.
" Chalo taare ginte hai!" She got up and went to the balcony.
" Kya karenge?" he asked, shocked.
" taare ginnenge. Tum woh side main this!"
She started counting like a kid as Pratap found it a pleasure to watch his bride in all her craziness, looking beautiful in the moonlight, until the first lights of dawn saw her doze off on the couch as he put his shawl on her curled-up body and kissed her forehead as she smiled in her nap, from some happy dream. He then headed to the sofa for a quick nap before people came calling for the Bidaai. He dreaded seeing her unhappy and in tears as he promised himself that no matter how crazy life is, he would never let her feel the pain she felt that morning, ever again.
