The Dream

2.

This is based on a ritual we have, where the hone wala dulha-dulhan are given gifts to accept them into the family.

Raavi thought she looked like a fairy in her pink ghagra and she really did. It was the lightest shade of pink, which she had matched with the blush on her cheeks. No one could stop complimenting her that evening. Mausapa and Maasi literally shed tears watching her looking so beautiful like that. Anita put a kala teeka on her head. But what Raavi really wanted was compliments from the Pandya family.

She dragged her maasi from her room. Prafulla was taking more time to get ready than the future bride. When they left for Pandya house, Prafulla told her a bride should not look too eager, but being Raavi, she completely disregarded her maasi's advice and entered Pandya house almost skipping with anticipation.

Dhara was surprised to see Raavi. She looked so beautiful now! Imagine how beautiful she would look on her wedding day! She welcomed Raavi with a hug, and brought her inside to the aangan. Dhara, Krish and Gaumbi had decorated Pandya house with flowers and lights.

"Raavi tu bilkul pari lag rahi hai." Gaumbi said.

"Haa bohot khubsurat." Suman chimed in.

Raavi smiled and took in their compliments. Her eyes began to search for the other three Pandya brothers. She wanted their compliments too. Dev was the first one to appear and Raavi stood before him, smiling shyly, waiting for him to say something. But he offered her nothing except a small smile. Raavi frowned, but it was okay! Dev wasn't such an expressive guy. She knew that. He must have noticed her, but was unable to say anything.

She looked around for her devars. Krish came upto her. "Toh aapka sapna sach hone jaa raha hai! Ab toh bhagwaan ki hume bachaye."

Raavi again frowned. Krish offered her no compliment. Sometimes he could be Shiva part two. These brothers should learn something from Gaumbi. She looked here and there but could not find Shiva! Where was he?

"Dhara di, Shiva kaha hai?" Raavi asked.

"Shiva toh dukaan pe hi hai." Dhara answered sadly. "Tu use chor. Rasam shuru karte hai."

"Nahi Dhara di!" Raavi shouted. "Shiva jab tak nahi aayega tab tak koi rasam nahi hogi. Woh Dev ka bhai hai. Use yaha hona chahiye."

"Maine kaha tha Shiva ko aane ke liye par woh nahi aaya. Ab phone bhi nahi utha raha."

Raavi was angry. She really thought things would get better with Shiva after tonight but that bhootnath didn't even bother attending this rasam. All her excitement vanished. She was furious.

"Raavi chal aa rasam pura karte hai." Gaumbi called her.

"Shiva ke bina koi rasam nahi hogi." Raavi shouted. "Gaumbi, aap use phone lagaiye aur bulaiye yaha. Jaldi. Aur agar woh nahi aaya toh main khud use lekar aaungi."

Everyone was shocked at Raavi's behaviour. Gaumbi called Shiva. This time Shiva picked up, but he refused to come back. Dhara took the phone and emotionally blackmailed him into coming home. That's when he agreed. Raavi's smile returned on hearing that.

"Ae uss bail ko bulane ki kya zaroorat thi. Rasam toh tu Dev ke saath karegi." Prafulla whispered into her ears. "Rasam jaldi karte aur chale jaate uss raakshash ke aane se pehle. Par tu toh musibat ko sar pe khud bulati hai."

"Bas karo maasi." Raavi said. This was her chance to gain acceptance from Shiva.

Shiva took 20 minutes to return home. Dhara served tea to everyone while waiting for him. He looked mad enough, forced to attend this event, but Raavi was really happy to see him.