Engaged - My love story

Chapter 14

Smita POV

"I already feel faint." A voice came up.

We looked to see a handsome man on the doorway, wearing a rust coloured sherwani.

I tried not to blush, but miserably failed.

"Dhruv." Anjali Di said.

"Ha, Nani ne mujhe bheja hai. Jaldi niche aao tum sab, kyunki ladki walo ko pehle pahunchna hai." He said, winking at me, and leaving. (Yes, Nani had sent me though. Come down fast, because the girl's side has to leave first.)

Everyone turned around and saw me blushing, and gave me a smirk.

I blushed and we went downstairs, and me and my family reached the wedding hall, where I sat around the sacred fire and chants began.

After about 15 minutes, Dhruv arrived, and we sat together.

The priest asked us to get up for the Varmala ceremony.

Dhruv reached out to make me wear the garland.

Chhote and Jiju lifted me high, but Dhruv reached me as he was tall enough.

Next, when I reached out for him, they lifted Dhruv.

"Jiju! Chhote! Are you from my side or his?" I asked.

"We're from both sides." Chhote laughed.

When they put him down, I put the garland on him, and everyone clapped.

We sat down again as the chants continued.

After about half an hour, Dhruv put sindoor on me and made me wear the mangalsutra.

The priest told us to stand for the seven rounds.

When we took the seven rounds, it was all complete. We were each other's now.

"I love you, Smi."

"I love you too, Dhruv."

We hugged as everyone in the mandap cheered.

We got down from the altar, taking blessings from Nani, Papa, Mummy, Ma and Dad. Anjali and Samita Di hugged us, and Chhote did too.

We had the reception and a little party, where I had changed into the dress previously selected for the engagement.

Soon, it was 8 in the evening.

We all thought it was time to leave.

I hugged everyone, and looked at Arnav.

He was feeling a little sad.

"Tumhari Di tumhare paas hi hai. Jab chaho ghar aa jana. Kuch batano bhi ho na, to aa jana." I hugged him, patting him head. (Your Di is with you only. Come whenever you want. Even if you wanna say something, come there.)

He nodded, and Dhruv, me and my in - laws departed for my new home.

When we reached, we had the graha - pravesh rasam.

I kicked the kalash lightly, a lot of rice from it spilling over.

Everyone smiled.

"Matlab hamari chhoti beti bahut khushi laygi hamare ghar main." Mummy and Papa said. (This means our younger daughter will bring a lot of happiness in our house.)

I smiled and stepped on the alta (A red liquid) and left footprints on the entrance.

Anjali Di stopped us.

"Dhruv. Tum hamare ghar ki parampara bhul gaye kya?" She said. (Did you forget our house's ritual?)

"Anjali, rehne do. Mujhe nahi lagta Smita sambhal paygi. Bahut bhari gehne aur kapde pehne hai usne. Dhruv ko bhi ek chot lag gayi thi abhi." Nani Ji said. (Anjali, leave it. I don't think Smita can handle it. She's wearing really heavy clothes and jewellery. Even Dhruv's got a scratch on his arm.)

"Aisa kaise, Ma? Ghar ki parampara to nibhani padegi na?" Papa said to Nani. (But how, Ma? The house's ritual has to be followed right?)

"Dhruv. Konsi parampara?" I asked. (Dhruv. Which ritual?)

Dhruv bent down, and picked me up, bridal style.

"Dhruv! Tume chot lagi hai, tum kya - " I said. (You've got hurt, what're you - )

"Itni bhi chot nahi lagi hai ki apni patni ko utha nahi sakta." He said, smiling. I smiled and nodded, and he proceeded upstairs. (I'm not that hurt to lift my own wife.)

We changed into comfortable clothes, him in a t - shirt and trousers, and me in a churidar.

We went downstairs, and dinner had been served.

We ate dinner and chatted with the family and went upstairs to spend a peaceful night with just the two of us - and love.

He'd not taken protection, but I was on the pill, so we established that, and completed our love.

Flashback over

"Hmmm. Yesterday is done." Dhruv said.

"Yeah. But let's write for today also?" I said.

"Yeah, right." Dhruv said.

Flashback (27th March, 2021)

It was my first day in my in - laws house, so I woke up early and got dressed. I woke Dhruv up, and we took a bath. He changed into a blue t - shirt, and some black trousers. I wore a red sari, Dhruv's favourite colour.

I went down and made tea for everyone.

"Smita Bhabhi, aaj ki rasm ke liye main kuch madad kar doon?" Prakash, the kitchen worker asked. (Smita bhabhi, should I help a little for today?)

"Nahi, Prakash. Mujhe hi khana banana hai subah to." I said. (No, I'll only cook this morning.)

"Nani Ji, aap bata dijiye. Aap kya khayengi?" I asked. (Nani Ji, you say, what do you want to have?)

"Sach batau to mujhe puri - halwa khane ka bada man hai." She smiled. (Truth be told, I really wanna have puri - halwa)

"Abhi banai." I chuckled. (I'll make it.)

I went to the kitchen and took out the sooji and some sukha mawa for papa. I put two pans on the stove.

Mummy and Anjali Di came in.

"Aaj to maza aayga. Itna dino baad mera favourite - puri halwa!" Mummy said. (Today is going to be great. After so many days, I'll have my favourite, puri halwa.)

"Pata hai, beta, is rasam ko bahu ko puri parivar ka dil jeetne ke liye mana jata hai. Toh, try your best, ha?" Mummy continued. (You know, child, this ritual is performed so that the daughter in law can win the entire family's hearts.)

I suddenly started to feel nervous.

"Smita." Mummy said.

"Ji, Mummy?" I asked. (Yes, Mummy?)

"Gas to jala de beta." She pointed. (Ignite the gas, child.)

I looked at it, and ignited it, thanking her.

"Ma, aap chinta kyu kar rahi ho? Bhabhi ko to sara khana banana aata hai. To yeh puri halwa kya cheez hai? Waise Bhabhi, I'm not supposed to, lekin kuch bhi madad chahiye ho to mujhe bula lena." Anjali Di said. (Ma, why are you worrying? Bhabhi knows how to cook everything. Then what's Puri Halwa for her? Anyways, Bhabhi, but if you need help then just call me.)

"Nahi, nahi, Di. Main karlungi. Thank You." I smiled, with nervousness. (No, no, Di. I'll do it.)

My phone rang, and I picked it up.