Always And Forever

Bali Pratipada

Bali Pratipadā, also called as Bali Padyami, Padva, Virapratipada or Dyutapratipada, is the fourth day of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. It is celebrated in honour of the notional return of the daitya-king Bali to earth. Bali Padyami falls in the Gregorian calendar months October-November. It is the first day of the Hindu month Kartika and is the start of the bright lunar fortnight. In many parts of India such as Gujarat and Rajasthan, it is the regional traditional New Year Day in Vikram Samvat and also called the Bestu Varas or Varsha Pratipada.

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The next festival in Diwali days was Bali pratipada known as Diwali Paadwa in maharashtra. Biggest attraction of this festival is that it is celebrated in honour Bali and his wife vindhyavali. So in general it is celebrated in honour of married couples.

First Paadwa after a couple's marriage is considered more important. So for the family it was day to celebrate Sumedh and Swamini's first paadwa.

"Bahot jyada subah hai" Purvi complained as everyone gathered in living room.

"Sumedh aur Swamini vahini ka pehla paadwa hai aaj" Ridhi reminded.

"Waise toh Amit aur Purvi vahini ka bhi hai" Sumedh said.

"Wo agle saal hoga na traditionally" Ridhi said "Iss saal toh bas tumhara aur Swamini vahini ka"

"Fine.. Waise main janta nahi hoo.. Aaj karna kya hota hai?" Sumedh asked.

"Kal jaise Vahini saheb ne tumhare baalo me tel lagaya waise aaj tumhari biwi lagayegi" Ridhi told

"Haan aur uttan lagake nehlayegi bhi" Ruturaj teased.

Swamini gasped. Sumedh concentrated on his tea and didn't look at her.

"Kitne awkward ho rahe hai dono" Prithviraj laughed.

"Ab thik hai.. Tel bas laga do.. Nehlane jaogi unko toh hum dekhne nahi aayenge" Purvi said.

Swamini looked down. Her cheeks flushed. Everyone were giggling.

"Roj ka bas yahi kaam ho gaya hai hum sabka" Prithviraj said "Utho, nahao, khana khao, Sumedh aur Swamini vahini ko chidhao aur so jao"

Everyone laughed.

"Haan.. Bechare inki shaadi abhi abhi hui aur hum sab aa gaye ghar me" Purvi said.

"Haan na" Ridhi said "Honeymoon pe bhi nahi gaye"

"Yeh baat bahot buri hui.. Honeymoon toh jana chahiye tha" Amit said.

"Swamini vahini we are really sorry" Prithviraj said.

Swamini was continuously looking down. Sumedh made a poker face "Bas na ab" He said.

"Ae thik hai chalo.. Jaldi se change kar ke Baith jao sab log" Ridhi said "Jyada late nahi hona hai"

Sumedh reluctantly went back to his room and came back wearing dhoti and t shirt.

"Wa wa.. T shirt pehen ke aaye hai Swamini vahini ke saheb" Amit, who was sitting shirtless, teased "Ab T shirt ke upar se tel lagayegi Vahini tumhe?"

Sumedh rolled his eyes and removed his T shirt. Swamini looked down. She had never seen him shirtless.

"Pehle naye couple se start karenge" Aaradhya suggested.

Swamini's heart was ponding across her chest. She slowly went ahead. Ridhi gave her a bowl of almond oil. Swamini took some of it in her palm and put it on Sumedh's hair.

"Vahini it's okay.. Tumhe thoda embarrassing lag raha hoga.. Abhi abhi shaadi hui hai aur hum sab aise samne hai.. Tum bas thodasa hath aur gaal pe tel laga do.." Ridhi sensed her embarrassment and said.