DEDICATED TO: Siddharth and thegirlnextdoor7781

AngelBody_SatanSoul IndianLegion
(For Kalam e pehchaan, poetry. #ind_legion)

"Ma, could you please give me a glass of water?" the bride-to-be asked,

The mother complied, smiling, without a word;

The brother pulled her hair, screaming, "Mumma's girl!",

The father looked on at the girl who was his world...

It would be a matter of two days and she would be gone,

Life wouldn't be the same, but it would have to go on.

Whose lively voice would the household wake up to?

Whose favorite food would now be cooked?

Who will the mother scold for licking the pickle from the jar?

Who would sneak out and use the car?

Who will the brother annoy and disturb?

Awaiting whose arrival, would the father stay up?

Who'll fight over the T.V. remote in the living room, henceforth?

Who would munch on chocolate happily?

The daughter of the household would change soon,

the groom would be taking away the family's moon.

Whose hair would the mother oil and comb,

now that she would shift to another home?

Will she remain immature and naive?

Or would the responsibilities make her grow up and change?

Will she be able to wake up without her mother's screech?

Can she manage alone, without her father's speech?

Who'll care to know her problems and pain,

without her brother to share it all with?

Will she be able to cook more than just Maggi?

It never mattered here, as long as she was happy...

Crossing the threshold of her maiden home, she would enter a new life,

The young, immature, much-loved daughter would become someone's bride.

-Elegiac_Damsel

________

15th August 2017

Third person's point of view:

Mrinalini was stunned into silence as the sudden change dawned upon her.

Tears sprang up in astonishment and shock as her friends reached out to hug her, whispering 'congratulations' in her ear. The realization that she was 'married' was earth-shattering! It was so hard to fathom that a single moment had suddenly brought such a major change in her life.

Her lifestyle would change drastically. The vermilion that had been applied to her parting would now become a part of her daily ensemble. The home she had known all these years would become her past.

"Boudi (sister-in-law; older brother's wife)!" she heard a woman call out to her and that brought her back from her thoughts.

Mrinalini could only guess that the woman in question was her husband's sister. She had a smile on her face and the resemblance between her herself and her brother was quite striking. She smiled weakly, concealing all the overwhelming emotions behind the happy facade.

"I am Anumegha. This is my brother, Debrishi. We are your husband's siblings, which makes me your sister-in-law." she explained

"And me, your brother-in-law." a younger version of her husband, with a different nose and no beard, added, "We are really happy to meet you. Welcome to the family."

"Thank you. I am glad to meet you both too." Mrinalini said, thus speaking her first words after the conclusion of the wedding ceremony

She was eager to run away to her mother or grandmother, but her husband's stole and her veil had been knotted together and refrained her from doing so. Moreover, the guests would surely comment if she did anything out of the ordinary.

"I... I want to go and sit next to Thamma. May I?" she asked her sister-in-law, hesitantly, addressing the question indirectly to her husband

"Yes of course you can, boudi," she replied and Mrinalini scurried off to the corner where her grandmother was seated, dragging the tied stole along with her veil.

"Thamma!" she called out to Brindadebi and rested her head on her loving grandma's shoulder. The wedding photographer chose to capture that moment then and the flash of his camera blinded Mrinalini momentarily.

"Mini, you are married now." her grandmother told her softly, the word sounding foreign to her own ears

"I am hungry, Thamma. Will we not get any food to eat?" she whined

"Of course my granddaughter and grandson-in-law will definitely get their food served. But Mini, you must remember that you are a married woman now. You cannot go around demanding food like this. And anyway, you have to sign the legal marriage papers, sweetheart. The lawyer is here. Barun will be along with him. Only after that will you get to eat." Brindadebi finished, tapping her granddaughter's nose, which still had traces of vermilion on it

"They say vermilion falling on a bride's nose is a sign that the husband loves her too much. There is vermilion on your nose, Mini..." her grandma continued, with a teasing smile and that made Mrinalini hide her face in her Alta adorned palms

...

The signing of the marriage documents was a comparatively private affair as most of the guests had scurried off to eat or had left to return home early as it had begun raining.

The registration form had been filled already and the bride and groom were simply required to sign it followed by the witnesses. Debarghya was given the chance to sign first followed by Mrinalini.

She took the documents in her hand and skimmed through the filled details. Her eyes stopped at that one blank which had been labeled as 'Bride's name after marriage. The blank had been filled by someone in black ink and the name written read: 'MRINALINI ACHARYA'.

Mrinalini felt the ground underneath her feet slipping away. Not a single soul had bothered to ask her if she had been willing to change her name! This was something even her brother had not bothered to intimate her about. She felt betrayed, upset, sad, and furious. Her eyes welled up as her grip on the pen tightened, making her knuckles turn white. The surname 'Debnath', had been the last thing Mrinalini had inherited from her father! It was her identity, her name; her father's name that she had carried all her life, with pride!

It may just be her maiden name to everyone around, to her it had been her dead father's only living memory.

She fought the urge to sob and inhaled deeply, counting to 10 in her mind. Her grandmother placed a shriveled, wrinkly hand on her granddaughter's shoulder reassuringly. Brindadebi, like all others, thought that she was nervous. No one understood what the young bride was bothered about and upset with!

Abhrajit cleared his throat at his sister's hesitance. The few guests who were present at the signing had begun gossiping and whispering among themselves at her repugnance. Her aunt nudged her and whispered, "Don't be nervous Mini. Just sign them, child."

Fighting all the repulsing emotions and her tears, Mrinalini lifted her pen and signed away her consent, using her maiden name for the last time, on an official document.

"Who'll sign as your witnesses?" the lawyer asked Debarghya. He smiled and replied without a second thought, "My two siblings."

"Who'll sign as the witnesses from the bride's side?" the lawyer asked Barun

He smiled at the young woman who had her gaze fixated at her lap and replied, "I'll sign as her legal guardian. And there is no one my son had loved more in the world than his sister, so Abhrajit would sign next."

Mrinalini was tempted to say aloud that her mother was the one who had all the right to and that her grandmother deserved to sign it too, but then she didn't want to create a scene in front of everyone. She knew that a single word from her would incite the guests to speak ill about herself, her mother, and her upbringing. Society would never appreciate her straightforward nature or her guts, instead, she would be remembered as the ill-mannered bride who spoke out of turn. And hence, she was compelled to remain tight-lipped.

...

16th August 2017

Mrinalini's point of view:

I have always known from a young age that a bride is always expected to shift homes after marriage. It has always been a protocol, something that is expected of every woman, someday. As a bride today, I don't know how I am supposed to be feeling. Some say that I have gained another family, while some say that I have lost the only family I have known all these years. Some say that I am entering a new life that would bring happiness with time, while some say that I am closing the doors and leaving my carefree days behind, forever.

The same age-old debate about the half-empty or half-full glass is resurfacing.

It was my wedding yesterday and I still find it so hard to believe that I practically got married. Yesterday night, my husband and I were locked inside a room with my friends as it was bashor night. I actually spoiled the usual fun that my friends would have had at my expense, by falling asleep. I was fatigued and emotionally drained out and that made me pass out even before my husband could be brought to the room.

Bashor Ghar: On the night of the wedding, after the guests have left, the couple and some young members of the extended family occupy a room and have fun. They chat non-stop, dance and sing. It is basically a time of merriment and joy. They also play different games. It is a process through which the couple, as well as the others, loosens up in the presence of one another.

TEXT CREDIT: wedding planning. in

Today is the day when I would have to leave my maiden house for good. I have heard that his home is around half an hour away, but how would it matter when this house is sold? Who would I come to visit? The plants outside my home, or perhaps the stray cat who used to steal milk from our house?

I was fed lunch by Ma today. She could make out that I was too nervous and didn't really feel like eating lunch with everyone else. Moreover, I wanted to cherish those last few moments that I would have with her in our room and home.

"Ma, when will I meet you again?" I asked her stupidly as she fed me a morsel

"Tomorrow? It's your wedding reception. I am not missing it for the world!" she told me with a smile

"Ma, will I fit in there? What if something happens? Ma, what do I do? Oh, God! Ma, I think I am nervous." I ranted and she laughed at my demeanor

"My sweet daughter is such a nervous bride! Don't worry, baby. Just be yourself and remain calm. Things don't go wrong with a calm mind. About your in-laws, address everyone there by the same names as your husband does. This is the first step from 'you and me' towards 'us'. Give love and respect to everyone and you will get the same in return."

"Do I have to address his mother as Ma?" I asked her, unsure

She nodded, "Yes. Never differentiate between your mother-in-law and me. We both are your mothers in our own rights. Remember this always, Mini."

"But, Ma... You are my Ma. You are my mother. You are the one who gave birth to me and raised me. I don't want another mother, Ma. I don't want to call someone else Ma! Ma... I can't." I told her, my voice breaking as tears rolled down my cheeks.

She kept the plate of food that she had been feeding me from and pulled me into her embrace. Her hand rubbed my back gently as I became my mother's little, crying baby again.

"I will always be your mother, sweetheart. I am not asking you to replace me with anyone. How can I say this as your mother, Mini? I will always be the first person you called Ma... she will be your mother-in-law, someone who will be your mother's equivalent there. I am never going to ask you to forget me. My own heart will break before I ask you to do this, sweetheart! This is a norm child, and I want my daughter to follow it diligently. Just as Lord Krishna had two mothers, so will you. Love everyone there and remember always that I love you."

...

It was close to 4 p.m. when I was led away to be seated in the living room next to my husband. The elders would now bless the two of us. It was time for me to bid farewell. It was time to leave my house and family; so I could go and live with my husband.

I was not even present there mentally. My acumen was absent and I was as good as a seated corpse. My eyes were bloodshot red and moist already, from the tears that had already been let out and the ones that had just welled up.

Thamma was the first one to bless the two of us. She couldn't hold in her emotions for too long and broke down midway. I hugged her and she allowed me to comfort her.

"Take care always. God bless you. Mini. May your married life yield happiness." she whispered in my ears and I nodded vigorously. Debarghya and I touched her feet and she retreated after caressing my head lovingly.

Jethu and Jethima followed next. Even though I have all the hatred in the world that I can direct at them, I simply couldn't bring it in myself to not cry when Jethu fed me a sweet. I choked on it violently and he embraced me, rubbing my back comfortingly; just like my father would have, had he lived.

Jethima kissed my cheek and I heard her murmur, "You grew too quickly for our liking. We'll miss you so much."

The last person in line was my mother.

Ma was dressed elegantly and although her exterior screamed happiness, I could sense the turmoil her conscience was in. She stepped forward to bless me and my husband before we could take leave.

Her right hand trembled as she placed it on my head with the trefoil leaves and husked rice, in blessing. I felt tears spring up in my eyes when she leaned forward to kiss my forehead.

She turned to my husband and said,
"My child, please take care of my daughter. She is young. She is naive. She hasn't seen the real world much. She is everything I have. Help her. It will take her time to grow. To adjust and to get the wind of things. She's my gem. Aamar (my) Mrinalini... Take care of my sweetheart."

"Ma... don't leave me. I can't go there. Ma!" my voice trembled as I spoke, my hand reached out to grasp her wrist

She turned and her hands wiped my tears. Cupping my face in her palms, she looked straight into my glossy eyes and choked out the words, "You must, Mini. You have grown up now. You are married. My blessings are always with you, child. That is where your home is going to be from now on. My daughter is brave. She is strong. Bid me farewell with a smile, sweetheart."

I shook my head violently, my tears falling freely. She helped me to my feet and Jethima told us, "It is time, Mini. Rai, you must perform the last ritual before she leaves: Kanakanjali."

Bidaay (Farewell) is a touching ceremony where the bride leaves her family home with a heavy heart to move in with her in-laws.

Kanakanjali: while departing, the bride keeps throwing fistfuls of rice backward without looking back. This is how she tries to repay the debt of her family for bringing her up.

TEXT CREDIT: weddingplanning. in

I was led to the main door of our home and Jethima held out a plate of rice for me to throw over my right shoulder as I bid farewell to the home which had sheltered and nurtured me all my life.

"You must throw the rice for your mother to collect it. And when you throw the rice, you must say, 'Ma, Tomar shob hrin shodh korlam. ( Ma, I am repaying all your debts). Don't turn back, Mini. Don't begin your new life by turning back." Jethima instructed me

I knew I wasn't supposed to turn back when the farewell commenced, hence I chose to turn and embrace Ma for one last time. She hugged me back with equal fervor and I could feel the sleeve of my blouse becoming wet due to her tears.

"Don't let my tears discourage you, sweetheart. Go ahead in your life, don't look back." Ma told me in my ears. I knew what she meant by 'not looking back. She wanted to convey to me that I must let go of all the sadness, anger and regret that I had contained in myself. She wanted me to move ahead, so I can get happiness in the future.

I nodded, "Take care of yourself and Thamma, Ma."

She nodded and brought the free end of her sari in front so she could collect the rice there.

I took a deep breath and grabbed a fistful of rice. Throwing it over my right shoulder, into Ma's waiting sari, I choked out the words, "Ma... I... am re-pay-ing all... your debts."

The words that I spoke made my heart constrict in pain. I was actually repaying my mother's debts; the debt the two of us have lived in, ever since my Uncle took up our responsibility.

I repeated the words two more times, battling my inner strife, and walked out of the house. Dadabhai and Jethu escorted me and my husband to the waiting car.

I allowed myself to cry on Dadabhai's shoulder. He held me close and told me repeatedly to be strong.

"Take care Bonu. Keep blooming Lotus," he told me one last time, before kissing my forehead gently

I nodded in reply, looking at him through my glossy eyes. He opened the car door for me and helped me inside.

The car drove away and I waved at Dadabhai, my Uncle, my home, my family, and my previous life. I looked back till I could no longer see my house. I looked back till I could no longer see the silhouette of my past in the distance.

...

I had calmed down after a while and my sister-in-law had been quite assuring and comforting. She had taken her place in between my husband and me. Given the fact that I was much younger than her, she had expected this reaction from me and had spent a major time speaking soothing words to me. Debarghya kept looking at me once in a while, probably to check if I was still crying.

The usual 30 minutes drive to Shyambazar from Entally, was taking more than an hour due to rain and traffic. I tried to look out of the window which was heavily fogged and littered with raindrops. The visibility wasn't very great, so I engrossed myself in observing the raindrops. The fresh drops falling on the old ones combined to form bigger drops which rolled down the window, quickly. Bidding farewell, letting go, moving on, moving ahead; does this only happen to brides? Perhaps the rain and brides have more in common than one can make out... after all even they keep circulating between the earth and the sky, yet neither of the two places can be called their home...

Don't the clouds and raindrops feel the pain of separation? Does a cloud feel devastated when the little raindrops descend on earth? Does the wind feel guilty sweeping away the dust particles from a given surface? Don't they feel anguished when they bid farewell and relocate? Do raindrops feel upset when they are made to leave their heavenly abode? Do they quench the thirst of the parched soil because they want to, or are they compelled to? Does the rain come down with happiness, or does it regret bidding farewell?

"Mrinalini, we are home." my husband's voice broke my train of thoughts. These were the first words that he spoke to me after our marriage.

...

To be continued...

PUBLISHED ON: 5th June 2020

A special thank you to Priyadarshini2001 Thank you di for helping with the pictures and also for elucidating on the emotions of a bride.
THANK YOU thegirlnextdoor7781 for helping me even though you had your internals :-)

Sorry if the Chapter wasn't up to the mark.🙏

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I will simply ask you all to take care and stay safe.

Please do vote, comment, and share if you want to. :-)

With love,

Shubhadittya