Shiv

"Ma ji, Anjali has said yes to this alliance too." Aunty smiled at Dadi.

Dadi's eyes started to fill up and Aunty moved closer to Dadi and hugged her. If I was right, both the ladies were crying at the moment. My brother got up and patted my back. Over on my left, I saw both the fathers stood up to hug each other. My father came up to hug me and I hugged him back which was then followed by Anjali's father hugging me too.

While I was happy, I had to talk to Anjali and make sure it was still her decision and not her parents. I had this doubt may be because, I was silently expecting her to directly tell me her thoughts and her inclination as I had a direct word with her. I made a mental note to immediately call her after Uncle and Aunty left. For now, I was ready to believe my new bride, yes my bride was shy and still trying to trust me. It was natural that she trusted her parents more. 

Dadi then pointedly looked at Harshit and said , "Khoteya, mithai saamne hai. Sabka ka muh to mitha karao. "

Donkey, the sweets are infront of you. Feed everyone on this happy occasion.  

Harshit did exactly that except that he only fed me a super small piece knowing that I was on diet. "Congrats Bhai, but this all what you will get." He murmured the last bit. My brother was seriously out of his mind. I gave him 'don't mess with me' looks but he happily took the box and fed Dadi some mithai. Even Dadi who was diabetic was getting more mithai than me.  

Anjali's father was speaking to my father on my left with folded hands, "Bhai sahab, we were just leaving our house to come here when Anjali called and informed us. Our Anjali has just one thing she wanted us to tell you all."

"Aap beti de rahe hain. Haath to hame jodne chahiye. Jo bhi hai khul ke bolein. " My father answered while I looked curiously at Uncle while Dadi looked on as well. 

You are giving your daughter to us. We should fold our hands. Whatever it is, please tell us without hesitations.

"She wants a very simple wedding with few people. Now, we would understand if that is not the case with you all. We can talk it over with Anjali again."

I chimed in, "Papa, sorry I am disrespecting the elders by chiming in but I want what Anjali wants too. A simple wedding with absolute close relatives. " I had everybody's attention now.

Dadi nodded and chuckled, "You haven't even taken Ashirwaad from Dadi, Mr. Big Man and already ready for marriage." Papa was chuckling too. I got up and bowed down to Dadi. She blessed me and Anjali with years of togetherness and I pulled the empty chair closer to her to sit close to her.

"Shekhar ji, roka lekar kab aayein? Rishta pakka hai na?" My dadi said wiping her tears.

When do we come with roka? The marriage is final, right?

"Yes yes. How about next weekend Ma ji. We can decide the wedding date and other formalities too."  

"That sounds good." 

"Mitha bhi ho gaya. Chai reh gayi hai, Dadi." My brother called out to Dadi looking at me. I knew what he was doing. I always made tea whenever he had guests, he just wanted me to make the tea today as well to show to my future in-laws that I could cook.  

We ate sweets, but the tea is pending

"Hmm. So Shekhar ji , Mohini ji, ready to taste Shiv's hand made tea? Today, your damaad will make chai for you." Dadi called out to my in-laws.

"Oh no, Ma ji, I will make it if you allow me to. " Aunty even got up from her seated position with a start.

"Aunty, please sit down. Bhai makes very good chai. He will make it for everyone. " My brother was in a teasing mode today.

My Dadi added, "Sit down beta. Go Shiv. Damaad hai, chai bana sakta apne sasural walon ke liye. Bete jaisi izzat dijiye, bahot hai. "

He is your son-in-law. He can make tea for his in-laws. Give him that respect which you would give your own son, its enough.

I got up to make my way into the kitchen after counting the number of people I was going to make tea for and I mentally smacked myself. I made tea for 4 of us every morning and now I had to just add 2 more people. I guess the feeling of making tea for my 'in-laws' was already making me nervous.

And I was on my way to the kitchen when Dadi said "Anjali beti se koi baat karao" and my heart skipped a beat. That was the name that was going to be associated with my name now, hopefully for life this time. Shiv and Anjali. That sounded nice.

*******
Anjali

I had been unable to do anything productive since my phone call with Ma. I was sitting and switching channels on the TV in bedroom. I could very well imagine my parents expressions even though we were on voice call. I suddenly felt very alone in the hotel room and I couldn't wait to go home and be engulfed in their warmest and tightest hugs. I think my vulnerability was also because of all the emotions that I was feeling as I had to once again leave my parents to go live with my husband. My parents had been the best support to me in my time of healing after the depression. I couldn't even imagine living without their support when I look back today. 

They had indeed been through a lot for me. Their own siblings had taunted them over my broken marriage. The society was cruel when it came to broken marriages. I still remember when my father's sister had said after even knowing the entire truth, "you have spoilt her, your upbringing is at fault which is why her marriage failed. She should have just stuck with him. Our society doesn't accept divorce. " It was the same story with one my Mami's too, "She should have stuck it out atleast for the parents sake"

My phone started ringing and I saw Shiv's name on the callerId. I answered his phone, "HI, Shiv"

His soft soothing voice rang in my ears, "Anjali, Hi. Your phone was not reachable sometime earlier. Dadi wanted to talk to you. All ok?"

"Oh, I don't know. Probably bad network, I can talk to her now." I started getting worried. If my phone was not reachable, probably my parents had also tried reaching out too and must have . "Shiv, are my parents there as well? They must be worried if my phone was unreachable."

"They just left Anjali but they said they understand there are sometimes network issues. Call them and we can chat once you have spoken to them.Ok? and Dadi is resting in her room. She will talk to you tomorrow." 

"Shiv, aapne call kiya tha. Main baad me baat kar lungi Ma Papa se. Sab thik to raha na wahan ?"

Shiv, you called. I will talk to Mom and Dad later. Everything was ok there, right?

"Ji Madam, aapki marzi bhi pata chal gayi. It's our Roka next weekend. Anjali ?"

Yes, I also learnt about your 'yes'

"Hmm" I was now talking to my future husband, not just Shiv anymore. My heart suddenly felt lighter and happier?!

The next instant I heard his voice "Ye aapka hi decision hai na? I thought you will tell me." 

This is your decision, right?

The last bit sounded like a disappointment . "Ji, It's my decision only. I umm I made the decision and immediately told Ma. I thought you will be busy. I wanted to let you know though." 

"Anjali, it's ok. I was just taken aback given we spoke on a very delicate subject this morning,"

"I understood what you said, Shiv. I was jumping ahead. I thought through it and found out that there are indeed many unknowns and my priority is knowing you, I was just getting paranoid with my age there."

"I respect your thinking and I hope you are being honest with me.  Anjali?"

"Ji?"

"While leaving Uncle mentioned to me and my father that both uncle and aunty don't believe in horoscope matching anymore which by the way even we don't. Uncle and Aunty suggested we just get blood group compatibility tests done. I agreed to it."

"Oh! I didn't know he suggested that. Is your father ok with it?"

"He is very excited to get a new friend,  Anjali. He instantly took a liking to your father. But, yes he is ok with it. For now, we can just keep it that way that me and my father know about this. I will email you the lab results as I get them." 

"I will email you mine too, Shiv. Thank you for being nice to Papa. They are just " I was cut off again

"worried, I know. It's about their daughter. If we can ease them up a little bit, it would be nice. We are now a team, right?

"Yes." 

"Aapne dinner kar liya?" Did you eat dinner

"Not yet. I will order something from the room service. Aapne kha liya?" 

"Ji, aapke hone wale devar ji ne bahot hi chota sa piece mithai ka khilaya tha. On a serious note, I ate snacks and tea with everyone. I am going to get a protein shake or something lighter.

Yes, your would be brother in law fed me a small piece of sweet. 

I giggled, "Eating healthy is good but starving is not."

"Ahh, says my wise fiancé. Anjali, you should order dinner. It's getting late." I blushed, he had not even complimented but the fact that he had called me 'his fiancé' made my cheeks warm

"Yes, I will order" I replied, even my ear that was pressed against the phone felt warm. 

"Wait, I said wait. What is wrong with you." I heard Shiv's voice and then another person's voice. 

"Uh huh, what?" Who was he talking to, I had to know. 

"Not you, my brother is out of his mind today. He has been a jack a** all day. Shivani is on another line with him. I will talk to you later Anjali. Message me when you reach Mumbai." His siblings were troubling him I imagined him. 

"Bye, Shiv. "

"Bye, Anjali".

I next dialed Ma's number to let her know that it was indeed bad network at my end. It was going to be a long night and then long day before I went back home to my Ma and Papa and slept in the comfort of my own bedroom.  

******************

Horoscope matching is matching astrological birth charts of bride and groom and finding how compatible they will be leading to if their marriage will be successful or not. It is widely practiced and continues to be widely practiced even after the pandemic began. Personally, I don't think highly of horoscope matching as I have seen many marriages fail despite a good match. Moreover, who predicted pandemic deaths looking at horoscopes? Medical compatibility in case of arranged marriages on the other hand can save many problems later on. Genetic counseling before family planning is again highly recommended. 

******************

It was the Roka day today. This week had been anything stressful with unwinding from travel, submitting blood samples at the pathology labs to going out with Ma to get arrangements done for the Roka and to also finding out that Shiv and I were indeed medically compatible which meant that if we planned a baby in a future, then our blood groups wouldn't be a problem. 

Pooja was going to arrive early with her family for the arrangements. Meanwhile, I was waiting for Ma to return with more wrapping paper. Roka was a ceremony where both the bride and groom's side exchanged gifts in the form of fresh fruits, dry fruits, cash, clothes and jewelry. Additionally, the groom's side also adorned the bride with a red dupatta on her head. It was basically a ceremony that marked the formal start of the couples relationship.

It had been a long time that Ma was gone so I decided to check up on her. When I reached my patents bedroom entrance, I froze as they spoke.

"One daughter, just one daughter I have and I spent everything I had on her marriage to Manish. All I have is savings that I put aside for emergency medical purposes for both of us. I don't have loose money lying around that we can now use. Damaad ko to nek dena hai aaj. Kitna dun wo bhi nahi samaj aa raha." My father spoke in a dejected tone.

I need to give some nek (blessings in form of cash) to Shiv today. I am unable to even understand how much I should give.

"Ji, you don't worry. We have my gold and the gold that Anjali managed to bring back from Manish's house. It's sufficient. I will just get the designs changed on her gold and we can sell my gold. Anjali said she wants a simple marriage." I should have known they would be getting all paranoid with wedding expenses. 

"No no. I can't take your gold. I am thinking I will get a loan against those savings or may be against this house."

"What are you saying? Even if we do get a loan then how are we going to repay it, you are retired now. Pension se to jaise jaise ghar chal jaata hai. Even the house expenses will increase, you know she discreetly pays for a lot of expenses from her salary. "

We manage to run this house with your pension 

"What should I do then?"

"Ji, gold rates have spiked up. Let's atleast see what we will get from selling my gold. Gold is meant to be money that we can use when in need. Let's please sell it." 

"Let me ask Pooja beti's father if he knows someone from whom we can borrow money and then return it with a little extra time."  

My eyes quickly filled up. My father had paid for every single expense in my marriage to Manish. Expensive dresses, latest designed jewelry, good arrangements for guests to stay and a well decorated marriage hall. All for nothing ! All for that pig ! I stepped in with my hands crossed over my chest.

"Papa, you will ask everyone but not me. I am earning because of you. You two supported my education and even beyond that and made me independent. I have savings and I think that it be enough. If not, my company allows three months of advance payment." I had been piling up savings to be a single mother which is what I was planning to use. 

"No no, how can we take money from you. It's yours beta. You are working hard for it." Worry lines on his forehead with a receding hairline, he looked even more older than he was. 

"And I am getting married so it makes sense for me to give you money. Please Papa. Ma, you talk to him."

"You recently had a lot of expenses for the court case. You paid for it all by yourself. Your marriage is my responsibility now. Shiv is such a good person. Izzat se tumhe uske saath bidaa kar dun main beta. " My father looked thoughtful. 

Please let me send you off with my own self respect.

"Ji, Anjali to apni hi hai na. We can take money from her." My mother said to my father. 

Anjali is ours.

"Mohini, no."

I had to use their 'damaad card' now as they had been gaga over how Shiv made tea for them and how he was so nice and how they liked him so much. "Ok, ok. Listen to me. Mehendi will be done at home. For wedding, we are keeping it simple so we can manage it."

"Engagement? Sangeet? Reception?" My father asked.

"Sangeet will be clubbed with mehendi and engagement, wedding and reception will also combined together."

"Beta, how will it be like this? We will need to talk to Shiv's side also." 

"Simple wedding means this. Shiv is ok with it too. Shiv and I only need your blessings when you give us nek, not actual money." Shiv and I had the chat right after we had exchanged medical reports. Both of us wanted a simple wedding and it was Shiv who brought up the topic that he wanted everything in a single day as he said he didn't want a lot of money to be spent on something that is so beautiful and holy. 

"Bahot baatein hone lagi hain ek hafte mein." My mother teased me. 

"Maaa, that's not the point. I am going to initiate a transfer to your account from my savings account. That's it, no more questions. Happy?"

"Very happy seeing that you are happy." My mother hugged me and kissed my cheek. 

My father gave me a reassuring nod and lightly caressed my head. 

******************

Shiv

Harshit was driving us to Anjali's house while I sat in the passenger seat and Dadi and Papa sat in the rear seat of the car. Shivani and Dadi had ordered gifts and other things online. Everything was now in the trunk of the car. Alongwith everything else, Dadi was going to give Anjali a pair of gold earrings. I had decided to wear a simple cream color button down shirt over formal pants. I wondered if I looked extra fat in it. I had asked Harshit at home and he said, I looked big and thats it. 

Last night, my father had a chat with me about splitting all wedding expenses in half with Anjali's parents. He had wanted to do the same with my previous marriage too but Shikha's family was too well off or elite and they did everything per their liking. They had not even consulted us on anything,  the wedding venue for instance. My father had been disappointed as he wanted to have some functions in his own way back then but said nothing for my happiness. This time around, however, I told him that I had already told Anjali that everything will be done in one day. While I also asked my father to offer to share wedding expenses and my father was very happy about it.

We reached Anjali's house and Harshit and I got all the wrapped gift baskets out of the trunk. As was the case last time, we received a very warm welcome in their home. Pooja, her family and her parents were present too. Anjali had informed me that they would be joining in as her parents were feeling all nervous with hosting grooms family.

We settled in the living room along with Aniket and Pooja's father and Aniket's two cheeky kids. Aunty and Pooja's mother returned to kitchen and I looked for any sign of Anjali. I was sitting in between my father and Harshit when my younger brother elbowed me to look at the door as Anjali walked in with Pooja.

Dressed elegantly yet keeping her look very simple with her hair resting on her shoulders and small studs in ears, she bent down to taking blessings from Dadi and then my father. Meanwhile my brother muttered giving me a teasing smile, "Bhai, now I know why you go the gym so diligently." My otherwise calm and mature younger brother was giving me a lot of trouble since these past few days. I wanted to smack him but refrained from doing so in the pubic setup that we were in.

"Bhaisahab, bahot hi pyaari beti hai aapki. Bahot bahot badhai ho beta. May you and Shiv find happiness and peace with each other. God bless you! We are waiting to welcome you in our home now. " My father blessed her but refrained from physical touch as he joined his own hands. In our culture, we didn't have daughters touching parents feet but we had daughters in law touching in-laws feet and my father wasn't particularly a fan of this and hence he joined his hands together in respect of women - something he had told me when I had questioned him as a child.

Bhaisahab, you have a very sweet daughter. Many many congratulations to you,beta. 

She met my gaze and we exchanged a smile and 'Hi' before my brother elbowed me again. I frowned at him as he said, "Hi Bhabhi, Welcome to our family" but instead he brought a wide smile on my face as blush crept up on Anjali's cheeks as she thanked him.

Bhabhi = brothers wife.

"Bhabhi, if you don't mind, can I show you something?" I wondered what he was upto this time around. He fished out a passport picture from his wallet. It was our mothers picture. "That's our mother bhabhi. I thought she should meet you along with everybody." I was dumb founded. I turned my lower lip inwards and watched as Anjali took the picture from Harshit and took a good look at it and then smiled.

"She is beauitful. Shivani di resembles her so much." My brother nodded while I tried to discreetly wipe out the lone tear that was threatening to fall off. My brother missed her but rarely did he bring her up. Our mother was definitely on our minds all day today. 

Soon Dadi made me and Anjali next to each other as she wanted to get the Roka ceremony completed. She sought help from Pooja to put the red dupatta over Anjali's head. She looked such a sweet combination of red and pink mixed with her own blush as Dadi continued to give her blessings and other gifts. When her side of the ceremony was completed, Uncle and Aniket started the ceremony for me as Uncle did my tilak and gave me blessings while Aniket showed Harshit all their side of gift baskets that should be taken with us. 

*tilak = applying holy vermillion on forehead

"Jodi bahot hi achi lag rahi hai." My father said and uncle nodded.

Their pair looks really nice. 

"Bas to ab hume jaldi se apni beti bida kar ke de dijiye, Shekhar ji. " Dadi said to which Papa nodded.

Now just send off your daughter with us at the earliest, Shekhar ji

"Yes Ma ji. Although, this home will become absolutely lifeless without our daughter."

And so the talks continued and it was decided that a simple wedding with close family will be in 4 weeks from today. Anjali will get mehendi/henna applied in a private ceremony in this very house which my sister and little Riya will also attend. Wedding and Reception were to be completed in a small ceremony. The venue was undecided as we needed to book one but depending on availability, a place close to this area was to be finalized. 

"Bhaisahab, we have one condition." My father said surprising everyone. 

"What is it, please tell us." I gave my father a knowing smile even though Aunty and Uncle seemed tense. 

"We will split all the expenses.Only if you allow this, the marriage will happen. Otherwise, we really like your daughter and we will just whisk her away today itself by solemnizing the marriage in a temple." My father smiled. 

Anjali's parents agreed after a lot of hesitations but I did notice a relief on Anjali's face as the parents finally agreed. Everybody had mithai as Pooja served around after everything had been finalized. She turned to us after making sure her children had eaten only piece each

"There have been a lot of serious discussion but now that the date is set and everything is finalized, I think I can give you two some private time." Anjali and I looked at each other and then at her. Before we could say anything, she grabbed Anjali's arm "Come with me you two. Aniket bring him in"

We were both led to a room which I thought was Anjali's room given there was a picture of Anjali and Pooja. Aniket walked in right behind me and I saw Pooja walk over to stand next to him.She wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her head on his chest. 

"They look so cute together. Don't they, Ani?" Aniket nodded, "They do. Congratulations you two. According to our traditions, you two are officially engaged. Now, let's leave."

"The door is ajar as you two aren't married yet, we will be outside looking after our naughty monkeys." She giggled on her way out while I saw Anjali looking up to me. When our gazes met, she immediately lowered her gaze. 

"I guess we are one step closer. You are happy, right?" I asked her. I wanted to know it all again.

"I am scared." She replied in a small voice and turned around. I turned around as well and my gaze landed on the many photographs that were on this side of the wall. I slowly began checking out each picture. There was a picture in which two girls with their hair neatly tied up in plaits wearing a school uniform were standing. I wondered which one was Anjali as I realized it had to be Anjali and Pooja in this picture too. There was another picture in which a very young and head full of hair uncle was standing with his baby girl in his arms while a young Aunty stood next to him. Anjali was smiling wide in this one. There was another one of Anjali on her graduation day. 

Anjali saw me checking out her photos and I instantly turned to her. "It's ok. We are together."

She nodded her head. "Your father and brother are really nice. I was scared about meeting them too."

I laughed, "Sorry. Yeah, they are pretty down to earth and cool people. You don't need to be afraid of Papa"

"Shiv?" She looked at me with her deep black eyes. I only now noticed a mole on her ear. right above where her earrings were hooped in. 

"Yes."

"We will make this work, right? We aren't making a mistake, right? " Her question this time around gave me a sense of her insecurities and pressure from the marriage dates being set. I saw her hand resting on the back of the chair as she stood over a writing table that I imagined must belong to her for over a decade now. I sighed and composed my reply to her,

"Anjali, we will make this work with the best of our efforts and both our families support. We need to start trusting ourselves and each other now. We will help each other. Ok?" I looked at her and bought my hand to put it on hers which was still resting on the back of the chair. Before I could actually place my hand over hers, we heard a small knock. It was Pooja's daughter. 

"Maasi, everybody is calling you and uncle outside for taking photogaphs."

Maasi= mothers sister. For Anjali, Pooja is like her sister

Anjali nodded in a yes and responded that we are just coming. I nodded at her as she looked at me and we both made our way out. 

*****************

How was it ? 

Wedding will be in next chapter mostly. 

Thoughts?

Do vote and share if you like !