The colours of love

Epilogue

I could not wait. Wearing my white silk shirt and pancha I stood in front of the mirror. My mother stood behind me tying the  bhasika on my forehead.
"I really thought I will never see you as a pellikoduku (groom) Dev, " my mother said as she held my face in between her palms. Her eyes teared up, she wiped them gingerly and put a dishti chukka on my cheeks .
"Amma, don't get emotional.. Annayya  will dress up this way every time you want! "Maan said exasperated.
My mother hit him on his head, "I am not emotional. I am just happy that I could see his marriage".
"Ishu MA, you thought you will not see Annayya's marriage, Adhya and Advaith were not supposed see the wedding... But there is a grand wedding and everyone is attending it.. Such scandal, much wow! " Sammy exclaimed with a faux scandalous expressions!!
Poorna pinni glared at him before saying, "not funny, grow up and speak sensibly".
"Pinni! It's my wedding, don't scold anyone, please," I pleaded. I hated when someone scolded my brothers and sisters. I wish all the happiness in the world for them.

After the court case, Sona and I went on a much needed break. Our life had been so traumatic and fast paced, we did not have time to understand and love each other. We went back to Araku. The place where we met and made many memories. Life had been interesting, there were so many trivial things we argued about. When we were head deep with problems, I think both of us went an extra mile to make each other happy. But one month in Araku our relationship started making sense. We opened up to each other better. One of those conversations, Sona had told that she had dreamt of a traditional marriage.

"I am a wedding planner Dev. Marriages are beautiful. It has rituals which bind to individuals together, you could see emotions overflowing, dreams merging, that promise two people make each other, that I am with you forever... I have seen them all. I sometimes wonder what would I feel in marriage. But why think about it, right?" she had told.
That moment I had decided we are going to Wed again and this time the right way.
After one month of stay in Araku we came back to Hyderabad. Few months later Sona gave birth to a healthy baby boy. I then adopted him legally,  and named him Advaith. Advaith Adrith Dev Vallabhaneni. The tiny little boy was handed over to me as soon as he was born. He had tired his mother out, during delivery, she had slept off immediately. I held him in his hands and he blinked his eyes open. That moment was so magical, I teared up. I had not held Adhya when she was born, but having this new born who was a part of my Sona, was enough for me to fall in love with him. He looked so pure, and he was going to grow up as my son, away from his biological father. I looked towards my five month old son who was playing with Amay's beard. I smiled and took him into my hands.

"Annayya, not today. Your clothes will crumble, " Anya mumbled. Ignoring her I held him close to my heart.  Children bring a sense of calmness, which cannot be measured. Amma patted my hair and said, "I will go check if Sona is ready".

Sona's new found family, had demanded all her attention through the wedding, especially her two brothers. I could sense how flustered she was with all the love and pampering she was receiving. For someone who had learnt to live her life without depending on anyone, she had difficult time adjusting to this new life. But she was trying. I can see it.

"Dev, it's time". I walked up-to the mandapam with Advaith in my hand. Like Sam said, such scandal. But I just couldn't let him go, he looked so peaceful with a thumb in his mouth. I feel I am living Adhya's childhood through Advaith.

I sat there, doing all the rituals I was told. Then the Poojary gaaru called for the bride. My heart skipped a beat thinking how beautiful she would look. After few minutes see her carried into the Mandapam by her brothers, father, Pedanana. I could not see her clearly but she I guessed she looked etheral. When it was time for kanyadanam Prasad and his wife were in tears. I could see my daughter trying to peek through the cloth separating Sona and I.  Then it was time for jillakara bellam. When the cloth was removed, and I saw her, I understood what Sona meant. I forgot the world around me as I gazed at her face. I shine in her eyes, the smile in her face, just captured my heart, again.

This moment, it has again reinstated the fact that I am hers and she is mine, for now and for ages to come. No matter  the colours of love, I know we will be together for now and ever.