188

Chapter 176

rulama

@rulama

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

Smita,😊

Here is the interpretation to Section 2 of Part 44.

The ladies were left in wonderment, as NK, Akash, Gaurav and his faithful Scooby led the two grooms Ganesh and Arnav down the stairs for the wedding. Ganesh was in a simple cut iridescent peacock green sherwani with just six black bead sequined flower motifs and a black bead sequined collar. Arnav was in a simple cut cream raw silk sherwani that was handcrafted with pearls and silk zardosi work. It had a simple yet elegant look deftly created by Anamika. As the ladies, rendered speechless by the sight, continued to imbibe the vision created by the two grooms looking majestic, Arnav and Ganesh looked at each other, bashful at being the centre of attraction of all the people over there. NK was in red, Gaurav in pale green, Akash in yellow and Mamaji in brown, formed a quartret of dapper looking men, making Anjali whisper to her Nani, to just look at them!

Nani acknowledging her with a nod, had tears of joy pooled up in her eyes. Her daughter's wish was finally getting materialized. Chotey was getting his bride, who had made place in his heart unknown to him. He was getting a bride who would always energize him, who matched him in every way, in fun as well as in fury. His bride loved him in the same maddening way as his. The knowledge that her Chotey was going to have a future secure with love and happiness made Nani heave a sigh of relief. It was a fulfillment that made her think what more could she ask from life?

When Nani's eyes moved to Ganesh, she felt how lonely his life must have been so far, living near Anamika and Gaurav but able to touch their life only from a distance. Now, with the marriage he would be able to share the hearth and home. He would be now Gaurav's father and Anamika Bitiyaa's husband. She wondered who was more lucky, Anamika Bitiyaa or Ganesh Bitwaa? It was hard to tell. Nani smiled fondly at a flushed Ganesh who was straightening his sherwani feeling mighty uncomfortable.

The ladies gathering around the men were full of admiration and were generous in their compliments. Mami's declaration that, her Arnav Bitwaa was looking good enough to eat, had Arnav take a step back thinking of her predictably unpredictable nature even at the best of times. Buaji's exclamation, Hai re Nandkisore! I almost didn't recognise you both! had both Arnav and Ganesh blush. When Buaji instructed them, to take Naniji's blessings, both Arnav and Ganesh touched Nani's feet. Blessing them she took them in a hug and kissed them on their foreheads. Anjali hugged her Chotey with pride and happiness and wished Ganesh a happy married life. He acknowledged with an awkward nod. The ladies hovered around them laughing at their nervousness and their mirth added to it.

The guests were greeted by the ladies and Mamaji, while Akash, Gaurav and NK led them to their seats. While the grooms, Arnav and Ganesh were waiting for their brides to appear, Ganesh whispered to Arnav, this waiting is painful, just like outside the dentist's. This brought out a hint of a smile in Arnav, whose heart gladdened to have company. He wondered, did all grooms feel this way, as though it was difficult to breathe? He pulled at the neck of his cream sherwani and adjusted his turban nervously. He wondered as to where was Khushi?

Anjali and Payal went up to the room in which the bridal dressing was taking place. It made the two grooms look hopefully in that direction to get the first peek at their brides in their finery. Buaji seeing their line of vision and their anxiousness, comforted them saying, Don't worry, Nandkisore! Your brides are still here. They haven't run away. They will come down now, Nandkisore! Ganesh and Arnav smiled sheepishly at being caught out. Buaji taking a bit of kajal from her eyes, applied it behind Arnav and Ganesh's ears saying, let not any evil eye fall upon them! Arnav, who has always had a soft spot for Buaji, saying, Thank you Buaji, enclosed her rotund figure in a bear hug, making the kohled wide eyes of Buaji literally pop out with shock that flitted into deep pleasure. Ganesh followed suit, hugged Buaji taking care not to crush her with his muscular arms and whispered, a thank you. Buaji, nodded her head with tears of joy in her eyes. Then she said, he can give her a tight hug as she was not as fragile as a glass. A man who could crush her bones is yet to be born! Her remark tickled Arnav and Ganesh and had them bellow out a laughter and Ganesh hugged Buaji with ease and as he freed her he queried, whether she was fine? Buaji gasped at Ganesh mischievous remark and stammered to say, that she was fine. She tweaked Arnav and Ganesh's cheeks and left laughing.

As the grooms watched the guests in gaily coloured clothes, laughing and chattering ten to the dozen, dressed fashionably to perfection, with the jewels of various types and hues, twinkling and glinting at the stray beams of light.

Ganesh with hope had his eyes planted on stairs. He wondered, was it not time for Anamika to come down? Was she nervous? Maybe he could go up... Arnav had his eyes glued on the stairs and his heart was fretting to see Khushi. It kept repeating, if only she would come! Nani brought forth a matronly lady and introduced her to them. Her, Chotey, Ganeshji, this is Mrs.Kripalani, elicited greetings from the grooms and acceptance of her congratulations, with their eyes glued to the stairs. Nani bit back her smile. The chatter suddenly tapered out and the hall went silent.

Anamika was descending the steps in a gorgeous golden lehenga that had been elaborately embroidered. It was of netted material embroidered with pearls, swarovski crystals, and ruby and jade stones with tulle silk for lining. It had a red silk strip along the hem, the colour of the sindoor. Her neck was adorned with the necklace presented by Nani that very morning. The matching, earrings, bangles, armlets, waistband, maangtikka, payal of the same set enhanced her beauty, making Nani tear up.

Payal led Anamika down the steps to stand next to Ganesh, who was staring at his bride without even a blink in the eye as though he was seeing an unknown person. Mami's teasing, What happened Ganesh Bitwaa, is this not your bride, Has there been an exchange of sorts? made Ganesh flush with self-consciousness. The ensuing laughter saw Anamika blush and Gaurav hug both of them at the sight of his childhood dream become a reality.

Arnav was becoming impatient by the minute and was straining his neck towards the stairs. He was on edge, having not seen Khushi all evening, NK's advice with unmitigated mirth, Khabar karo, Nannav, khabar karo, made Arnav ask with a frown, whom does he have to inform and what? Akash corrected NK with an exasperated, Sabar, NK bhai! NK corrected himself and pulling his ear said, Sabar, sabar! Sorry, Nannav, mere Bhai! Sensing Khushi's presence by the slight breeze that always her presence brought around him, Arnav craned his head towards the stairs and felt delightful frissons of excitement pass through his very being. Khushi was wearinfg a red lehenga, a gift by Anamika. The lehenga was in kumkum red, the rich red soft shot silk with gold embroidery and embellished with crystal and pearl work. It had a border with two strips of applique work, one black and the other red with a hint of dark pink in it, that were intricately embroidered using emeralds and rubies in the zardosi work. The accompanying short red choli had exquisitely intricately embroidered, including at neck and arms.The chunri draped over the head was of tulle silk, soft as muslin, in the hue of yellow ochre, the rich turmeric colour, bordered with the kumkum red same as the skirt. The combination was a blend of auspicious colours of the wedding. On her neck was Nani's gift, a piece of the Raizada heirloom, a gift of love that Nanaji had given his wife long back.On her arms were his mother's kangans, the ones with the peacocks in enamel that his mother had got it done for her bahu years ago..

His throat had gone dry and it made difficult for him to swallow the lump he felt lodged there. His Khushi, resplendent in his favorite colour, was looking alluring. Her willowy figure, in the silk lehenga with a short choli that let him have a glimpse of the sweet curves of her creamy waist was beconing him. His smouldering eyes took in the ethereal figure noting each and everything about her from head to toe, lingering on the enticing curves with great pleasure. Khushi, feeling the heat of his gaze looked up and felt an electrifying tingle run down her spine making her stumble. Anjali catching her firmly asked, what happened Khushiji? Khushi wondered, how could she tell his Di that her Chotey was devouring her with his caramel eyes that had darkened with desire. Khushi, with her eyes still trapped in his, mesmerized by his look, swallowed hard using all her strength. Seeing that she did not get any reply, Anjali anxiously enquired, was she feeling cold? Khushi sighing to herself wondered, how could she tell Anjaliji that the smoldering look that her brother was giving her was making her feel hot. He was caressing her with his look and sending tingles along her spine and make her toes curl? Still not getting any response, Anjali persisted with, are you alright? Khushi, smiling with great difficulty, her cheeks vying with her lehenga answered, I am fine, Di.

This update is about being anxious as well as enthusiastic, in a word, EAGER.

When Arnav and Ganesh made their appearance at the hall, in their simple yet elegant sherwani kurta, a part of Anamika special wedding collection, looking elegant and graceful, all eyes were agog. The accompanying men, NK, Gaurav, Akash and Mamaji too complemented the grooms and the stately look all the six presented enthralled the ladies, making Anjali say, Nani just look at them!

Nani, who had been anxious since long, that her chotey who worked very hard and had made it his goal to provide the family with all that they needed and who has carried on his shoulders, the running of the family on smooth wheels, catering to all the whims and fancies of each and every member, was breathless with realization that he had finally found a bride for himself. She realized the fervent hope of her daughter was being fulfilled. The girl who had stolen his heart was one of a rare breed and was like order made for him. She was one who matched him in every step, ready and willing to take him headlong be it in fun or fury! She was solicitous enough to yearn for him all the time and match him in his ardor. Nani was one enthusiastic lady who wanted this alliance to come through and now that it was, she was a very content. Looking at Ganesh, she felt for the lonely life he had led, even with having the woman of his dreams right in front of him and the family he wanted to be part of at an arm's distance. Now he must be a relieved man to have Gaurav being acknowledged as his son and Anamika as his wife. His wishful thoughts now were becoming a reality.

"Every man needs a woman when his life is in a mess, because just like the game of chess, the Queen protects the King"

Mami's enthusiasm was seen with her comment on her Arnav Bitwaa who was taken aback knowing her predictably unpredictable nature, that he was good enough to eat. Buaji's milder expression, that she almost did not recognize the two transformed grooms too showed earnest happiness. For Anjali it was a heartwarming sight to see her chotey, dressed in the attire of a groom. Her papad ka tukda instead of being ukkda was all smiles. She who had adjusted to life after the tragic incidents in life knew, her brother had been broken apart with the loss of their mother and the incidents around it. Though he braved in front of the world as ASR, he was still the same chotey of yore, who was yearning to be loved. But not knowing how to go about, he hid behind the mask of indifference, rude and arrogance. With the expression of love between him and Khushi in the open, he was a changed man. He was a transformed man that the family and friends now saw as Arnav Singh Raizada, which only she was privy to earlier. Her ardent prayers to her Devi Maiyya had been answered by giving him another devotee of Her's as his bride. Once Ganesh and Arnav received blessings from Nani, wishes from Anjali, Arnav and Ganesh were kept on tenter hooks by the ladies around them and the brides who were yet to make an appearance even though the guests were seated. Normally patient Ganesh whispered to Arnav, that the wait for their brides to come down was like waiting at the dentist's! imaptiently. Arnav agreeing with him wondered whether all grooms felt the longing, impatience and the feeling of raring to go.

"My heart only ever had one thought, one want. One need. Despite all, in spite of all...All my heart has ever wanted is you"

~ Stephanie Laurens, The Edge of Desire

When Anjali and Payal went to fetch the brides, Arnav and Ganesh were seen stretching their neck in that direction. It made Buaji comfort them saying that their brides had not runaway and are still there. She, putting Kajal behind their ears to ward of any evil eyes touched them a lot, making Arnav hug Buaji and giving her the shock and pleasure of having acquired a son.She felt touched by the feeling of being wanted. When Ganesh followed suit, but put his arms around her gingerly, he was told that she was sturdy and not fragile like a glass. This made him give her a warm hug. By this gesture, both had given Buaji extreme happiness of having acquired two sons, for she had been childless and her nieces had taken the place of daughters' in her life. They fulfilled her craving for a son by not giving just one but two.

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart"

~ Helen Keller

The two grooms even when introduced to guests, were preoccupied with thoughts on their brides and their eyes were pining for a glimpse of them. They were really gung ho to be with them and not the guests.

When Anamika was led down, Ganesh was dumbstruck to see the beauty. He had not imagined her to look so very beautiful even in his wild dreams. His expression was so endearing that Mamiji could not let go of such an opportunity to tease pass by and asked him whether it was not his bride? Has the bride got exchanged in the bargain? Her enthusiasm was reciprocated by Ganesh flushing deeper, Anamika blushing and Gaurav hugging the two. For Gaurav it was a fervent wish granted. He had been dying to have a happy family consisting of his mama, papa and himself all along since childhood. And now Scooby too had joined in to form the happy quartet.

"It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons"

~ Johann Schiller

Arnav's wait, on pins and needles, had not been over and his ansty became the butt of joke of his brothers. Though he frowned at their teasing, the minute he saw Khushi everything got relegated to the background. His yearning to take her in his arms, but unattainable at the moment, led him to breathless desire. Khushi dressed in his favorite color, red, looking ethereal, in silk lehenga, miniscule choli and the diaphanous chunri, showing of her willowy figure and curves to perfection increased his heartbeats. It made him greedy for her sight and his eyes devoured her. The heated gaze, warned Khushi and made her look at him. The molten caramel eyes, sent a shiver down, tingling her spine making her stumble in her step. When Anjali asked her what was the matter, Khushi had no answer to give, as she could not say to Di, that her brother was looking at her ardently, hungrily, heatedly that conveyed to her that he was raring to go. It was making her feel hot on trot and also excited at the prospect of being the wife of her Arnavji, legally having the right to be with him at all times and never having to go away from him. Though his smoldering gaze was making her restless, she was ready and willing to give in to his warm blooded desires. So, when Anjali asked her, Are you alright, mustering her wayward thoughts she answered, I am fine, Di.