Seven Vows Part 1- Published

The Marriage Invitation

" Ria are you mad, you very well know what price we will have to pay if anything of Suman's past is known" Sreedhar was in his room and was talking to his friend Ria who was insisting that she wants to invite Suman for her wedding.

" Sreedhar I very well know. But what is the harm in me inviting her. Your family only knows your best buddies Gautham and Kailash. Only they have visited your home in Jaipur couple of times. Vindhya Bhabi and Sudhir Bhaiyya anyways knows about both of you. It is not a hidden fact in your home right Suman was studying in Delhi and was in hostel. So if a girl from her hostel invites Suman for the wedding what is the harm" told Ria

" What will you tell if my Maa asks from where you get the address"

" Well I will tell from Suman's home. What is the big deal. Sreedhar I want to meet both of you as I said I am going to US post marriage , not sure when I will be coming back. So please listen to me. Come with her two-three days prior to marriage so that no one will question. I am sure your Sudhir Bhaiyya and Vindhya Bhabi can find some way to send you both without arousing suspicion " Ria was adamant

" Fine I guess I do not have another option than relent to you. Send the invitation" told Sreedhar

" I am sending my bhaiyya and bhabi there ok " told Ria

It was Sunday and after breakfast the family was watching cricket on TV. Even the ladies peeked in now and then to check the scores or watch the boundary. Suddenly Nami told

" Papa one uncle and aunty has come " told Nami. Sudhir turned and saw a man and woman standing at the door. Sreedhar had told Sudhir about Ria's brother's visit. So he understood. But still feigning ignorance went to the door

The man told " Namasthe is this Suman Varma's house"

" Yes " told Sudhir

" I am Ritvik and this is my wife Megha. We have come to invite Suman and her family for her friend's wedding. We went to Mewar and from there we got this address"

" Please come in. Suman see your friend's family has come to meet you" called out Sudhir

Suman knew about Ria's bhaiyya and bhabi coming. She was not sure how Maheswari and Rajasekhar will take it. Sreedhar had told Ria was adamant

Now the whole family was assembled in hall and Vindhya bought refreshments. Ritvik looked at Rajasekhar and Maheswari

" Uncle and aunty, my sister Ria and Suman were together in college. Ria is going to US post marriage and she very much wanted to see Suman for her wedding. Suman was not in college post 2nd year so we went to her house and from there we got your address. We have come to invite you all for Ria's wedding in Jodhpur on May 10th." He gave the card in Rajasekhar's hand and Megha gave the small shagun in Maheswari's hand

Rajasekhar looked at Maheswari and Maheswari sighed " Beta I would have definitely send Suman if the situation is different. But hope you know her status. I wont cut words. In weddings her presence is considered inauspicious. Maybe for your family it is fine, but that might not be the case with groom's family. I do not want any unnecessary issue because of her presence for your sister's marriage. Please make Ria understand. If she want, she can come and meet Suman here "

" Aunty Ria told me you will tell this only. And she told me to tell you this. The wedding is happening in Jodhpur's Rai Haweli as Ria's grandma wants it. Our family will be there 10 days before the wedding. So will be many of Ria's friends. Suman can come and meet all of them some 5-6 days before the wedding. There will not be any groom's family then. Only our family and Ria's college friends will be there"

Maheswari looked at Suman. As usual she knew Suman wont tell anything. She knew the ground realities well. But then if she can go sometime before the wedding should it be an issue.

" Ok beta I will see how I can send Suman. But I promise you she will come and meet Ria before the wedding. By the way I am from Jodhpur, which is your family in Jodhpur " asked Maheswari

" Aunty my grandfather had left Jodhpur atleast 50 years back when my father was still a child. None of us know the roots properly. We only know Rai Haweli belonged to our grandfather's family before it became a five star hotel and a place for destination wedding"

" It has been more than 40 years since I left Jodhpur also, now going occasionally there and I left the place when I was 15. But maybe my family will know"

They indulged in some small talk and soom Ritvik and Megha bade goodbye to Varma family

Once they were gone Rajasekhar asked Maheswari " How are you going to send Suman for the wedding"

" Simple Rajasekhar. Jodhpur is my place. She has not visited my place right. So has Poornima. My Bhaiyya and Bhabi were telling they wish to see Poornima. It is holiday for kids. So Sreedhar do one thing, you take all the kids and Suman and go to your mamu's haweli. Stay there for a week. Show Suman and Poornima Jodhpur completely. Anyways in my maayka taboos related to widows don't exist. I will tell Latika Bhabi you all are coming "

Sreedhar couldn't believe his ears. One week completely with Suman. Suman felt her heart beating faster. Sudhir looked at Vindhya and she nodded her head indicating Maa has some ideas going in her head. Renu looked at Tilak rolling her eyes and Tilak indicated he understood Maa has some intentions

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