Part 109

"Raj!" called out papaji. Raj turned! "We are having a meeting with panditji..." said papaji.
"Meeting?" Raj wondered. He knew how weird his father was. All the five panditji gathered in the room with papaji and Raj.

"Pandit ji... with due respect to all of you, I would like to suggest that the wedding be done with all the rituals and no shortcuts." Said papaji bowing his head before the pundits.  Raj followed.

"Yes! " said the elderly Pandit raising his hand to bless Raj and Papaji.
"It will be our honor to do so! There are very few families now a days, wanting the wedding with full rituals. I will make sure of its sanctity. I will explain every ritual if you want!" said the elderly Pandit looking at others for their approval. They all nodded smiling.

"Its... I mean... I want people to know the significance of our marriages. My son in law, I want him to understand the meaning of being together, understand the marriage. She is my dear daughter.. I want her to know everything. I.. I want her to be happy and be blessed by the almighty God and all the people. I want .... Her... to be blessed by stalwarts like you...!" said papaji incoherently, losing his composure.

"DAD!... !" Raj tried to hold papaji's hand. Tears were rolling down papaji's eyes and disappearing in his moustache and beard. He raised his hand to stop Raj. A tear drop fell on his knuckle.

He looked shocked  and lost at his own tears. "Tear?... But I am happy! I am very happy ... !" said papaji quivering and looking confused. He looked at Raj helplessly. Raj was staring the floor.  He couldn’t hide his tears....!

"You carry on.. I will be right back!" said papaji suddenly getting up and going out! Raj gaped at his father. He had never seen him in such a state, in such a vulnerable condition.

"What have I done to him!! I have unhinged, disquieted, distressed him with my actions! He might have broken down completely when I walked out of his life, ten years back! It might have taken its toll on him. Mom crippled physically, but Dad? He broke from within, never showing anything on his face...Oh god! What have I done! Please .. God show me a way to bring those ten years back!" A muffled sob left Raj. He swallowed hard! The elderly pandit was watching intently.

Then he spoke in a deep voice. "You cannot bring the time back, my child! The only thing you can do is try and forget!!"

Raj looked at Panditji in surprise "I am sure, you will help him forget the past, my child!" he said seriously. A faint smile appeared on Raj's face. "Yes!" he said resolutely and getting up, said "I will bring him back!" he turned to leave.

"No need!" said the head pandit raising his hand. "I believe, the meeting is over! And God Bless you!" Raj turned and left to be with his father.

**  **** ****

Raj dashed inside looking for his dad. He found him with Khushi! She was laughing her heart out on his jokes and mummiji was smiling mildly looking at her husband. She knew something was wrong with him. Raj came in and stopped at the door seeing his father laughing and joking with joy. He dashed in and hugged his dad tightly to everybody's surprise. Mummiji understood what was wrong. She turned her wheel chair and went out of the room. Papaji was taken aback by Raj's action. He patted on Raj's back and whispered "I am ok, Raj!"

"Ok? Were you not Ok? What happened? Are you ok papaji?" Khushi asked at once. Raj closed his eyes and flared up his nose. "Shut up, Khushi! Stop poking your nose!" he said looking at her.

"What? He is my papaji, I am asking him! Not you!" she took her stance anticipating and getting ready for the fight on this issue!
"God Bless Arnav!" muttered Raj in frustration and went out grinning with his Dad. She had defused the situation successfully yet again!

*** ***** ****
Sham went out in a car driven by one of the security guards. The other one was sitting next to him. He asked him to stop at the ATM. He got down from the car. The guard followed him closely. Sham desperately wanted to withdraw the money. He inserted his card and keying in his password waited for his balance to appear. To his surprise he got a message "the amount is unavailable for withdrawal" Please contact the nearest branch." He tried several times with the same message.
"What?" he was surprised. He came back to his room and tried to connect to his account. A message appeared on his screen "This account is frozen till further orders!" He was shocked! He tried all his accounts in vain. All his bank accounts were frozen.

He downloaded his mails which he had not done in a week. He had a mail from his boss Mr. Shondeep Banerjee stating that all his powers are withdrawn till he gives a reply to the show cause notice sent to him and he is suspended from his post.

Sham got up in rage. He went to Nani's room and called his wife. She came out hurriedly looking concerned.
"What is it?" she asked. Raani Saaheba! I need money right now! Its urgent! Give me your card!" he held out his hand.

"What? Why? Why do you want money now?" she asked suspiciously for the first time in their married life.
"Its urgent! Raani Saheba! " He said nervously.
"How much?" she asked.
"as much as possible.. in lacs" he said in a whisper.
"What? Lacs?" She screamed in the corridors.
"Shhh! Don't shout!" he held her by her shoulders tightly. She looked frightened.
"B..But you won't be able to withdraw that much from ATM" she said quivering.
"I know! I will withdraw in instalments!" he said looking at her angrily. He saw a room door opening.... He immediately left her and changing his tone said "Raani Saheba! I want it for your sake only!"
"What?" She was surprised with this sudden change.
"But... I don't have my card with me! Its with Chote! Wait I will get it!" she said moving away.

Shondeep had already reached. He was looking at both of them intently.
"Is there any problem?" he asked looking at Sham. Sham's blood boiled with rage. He almost lost his mental balance and coming on to him aggressively he hissed "You are the problem! You froze my accounts!" He had raised his fist to punch Shondeep. Shondeep held his hand and slowly brought it down with a force.

"Calm down Mr. Sham..! These are procedural matters! I had warned you before!" he said authoritatively. Sham could sense Shondeep's grip tightening.
"You will face the consequences..!" Sham threatened Shondeep. Shondeep smiled mildly.
"Mr. Sham it's a procedure. I cannot help. Please be ready to face the inquiry!" He said turning his back on Sham. He saw Anjali going to Arnav's room.

"Chote! Can you give me my card? Your Jijaji needs some money urgently!" she said.
"What? How much?" He asked picking up his wallet from the dressing table and pulling out her card.
"I don't know!" she said helplessly. "Di! Don't worry. I will give him the money! But why does he want it?" asked Arnav placing his hand on her shoulder.
"Wait! I will ask him!" she said taking the card from her brother.

Sham was furious and frustrated! He did not know what to do now! Anjali came back with the card. She handed it over to him. "Chote said he can help! He can give you cash!" she said smiling.
"What? How much?" he asked. "Whatever you want! But why do you want that money?" she asked him again.

"Can he give me five lacs now?" he asked her.
"Why don't you come and ask him?" she said again moving towards Arnav's room. Arnav was waiting at the door. He looked at his Jijaji sternly. Sham could not gauge Arnav.
"Why is he so helpful this time?" he wondered.
"Hello Jijaji! Di told me, you are in need !" said Arnav in a soft voice but his eyes were expressionless.
"Yes!" said Sham eagerly.
"How much?" he asked.
"um.. Five lacs!" replied Sham hesitantly.
"Ok! " said Arnav plainly. Sham was surprised.
"Jijaji, you know I don't do cash dealings. Its very difficult to account for! So I suggest you pass a receipt to that extent mentioning the purpose! Hope you understand!" Arnav said earnestly.
Sham thought for a while and then said "Ok! I will pass a receipt for the same!" Arnav smiled.
"Jijaji, Please get the receipt and I will pay you!" said Arnav.
Sham rushed to his room to prepare a receipt for Five lacs of rupees taken from Arnav Singh Raizada for personal use.
He came back with the receipt and Arnav was ready with the cash.

**** ***** *********
Sham went out again in that night with the security guards and money! He had paid it to a person waiting for him!!!
Arnav was smirking looking at the receipt. Sham had written it on his letterhead. "Dowery demand? On the eve of wedding of BIL !!!!" blurted Arnav before going to bed.

Next day early morning Anjali came to wake Arnav up. "Chote you have to get ready, The wedding ceremony will start soon. Nani is waiting for you!" She said and went out hurriedly. He got ready and went to Nani's room. She said "Chhote.. come here. I will put oil on your head and then you go and take bath!"

"What? OIL" he looked at his Nani. "No! I am not going to put oil on my head!" he said firmly.
"You will have to!" Said Nani holding his hand and pulling him down. He sat unwillingly. Nani took her own time to apply oil on his head and then said... "Take this sandalwood powder and have a nice hot water bath!"

He touched nani's feet and went to his room. When he came out of the bathroom the two persons were waiting for him. He had disgust on his face but had no other choice. It took them quite a time to get Arnav ready. Arnav resisted for the Indian traditional outfit but there was no one to listen to him. Shondeep peeked a couple of times in his room and smirking went away. Anjali was supervising over his makeup.

"Di! Please.. I am not comfortable! Let me wear my normal attire!" he said pleadingly.
"Oh! Chote.. I cannot do anything. Its Khushi's papaji's order... And Ragi is policing outside...!" She said teasing him. The make up artists finished their work and turned Arnav to face the mirror. Arnav couldn't believe his eyes, he was staring at a stranger. He ran his fingers on his dress looking at the mirror.
"Is this me? Arnav Singh Raizada?" he asked himself. He saw Anjali's figure next to him and Regi appeared behind... She had tears in her eyes. "Why do women cry on every occasion?" he wondered. She placed a black spot behind his ear.

“Ho.. ho wait! Mr. ASR!” Regi roared taking out his cell.  “Got to send this to mother.... Her Aru ... ready to be wedded with his sweetheart..!” Regi has his share of teasing and suddenly getting serious, asked,

“By the way, did you tell her that you love her?” he asked loudly and everyone turned to them.  Arnav flushed .... “What?” Regi asked again very loudly above everyone’s snigger...! Arnav looked away...

“I didn’t have to! She knew!” he said under his breath.  “What?” Regi asked him leaning towards him.

“No!” yelled Arnav and suddenly fell silent looking around.

“Oh! Poor Khushi... She doesn’t even know, whether he loves her or not!” Regi pitied Khushi smirking...! He winked at Rekha.  She grinned.  The game was on...!

A Blessed Pagadi (sehra) was tied neatly around his head with pink and white combination and a string of pearls ran through it across. The stiff edge fanned out little skewed to the right over his pagdi. A ruby studded Shir pech was adding grace. His Off white designer Shervani was intricately embroidered with real gold and silver threads and pearls. The thick "Kantha" gold chain hung around his neck with antique maharaja style pendent with a large round ruby at the center. His wrist graced a bracelet. His engagement ring in his left ring finger and a matching ruby studded ring on his right hand ring finger. His white salwar was highlighting his off white knee length Shervani. He wore white gold designed Indian footwear (Joote) open at heels and pointed at the front with an upward turn. A belt bearing an ornately designed handled sword at his waist hung across his shoulder. This was at Papaji's insistence. He had always considered the couple, Arnav and Khushi as fighters to the core and a sword is the symbol of warrior! Arnav looked no less than a prince with his six feet height and muscular built body and his graceful body posture.

He had felt uncomfortable walking with jootas but with a little bit of practice he had a conquering walk. Even the makeover artists wondered at their own creation.

"Every girl will fall for him today!" they thought. Anjali could not take her eyes off her chote! There was a knock on the door and Shondeep for the third time entered the room. He had a strange look on his face and looking at Arnav, holding out his hand, he said bowing"I am Mr. Shondeep Banerjee...! And you are the Prince of which princely State Sir? ..." he looked very serious.

"Oh! Shut up, Shondeep!" said Arnav flushing. Anjali and Shondeep grinned at each other. Arnav looked away. Other family members started pouring in his room. Aakash held his hand on his heart looking at his handsome bhai. Nani again applied black kajal to ward off evil eye. Sham just stood there as if waiting for someone or something. Mama and Mami were on cloud nine. Mami was laden with tasteless gold ornaments from head to toe. She was wearing a blue designer saree with golden bordered. Nani looked graceful with her cream lucknow kalamkari designer saree and a single Kantha gracing her neck.

Aakash and Mamaji wearing designer Shervanis and pink pagadi. Sham had a light blue Kurta paijama with matching pagadi.

Shondeep wore a silk off white kurta and had turned his thick curly hair back highlighting his broad forehead. His blue eyes emitting happiness, his smile made people hold their breath. Lavanya was wearing a red saree with select ornaments. She was looking stunning. She could not take her eyes off Shondeep. He had a simple attire but was looking handsome with his Six and a quarter feet slender fair body. Lavanya got lost in his dimpled smile. He smiled at her. She came and wrapped her hand around his arm.

Anjali was wearing a yellow designer south Indian silk saree with green golden boarder. She wore an emerald and diamond studded ornate set. She had combination of yellow-green and gold bangles till elbow length. Her baajubandh IArm band) highlighted her slender long hands with the rings gracing her artistic long fingers.

"Uncle!!!!" Tej dashed in pushing everyone aside. Arnav and Tej kept gaping at each other. Tej was looking like a miniature prince replica of Arnav's exactly! Even he had hung a miniature sword across, causing people to hold their breath. Arnav picked him up. Tej kissed on Arnav's cheek.

"Dadaji told me to kiss you on Khushi buwa's behalf!" He said loudly sending a  wave of laughter in the gathering and Arnav put him down immediately looking away.

"Uncle!!" Meera was pulling his hand. She was wearing a red ghagaraa Choli with golden chunni, red bangles and matching jewellery! Arnav knelt down. She too kissed him on his other cheek! And before she could speak anything Arnav pressed his finger on her lips and said "I know!" Shondeep thumped on his shoulder.

Raj and Elsa came in. Both of them were in Bengali attire! both of them joining their hands said "We have come to take you to the Mantap in procession (Baarat!)

Elsa put a tilak on Arnav's forehead between his eyebrows and did Aarti. Raj held Arnav's hand and they all walked towards the motorcade.

The motorcade stopped at a distance from the gates of Sheesh mehel. A decorated, large, tall upto 15 hands height, spotless white mare was waiting. She wore a white foam leather saddle with silk embroidered cloth on it, A leather reins and stirrup! The owner of the horse was holding the reins.

Arnav suddenly resisted. "No! I am not mounting a horse!" he said firmly. Raj looked at him naughtily and said "As you wish!" "Your wish is my command!"

"Here!” He waved at the opposite side. An intricately draped huge Elephant was waiting patiently for someone to mount his decorated howdah with canopy. (Ambari) Arnav winced at the thought of mounting an elephant. He looked at Raj angrily. Raj grinned! Arnav preferred Horse to Elephant. Raj had a bright smile. Arnav muttered!

The other baaratees (All Arnav's relatives and friends with their families!) had gathered under a make shift pendal !

"Where did these many relatives come from?" He wondered. He could recognize a few like mami's sister, brother and their family, Nani's elder sister and her family. Some of his second cousins.. Mama's cousins...the list went on. All of a sudden all of them had become active excited about the baaraat!

Raj took Arnav to the Horse. Elsa again did aarti to the horse and washed the hooves with water. She fed the mare grains and mare put a step ahead indicating the acceptance. Arnav tried to mount the horse... but every time the mare shook her body. The owner asked Arnav to feed her. He did and then the mare nodded and stood still. Arnav inserted his left foot in the stirrup and mounted the mare gracefully. "Uncle!!" Tej was shouting raising his hands for someone to pick him up and put him behind Arnav. Raj did!

He took out some cash and gave away to be distributed among the poor! He gave a gift box to the owner of the horse too!

Tej held Arnav tightly from behind. The musicians (Band walas) started playing typical procession styled music and The baaraaties started dancing infront of the mare! It took one hour to cover the distance of just half a Kilometer to reach to the gates of Sheesh mahel!

Papaji, Mummiji and Khushi's family and friends were waiting at the gates to welcome the Baarat!!!

*********  ****

Mummiji woke Khushi up early morning. "Khushi! Get up! " she said. Khushi reluctantly opened her eyes. She looked around. "Khushi! Wake up!" Mummiji said smiling at her. "Hm!" Khushi got up stretching her body.

"Khushi! You have to fast till your wedding. Of course you can have milk or juice!" Said mummiji remembering Khushi's hunger.

"What?" Khushi screamed! She went to get ready sulkily.
Amma made her to sit on a low square stool and put scented oil on her hair. Massaging her head slowly she said "Khushi, you need to get ready soon. The baaraat will come anytime" Khushi turned hearing a commotion outside. She heard some familiar voices and waited to see! "Rano, Megha..." she screamed when her childhood friends entered the room. She went ahead and hugged. Giggling, her friends started rushing in the room.

"Khushi!" Amma called sternly. "Girls... go out and wait for her! Let her get ready!" they all went out laughing and teasing each other. "This is great! After so long I am meeting them!" Khushi grinned.
Amma took her to the bathroom. She massaged her face, hands and legs with Sandalwood paste and bathed her with the river water papaji had arranged ! Mummiji was supervising over all her makeup. Khushi came out! The team of make over artists were waiting for her.

It took a very long time to make her ready for her D-day! She was enjoying this making over. She smiled, giggled, laughed, blushed when the make up artists started putting Sola shringar for her and complemented her on every Shringar. They had covered all the mirrors in her room. She was not supposed to look at her image before the Shringar was complete.

When she got ready! One of them went out of the room and called Amma and Mummiji. It was the mother's privilege to see her first in bridal wear. Both of them couldn't stop their tears and mummiji took out cash to be distributed among the poor. Mummiji and Amma held her hands and turned her around to face the mirror! The cover was removed from the full length mirrors.

 Khushi had closed her eyes while turning around to face the mirror. She slowly apprehensively opened her eyes and kept looking at her own reflection. She gazed at the image unblinkingly. Her eyes went dreamy.

She was looking  heavenly!! Her fair complexion was glowing. Her hazy eyes emitted satisfaction. She gazed at herself from head to toe. Her Sola Shringar was complete. She fell in love with herself. She dreamed about Arnav and wished he be there with her, Looking at her!
She looked at her Solaa Shringaar (16 steps in bridal make up!) .
Her hair was neatly combed and was tied into a bun loosely hanging above her neck. The Hair style was decorated with gold studs and tiny floral beads.
White delicate jasmine malas (Lines) were pinned to her hair bun bringing them down from both the sides of her neck.
The hair was centrally parted and a Maang Tika (A ornate gold string with a circular pendent at one end was placed on her parting, bringing the pendent down on her forehead. The chains hanging from both the sides of the tika were loosely pinned behind her ears highlighting the hairline on her forehead.
A studded bindi was placed between her eyebrows matching the saree she was going to wear.
Her expressive hazel eyes were highlighted with Kaajal or Anjana (Eye liner) A small dot was placed behind her ears. Khushi wore a light lipstick.
A Nathni (a big gold ring through her left nostril with a chain pinned behind her left ear was delicately placed in her pierced nostril.
She was made to wear the earrings, large dangling zumkas and a chain ran around her ear for support.
Different types of Haar (/Necklesses) graced her neck of varying lengths right from the chokers to the navel length.
A Baaju Bandh was placed around her arms with serpent designs to signify its power to keep the evil at the bay and symbolizing lord Shiva.
The chudaa had already graced her wrists till elbows with red, ivory and gold combination.
Mehendi was intricately designed on her hands with Arnav's contribution to the design. Khushi looked at her palms and blushed recollecting Arnav drawing on her palm his name!
She wore rings in all her fingers except the thumbs. These rings were tied at the back of her hand with a gold floral ornament (Haath Fulora) which was joined to her first bangle on the wrist.
Gold anklets were placed around her ankles.
The toe rings were placed around her toe middle and third finger.
A Kamar Bandh (waist band) was placed tightly around her waist.
She wore a golden yellow ghagara choli with golden chunnari. Her transparent chunari covered her head and her hairstyle and tucked in her kamar Bandh.

The door of the room was thrown open and Khushi was brought out to take blessings from the elders. She first went to the panditji and took their blessings by sitting down on her knees and touching her head to the floor! Panditji blessed her sprinkling holy water on her head.

She looked at Mummiji. Mummiji took her to babuji and Amma, then Buwaji. Khushi's eyes were searching for papaji, but he was nowhere to be seen. She looked at mummiji. "Where is he?" she asked. Mummiji looked away avoiding to answer. Khushi asked again "Where is papaji?" She held mummiji's hand.

"He doesn't want to see you... in bridal dress!" said mummiji trying to stop her tears.
"What? But I am not in bridal wear yet! " She said moving from room to room in search of him. Finally she found him sitting in the balcony of his room.

"Papaji ! She called out!" He turned around and froze!
"Oh! My angel!" he called her with open arms. She ran and merged in his hug!

"Papaji!" she said in quivering voice, tears welling up her eyes.!"
"No! Khushi! No!" he almost screamed. Khushi stopped dead. "Don't! Your make up will wash off!" he said grinning at her. She grinned back and hugged him tightly.

"Papaji, come!" she said pulling his hand and dragging him out of the room. She came where mummiji was waiting. She sat on her knees and touching her head on the floor said "Bless me!"

Mummiji lifted her and kissed her forehead. "No Khushi! You bow like this only before God or HIS men!" she said. Papaji hugged her tightly muttering "Rub raakhaa !!" May God protect you!!Bless you!

Khushi was surrounded by her friends.  Someone pulled her away... “Khushi..!” Regi was looking at her unblinkingly...! She blushed and Rekha couldn’t stop pecking her on cheeks.  Aman whistled, winking at her. 

“What is this?” she said blushing.   “But.... I don’t know.... But!” she shook his head.

“What?” Khushi asked curiously.  Aman looked away not knowing what to say..

“What? Aman Sir?” she asked holding his hand.  “I mean... I don’t know...! But ASR was looking very handsome...! Compared to that... she .. i mean... Khushi....!” he said looking at Rekha.  Rekha wore seriousness. 

“Yeah...! I think ..” She looked at Regi.  “I think Regi designed his outfit himself... and yours Khushi... I think some apprentice...!” Khushi turned to Regi fuming in rage and Regi staggered back.  Rekha and Aman waiting smirking, for the explosion...!

“Regi sir!” Khushi yelled and Regi winced.  He held her tightly ..

“Khushi... you believe them? Do you think I would do that?” he tried his best. 

“Yeah, you would!” Khushi shouted breaking free and the duo roared in laughter. 

“I know you are his man, through and through....!” She said breaking free from him.  He pulled her in his embrace and said... “Khushi... I designed for both of you...! “

“By the way, Khushi, when did he say he loves you? In Kolkata?” Rekha asked grinning at others.   Khushi looked confused. 

“When? You don’t remember?” Rekha added fuel... Khushi tried to remember but she couldn’t.  “When did he say?” he didn’t!  Khushi fidgeted restlessly trying hard.

“What? He didn’t say? And you are marrying him?” Aman was wicked  among the three.  Khushi fumed. 

“You should have made him confess his love, Khushi!” Aman said shaking his head hopelessly.

“Now its too late!” Rekha said seriously.

“It is never too late! Our Khushi will compel him to confess...!” Regi patted on Khushi’s back sympathetically.  Khushi clenched her teeth. 

“Yes.. Khushi! We are with you!” Rekha said winking at others.  They left her alone to ponder.. Her friends surrounded her. 

She was giggling and blushing. "Khushi, we heard he is very handsome! How did you manage to hook him?" one of them asked teasing her. "Oh! It must be easy for her! Look at her! Anyone would fall for her!" complemented one of the friends.
There was commotion downstairs. Khushi could hear the band playing loud music. Mummiji came forward!

"Khushi! The baarat is at the door! Go this way to the balcony which opens on the front side. Look at your husband. If he looks up at you, come back!" She said pushing Khushi! Her friends accompanied her. Mummiji kept her fingers crossed.
"What?" Asked papaji!
"It's a good omen if he looks up at her!" She prayed.
"Oh! Is it? I will make sure he looks up!" he said smiling at her.
"No! " She ordered him. They both along with Guptas went down to welcome the baaraat!
Khushi waited at the window with bated breath!!!