THE BLOOMING OF LOVE BETWEEN FORCED MARRIAGE

6. Day of Marriage

It was 5 am when Rutuja woke up. She took a bath and got dressed followed by her friend Harshada. It was almost 6 am now. Her mother came and knock on the door. She opened the door immediately to allow her mother inside the room. Her mother had bought her a sari and Jewellery to get ready into and asked Harshada to help Rutuja get ready before 8:15 am as they had to leave the house at 8:30 for going to the venue where the "Marriage Ceremony" was held. Harshada said "Don't worry aunty we will be in the living room before 8:15 am. Mother left the room and Harshada closed the door.

She knew that Rutuja was nervous at that very moment. She said, Rutuja you don't need to panic you will be fine. Besides, I am accompanying you to his house. She said Harshada I am just worried over the situation nothing else. Harshada said come on let's pack your bag first. Rutuja and Harshada packed Rutuja's bag with all the essential things then, get ready themselves. Harshada helped Rutuja by doing her hair and putting on Jewellery. It was almost 8 now and they both were ready to go.

Rutuja embraced Harshada tightly choking back tears. On that Harshada said, "don't cry bestie, if you cry the makeup will be spread on your face and you will look like a "Witch" rather than looking like a "Bride". Which made Rutuja laugh for a moment forgetting her pain. There was a knock on the door and Aditya asked, "are you two ready?' Harshada went and opened the door saying yes, we are. Aditya came in and took a look at his sister in awe and said, "You look beautiful today." Rutuja said, thanks Aditya. Let's get going now. He said ok and took her bag as they descended the stairs.

As she approached the living room everyone told her about how beautiful she was looking today. Her mother had started crying after taking a look at her. After her mother calmed down they sat down in the car which was supposed to take them to the destination. Before they reached the venue they made a halt at the temple for paying respects to Goddess. Then went forward on their way.

It was still early when they reached the venue. Rutuja was taken to the room for waiting for her "Groom's" arrival. Aditya left Harshada and Rutuja in-room saying I will go out and inform you when the Groom's family will arrive. Harshada said alright and he left. Her mother was making sure that everything was ready and in proper order.

The Groom arrived at the venue with "Barat". They were halted at the gate and her mother rushed there with Aarti in her hand and performed the ritual of washing Groom's feet and doing his aarti before letting everyone inside. Once he entered the ceremony hall Panditji asked Rishikesh to stand on the place which was prepared for him and asked Rutuja's mother to call her.

Aditya went to the room where his sister and her best friend were and said, "Let's go you have been called by Panditji to begin the ritual. Harshada followed him with Rutuja beside her. They entered the mandap and she took her respective place opposite Rishikesh. Harshada as well as her brother were standing beside Rutuja. While Ashish and his sister Rishika were beside Rishikesh. They had "Antarpath" between them so they couldn't see each other's faces before the chanting of "Mangalashtak" was completed. Both had garlands of flowers in their hands while Panditji was doing chanting mantras. After the chanting was completed the "Antarpath" between them was removed so the Bride and Groom could garland each other. After garlanding, they were asked to sit.

Panditji asked Bride's parents to come forward and do the most important ritual of "Kanyadaan". Rutuja's parents came and the ritual started. Her father took her right hand and placed it in the Groom's right hand, requesting him to accept his daughter as his equal partner. This ritual signifies both the acceptance of "Bride's Father" and his official approval to give his daughter away. This ceremony confirms the change of role in her life, from a daughter to wife. Rituals are chanted during this process.