Part 111

They waited for Papaji to return. Another round of snacks and drinks were served. It was almost six in the evening. Arnav was served juice. Special care was taken for his sugar problem. No one cared about Khushi. She was starving. But every time she was told that she can have food only after the wedding.

People had started talking among themselves. New and Old acquaintances were engrossed in the gossip. Almost everyone wondered about the tight security and metal detector searches. Some were happy for these orphan children; some jelous, some envied, some were finding faults in the arrangements; some were commenting on someone else's dress sense; a few were doubting the Guptas' relationship with papaji, some were wondering about Khushi's success; some were talking about Khushi or Arnav's childhood; some were discussing about Anjali's past; some were whispering about Arnav's diabetic problem; some were dozing off and others just waited for the grand dinner!!! All the Guptas and Raizadas were busy extending hospitality. Anjali was searching for her husband. Elsa, the foreigner, was the centre of attraction with her bengali attire!!.

As the time passed, Raj looked little nervous. He was trying to contact his father frantically but both Papaji's and Shondeep's phones were not reachable.

Exactly after nine minutes papaji and Shondeep returned. They both were smiling. Two of the bodyguards entered the hall with Sham. He was fidgeting and looking nervous. Raj came hurriedly forward, "Dad?" he started off.

"Everything is alright!" declared his Dad. Shondeep lingered behind and when Sham came in he placed his hand on Sham's shoulder and manoeuvred him towards a couch in the front. When they sat he tightened his grip.

"I told you, not to try anything different, Mr Sham. Had we not reached in time, anything would have happened! Even you could have got shot! They had shooting orders!!" He whispered with gritted teeth. "Your hired people wouldn't be of any help!" His otherwise, kind and pleasant eyes emitted rage and disgust!

Sham did not answer nor looked at Shondeep. He stared unfocused at the wedding altar. Arnav cast a disgust at Sham. He knew something was wrong.

Khushi was already in inquisitive mode.
"Papaji, where were you? What was so important? We all were worried!" she looked back from where she was sitting at papaji and started off loudly.

"Khushi! Everything is ok. Don't start your inquiry here!" said Arnav with gritted teeth, leaning towards her. She turned her face and kept quiet uneasily!!

**** **** *****
Seven heaps of fistfull of rice were placed at the right side of Arnav near the edge of the Mantap. Panditji asked Arnav to get up first. Arnav got up and held Khushi's right hand in his left.

"Both of you walk around the Fire (Havan kund ). For the first four rounds, Arnav first followed by Khushi and the last three rounds Khushi fahead of Arnav. Understand?"

"Both of you follow me in reciting the mantras! Khushi, you repeat after Arnav for the first four pheras and then Arnav, you repeat after Khushi! After each round you should step on one heap together crushing it with your right foot. Understand?" Asked the elderly priest. They both nodded.
Slowly Arnav had started taking interest in these rituals and was curious to know the meaning behind them.

People gathered around the altar with flower petals in their hands to shower their blessings on the couple while they take "Sapta padi" seven pheras together!!

They started the first round. Panditji recited : Followed by Arnav and Khushi All the priests showered flowers while the couple walked around the sacred Fire!!

"Let Lord Maha Vishnu the protector of life, for his blessings in marital life. Follow each one of our steps"
1.
"Sakyam -the' -Ghame'yam Sakyaath -the' Maayosham -Sakyan me" (sanskrit verse)
I will never move out of this relationship. God has united us in this bondage. I Our love has become firm by taking the first step together. I will love you and cherish you. promise me to share the responsibilities of the home, food and finances.
Khushi Promised!
2.
"Maayosta -Samayaava -Samayaava Sangalpaavahai Sampriyov" (sanskrit verse)
you have filled my heart with strength and courage. In your happiness I shall rejoice.
Khushi repeated!
We shall perform all activities together with love and affection.
3.
"Rosishnu -Sumanasyamanov Ishamoorjam - abhi Savasaanov" (sanskrit verse)
You have brought auspiciousness and sacredness in my life.
Let us be friendly in our thoughts. Let us observe our duties and rituals together.
4.
"Managhumsi -Samvrathaas smu Chiththaani -Aakaram Sathvamasi" (sanskrit verse)
If you are the lyrics, I am the music."
If you are the music, I am the lyrics."
"Pruthivee thvam -Retho' aham -retho' Bhruthvam Manohamasmi" (sanskrit verse)
If I am the heavenly body, you are the earthly world.
If you are the heavenly body, I am the earthly world. Together we make a perfect universe!
Khushi and Arnav changed their places.... Khushi ahead ofArnav
5.
"Amooham -Amoohamasmi saa -Thvam dhyowraham" (sanskrit verse)
While you are the life source, I am the carrier
While I am the life source, you are the carrier of the same.
and together we take this life cycle ahead!
6.
"vak thvam -Saamaa ham asmi -Rukthvam Saamaam" (sanskrit verse)
I am the thoughts and you are the speech.
I am the thoughts and your are the speech.
Let our thoughts and speech be one!
"Anuvradhaa -bhava Pumse' Pumse' -Puthraaya- Veththavai" (sanskrit verse)
While you are the words, I am the meaning.
While you are the words, I am the meaning.
Let our words convey the same meaning!
7.
"Sriyai -Puthraaya -Veththavai ehi -Soonrurute" (sanskrit verse)
With your sweet words, I come with you to lead a prosperous life begetting our progeny with children.
With your sweet words, come with me to lead a prosperous life begetting our progeny with children.
Together we fulfill the purpose of this bondage by begetting obedient and Nobel Children.
"Sakaa -Sapthapadha -bhava Sakaayov -Saptha padhaa Bhaboova" (sanskrit verse)
By these seven steps you have taken with me, you have become my best friend. We are equal in our life together. We are perfect halves and together we make a perfect Whole!!

Everyone clapped sealing on their wedding!!! The gathering started scattering and people started taking their places, resuming their talks!!

Raj came forward and whispered something in Panditji's ears! Pinditji nodded in acceptance. "This western culture....!" He exclaimed looking fondly at the couple.

Raj gathered all the young people together including Khushi's friends. He told them something ... the boys whistled and the girls giggled.

Raj came back to Arnav with his gang. "Hey BIL !! This is a open challenge to you ! only a couple of rituals are remaining.. Steal a kiss and win the challenge!! “whispered Raj in his ears.

"What? Are you out of your mind?" Arnav could not believe his ears!
"Tell me! Do you accept the challenge?" Raj gave him a open challenge..

Khushi's face brightened. "Challenge? What challenge?" she asked excitedly.
"Oh! Shut up!" Arnav said flushing. Khushi looked confused.

"Hey BIL! I am asking you for the last time! Do you accept this Challenge?" Asked Raj loudly. Arnav gaped at him.

The gang was looking at him naughtily!!!
Raj saw papaji coming and hurriedly said... "Disperse everybody!! " They all vanished but Raj kept looking at Arnav for his nod.
"Arnav raised his thumb!" They could hear a scattered wooing!!!
Papaji came in. Looking suspiciously at Raj he asked "What is it? What are you up to?"
"Nothing Dad!" replied Raj innocently.

"Are you up to some of your pranks?" Papaji asked sternly.
"No! Dad!" Raj winked! Papaji shook his head hopelessly!

****

Khushi was restless and eager to know the challenge. No one cared about that. Panditji was looking at the couple piercingly making Arnav nervous. He had accepted the impossible challenge. In a crowd of around two hundred people it was impossible to put any plan in action. People were moving around. The Raj gang was lurking. Raj casting a villainish look every time; Arnav started missing out Panditji's instructions. The head priest was very serious. But the other priests were smirking and smiling at the couple. Elders knew nothing about it. But Arnav could not think of kissing Khushi in front of everyone. He wouldn’t  dare touchr in the presence of the elders and family. He couldn't even imagine Khushi's reaction after the kiss. "Either she will die of embarrassment or will kill me!" he thought.

"Now get ready for Sindoor and Mangal Sutra!" Declared pandit ji. They sat down again. Arnav took a pinch of Sindoor (vermilion powder) and lifting her Maang Tika, put the Sindoor at the parting of her hair, replacing her maang tika back in place. Khushi had closed her eyes.

He had leaned towards her, very close. Her head almost touched his chin. The gang was closing in. Pandit jis were smiling. The sindoor ceremony was complete, without Arnav's mission completion!
Panditji asked him to tie mangal sutra. He gave him the Mangal Sutra from the Silver Thaal. Arnav again leaned forward, so did Khushi. He took the edges of the Mangal Sutra in his hands and bending forward and moving his hands around her neck, tied the Mangal Sutra at the back of her neck . Her head touched his chest. His hands wrapped around her neck. She looked up. Arnav was staring at her face. There was an excitement in the younger crowd. The gang now closed in. They were around the altar staring unblinkingly at the couple. Khushi getting more and more restless under her ghunghat! Her vision was blocked for some time when Arnav tied Mangalsutra!. She was not able to understand anything. Curiosity was killing her.

Arnav took his hands back after tying the Mangal sutra. Pandit ji Blessed both of them and gave them water to drink.

Khushi leaned forward and in a bear whisper asked "What is the challenge? What is the stake?" Arnav glanced at Pandit ji and looked away. Pandit ji smiled and said "Beti, you will come to know soon!" Arnav kept looking at the floor. He had not thought about the stake. "Damn it!" he muttered. But it was too late now!

"This is blessing in disguise!" He thought. He had a chance to let it go as there was no stake for the challenge. He cannot take up the challenge without prize. Or was the kiss itself the prize ???
"Arnav beta, touch her heart with your right palm and Khushi beti, touch his heart with your right palm. This is called Hridaya-Sparsha (touching of the hearts) Feel for each other. They did. Arnav's heart was thumping against his chest faster than ever. The rituals almost ended and still no success!! He became nervous, though he had an opportunity to call off the challenge. The gang was smirking.
Meera and Tej also had joined them. They were lingering in the mantap keeping a constant vigil on both Arnav and Khushi. Their Dad had told them to keep an eye. Tej was pacing like a soldier with his mini sward hung across, looking at his uncle.

He came nearer and putting his tiny hands around his uncle's neck from behind, told Arnav. "Dad asked me to be with you!" and smiled. Arnav smiled at him sulking. He turned his face and whispered something . Tej looked at him excited. "Promise?" he asked. "Yes!" said Arnav. "Sure?" Tej confirmed. "Yes!" Arnav promised.

Tej went away and coming to Khushi's side, flung his hands around her neck.
"Khushi buwa... I will share my prize with you!" he said seriously.
Khushi raised her eyebrows. "Really?" she asked. "Yes!" he said. "Oh! Thank you dear!" She kissed him on his cheek, leaving a lipstick mark. He ran away blushing. He came back to Arnav and Arnav kissed him on the same cheek, looking at Khushi!

There was hooting and wooing!! Arnav looked around victorious! Arnav glanced a guilty look at the head priest. He was looking at them piercingly. He got up and came behind the couple. Putting both his hands on the couple's heads, he blessed them and said..

"You know how to respect elders and their presence!! And also know how to take up challenge!" Other priests laughed loudly. Khushi blushed furiously. She flashed an angry look at Arnav. He smiled.

There were commotion and arguments going on in the crowd. The young gang had split. Half of them supporting Arnav saying he won. And half of them with Raj saying he lost. Raj was arguing at the top of his voice. He was fighting a losing battle. The other people in the crowd looked confused and the girls never stopped giggling and blushing as if someone had given a peck on their cheek. Boys were gazing at the girls mesmerized and forgetting to fight for Raj. Girls naturally took Arnav's side and so did boys. Raj was not ready to leave the ground. He went to Panditji, who se permission he had sought for this prank.

The head panditji smiled at Raj and said "You lost it! That was a kiss indeed!!" Raj went away sulkily throwing his hands in the air in frustration!! There was giggling and sniggering from the girls' side.
"Now let us come back to the important ritual." Panditji signaled. Four covered silver plates were brought with two glasses of milk, Jilebees, Kheer, and Laddu and Badam halwa. "Now drink milk and feed each other Four times, for nourishment of Bone, Muscle, Skin and Blood, the basic four elements of our body!!!" Said panditji and they followed the instructions. Khushi looked contented with jilebees in her mouth. She was happy. At last she had eaten something. Arnav was happy because Khushi was happy!! At last!!! He took a sigh of relief!!.

"That's why Hindu marriage is not a contract but is an institution laid by a ceremony of woes making it a permanent relationship between husband and wife" said Panditji.

"Now take Aashirwad form all the elders!" ordered Panditji. Concluding the wedding ceremony!!
Khushi and Arnav got up and mixed up in the crowd taking Aashirwad from the elders touching their feet.

"There will be a dinner now and then there will be games all the night!! To keep you awake, there would be music too!" The Vidaai will be early morning when the couple will fly for Delhi!" Declared Papaji.

There was an excitement in the crowd and people around dispersed in the open area outside the Sheesh mahel where the food counters were waiting for the guests. The entire Sheesh mahel was illuminated with blue and green lights. The scattered fountains across the huge expanse of laun were dancing to the tune of music. The chairs and tables were arranged neatly. Raj, Papaji, Avinash and Shondeep were personally attending the guests with Mummiji, buwaji and amma.

Khushi and Arnav were moving around in the crowd and were accepting the appreciations for the arrangements, nodding politely. The dinner went on for a long time. When they all gathered in the hall again, no one except papaji and the young clan had the energy for the games and the music. Even Khushi and Arnav looked tired. But papaji was determined to keep them awake.

"Its your wedding! You cannot be dozing off like this!" He kept on nudging the couple.

"All the games are for winning or losing!" he declared loudly looking at Khushi. Khushi 's eyes flashed excitement. Arnav opened his mouth to reject the proposal outright but suddenly stopped looking at Khushi's glowing face. He knew how much she enjoyed games! He kept gazing at her forgetting to refuse to play games....

Raj was talking to Shondeep while others were preparing for the games, Antakshari, and dumb charades.

"He tried to sneak in his men for sabotage. He had asked them to come at the wicket gate at the river side of this mahel. This is hidden in the unkempt bushes. This gate is closed permanently and you can enter only through crossing the river. They did that. They had all the weapons with them." Said Shondeep gravely. Raj clenched his fists.

"This Sham gave the guards a slip and went to the gate to open it for his men. There were around fifteen of them. They could have played havoc in here. It would have been difficult to control the disaster had they entered. We did not have CCDs on that gate as it was closed and there was no possibility that anybody would enter through." Shondeep pointed out the lacuna in their planning. The entire mehal and surroundings were networked with CCD cameras and a control room was set up on the top floor.

"I don't know! But when Sir discussed the entire security arrangements when Arnav landed here with his sister, he cursorily mentioned about this closed gate and said he used to jump from the gate to reach the river. Sir had deployed a security guard there as a failsafe arrangement! And thank god, it worked!" Said Shondeep.

"When he saw someone approaching the gate he immediately contacted the chief. By that time this Sham had already reached the gate. When the guard tried stopped him, he hit the guard with an iron rod lying there. But our other security guards had reached there. His men were climbing the gates . There was firing from both the sides. The chief called Sir and we reached there. They had overpowered Sham and his men. My God, Raj! They had all sorts of weapons! Our security guard got injured but two of his men were shot. All of them were taken in the custody, except this Sham!" Shondeep had disgust in his eyes. "That too because Sir insisted that he be spared for a couple of days." Said Shondeep, emitting rage.

"If we had not reached in time and had he continued his resistance, they would have shot him dead!" said Shondeep, wishing they could have done that. Raj echoed the same thought.

"Let these two days pass, Shondeep, I will personally go and kiss that bastard!" Raj said furiously, revenge lighting up in his eyes.

"Don't worry! We will have our change to have a go at him!" said Shondeep putting his hand on Raj's shoulder. Raj shuddered with the thought of Sham and his men entering the mehal. They both went inside. Raj spotted sham sitting alone with his two bodyguards. He went there striding and sitting next to him, he clenched his hand around Sham's neck! "What do you think you were doing?" he asked him grinding his teech. Sham did not answer. Raj could feel him shiver in fright. "Start counting your days, Shamu!" Raj said menacingly. Sham tried to free his neck from the grip. Raj tightened his grip.

"Raj!" Papaji called him. He reluctantly got up casting an angry look at Sham.

**** ****
The entire crowd of young people was divided into two parts. The elders had already reached their homes or had retired to their rooms. Arnav and Khushi were permitted to change in their comfortable attire. Khushi wore a beautiful light blue saree with the help of Elsa. And Arnav, his usual mono attire!

A large pot with milky water and rose petals was brought in. Anjali took out a beautiful solitaire diamond ring and slid it in the pot. The water and petals were churned out vigorously. Khushi and Arnav were asked to find out the ring. Whoever take out the ring is the winner of the ring and it was said that the winner is the boss of their married life. Arnav and Khushi were about to put their hands in the pot, "Wait wait! Its not that easy! Let me put in something else." Said Anjali. She put in some more rings with studded stone. "If you take out the wrong ring, you are out of the game and the other person wins!" she declared making it more difficult and complicated. Arnav looked away in frustration. On a count of three they both dived their hands in the pot and started searching for the ring. It was almost impossible to differentiate between the diamond ring and the other stone studded rings. Every time Khushi hit upon the ring, she had a feeling that it was a wrong one and had to let it go. While the hands were busy finding the rings moving in the pot, many a times they hit upon each other sending shivers through their spines and Khushi blushing furiously. Arnav had started enjoying Khushi's desperation to find the ring and every time he found her hand, he held it tightly making it impossible for her to move. She flashed a look at him every time he held her hand. The crowd was clapping and whistling, encouraging both of them. Finally Khushi was on the verge of giving up and stopped resisting freeing her hand from his. His hand slowly inserted the Diamond ring in her finger. She looked at him in surprise! He nodded smiling at her! He had found it first but had given it to her. Shyness appeared on her face. She smiled at him and took out her hand, brandishing the diamond ring in her finger. Crowd erupted in a roar. Arnav looked away smiling!!

There were rounds of Dumb charades and Antakshari. The young crowd was at its best in playing and fighting. Khushi took part in everything initially but her energy level started going down and slowly she withdrew herself from the games. The games had gathered momentum and the parties were trying their level best to win the games shouting at the top of their voice and sometimes resorting to cheating...! No one paid much attention to the newly wed couple. Arnav and Khushi were trying to keep themselves awake but their eyes gave way. The clock chimed Four in the morning when everyone was exhausted and was dozing off, Nani came down and tried to wake up her family.

"Wake up everyone! Get ready! We have a seven O'clock flight!" she roared making everyone shudder.

Papaji came in and tried to wake up Arnav and Khushi who were curled on the couch itself. He got up with a jerk. "You two are coming with us by 9 O'clock flight. So go and get ready!" he said.
The other Raizada family members were to take the earlier flight as they were to prepare for the Welcome(Gruhapravesh) of the newlywed couple. There was a big commotion as everyone wanted to get ready.

The Raizada family left exactly at five. Sham had got ready to leave with the Raizadas. But papaji had held him back saying he wanted to spend some more time with the Damadji of Raizadas as he was the guest of honor! "We have given you a long rope, Shamu! Now its time to hang!" Raj had said with a vengeance. Shondeep had never allowed him to go out of sight. Anjali had left with other Raizadas. Avinash and Anita too had left.

Khushi was moving from one room to another searching for papaji, who had vanished suddenly. She found him with mummiji. She was on her bed and papaji was sitting on the floor resting his head on her laps. "Why do we have to send her? Why can't she stay with us?" papaji was asking innocently. "She stayed with us only one year, biwi! What will we do now? I can't think of life without her!" he asked looking at her hopefully.

"She has to leave. Kaali maa had sent her to set right our scattered life. She has done that. Now she should move on! Let her have her own life and be happy!" mummiji said holding papaji's hand.
"And who said, I am leaving?" asked Khushi from behind. She came in running and hugged mummiji.
:Mummiji, I am not going anywhere!" she said sobbing. Mummiji smiled. "Khushi, you are staying with us permanently in our hearts! Bur pttar, Arnav is waiting for you!" said mummiji stroking her. With the mention of Arnav, a faint smile appeared on Khushi's face. She looked at mummiji and then at papaji.

"Mummiji..." she blurted in a quivering voice. "Don't worry puttar! I will take care of Balwindar!" said mummiji smiling. Papaji looked vulnerable but mummiji was calm and stable. She said "Now go and get ready for your Vidaai, Khushi puttar!" Khushi left. She ran to her room crying. Arnav saw her in corridors and went into Mummiji's room. Papai had stood up and was ready to leave. He saw Arnav and stopped dead. Arnav came forward and said. "Just one phone call, papaji and not only Khushi, but I too will be there at your service in no time!" he held papaji's hand promising him. Papaji smiled and said "You will have to! I have made all the plans!" Arnav looked confused.

Everyone got ready and Papaji held Arnav and Khushi's hands and brought them at the main door. Guptas, Khushi's friends, Mummiji, Elsa all were following them behind. Khushi took a palm full of puffed rice with some coins and threw them behind over her head. The people behind tried to gather them. She repeated this thrice thinking "You all have done so much for this orphan girl, I am indebted to you for all my life. I cannot think of a way to return what you all have done for me!!"
A decorated Mercedes was waiting for the couple. Arnav was in dark blue suit and Khushi, laden with matching jewelry, wore a dark red designer saree with pallu on her head. Guptas, Raj, Shondeep, were waiting at the porch. Papaji descended with the couple. Raj and Papaji opened the doors for Arnav and Khushi. Tej and Meera were to accompany the newlywed couple to the airport. Khushi looked at Papaji, he was looking away. She went to amma and babuji. She took blessings from them resolutely sending her tears back. "I am going now! But I am always there with you!" she said in a trembling voice. Buwaji could not control her tears hugging Khushi tightly.

Papaji waited for Khushi to sit in the car. Then he came around the car where Arnav was waiting and joining his hands said "Please, keep her happy. Take care of her!.." he could not speak more as his throat got choked. Arnav held his hand and said "I promise! I will always keep her happy!" He sat in the car. Papaji took a coconut and kept under the front tire. "What are you doing Dad?" Asked Raj bewildered.

"Checking the car's travel worthiness!" said papaji coolly.
He went and brought Babuji's Wheel chair near the car and put babuji's hand on the car door. Papaji came to the front door and Raj and Shondeep at the back of the car. The three of them with initial pushing from babuji, started pushing the car out of the gates of Sheesh Mahel. Tears rolling down every one's cheeks. The car went out of the gates and out of sight. The three of them came back to the porch to be ready to go to the airport.