Unadulterated Love

Part 44

WEDDING BELLS

SIDHARTH'S POV

I'm ready, in a beige shaded Sherwani that comprised of a heavily embroidered jacket that reaches my knees paired with tight fitted pants. A maroon coloured turban and a chunni are also included in it. Staring myself for nth time in the mirror. I hope I'm not rushing into things, that I decided to get hitched this soon.

"Chale? Sana tere se pehle aajayegi varna!" Neetu calls for me.

"Hm" I nod.

"Nervous?" Ankit (Neetu's husb.) aksed. I nod again.

"Iski toh bolti hi band hai.." Ajay chortles.

"Abbey paka mat yaar.." I said easing my shoulders a little and move out.

Sitting under the mandap, that has beautifully decorated towers  enhanced with curtains, fabric, and flowers, performed certain solo rituals, Front and center under the Mandap is the sacred fire. “Agni” the god of fire, is said to sustain life and thus gives life to the marriage.

"Kanya ko bulaiye.." the officiant finally says. Neetu nods to him and immediately leaves.

There she arrives, with her brothers and friends around carrying a veil that is hovering her. She is bubbling over with laughter and wedding day delight. Mesmerizing. Elegant. Magnetic. Heavenly. She has an almost hypnotic effect on anyone who sees her. Whether because of her beauty, charisma or inescapable joy, neither me, her family nor any of the guests are able to look away from her.

In her Red velvety lehenga, with Jaipuri styled heavy zari work all over. Carrying a huge chunni on her head, of a comparatively darker red in colour. Then she lifts her face, and her eyes make contact with mine, her soft and large orbs, heavy lashes and coy smile enchanted me. There isn't much of makeup, she never needed them, stupid foundations. Her lips, damn those lips are shaded in red too. Ravishing red. As my eyes, move on, they find her loaded with jewelries. One on the forehead, lots around her neck, God her hands carry infinite bangles of red and white in pattern. With long and heavy golden Kaleerien clinging on. She passes a smile to everybody, her extraverted self. Filled with vibrant, lively energy, an exuberant bride she is, with excitement and enthusiasm written on her gorgeous face.

She stood next to me, "Kaisi lag rahi hu..?" she asks. What do I say, I'm busy savouring her picture with me in this attire.

"Kya hua? Makeup over toh nahi kar liya nah? Uss artist se bola tha maine simple karne ko.." she says.

"Hm.. Yeah.. It's good.. Bohot..bohot achi lag rahi hai.." I said, without retreating her from my eyesight.

"Tu bhi bohot pyaara lag raha hai Bebu!" she compliments. 'Pyaara!?' is that a word you use for a guy, moreover for a groom?

"Pyaara? Bacha hu kya mai?" I snapped.

"Baba.. I didn't mean that.. You never looked this good.. Itna acha lag raha hai ke mere paas words nahi hai.." she explained.

Our whispered conversation was paused by the priest, he asked us to exchange the Jaymalas. Preeti hands me one, while Meeti handed one to her.

She was asked to put it around my neck first, "Haaye.. Tere iss sehre ke kaaran tu aur lamba hogaya hai.." she pouts, scooting over to her toes and trying to get me.

"Neeche aa!" she demands. I smiled.

"Sid! Jhukna nahi!" Jay stopped me when I was about to lower my face.

"Aaj jhuka toh zindagi bhar ke liye jhukna padega..!" he warns, in reaction to this the entire room was erupting with giggles.

"Arey! Ek toh yeh 6'4" ka banda.. Kya karu mai abb?" Shehnaaz drew her lips out. She failed, no matter how farther she stretched her hands in the air.