That's The Way We Met Page 14

  ‘Thanks a lot. It needed a lot of hard work and time,’ said Sonam.

  ‘You’ve done an excellent job, Sonam,’ added Riya.

  ‘We are extremely sorry for your loss. I told Mohit that we should postpone our engagement date but you wouldn’t agree. I hope everything is alright now.’ Sonam held Riya’s hand as we walked.

  ‘I know, Aditya told me about it. Your celebrations should not get hindered by anything, that’s what I thought,’ Riya tried to smile.

  Sonam’s parents saw us coming and they came out to greet us. It is rare that one meets wealthy people who are also down-to-earth at the same time. Sonam sure was lucky to have parents like them.

  Sonam’s parents welcomed us by putting a garland around both our necks. Everything seemed planned to perfection.

  ‘Sonam, tell your Dad to sponsor Riya and my wedding too. Please,’ I jokingly whispered to her.

  ‘Shut up, Aadi!’ she pinched me.

  We kept our bags in one of the rooms and took a nap for a few hours. Sonam and Mohit were still not aware of the critical condition of our relationship. I wanted to tell them but it was not the appropriate time. Riya would have killed me if I would have done such thing, especially when their wedding day was hardly a few days away.

  ‘Aditya, get ready for the sangeet ceremony. The function is about to start in the lawn. Let’s go,’ Riya came and told me.

  She took no time to mix with Sonam’s family and relatives and actively participated in all the work. She went to get Sonam who was getting ready in her room for the ceremony. I heard a few close relatives from Mohit’s side were also called for the function. I was wearing a black kurta while Riya had chosen to wear a pink kurti with a yellow patiala salwar, just right for the occassion. The ceremony began and some aunties started singing songs and playing the dholki.

  Sonam’s family teased Mohit’s family members who were present in the ceremony, through songs. All in good jest, of course, but they took care not to get carried away. Everyone danced to the tune of bhangra songs.

  Sonam’s Dad sang a song for Sonam’s Mom in front of the entire family.

  Raat kali, ek khwaab me aayi aur gale ka haar hui…

  It was her Mom’s turn then who sang;

  Haal kaisa hai janab ka, kya khayal hai aapka,

  Tum toh machal gaye oh oh oh

  Yuhi phisal gaye ha ha ha

  I was having a gala time. The next song was sung by Sonam’s Dad.

  Gore rang pe na itna khumaar kar, gora rang to din me dhal jaayenga….

  Mein shama hu, tu hai parwana… Mujhse pehle tu jal jaayega…

  Mohit came and this time it was Riya’s turn. I almost fell down on the floor for this one.

  Raam chandra keh gaye siya se… hans chugega daana dunaka, kauva moti khaayega….

  The war went on….

  When we came to the end of fantastic sangeet ceremony, everyone became emotional as Sonam’s parents hugged her and cried. It brought tears to my eyes too. I visualized my sister at that moment.

  We had a royal feast after the ceremony and went to sleep. The fun we had all day brought a smile to my face. I wanted to have these very moments with Riya, but I didn’t know what the future held for us.

  I wished their marriage brought them all the happiness they so rightly deserved. I wished for Sonam that life grant her all the patience, tolerance, and understanding to live with Mohit.

  May they always be with each other till the end of time. If they have quarrels that push them apart, may they have the good sense enough to take the first step back.

  I wanted to pour my heart out in front of Mohit. I wanted to tell him what had been going on with Riya and me since the past few days. I finally decided to tell him before the mehendi function.

  Mehendi was the last major function before the wedding. Mehendiwallis had been called to both their places to apply henna on the bride’s hands and feet all the relatives. A basket containing bindis and bangles was handed around for girls to choose ones that matched the outfits they planned on wearing to the wedding.

  I saw my opportunity once everyone got busy applying mehendi and went straight to Mohit’s room. He was shocked to see me standing there as he expected me to be at the mehendi function.

  ‘Mohit, I need to discuss something serious with you.’ I sat down on the bed.

  ‘What happened, any problem with Riya? Did you fight again?’ he asked curiously.

  ‘No. Why would we fight? That too during these days when she needs me the most! This is something extremely serious,’ I said.

  I told him everything that had happened in the last few days. I told him about Nikhil. I told him about Riya’s decision to marry him.

  ‘What the fuck are you talking about?’ Mohit raised his eyebrows. ‘Riya and Nikhil, yuck… That sounds ridiculous. Riya only looks good when she is with you. I promise you that before my marriage, I will talk with her once,’ Mohit added.

  It made me feel much better. All I could do was to hope for good things to happen. I went back to the mehendi ceremony where Riya was singing a song as she held Sonam from the back.

  Mehendi hai rachne waali, haathon me gehri laali….

  I smiled looking at Riya. She seemed to be having a good time. But I knew that beneath her calm façade, she was hiding her sorrows and worries. I went and sat close to her. I saw her hands. She had written her name and mine with mehendi on her left hand. It brought a big smile on my face. I wanted to kiss her hard, but I couldn’t because there were so many people around us.

  ‘I love you.’ She simply smiled and held my hand with the other hand on which she was yet to apply mehendi.

  Sonam’s mehendi was looking extremely beautiful. It was up to her elbows and looked so intricate and delicate on her. She showed me both her hands. The happiness and satisfaction of getting married to a person you love was visible in her eyes… I stared at Riya. I stared at her mehendi in silence.

  I cannot promise never to be angry; I cannot promise always to be kind. You know what you are taking on, my darling. It’s only at the start that love is blind and yet I’m still the one you want to be with. You’re the one for me. I’m sure. You are my closest friend, my favourite person, my love, and the wife I’ve waited for. I cannot promise that I deserve you. From this day on, I hope to pass that test. I love you and I want to make you happy. I promise I would do my very best.

  The maaiyan of the bride starts three days before the wedding, which means she is then not supposed to leave the house until the big day. These days are meant for complete relaxation. She is not even supposed to meet the groom. As if Mohit could stay away! Or for that matter, even Sonam!

  ‘Has nervousness kicked in already? Poor you, now you can’t meet Mohit till the wedding day. So tell me frankly, are you nervous?’, I asked Sonam.

  ‘Of course, I am. Any girl would be in my place. Even Riya will get nervous during your marriage,’ she said. I was zapped.

  Regaining my composure, I continued, ‘Why are you nervous?’

  ‘I will be leaving my parents’ house and going into a family that is completely unknown to me, except for Mohit. But his presence doesn’t count. So sure, I am nervous.’

  ‘Oh, that is the case. I thought…’

  ‘What did you think? Speak up!’ She was eager to know.

  ‘I thought you were nervous about your wedding night,’ I snickered and ran away.

  Wedding Bells are Ringing

  Finally, the wedding day arrived!

  The day, which holds utmost importance in a person’s life. It can either bring you immense amount of happiness or completely ruin your life. All of us has been waiting for this day. That morning seemed different from all the previous mornings.

  Marriage is a relationship or a responsibility which two people accept in their life. It is about standing together and facing the world. It is never taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years. It is r
emembering to say ‘I love you’ at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only ‘marrying’ the right partner, it is ‘being’ the right partner.

  Mohit had found the right partner for himself in Riya. It started with a casual meeting and today they were about to take the sacred vows together. Special attention was paid to include a generous dose of the colour red in the wedding. The red curtains and red covers added the essence of romance to the day. The red candles, the red lamps, and even the red vases gave it a romantic feel.

  The haldi ceremony was about to begin. The friends and family proceeded to dip their fingers in a bowl containing the haldi paste and smeared it all over Mohit and Sonam! The purpose was to make their skin glow for the special day.

  Not even an inch of their bodies was spared. We made sure that every inch of Mohit’s face, neck, arms, chest, legs, and feet was covered. Rest of the parts we left clothed. We spared Mohit that much.

  ‘Beta, wait till your marriage!’ Mohit exclaimed.

  ‘Oh really, should I apply a thick paste on your I laughed.

  He went red faced and didn’t say anything.

  After sometime, Mohit and Sonam had an orange glow to their bodies, which looked superb.

  ‘Sonam, you have got the perfect glow before the wedding,’ said Riya with excitement.

  ‘She is getting ready for tonight,’ Mohit piped in. Sonam took a thick paste of haldi and applied it all over his hair and face to tease him. They looked so cute together.

  After the haldi ceremony, Mohit and Sonam went to bathe the to wash off all the paste. Everyone else was busy getting ready for the chuda ceremony. This was my favourite part of Punjabi weddings. I looked the most excited to witness it. The priest started performing the puja and Sonam’s maternal Uncle made her wear a set of chuda after washing it in milk. The bangles are considered a symbol of love. Red and silver, with the couples’ names carved on it. I glanced at Riya and she too stared at me. We shared a naughty smile as we both imagined the same thing.

  Sonam’s Uncle had brought some gifts for her parents. To wish Sonam with all the blessings, her cousins and friends tied kaleeras, which were silver plated dangling bangles and had red silk threads on with them.

  ‘Sonam, if I had known that you would look so beautiful on your wedding day, I would have proposed to you before Mohit,’ I said lightheartedly and Riya immediately reacted to it with a tight punch on my back.

  After the chuda ceremony, some of the family broke into spontaneous bhangra dance!

  The Punjabis are known for their grand weddings. A Punjabi wedding is a joyful and an extravagant affair, comprising of many colourful customs and rituals which bring together relatives and friends alike. They add to the excitement and happiness.

  At last, the two couples were to tie the knot in the next few hours. After a long journey of love, they were one step closer to a happy life together. We were still far behind them. We were still stuck with the hurdles in our way.

  It was time for Mohit to sit on the ghodi or the traditional wedding horse and take the baraat to Sonam’s bungalow. The baraat started off with a display of fireworks. It was also accompanied by the rhythm of the dhol. We danced as if we were drunk. A proper baraat dance! Two drummers from Gujarat announced the arrival of the groom outside Sonam’s bungalow in a stately style. After the baraat arrived, the milni ceremony was carried out. Mohit’s father embraced Sonam’s father quiting of and this was followed by the rest of the family members. It was symbolic of the unification of the two families.

  Sonam looked drop dead gorgeous as she walked towards the mandap of the wedding. Her red and maroon lehenga had heavy work all over it. She had taken her dupatta over her head, which made her look no less than a princess. She made for a perfect bride! Even her jewellery and heels matched her outfit.

  Walking beside her was Riya who looked lovely. She was wearing a blue silk sari that showed off her slim figure.

  Both Mohit and Sonam came towards the centre and big garlands were to them, which they handed exchanged. The pundit started with his chants and asked both of them to get up and wak around the sacred fire seven times. The pheres began and Riya and I looked at each other. Long back, we too had taken the seven promises.

  ‘You remember the promises we took?’ I asked her.

  She nodded.

  As Mohit and Sonam took the first of the seven phere, I whispered in Riya’s ear, ‘Promise one. We will always be together.’

  She stared at me while the grip on my hand tightened.

  ‘Promise three. We will not let our love fade.’ I made Riya realize that she had once promised never to let go of me. She didn’t say anything but looked away from me towards the mandap. I slowly wiped tear from my eye. Maybe, it had to end!

  The pheres got over and Sonam’s Dad proceeded with her kanyadaan.

  I went close to Riya and saw that she was silently crying. I brought her close to me and asked her the reason.

  ‘Who will come forward for my kanyadaan? Whenever I get married, I know Dad that you will be praying for me from there.’ She pointed towards the sky.

  ‘Jaan, please don’t think like this. We are all with you. We would never let you feel the absence of your Dad in your life. We all love you,’ I consoled her.

  ‘I know you all love me. However, my Dad holds a special place in my heart. I once dreamed about getting married. I once dreamed about my Dad sitting beside me for my kanyadaan and giving me a warm farewell. This can never turn into reality. I miss my Dad,’ she cried some more.

  I tried to wipe her tears but she was inconsolable. It was difficult to make things okay again. It was next to impossible to fill the place of her Dad. It broke me to see her so sad.

  It was time for Sonam to leave her family behind, leave behind the childhood memories related to her house. Everyone from Sonam’s family had tears in their eyes.

  Sonam went and hugged her father. They both had tears in their eyes. Mohit went ahead and touched her parents’ feet, assuring them that he would always take care of her.

  Sonam hugged her Mom for the final time before leaving. They both just looked at each other and held each other’s hands.

  She then turned towards Riya and me and said, ‘Aditya, as you are well aware, Riya suffered a big loss a few days back. Please take care of her always and never let her out of your sight. And by the time Mohit and I come back from our honeymoon, we hope to hear the good news that you are getting married next.’

  Mohit had not told her anything. While departing, she threw puffed rice over her head, another ritual indicating she was leaving behind good wishes for her parents. Finally, she sped away to her new life.

  ‘Jaan, we are staying here for one more day. I need to spend some time with you. I want to live my whole life in one day with you. I want to hold your hand and roam around the city. I want to hug you where no one can see us. I want to kiss you where no one can point at us. I want to…’ said Riya after settling down in her room.

  ‘Sure, sweetheart. I would love to be with you forever. I still want to hold you tight in my arms and never let you go. The feeling of being alone without you by my side kills me,’ I said. I wondered whether our end was closer, keeping my fingers crossed.

  We had decided to stay in Chandigarh for one more day. Riya wanted to spend a day with me alone. We stayed in Sonam’s house that night. I decided to plan something special for Riya for the following day. We wanted to live for one more day. We wanted to love each other for one more day.

  The meaning of love is not to be confused with some sentimental outpouring. Love is something much more than an emotional release. Love is the most durable power in the world. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, and it is not the declaration of promises of eternal passion. Love
itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away.

  Unrequited Promises

  After the tiring festivities of the day before, I woke up to a fresh morning in Punjab. We had planned to spend a day with each other. I wanted to make this day memorable for her. I wanted her to remember our college days where I used to give her surprises and pamper her a lot. I wanted her to free her mind from tension and just enjoy the moment with me. I brought some gifts for her from a nearby gift shop. I had asked Sonam certain places where we could hang out and spend some time together.

  ‘Where are we going?’ she asked me and held my hand as we walked.

  ‘Rose garden. Bachha, get ready for some surprises,’ I smiled.

  She blushed and held my hands tightly. She planted a kiss on my cheek as we walked towards Hotel Shivalik View. We hopped into a double-decker bus. We took our seats and as she tried to open her purse, I removed a rose from my pocket.

  ‘A rose for the lady!’ I said and kissed her hand.

  ‘You are the best,’ she said and kept her head on my shoulder. I felt my shoulder getting wet. I looked down and saw the tears in Riya’s eyes.

  ‘Don’t cry, jaan. I love you and will always support you. Don’t start this beautiful day with tears in your eyes. You know that I hate it when girls cry. If you cry, your eyeliner will get smudged,’ I teased. The trick worked and Riya was soon her jovial self again.

  We reached Rose Garden after sometime. There were roses of all colours, beautiful trees flowing with colourful blossoms, numerous other flowering plants. Several pathways wind in around the gardens. There were benches to sit in while many people sat on the grass. It was romantic. We roamed around for some time and saw the beautiful fountain, which added to the beauty and romance of the garden. We sat in one corner of the garden. Riya sat beside me and leaned into me. I took out a letter from my bag and kept it on her lap. It reminded me of my early days with Riya. She was flattered seeing the letter on her lap. Without opening it, she hugged me and kissed my neck. Her eyes were filled with tears. I let her read the letter.