Tuesday 2 September 2014
7.00 am
Ishita

Ishita had been up since the crack of dawn.

Her wedding day. She could hardly believe it.

From the time she had been a little girl, she had dreamt of her wedding day - the nine yard madisar sari, the loving chaos of family, the functions with her sisters and her family - the smearing of haldi, the painting of mehndi, the sangeet. And then finally the wedding itself - the vows taken in front of the sacred fire, the gat bandhan, the saat phere and in all of that, she had pictured her family.

And today, she would have none of it.

All that she would have was a secret ceremony in a registry office. The biggest day of her life, and she could not even share her joy, her anticipation, her trepidations with her amma and her sisters.

She glanced across the room at the sleeping Mihika. "I'm sorry Miku" she whispered. "I'm sorry that I can't tell you, I hope you will understand."

And yet, despite the sadness she felt at the secrecy, Ishta also felt an overwhelming joy. She was marrying the man she loved. And she was getting not just a husband, but also a child. She had become a mother, and after today, no one would ever be able to hurt her with insults.

She picked up the clothes she had set out the night before, and a smile broke across her face as her eyes lit upon the box of choodas that Rinki had given to her. That had been an amazing surprise.

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Flashback starts
The evening before

Ishita had been arranging the white lace sari with a subtle red border that she had bought for the wedding, when she heard her amma calling her.

"Coming" she called, closing the wardrobe hurriedly, before walking to the living room.

Her amma was sitting with Rinki, who was clutching a cloth bag nervously.

Ishita liked Rinki. Unlike Toshiji and Simi, Rinki had always spoken nicely to her and her family, and the fact that amma had invited her in and was sitting peacefully with her reflected this fact.

"Ishita" Rinki said nervously. "I have a science project due tomorrow, on dental hygiene, and I was just wondering, aap dekh logi please, aur mujhe kuch tips dogi." (Will you look at it, and give me some tips please)

"Yes, sure" Ishita said, extending a hand towards Rinki. "Let me see"

"Nahi, I was thinking, aap mere saath coffee shop chaloge? Then I can buy you a coffee to thank you as well." ( No, I was wondering, will you come with me to the coffee shop? Then I can buy you a coffee to thank you as well)

"Coffee yahi pee lo, mein bana doongi" Mrs Iyer interjected. (You can have coffee here. I'll make it)

"No, thank you aunty, mumma mujhe yahaan dekhegi toh naraaz hogi. Mein ne kahan hai ki mein ek friend ke yahaan ja rahi hoon. Chaliye na please Ishita. Ruhi bhi hai mere saath, neeche wait kar rahi hai." ( No, thank you aunty, but if mum sees me here, she will get angry. I told her I was going to a friend's place. Please come with me Ishita. Ruhi is with me too. She is waiting downstairs)

"Rinki, telling lies, not good huh? But dekho, tumhari mummy kitni silly hai, sensible nahi, meri tarah" amma admonished, even as Ishita stared bemusedly at Rinki. (Rinki, telling lies not good, huh. But see, your mummy is so silly, not sensible like me)

Today of all days, Ishita thought resignedly. "Acha Rinki, chalo" (Okay, Rinki, lets go)

Going quickly down the stairs, they found Ruhi waiting near Ishita's car.

"Ishima" Ruhi cried out, flinging herself into Ishita's arms. "Ruhi" Ishita said nervously, looking towards Rinky. To Ishita's  surprise, Rinki threw her own arms around her, giving her a fleeting hug, before looking around furtively. "Its okay, Bhabhi, I know"

"Wha...what?" Ishita stammered, astonished to hear Rinki addressing her as her sister in law.

"Bhabhi, get in your car quickly, we need to go. Come on Ruhi."

Still in shock, Ishita allowed Rinki to manoeuvre her inside the car, then took her instructions on where to go. "Jade Spa" she told Ishita. "It's just around the corner, 5 minutes from here. Jaldi chalte hai, phir jaldi wapas, warna mumma hungama karne lagegi" (Lets go quickly so we can come back quickly as well. Otherwise mumma will create a fuss)

"But Rinki, who told you?"

"Mihir and Bhai did, Bhabhi. Aaj college aaye theh, aur mujhe saare arrangements karne ke liye kaha. Bhai knows I've always liked you bhabhi. Mein Simi di toh nahi hoon. Here, Bhabhi, just stop here."
(Bhai and Mihir did, Bhabhi. They came to my college today and asked me to make all the arrangements. Bhai knows I've always liked you Bhabhi.  It's not like I'm Simi Di. Here, bhabhi, just stop here)

The building they had stopped outside was simple and unpretentious, but was full of luxury inside. Ishita barely had the chance to look around at the luxurious reception , before she was ushered into the private treatment room that had been booked for her.

There was a bowl of haldi ready for application, and after she had changed into a gown, Rinky and Ruhi took turns in smearing it on her. The haldi was followed by Mehendi, which a professional Mehendi artist applied to her legs and feet. "Just one little dot on each palm" Rinky directed. "Kisi ko dekhna nahi chahiye" (Nobody should be able to notice it)

Her nails had then been painted, and her face treated to a facial. "Rinki" Ishita had said, overwhelmed by the pampering. "Kya yeh Raman ki idea thi?" (Rinki, was all this Raman's idea?)

"Obviously Bhabhi. Bhai said that never mind everything is being done in such a rush and so secretly, he didn't want you to miss any of the experiences of getting married."

"I'm so lucky Rinki" tears had come into Ishita's eyes then. "Your Raman Bhai is so good to me"

"Lucky toh Bhai hai, bhabhi, joh aap usko milgayi. Aur uski zyaada tareef mat karo, woh apna bachelors party bina guilt ke manana chahte hai na, isliye yeh sab kar raha hai."
(Bhai is the lucky one bhabhi, that he found someone like you. And don't praise him too much. He's doing all this so he can enjoy his Bachelors Party without feeling guilty)

"Bachelors party?"

"Haan, aaj Raman Bhai Mihir ke yahan stay over karega. Bachelors party karenge woh dono" (Yes, Raman Bhai is staying over at Mihirs tonight and they are having a Bachelors party)

"You mean a drinking party?"

"Of course Bhabhi" Rinki said and even little Ruhi started to giggle.

"Please Murugan" Ishita muttered. "Aap yeh new improved Raman ko phir se Raavan Kumar mat banne dena" (Please Murugan, dont turn this new improved Raman back into Raavan Kumar)

Before leaving the Spa, Rinki had given Ishita a packet from her bag. "Bhabhi, yeh Chooda hai. Hamare yahan isse 6 weeks tak pehenthe hai. I know you won't be able to do that, lekin aap kal pehen lena please, and after that, maybe aap ek chudi pehen kar rakh sakti hai. Waise toh aap ke mama ko aap ko pehenana chahiye, lekin ... aur yeh kaliray hai, aap isse bhi laga lena. Aap registry office mein pehen lena, I'll help you."
(Bhabhi, these are chooda. In our family, all new Brides wear these for 6 weeks. I know you cant do that but do wear it tomorrow and then maybe you can wear just one bangle. Actually, your maternal uncle should help you wear it, but... and these are kaliray, wear them too. You can wear it at the registry office as well. I can help you)

"Thank you Rinki" Ishita had said, touched.

She may not be getting her dream wedding, but she appreciated everything that was being done to make her day special. And in Rinki, she had found another little sister - not as feisty as her Miku, but one she knew she would grow to love as well.

Flashback ends

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8.00 am
Raman

Raman stared across the breakfast table at Mihir. His head throbbed and his eyes hurt in the bright sunlight.

He groaned as he sipped the double strength coffee Mihir had put before him. "I told you a bachelors party was a bad idea Mihir. Jhansi ki Rani maregi" (My warrior Queen will kill me for sure)

"Kya Bhai, uske jeeju bhi toh theh hamaare saath. Don't worry, bas coffee pee lo aur chalo registry office"
(What bhai, her brother in law was with us too. Dont worry, drink the coffee and lets go to the Registry office)

Raman had spent Monday night at Mihir's place, ostensibly to finish off a pending project. In reality, they had spent most of the night celebrating his last night of bachelorhood, and Bala had joined them for a good part of the evening.

"Accha sun, Ruhi ke kapde rakhna mat bhoolna" (Listen, dont forget to bring Ruhi's clothes with you) Raman reminded Mihir as he stood up gingerly, clutching his head. Ishita had bought an outfit for Ruhi to wear to the wedding and Bala had delivered it to them the previous night.

Ruhi would be going to school as usual, and the plan was for Raman to pick up her and Rinki on the way to the Registry.

Raman couldn't believe that this day was happening again in his life, and in this manner. And he couldn't believe how much he was looking forward to it, to making Ishita his wife.

He realised it was not ideal for Ishita, not the type of wedding that girls dreamed of. But he hoped that one day, when everything was normal, when all secrets were revealed, he would be able to give his madrassan a grand function.

In the meantime, this would have to do.

He wondered what she would be wearing. She wouldn't be able to dress up too much, he knew, since she would be coming straight from home, but he had a secret yearning to see her dressed as a bride. His bride. His beautiful bride.

"Mihir, mera suit kahan hai yaar" (Mihir, where is my suit?) he yelled out, the coffee slowly clearing away the fugue of last night.

He realised his drinking had been a nervous reaction to the stress of the last week and his anxiety that everything went okay. But Bala? He had left worse for wear last night, and it was his job today to deal with Abhi. He just hoped Bala remembered the grand plan he had been boasting of last night.

"Yeh lo Bhai. Bade handsome lago ge" (Here you go bhai, you'll look very handsome) Mihir had appeared with Raman's new black pinstripe Armani suit.

Raman grabbed the suit and walked off towards the bathroom. "Handsome toh hoon, lekin dulha lagonga ya nahi?"
(I am handsome, I know, but will I look like a bridegroom?)

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8.00 am
Iyer Apartment

Ishita came running back into her apartment.

She had realised how difficult it would be to dress in her finery at home. Even though the sari she had bought was elegant and not elaborate, it was still recognisably a Special occasion sari, not her usual work wear. She also felt as if the glow on her face would give her secret away.

She had therefore arranged with the Manager of the Jade spa the evening before that they would open up early for her and would help her dress. She had taken her bag down to the car when the coast was clear, and had come back to pick up her handbag and say her goodbyes.

"Ishu" her amma called out from the dining table. "Come have breakfast kutti, kitna rush karti hai." (Why do you rush so much?)

Ishita's eyes filled with tears at the love and affection in her mothers voice.

No matter how she dressed it up, now matter how justified she believed it was, she knew that the day her parents found out about the events of today, they would be heartbroken. Her marriage had been her amma's most cherished dream, her only desire, for over 2 years now.

Her wedding day would have been amma's greatest triumph. She was depriving her amma of that joy, her appa of the joy of doing her kanyadaanam. She remembered her akka's wedding, the pride in her Appa's face as Vandu akka sat in his lap, Bala jeeju tying the thalli around her neck.

"Amma, I'm not hungry. I have to go now, I'll eat something later" she rushed to her mother and gave her a quick tight hug.

"Ishu, kya hua?" (Ishu, what happened) Her amma asked in surprise, hugging her back, not used to such overt displays of affection so early in the morning.

"No, nothing, amma. I just love you. I love you too appa" she added shyly. Then with guilt in her heart and a spring in her step, she rushed down the stairs.

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8.00 am
Bhalla Apartment

"Rinki bua, aap kitni pretty lag rahe ho. Mujhe kyun uniform pehnaya hai?" (Rinki bua, you look so pretty. So why have you made me wear my uniform)

Rinki gave Ruhi a quick hug and brushed her hair firmly. "Kyunki hum ko secret rakhna hai beta. Ab papa aap ko pick karenge na, toh mein aap ko change karwa doongi. Aap ki outfit bhi very pretty hai" (Because we have to keep this a secret Ruhi. When papa picks you up from school, Ill change your clothes. Your outfit is very pretty too)

"Oho Rinki" Romi stood at the door to Ruhi's room. "Papaji bula rahe hai, school aur college chodne ke liye. Lekin teri aaj yeh fashion kyun hai." (Papaji is calling you two, to drop you to school and college. But why are you so dressed up today?)

"Cultural function hai" Rinki retorted, twirling her pretty purple and red anarkali suit. "Let's go Ruhi"

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                        Mehendi laga ke rakhna
                        Doli saja ke rakhna
                        Lene tujhe o gori
                        Aayenge tere sajna

                        Sehra saja ke rakhna
                        Chehra chupa ke rakhna
                        Ye dil ki baat apne                        
                        Dil mein daba ke rakhna

                        Kuch aur ab na kehna 
                        Kuch aur ab na karna
                        Ye dil ki baat apne
                        Dil mein daba ke rakhna