3 a.m.
Nandini's alarm went off. Nandini got up and searched for her phone. She found it on the side table kept on a folded paper.
After turning off the alarm, nandini unfolded the paper with a curious look and started reading it.
" i knew you would find this note. Ok ok ..dont get curious enough. Its just that i have come to your room now before going to the bachelor's party, but you are sleeping peacefully and looking so damn beautiful, so i don't want to disturb your beauty sleep. I am so taken in by your beauty at this moment...your lips seem to be inviting me, gawd i so want to kiss you right now!!... Ok i have changed my plan I M NOT GOING TO THE PARTY , i feel like i can watch you just like this for hours... damn this phone!! ...arrrgh cabir!!
Sweetheart cabir won't leave me alone..i guess i have to go..
I just want you to know that, i Manik Malhotra..your fiance...your beloved.. your to be husband...will be waiting for you at the mandap. Please come fast...can't wait to see you...and yeah..I LOVE YOU baby."
Nandini was smiling and blushing and she muttered to herself " i am coming manik" and she got up from her bed in full excitement and enthusiasm.
4:45 a.m.
Nandini was ready and sitting in her room. Navya had just gone to check what was happening downstairs. Suddenly her eyes fell on the photo frame of her family and it struck her that in a few hours she will leave her parent's home, amma , appa , abhi, everyone and this made her emotional. She started wondering if her decision to marry so young, is correct, will she be able to handle her new responsibilities, will she be able to adjust in a new environment, with her new family, their traditions and culture. All these thoughts started flooding her mind making her nervous and sceptical.
Just then there was a knock on the door. After a few seconds her appa came in accompanied by her brothers, abhi, rishabh , aryaman and nitish. Seeing her appa , nandini couldn't contain herself and hugged him . alok was taken aback for a moment, but he collected himself quickly and held nandini affectionately , her brothers too joined the hug.
Everyone got emotional.
Nan: appa...
Alok: nandini , you are my princess na, u know na what i have taught you?
Abhi: yes !! that princess should be very responsible and strong.
Alok: right!! Abhi..see nandini ..even your brother remembers...
Nandini broke the hug but kept looking down as she was controlling her tears that were threatening to fall down.
Rishabh: hey nandini di..dont cry ..your make up will get spoilt . i know girls are very conscious about their make up .
Aryaman smacked rishabh's head playfully and it brought a smile on nandini's lips.
Aryaman: see see behna..aree mat hasna..nahi nahi..arey nahi...
And finally nandini had a broad smile on her face.
Everyone relaxed seeing her finally happy.
Alok: chalo beta..niche koi hai jo beshabri se tumhra wait kar raha hai..tumhe use aur intejaar ni karana chahiye...
Nandini blushed and looked down.. alok held her shoulders and started moving while her brothers held the four corners of the specially designed chaadar which had flowers and lights adorning it.
(Imagine something like this)
Manik had done all the rituals and everyone was now waiting for the bride to come down. All the eyes were fixed towards the stairs. Manik was the most impatient of them all. Suddenly the lights were dimmed and the song started playing, signalling the arrival of bride.
Baba ki rani hoon, aankhon ka paani hoon manik saw her coming holding her appa's arm.
Beh jaana hai jise do pal kahaani hoon the whole view of her coming was mesmerizing
Amma ki bitiya hoon, aangan ki mitiya hoon and unique. She was glowing in the flickering
Tuk tuk nihaare jo pardesi chithiya hoon light of the bulbs in the chaadar. Manik was not
Mamta ke aanchal mein jo geet gaaye hain able to take his eyes off her. After a few seconds
Baabul ne chhutput jo sapne sajaaye hain he noticed that nandini was constantly looking
Voh yaad aayenge, gupchup rulaayenge -down and her hold on appa's arm tightening.
Doli ke sang mere jab saath jaayenge it didn't take manik much time to understand that
Baba ki rani hoon, aankhon ka paani hoon she was nervous. He started chanting under
Beh jaana hai jise do pal kahaani hoon his breath "nandini com'on look up, look up, for
Khil khil ke hansna yeh sakhiyon ke baaton pe once, please, nandini, nandini" and as if she
Anjaane naamon ki mehndi yeh haathon pe heard his request, she looked up for a fraction
Jab rang laayegi, rimjhim ghiraayegi of a second. Manik was directly in her line of view.
Aankhen ghataaon se boondein giraayengi she looked down but as she registered manik
Baba ki rani hoon, aankhon ka paani hoon she quickly looked up again. She saw his smiling
Beh jaana hai jise do pal kahaani hoon face and her fears and doubts started receding and
Amma ki bitiya hoon, aangan ki mitiya hoon she knew why she had agreed to marry him. SHE
Tuk tuk nihaare jo pardesi chithiya hoon LOVES HIM. As she came on the last step of the
Pardesi chithiya hoon, pardesi chithiya hoon stairs, sheetal came forward and started walking ...
With her on the other side.
Sheetal: you are looking beautiful beta, a perfect combination of two cultures, two states, two traditions.
Nandini was wearing saree and jewellery in south Indian style whereas she had Punjabi chura and kalira adorning her both wrists.
Nan: thank you amma...(tearful) and i love you.
Neyonika came forward.
Neyonika: no crying nandini, You are only coming to your second mother's home..aren't you happy?
Nan: nahi maa asa nahi hai..i am happy, i am sorry i will not cry...
Neyo: good...and you are looking breath takingly beautiful..see my son..how he is gaping at you!!
And everyone laughed while nandini blushed while manik changed his expressions as he saw everyone laughing at him. Nandini looked at him properly now , and registered , how handsome he is looking in his perfectly cut sherwani with the sheathed sword, truly he was looking like a prince. HER PRINCE CHARMING STRAIGHT OUT OF THE FAIRY TALES.
Priest: dulhan ko varmala ke liye le kar aiye.
Alok moved forward with nandini holding his arms. As he reached the steps of the stage, manik forwarded his hand to nandini for support. Alok smiled and took nandini's palm and placed it in manik's. Nandini looked at her appa, he smiled assuringly and stepped back, manik gently squeezed her palm and helped her get on the stage, with the squeeze , nandini's heart started thumping and blood rushed to colour her cheeks red, but she avoided eye contact with manik as too many things were happening at the same time around her. She was nervous and confused, she did not know which emotion to give priority to?? Should she be happy that she is marrying her love or be sad that she will be separated from her family?
Mukti came with the garlands and boys of both the sides stood behind manik and nandini.
Priest: dulhan varmala , dulhe ko pehnaingi.
Sheetal and neyonika were standing together, down the stage. Nandini looked at them one by one.
Sheetal: varmala pehna do beta...
(neyonika smiled encouragingly)
Slowly nandini lifted her hands holding the garland but cabir and Dhruv pulled manik back. Hooting and cheering started. Manik was at first startled because he wanted to get over with the rituals as fast as possible but here , his friends were deliberately delaying it. But when he saw his friends enjoying , he let it go and decided to be patient.
Cabir: na na nandini..anhhan..not so easily!!
Nandini looked up to see cabir but saw manik , as cabir was just behind him. She saw manik was already looking at her and smiling. She blushed and looked down again. While manik was happy that finally she looked at him.
Abhi: cabir ...hamari turn ane do fir main btata hun.
Cabir: hah main darr gya, sorry nandini lo..pehna do..
Nandini again lifted her hands thinking that cabir is serious and will let her do so this time, but cabir is cabir..he again pulled manik back and again there was a round of claps and cheers. Nandini was now embarrassed , she decided she will wait this time till they request her to put varmala. So she stood their firmly, not moving.
Navya came up on stage from nandini's side.
Navya: cabir!! Kya kar rahe ho tum?
Cabir freaked out hearing her tone.
Cabir: kuch nahi..bas thori si masti..
Navya: acha abhi hum batate hain tumhe masti kya hoti hai. (addressing nandini now) nandini tum varmala mat pehnana manik ko...
Cabir was on high alert mode now,
Cabir: arey arey navya ye kya bol rahi ho...hum toh bas majak kar rahe the..manik..tu varmala q nahi pehen raha hai..ja na pehen jaldi..
Manik shook his head in disbelief at cabir and looked at nandini waiting for her to put the garland on him but she made no move. He understood that she is taking revenge for his inaction. He looked at neyonika sheepishly, she smiled understanding that he wants to do something.
Manik got down on his knees in front of nandini. Whole of the crowd burst out in cheers and hoots , this time even elders started clapping. Nandini was shocked, her eyes grew wider and she made an o with her lips. While manik looked straight into her eyes. Nandini , without thinking put the varmala around his neck, so that he could get up quickly.
She could not see him like that. She was flushed and a little smile made its way on her lips as manik got up quietly.
Manik saw her smiling and it brought a smile on his face too. Now it was manik's turn and abhimanyu and aryaman , lifted nandini up, to make it difficult for manik. Nandini was smiling openly now looking at manik and he smirked. Manik stretched his hand to reach her, but he was falling a little short.
Cabir: hum help Karen teri manik?? We can lift you up.
Manik shook his head and said " no i will do it on my own " and he smiled. Hearing him, nandini ducked her head to make it easy for him and he smiled broadly and quickly put the varmala before her brothers could lift her more.
Aryaman: kya behna!! U cheated.
Nandini just smiled .
After the chaos was over, priest asked the couple to come in the mandap. Rituals started and MaNan did everything as asked by the pandit (priest).
All the rituals got over and the priest asked the newly wedded couple to take blessings from elders. Manik got up and helped nandini to get up. Manik noticed that the vermillion in nandini's parting had increased her beauty. She looked different. She looked beautiful. SHE IS ALL HIS, NOW AND FOR EVER. They took everyone's blessing.
After some time...
Neyonika: sheetal...i think we should make a move..gurudwara v jana hai..fir ghar par v kuch rasm karne hain..shaam me reception v h..we have very less time..so if you don't mind we should make a move?
Sheetal: neyonika ji aap sahi bol rahi hain ..bas meri ek request hai..hum (looking at alok and then back to neyonika) nandini ki bidai apne ghar se karna chahte the..agar apko problem na ho toh..
Maan: sheetal ji..hum apki bhawanayein samajh sakte hain..hume koi problem nahi hai..(addressing neyonika) neyonika , gurudware se sidhe hum murthy mansion chalte hain aur guests ko Manilla bhej denge...
Neyonika: maan..main gurudware se guests ke sath Manilla chali jaungi..nandini ke welcome ki tyari karni hai, aap aur fab 4, nandini ko lekar ajana theek se..ok??
Maan: ok..yeah that's ok with me...
Alok: thank you maan...and neyonika ji..aap logo ne hamare feelings ka bahut khayal rakha throughout marriage..hume samajh ni aa raha ki kaise apka shukriya kare..
Neyonika: alok ji aap formal ho rahe hain...arey ab hm rishtedaar hain..hume ek dusre ki khushiyo ar gam me sath rehna hai..hum toh apke abhari hain ki apne hume nandini jaisi...samajhdaar, sanskari ar sundar daughter-in-law di hai..mera bte ki khushi iss baat ki proof hai..dekhiye unhe..sath me kitne khush hain ek dusre se..(she pointed towards MaNan) hume ar kuch ni chahye...
Sheetal: aap sahi keh rahi hain..bachchon ko kisi ki najar na lage..(she got emotional and tears made their way)
Neyonika: sheetal, don't cry..main bahu ni beti le jaa rahi hun..mere lye mukti ar nandini ek hain..trust me , nandini ki ankho mein ek ansu ni ane dungi..stop crying. (they both hug)
Sheetal after controlling herself " neyonika ji main janti hun aap nandini ko mujhse v jyada pyar dengi bas ye soch kar rona araha hai ki ab mujhe roj nandini k nakhre , uski hansi , uska gussa dekhne ni milenge..i will miss her..
Maan: arey arey sheetal ji aap bhul gayi kya..nandini Mumbai me hi rahegi ar jab chahe aap usse mil sakti hain..
Alok (side hugging sheetal) "sheetal dekho hamari beti kitni khush hai..ar maan sahi reh hain wo hamse dur ni jaa rahi, Mumbai mein hi hai..hum usse milte rahenge..now stop crying and give me ur beautiful smile jispe main marta hun...
Alok smiled while sheetal blushed and smiled. Neyonika and maan too smiled and side hugged each other.
At the same time..
Other side
After taking blessings, MaNan were surrounded by younger clan. Manik was sitting holding nandini's palm and constantly playing with her fingers.
Nandini kept blushing .
Cabir: nandini, varmala ceremony k time thori masti ki maine ar Dhruv ne..tumhe bura toh ni laga?? Navya toh mujhpe full on gussa hai..
Nandini: no cabir , its ok, i understand shadi mein itna toh chalta hai..dont worry i will talk to navya..
Manik: and yeah she is ok with it..because she took her revenge on the spot by refusing to put varmala on me. (he smirked)
Nandini rolled her eyes but kept quiet.
Cabir: manik tune situation sambhal li yaar..varna main to darr hi gya tha jab nandini varmala ni daal rahi thi..
Mukti: but cabir tune sach me jyada kar diya tha...
Aliya: yeah, agar main nandini ki jagah hoti toh tujhe ek punch deti pehle fir varmala pehnati..
Nandini for the first time heard alya speaking hindi and her accent made her smile . everyone looked at her like she has gone mad.
Dhruv: ise kya hua? Why is she smiling?
Manik looked at nandini and her smile made him smile.
Manik: nandini whats wrong??
Nandini trying to control her smile, "kuch nahi..wo i remembered something, i m sorry"
Just then maan , neyonika, sheetal, alok came up.
Neyonika: chalo bachcho..gurudwara jana hai , we are getting late and from there murthy mansion.
Everyone got up and fab 4 , MaNan navya , went in limousine together. Mukti wanted abhi to join too, but she did not say it wondering what others will think.
Maan made a call to the security and by the time malhotras and murthys reached , whole gurudwara was filled with security personnels.
As MaNan and fab 4 navya reached and came out of the car , crowd tried to click pictures but were not able to do so due to tight security.
They made their way to the guru granth sahib and performed the necessary rituals.
After that they left for murthy mansion. Nandini was very quiet while going to her home , every one noticed this but they could not help it as they did not know what they could do to make bidaai less painful for her. Manik kept rubbing the back of her palm with his thumb softly to let her know that he is here for her always and forever. Nandini kept passing sad smiles to assure him that she is fine.
They reached murthy mansion and the rituals started. Soon it was time for bidaai. Navya brought a plate full of puffed up rice and sheetal stood behind nandini with her aanchal spread forward . nandini was asked to throw the rice backwards and sheetal would catch them in her aanchal.
Wedding planner started playing a song in the music system of the murhtys , so that the bidaai ceremony would be filled with more emotions.
Papa Main Choti Se Badi Ho Gayi Kyon the song started playing and nandini started throwing
Papa Main Choti Se Badi Ho Gayi Kyon handful grain back wards. She started crying profusely
Papa Nigahon Main Mamta Ki Bahon main manik was helpless. Suddenly he remembered
Papa Nigahon Main Mamta Ki Bahon main something and gestured Dhruv to come to him
Kuch Din Aur rah Ke to kya bigad jata he asked Dhruv to stop the song playing " buddy
Papa Main Choti Se Badi Ho Gayi Kyon pehle se hi nandini itni sad hai, upar se ye song itna
Papa Main Choti Se Badi Ho Gayi Kyon emotional hai, band karao ise" Dhruv obeyed and
Gaya wo Bachpan, Gaye wo Sapne
the song stopped playing midway.
Begaane Ho gaye, Saare wo Apane
Nanhi Si tu Gudiya meri, Nanha Sa wo jhulha tera
Jahan main door hua wahi munh phoola tera
Phir se Manane ka, Gale se lagaane ka
Din yahi aur rahatey, To kya bigad jata
Papa Main Choti Se Badi Ho Gaye Kyon
Papa Main Choti Se Badi Ho Gaye Kyon
Karunga Main Vida Tujhey Haaye Kis Dil Se
Sochon Jab Yahi to Main Rah jaun Hil key
Karunga Main Vida Tujhey Haaye Kis Dil Se
Sochon Jab Yahi to Main Rah Jaun Hil key
Per Meri Beti Tujhey jana to hoga...
Tuney Jise Chaha use pana to hoga..
Chal ri Sajani Ab kya soche, Kajara na bah jaaye Rote Rote
Chal ri Sajani Ab kya soche, Kajara na bah jaaye Rote Rote
Papa Nigahon main mamta ki bahon main
Kuch Din Aur rah Ke to kya bigad jata
Papa Main Choti Se Badi Ho Gay...
Nandini had to throw the rice five times. By that time she broke down crying holding alok. Alok was also in tears . sheetal also came up crying and rubbed nandini's back soothingly. Abhi stood at a distance controlling his tears. Nandini broke the hug and searched for abhi looking here and there. As soon as she found him, she ran to him, forgetting that she and manik are connected due to the gathbandhan (nandini's saree and a cloth around manik's shoulder were tied together before the saat phera' around the pious fire). Manik was literally dragged because of the pull, but he did not utter a word. Both brother and sister cried badly holding each other, sheetal had to come and separate them. Nandini cried holding sheetal, then she went to her amms and chachi and chacha, rishabh, aryaman and others.
Every one gave their advices and blessings.
Mukti : bhai
Manik turned a little to look at mukti while nandini was hugging and crying.
Manik: yeah mukti
Mukti: bhai do you want to go alone with nandini?
Manik: it would be nice if i get some alone time with her.
Mukti: ok i got it..!!!
...
Finally MaNan were alone in the car. Nandini was crying continuously and manik knew that mere words won't be enough so Manik just put his arms around her, rubbing her arms soothingly and nandini cried keeping her head on his heart. Soon cries turned into sobs and finally she was asleep. Manik saw her sleeping and pulled her more into himself, kissed her head and he also relaxed...
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Credits to the writer- Manini Mehra