Posted:
Maajhi Mulgi Saarkhe
Teeka and a form of god bharai happened the evening before the wedding traditions that would have typically occurred at a formal engagement ceremony.
she was draped in a beautiful Banarsi saree in deep crimson with a dark pink and crimson double hued blouse
Everything happened in a blur for her at the Hall
She was the center of attention, women walked by smearing teeka, a couple even hooked what looked like gold chains with pendants on her, Neel sat by her wearing a cream color embroidered silk kurta and chudidaar
His hair was combed back neatly, the parting a perfect line
He looked nervous but smiled comfortably
Mr and Mrs Misra sat in the first row with a forlorn look smiling occasionally when family or friends greeted them
Mrs Misra hugged a big leather purse between the folds of her pally and frequently pushed her glasses back on her nose and looked at Suvi piercingly
Mr Misra occasionally squeezed her handkerchief holding fist, her expression softened a bit and she looked at him with misty eyes, pretended to cough and rubbed the tears off her cheeks
They did it in a quiet non intrusive way
Ruchi stopped by and checked on them frequently
She dragged Nihar with her one time and made him hug his maternal grandparents
He was shy but spoke politely.
Ruchi handed Mrs Misra her youngest occasionally
Pushkar walked by them and didnt pause or greet or nod
Mr Misra looked on shocked
Amma walked over "Aap hamare yaha ruk jaate raat ko?" she insisted
Mr Misra shook his head his wife had told him she didnt want to stay where the bride was already being hosted... at Pants
"Choodiyon ka joda laayin hain" Mr Misra spoke hesitantly
Mrs Misra clutched and unclutched the voluminous purse
"Abhi deein aapko?" she asked politely
"Aapne bahu ka teeka kiya?" Amma asked
Mrs Misra shook her head and nodded all at the same time, unable to lie
Amma bend down and held Mrs Misra's hands in a warm grip
"Aapko mera waada hai... aap aur hum wahin hain rishte mein... hamesha aap aur hum samdhi rahenge" she said softly
Amma wore a pale peach banarsi saree and dark pink bindi and a jooda and flowers around it
"Gajra laate hain aapke liye" Amma said
"Nahi... baal bahut jhar gaye hai hamare, gajra sambhalta nahi" Mrs Misra said with a faint smile.
Mr Misra looked on, at the stage with a faraway look in his eyes, looking but not really paying attention, as a string of people got on and got off.
Aadhya was out of control unable to comprehend what good fortune had occurred for her and her mother to be surrounded by so much pomp and gaeity
"To haath mein rakhen, khushboo aati rahegi... Matunga mein ek Ganpati ka mandir hai South ka... waha bahar dher saare baithte hain, unko kaha"
"Aapke bahu ke yahan se kaun aaya hai?" Mrs Misra asked
"Unki jeeji rehti hain Singapore, third trimester hai unka" Amma said lowering her gaze
"Ladki sandar hai" Mrs Misra acknowledged with an aching heart
Amma's eyes sparkled
"Andar se bhi" Amma said softly
Mrs Misra looked at Amma startled wondering how Mrs Pandit could be so open and so accepting and so receptive to change...
Amma slowly sat by Mrs Misra...
"Aasan nahi tha hamare liye... humne Nupur ko beti maana hai" Amma cleared her throat and swallowed
Mr Misra turned as if his daughter herself had appeared in person
In the loud cacaphony of the banquet hall he had somehow heard his daughter's name being mentioned
"Nupur?" he repeated as if to confirm
"Beti maani hain... bata rahi hain" Mrs Misra's turn to squeeze her husband's wrinkly clenched fist
His shoulders slumped as he leaned back on the red vinyl tent house chair... with a sigh
