Peacock...

47

I'm busy with college works guys. I'm not really very free to write and update often...

Vetri

Our engagement day was fixed right before the day of Mayil's quarterly examination. And with the days passing with our busy schedule of preparing for her exam, our intimate moments reduced drastically, which, in a way is a good thing, because, as always, when Mayil is around me, my rational thinking dies down and I act frantically, crossing all the boundaries that I have set for myself!

Hence, I'm truly grateful that we have something else significant to focus on to divert our minds. Presently, it's the day of our engagement!

I, Mom, and my dad who had arrived the past day, along with our close relatives as well as distant ones were traveling on a van to Mayil's home. Many of our relatives were displeased at the fact that we did not receive dowry and some are infuriated because of their status. A few had even dared to question my mother on whether I have any defect. But mother neglected their queries while I went forward and shut down those nosy people. I told them that I love the girl and guess what? That stirred another disaster among the relatives as they went about how could Vetri love!? And a poor girl in that? Oh my god!! Those were their reactions.

However, in the end, they had to curb their meaningless talks, acknowledging that their words play no role in my life and they couldn't alter anything. In the current scenario, the ladies were still gossiping silently with each other whereas I was wandering in my own world...yearning to see my Mayil soon.

Moments later, we attained her home which was decorated mildly and there were a bunch of relatives of hers, and little kids were fleeing around, recklessly.

And as we spilled out from the van, her parents came forward to invite us. Subsequently, we were seated outside the home on a lengthy mat, while on our opposite, Mayil's relatives and parents were settled.

I was in a good mood, until I heard those aunties again starting to gossip about how their house is way too small and how weak their financial status seems. Unfortunately, at this moment in time, it's not appropriate for me to talk against them as it might ruin the whole ceremony. Thus, I gritted my teeth and remained mute.

Jiffies passed by and the Iyer (Pandit) arrived, calling out for the bride's side to bring out Mayil. That is when my heart begins to cool down. A glimpse of her is enough to bring me peace and it's rather strange how she possesses such an impact on me.

I await impatiently for her presence and the second she vacates the home, my heart skips a beat. She has worn a purple plain saree that circles her body elegantly. There's a thin golden chain on her neck and a pair of small earrings with dangling white stones. Further, she has worn purple bangles on both her hands. Every single ornament merges perfectly with her beauty and adds more charm to her.

Especially, those thick bristles of hers that's cascading on her left side, with jasmine strings attached to them.

The people began to murmur to themselves endlessly upon seeing Mayil and she slowly tilts her bowed down head. With no makeup except that of a black pottu (bindi) and eyetex-smudged eyes, she looks angelic, but there's fear reflecting on her pupils as she rakes her gaze around the crowd that is intent on judging her.

Finally, her aimless eyes settle on me and I nod at her, reassuringly. She gulps and breathes out, apprehension obvious on her countenance.

Then she was asked to change into the saree that we have bought for her, quickly. A few girls and ladies rush her inside after getting the saree and I was once again led to heed those bickerings of the women.

'She doesn't even look that beautiful...nor is she rich. She must have used some black magic on Vetri'
'Yes, or else how would Vetri love this girl who can't even afford a decent saree..' 'Leave the saree, she has worn covering bangles in her engagement! If they want so, they could have looked for a rich family...don't know why they stooped so low,'

"Can you all shut up!?" I boom back at them, unable to withstand their talks. Father stays silent but my mother hisses and touches my arm, "Vetri, ignore them," she whispers to me while I try my best to maintain my temper.

Mayil's parents looked humiliated but these evil of ladies stayed unbothered...almost sure that what they were speaking to themselves was the actual truth.

Sending a disgusted stare at them, I turn my attention away and rub my temples to pacify myself.

By the time I was back to normal, Mayil arrives outside in the blue silk saree that we acquired for her from Kanchipuram (a place, popularly known as silk city)

She is beautiful, as usual, and the saree I selected fit her appealingly as I thought so. Afterward, she was perched beside her parents and the Iyer proceeded to read the words that would be printed in the invitation card. It also expresses our marriage date which is three years ahead in the future.

Even though I would be pleased to marry her as soon as possible, I had to wait and I'm willing to do so until she graduates her school. It's going to be torturous but I had to endure it.

After the Iyer finishes, the engagement finally occurs as both our parents exchange the plates filled with fruits, sweets, flowers, etc...

Then we were swiftly ushered inside Mayil's home where food is served. Mayil and I are made to sit next to each other. Once the meal was allocated, Mayil begins to eat slowly and takes only a little portion of rice in her hold. "You won't finish the food at this rate," she looks up at me, surprised. "What?" I quirk up my eyebrows, not understanding the reason behind her reaction. But then she sees around and I catch sight of witches scrutinizing us intently.

"You are scared of them?" She nods her head. "Why?" I query, confused. "They don't seem to have a good impression on me and I heard their talks about how they suspected me to  have done black magic on you to fall for me through some of my relatives..." She trails off and puts another little amount of food in her mouth.

"Well, that's the truth, isn't it?" She pauses and lends me a perplexed look. "I didn't do any black magic," I chuckle at her anger-stricken face. "You did. If not, there would be no plausible reason for my constant craving to see you and touch you..." She flushes at my whispered phrases and halts having food, attempting her maximum to hide away the timidness.

"If you keep on blushing like this, those aunties would think something else about our conversation," I adduce, feeling light-hearted as I talk with her. "I'm not...blushing," she stutters and starts to have the rice again. Smiling at her attitude, I continue having the food.

Once we were done, we walk to the back of her house and she helps me wash my hands by pouring water on it using a cup. Similarly, I help her as well, and following that, we both just stand there, looking at each other.

We didn't want to lose this privacy where there is no trace of other people except us...

"We need to go in..." Mayil turns, hesitantly. Pinching her bare waist and heeding a gasp from her, I delightfully return to the house.

The next set of events wasn't worth describing. It was all about the relative's silly rants! Some were even trying to brainwash my parents to not proceed with this marriage. But thankfully, my parents weren't that greedy to have a rich daughter-in-law and hence, the talks of the ladies weren't effective.

And eventually, when we were off to go back to our home, I nodded towards Mayil who smiled and waved cautiously in my direction...

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