'I can't feel my legs. They've gone numb' Phelan sounds serious.
Pooja and he have been sitting cross-legged in the mantapa for more than thirty minutes.
'Get used to it' she tells him, even as the priest's voice drowns hers.
The shirtless priest, with a white throw shawl around him, and three prominent white vibuthi stripes on his forehead, is still chanting the mantras.
'Tell me the names of important elders in the family who have passed away' he says now. 'To seek their blessings'
Mrs. Jaya tells him the names of her's, and the PC's parents. He repeats each name, offering flowers to the decorated Kalasha.
And William Anderson also, his father' Pooja adds. The priest adds the name too.
'Why their names and all now?' Mrs. Vishalakshi grumbles.
'Vishu, I beg you. Don't tell her anything when people are there' Mrs. Jaya pulls her arm, sounding agonized. 'You had to see how she started speaking on the mike that day. Yappa! Now also she'll pakka do something like that. Little maana-maryaade what we have left will also go'!
Mrs. Vishalakshi subsides, frowning.
'Akka is like that only' Ishita tells passionately. 'She doesn't get angry quickly. But if she gets angry no, that's all, finish!'
Finished only, Mrs. Jaya thinks. What all dreams I had about her wedding! Everything is gone. What will she do there? How will she manage? Devre, you should only help her, please...
'You keep quiet now!' Ishita's mother snaps. 'Children should be like children. Go give akshate to everyone'
But Ishita doesn't want to encounter Henry-the-horrible again. So, someone else deployed for the job.
'Phalguna, Pooja' The priest looks at Phelan. 'Put these flowers on the kalasha'
Phelan stares at him, baffled. 'What?'
Pooja stifles a laugh.
'You are Phalguna, no?' the priest asks genuinely.
'It's Phelan' he says grimly.
The priest nods and hands him the flowers. Phelan and Pooja do the needful. A minute later, the priest looks at him again.
'Your name...' he scratches his head, furrowing his white eyebrows 'Philomena'
Phelan stares at him, incapable of speech.
Pooja bursts out laughing at this. Phelan narrows his eyes at her, looking cross.
'No, no, that is a church in Mysore' Ishita points out solemnly. 'St. Philomena's church'
Pooja giggles again, covering her mouth.
'Pud-Jaa' Phelan tries to keep a straight face. 'It's not even funny anymore!'
'I'm sorry. I'm sorry' she places her hand on his lap, still giggling.
'Will you please correct him?' he enquires mildly.
'Taatha, it's Phelan. Phelan' Pooja says slowly.
'Haan haan, got it. Got it' the priest nods. 'Phunnel?'
Pooja starts laughing even harder at this, hiding her face against Phelan's shoulder. The kids on stage also join in the laughter too, jumping.
'Oh, forget it' Phelan mutters. 'Whatever you want. Just get me married'
***
'Appa, look at me' Pooja tells her father for the third time.
Phelan and she are sitting on pretty golden chairs, facing each other. They hold a coconut, with Phelan's hands below hers. The elders pour milk on it from a small, shining vessel. The PC and Jaya are standing, ready to begin the kanyadaana, but the PC has put his back on them, avoiding Pooja's eyes.
'Please look at me Appa' she says again, her eyes filling up. 'I know you are crying'
'No, I'm not!' he turns to Pooja and pats her head lightly. 'Why will I cry?'
'Yea...sure' she sniffs, smiling.
The PC and his wife pour milk over the coconut together. There is a slight exchange of looks between the PC and Phelan. They say nothing, but a lot is understood. And Pooja doesn't fail to notice it. She only hopes their bond grows stronger each day.
'Please look after her well' Mrs. Jaya, looking at Pooja. 'She's my darling'
Pooja smiles longingly at her mother. Mrs. Jaya pats her cheek lightly and steps back.
Phelan nods assuringly at Pooja, gently tightening his grip on her hands.
Paartha kisses his sister on the cheek.
'All the best Phelan' he says earnestly. 'I hope you'll manage this idiot'
***
'It's the main part now, right?' Phelan holds Pooja's hand.
She nods, swallowing. They are back to sitting on the floor again, next to each other. The sun has fully risen, and everything looks more beautiful, bathed in the early morning sunrays.
'Can you believe this is happening?' he asks her fervently.
She shakes her head, feeling serene. She remembers meeting him for the time, at the Willow Glen community hall. And the white rose. And the red velvet cake. It's been a year!
'Phinal, take this' The priest holds out the plate which has the taali placed on a coconut.
'Oh come on...' Phelan groans, shaking his head. 'It's Phelan'
'Paapa, what can he do? You have such a difficult name' Pooja backs him up. Even though she has tried to keep calm, her heartbeat has considerably risen at this point seeing the taali. I'll be married any moment now, she thinks. I'll be Phelan's wife. Oh my god. Oh my god. I think I might faint. Of joy, of course.
'What?' Phelan asks. 'My name is difficult?'
'Yes. Your name is difficult. Now listen to what he's saying' she tells him steadily.
Phelan rolls his eyes, and turns to the priest, who has suddenly felt that it is his supreme duty to explain the meaning of the mantra to Phelan.
'See...Phal..Phil..whatever you are, now I'll chant Maangalyam Thanthunaanena mantra. It means this is a sacr-'
'Yes, I do know what it means' Phelan interrupts firmly, picking the taali up.
The priest halts, visibly confused. 'You know?'
'You know?' Pooja repeats.
Phelan nods confidently and turns to Pooja, his denim-blue eyes twinkling. 'This is a sacred thread, essential for my long life. Be the reason for my life from now on. I'm tying it around your neck, so that you live a happy hundred years with me'
Pooja looks at him, unblinking, and astounded, trying to internalize what he just said. She tries to say something, but can't. Why does it feel like I'm floating? Why can't I speak?
'Google. Easy' he smiles pleasantly. The same side smile, which Pooja can never get enough of. The same smile she is going to see for a lifetime. She draws in a long, deep breath. Yes, I'll live a happy hundred years with you. God, please grant me this. This is all I'd ever ask. Please.
Waaww, Ishita admires them dreamily. Could all this be any more beautiful? My dristhi only will happen, she cracks her knuckles. Ouch. See, so much drusthi has happened. Simply these elders say they don't like this marriage! Sooo much dristhi they have put on them. I'll do it with salt and red chillis, properly later.
'Very good, very good. Correct only'. The priest says dutifully to Phelan, and bellows 'Gattimela, Gattimela!'
The band of musicians seated on a smaller stage at the corner promptly pick up the cue, and start a loud, soulful rendition of the naadaswara music.
'May I?' Phelan asks, trying to sound conversational. But his usually smooth voice now shaking a little.
Pooja gives the slightest nod.
She closes her eyes, soaking in the moment. She feels his arms around her neck, which send enormous waves of happiness through her, and it feels alarmingly consuming. And there is a heavy shower of akshate.
Maangalyam Thanthunaanena
Mama Jeevana Hetuna
Kante Badhnaami Subhage
Twama Jeeva Saradadat Satam
When Phelan pulls back, Pooja is sobbing openly, cupping her mouth with her palm.
'Your wife is crying; make her laugh' Paartha challenges Phelan.
Phelan bends forward again and whispers in her ear; about something involving the wedding night. She lets out a gag of laughter, tears still flowing along her now reddened cheeks, and pushes him back by his chest.
************************************
Hello readers!
This was the last chapter! I decided to keep it short and simple. Hope you liked it. Do vote if you did!
Also, I hope you liked the entire story as well. It's been a long journey. I thank everyone who has read it, voted, commented, shared, and showered love! Love you, guys! It means a ton!
This story just started as an experiment last year, with only around 5-6 close friends reading it promptly. Now, I am extremely elated that it had crossed 2800 reads, and moving toward 3k. Thank you all!
Thanks to every Wattpad reader who picked up my story voluntarily, and finished it. You've spent your time reading it, and it means a lottt! You guys are the best! And all my friends who read earnestly, and kept nudging me for the next chapters. Love you!
Thanks to all the authors from whose books I've been heavily inspired from. Especially Anuja Chauhan for 'Those Pricey Thakur Girls'. My story wouldn't exist if not for them.
I've also left Henry-Ishita's storyline open, so that I can pick it up for a spin-off. But there's still time for that.
For now, that's all people!
Detailed Acknowledgements chapter coming soon!
Thank You
Sahana
***
P.S: The lines mentioned in the chapter are from Maangalyam Thanthunaanaena shloka from the Vaikhanasa Aagama