It was evening and Gauri was standing in front of the deity of Lord Shiva-Parvathy with her eyes closed. She was praying for a happy marriage life for herself and Omkara. Tomorrow was their wedding day and she had come to the temple to seek blessings for the same.

After finishing her prayers, she took the prasadam from the temple priest and returned back to home with her friends and cousin sisters who had accompanied her to the temple.

Madhavi Amma's house was decorated well with lights and flowers and a huge Pandhal (marquee/shamiyana) erected in the front courtyard.

Guests and relatives surrounded Gauri, once she entered the premises and after that she was very much busy mingling with them all.

Shekhar and Madhavi also were very much busy and they were really happy for their daughter.

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Omkara was feeling really restless finding himself among the crowd of his friends and relatives. All he wanted was to be with Gauri since it had been almost one week since he actually saw her.

Even if they were staying in two adjacent houses, their families have made it quite clear that they should meet only at the time of their wedding.

He made some excuse and slipped off to his room quietly. He dialed Gauri's number and impatiently waited for Gauri to pick the call.

After a few rings, Gauri answered the call.

Ga: Omkara...(whispers excitedly)

Omkara smiled and gave a noisy smooch on to the mobile. Gauri blushed and giggled at his gesture.

Om: (husky tone)Hello my princess..How are you..?

Ga: (shyly) Omkara..I miss you..

Om: Hmm..(smiles happily) Don't worry..Just wait for tomorrow and then you will be mine..(naughtily)...I won't make you miss me after that..

Ga: (smiles widely) Omkara..!

Om: I love you Gauri...

Ga: I love you too Omkara..

Omkara could hear someone calling her name in the background.

Ga: (whispers frantically) Omkara..I need to go now..Amma is calling me..

Om: (whines) Nooo..wait..

Ga: (hastily)Bye Omkara..See you tomorrow..Goodnight..Mmmuaaahhh..

And she disconnected the call, without waiting for him to say anything.

Omkara let out a deep impatient sigh and smiled.

Om: Huhhh..!! Tomorrow...Will you please come soon..?!

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WEDDING CEREMONY

On the next day, the Gauri's family was all set to welcome Omkara and his family into the Marriage Hall.

The music of Nadaswaram ( a musical instrument like Shehnaai which is used in Kerala wedding) was being played in the background by a group of musicians.

Omkara was wearing a cream colour full sleeve silk shirt and a matching silk mundu (dhoti) with thin golden border.

Gauri's cousin brother, Rakesh washed Omkara's feet and then patted them dry with a towel.

Then he was escorted to the 'Mandapam' (stage) by two rows of young girls who were holding  a platter containing flowers, oil lamp, rice, flowers etc.

The marriage would take place at the 'Mandapam'  and it was decorated with flowers, small plantain trees etc. He sat down at the Mandapam and waited for Gauri.

Gauri was also escorted by the same girls. She was wearing a splendid silk saree and her plaited hair  was beautifully adorned with jasmine garlands.

She was looking like goddess Lakshmi with a variety of gold ornaments. Omkara was staring at Gauri with a happy smile and Gauri blushed as she was made to sit down beside Omkara.

It was the 'Muhurtham' (the most auspicious time set by an astrologer) and Omkara took the thaali (mangalsutra) in his hands.

Gauri bowed her head while he tied the gold chain with a leaf shaped locket around Gauri's neck and Bhavya adjusted Gauri's plaited hair from behind to help Omkara.

At this special moment, the background musicians played a special high pitched tune with the Nadaswaram with a special beating of drums known as the Ketti melam. It was accompanied by the ceremonial ululating sounds made by women (Vai Kurava).

Omkara took a pinch of 'sindooram' (sindoor) and applied it on top of Gauri's forehead and she closed her eyes feeling overwhelmed.

Gauri then dipped her right hand ring finger into the chandanam (sandalwood paste) and applied a tilak on the middle of Omkara's forehead as per the tradition.

After that they got up and  stood facing each other. Gauri took the 'varana maalyam' (varmala/ wedding garland) and wore it around Omkara's neck.
Omkara also wore another varana maalyam around her neck.

Omkara then gifted Gauri a 'Kalyana pudava' which consisted of a Silk saree and a matching blouse on a platter with betel leaves and areca nuts. (This particular ritual signified that he had assumed the responsibility of providing for her.)

Then they exchanged flower bouquets with each other.

Gauri's father Shekhar did the 'Kanya daanam' to Omkara. Holding Gauri's hand, Omkara took three rounds around the Manadapam. This marked the end of their marriage ceremony.

Afterwards they made the newly-wed couple to sit down together on two magnificent and ornate chairs.

Gauri's mother, Madhavi went to them with a glass of sweetened milk mixed with ripe banana slices and fed three spoonfuls each to Omkara and Gauri.

Several aunts of Gauri repeated the same gesture as this was the traditional sweet feeding ritual.

The family members and friends wished them and blessed the newly-wed couple. And afterwards, a 'Sadya' (feast) was served to all the guests and relatives.

Omkara and Gauri too had the food after their marriage photo shoot.

Gauri was taken to the dressing room by Bhavya and some other ladies of Omkara's family to change into the 'Pudava Saree' gifted to her by Omkara at the wedding. It was an important custom before she would do the 'Griha pravesham' into Omkara's house.

It was time for Gauri to bid goodbye to her family. She hugged her Papa and Amma and the trio shared quite an emotional moment. Omkara too hugged both of them and thanked them for giving Gauri into his family.

Omkara and Gauri got into the car which was beautifully decorated with flowers. Omkara put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to cheer her up.

They reached Omkara's home with a group of close relatives. Janaki performed the 'aarati' with an oil lamp (which rests on a platter heaped with rice mixed with flowers) and received them at the entrance.

Janaki handed over the lit 'Nila vilakk' (A traditional lamp) to Gauri, to hold while she entered the house. Both Omkara and Gauri entered the house, with their right foot forward.

A grand wedding reception was held afterwards in the evening.

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Soon it was bed time and Omkara was waiting for his bride impatiently in his room. He heard the sound of someone opening the door and his gaze turned towards it. It was Gauri, who was looking really pretty in a traditional cream color Kerala saree with golden border.

She was having a glass of milk in her hand and Omkara noticed her blushing like a rose.

He got up from his bed and she looked at him with a bright moon like face. He was looking elegant and charming in a white color silk kurta and white color mundu (dhoti).

His face was full of magical love and she was enchanted by the look in his eyes. She was feeling the heat on her face under his scorching gaze.

Ga: (softly) Omkara..Your Amma told me to give this glass to you..She told me that you have to drink half of it, I will drink the rest..(finished shyly)

He had reached near her by that time and snaked his right arm around her waist. Without taking his eyes off her, he took the glass and drank half of the milk in one go.

Then he lowered the glass to her lips and whispered huskily in her ears.

Om: Now, it's your turn...drink..

Gauri looked into his eyes and drank the remaining milk from the glass.

Omkara kept the empty glass on the side table and his eyes fell on the portion above her lips, which was smeared with a thick line of milk.

Without warning, he bent his lips to kiss over her upper lip and sucked in the milk drops. Gauri was quite surprised by his action and she shut her eyes tightly.

Omkara's eyes scanned her expression and he wanted to kiss her senseless. He cupped her cheeks with both palms and sucked in her both lips softly and gently.

Gauri let out a gasp into his mouth and her hands automatically wound around him. Her fingers clutched onto his kurta as he deepened his kiss.

Omkara's tongue flicked over the partition of her soft lips and coaxed her to open her mouth for him to enter. Gauri parted her lips and let his tongue inside. She sucked his tongue and entwined her tongue with it.

*****End of Part 16*****

Remaining of the first night in the next chapter😍

Will post tomorrow..😘

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Love,
Naina