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Shivangi closed the door behind her friend who she after much convincing sent out to look if her mother needed any help. Shivangi didn't know there will come a day when she will want to be let alone and not include her in any festivities.
Sitting on the not so comfortable bed and increasing the AC temperature, Shivangi spread her legs and leaned back on the bed post. She was wearing short sleeved kurta sans slit that reached till her calf. Thick mix of orange and brown, colour of meticulously scrawled mehendi, was visible to plain sight taking away any idea of domesticity she was trying to feel in the room allotted for bride in the marriage hall where she will be married tomorrow. Precisely in just seven hours.
When her palm is held together and designs of mehendi in each hand join to form a seamless pattern, Shivangi could spot where her name and Ashwin's name was hidden between designs. She was told that Ashwin ought to find out his name midst the designs. It didn't really make sense to her why, but she knew her valanda kozhanda will be interested in such silly game. She could already imagine how competitive he is going to get and break a nerve when he couldn't find the W that is actually drawn on the back side of her palm.
Amidst the chaos of wedding, Shivangi was probably the only one thinking about how her life is going to change. She didn't mind, of course. She couldn't wait to get married to the man she loves. However, there was inexplicable bittersweet feeling inside her heart that she didn't know how to deal with.
Is it normal?
She knew she had many people to ask this. Many women of her family elder and more experienced. Shivangi brushed off anyone who came to her with advice. She liked living with these thoughts. She knew it was once in a lifetime feeling and was eager to reflect on it rather than have it normalized by others' experience.
Third time Shivangi cut the call without even seeing who the caller was. Whoever it is, she hoped understood that bride had no time for them.
As one of her old songs played in the background, Shivangi closed her eyes to relax. She didn't know how many minutes passed before she heard a knock. Shivangi was contemplating on ignoring.
"Naan room la illa." She said once the knock became louder.
(I am not in room)
"Naan dan."
(Its me)
Shivangi groaned. She wished she could disregard the person. However, her future husband can't know already how brutal she becomes when she has mood swings. Some things have to be stored for after marriage discovery.
Ashwin sighed as he looked at Shivangi standing in front of him with questioning gaze. "Ma, yen ma phone edukala?"
(Why didn't you answer my call?)
"Oh neenga dana call pannadhu?"
(Was it you?)
Ashwin frowned. "Caller ID kooda paakalaya?"
(Didn't you check?)
Ignoring him, Shivangi peaked over his shoulder to see why no one is making fuss about groom meeting the bride on the day before their wedding.
"Enna paakara?"
(What are you looking at?)
"Yaarum pakalaya?"
(Didn't anyone see you coming here?)
Ashwin shrugged. "Edho pre-wedding sadangu. Per sonnanga naan maranduten. Periyavanga ellam keela irukanga."
