The whole ritual took 1 hour time. I tried to do whatever pandit is guiding me and Mr Vikky, to do. The complete process took about 2 hours, after that, I changed 2 sarees and attended 2 more rituals.
I went to my room and took the saree I was supposed to wear now. I got ready wearing my jewelry and glimpsed at me in the mirror after setting my hair.
I was ready to face the biggest challenge of my life. I was waiting in my room for my dad as bhavs told me that he will come and bring me down. I heard a few knocks on my door and got up to see who it was. It is my would-be husband. He was looking too good and dashing in his marriage attire.
I looked at his entire posture and I was slightly taken back as I felt that he is looking too handsome. I got up from my bed and raised my head and looked into his eyes.
"Ready?" He asked coming a little closer to me.
My breathing became heavy for some unknown reason. I nodded in agreement with a slight smile on my lips.
He forwarded his hand and smiled. I took his hand and we both went down in the middle of claps and shouting from all the people down.
We went and sat on the chair that was waiting for us. My wedding is in the early morning hours, so they kept reception now. We will be sitting there and everyone will come and bless us. That's what Gayatri aunty told me a few minutes back during my last ritual.
Everyone is coming and giving their blessings. This went on for a period of 2 hours. I felt bored and my legs and my back started to pain as we have been standing continuously for 2 and half hours.
Suddenly I felt a hand on my back touching my uncovered waist and back, in such a way that it is helping me as support to my back preventing it from getting too tired. I turned and looked at him but he is facing front and smiling at guests as though it was not his hand that is touching my body.
After a few minutes, he turned and came closer with a grin on his face. He opened his mouth and said " If you are tired or something you can sit back for some time. I can sense that your back is hurting. I will call Bhavana, go and rest for a while "
Without waiting for my answer he moved his other hand in an attempt to call bhavs. She came over and when he was about to speak I interrupted holding his then raised hand " No need. I am fine. " He stared at me with raised eyebrows stating that he didn't believe what I said.
"Really I am fine. I can do this. If I still need some rest I will call her myself. I promise." I told him and asked Bhavana to go away. She smiled and left the stage.
I left his hand which I was holding for a few minutes and with my other hand I touched his hand that is still supporting my back and told " Thanks for this support"
He smiled with a spark in his eyes and replied " This is what marriage means I guess... Right??"
I didn't get what he meant by that. Seeing my perplexed expression, he continued "Support! That is what marriage means right.? A promise saying that I will support you throughout your life and the same goes for you."
I was shocked by his statement and as I saw him still looking into my eyes waiting for an answer so I nodded with a smile on my face.
When the complete function was over, at last, his friends came to wish us. When they came near us, I felt that his hand which was holding my back was now shivering for some reason. I looked at him and I can see that he is looking nervously with a sad expression at someone.
I followed the line of his sight and my eyes met Meghna. She was also looking at him with sadness spreading all over her face. I felt awkward and when I stumbled a bit because of that Vikky turned to me, holding my back more intensity, and dragged me towards him such that both our bodies came close in one split second.
I looked into his caring eyes and he voiced" Are you okay? I felt that your legs are trembling or something. You want to sit for some time?"
I was surprised by his concern. Kavya who is in the middle of the friends who came to wish us, came forward and said " Wahhh brother. This much concern for your wife. You don't want her legs to pain a little also. You never showed this much concern on me" she told pouting her mouth as if she is crying for a small toy.
He let me a little loose and I moved away from his mesmerizing body but still, his hand is holding my back but with more power this time. He smiled at his sister's comments and gave her a little smack on her head and turned to his friends and started talking to them.
Even though I am responding to their questions, my eyes are wandering over Meghna only. She was continuously staring at my back where he kept his hand tightly to support me. When I looked her into her eyes, she turned her gaze from me and turned around, and left the stage leaving her friends behind.
I turned to look at Vikky to see whether he noticed her sudden disappearance. And yes he was seeing in the direction where she left the stage. But soon enough he looked at me and sighed indicating me to relax with a small smile on his face. I instantly got relaxed and smiled back at him.