THE BLOOMING OF LOVE BETWEEN FORCED MARRIAGE

7. Satyanarayan Pooja, Wedding Reception

           Rutuja wasn't able to sleep at night as she was worried. So, she decided to get ready as she was asked to come for the ritual at 5:30 am. She was ready and decided to wake Harshada and Rishika up. They woke up saying "Good Morning" Rutuja greeted them back with a good morning. She said we need to prepare the clothes for pooja before going hurry up. They prepared the needed clothes and jewelry before they went to the living room.

In the living room mother was waiting for others to come, so did those three as they were 15 minutes before time. When everyone was there Rutuja and Rishikesh were asked to come to the porch followed by others. She asked them to sit beside each other did their Aarti and poured water over their heads till they both were completely soaked. Then they were asked to remove each other's Kankan using a single hand. It took time but both were able to open each other's Kankan.

After the ritual was completed Rutuja went to Rishika's room to take a head bath then got ready for Pooja. While Harshada was waiting for her turn to shower Rutuja headed to the kitchen where her mother was waiting to give instructions to her. She asked Rutuja to do the Pooja of gas stove with "Haldi and Kumkum" than to put milk to heat on it till it flows down a bit. As it is a symbol of a good start. First, she prepared the "Prasad Sheera" and then started cooking food for everyone.

While she was busy in the kitchen her family had arrived for Pooja. After she finished everything it was about 8:30 am. Panditji would arrive at any moment there. A few minutes later Panditji arrived and asked Rishikesh and Rutuja to settle down for "Satyanarayan Pooja". "Satynarayan" means "The highest being who is an embodiment of Truth". The pooja starts with a story (Katha). They both sat down for Pooja and the end of the "Shri Satyanarayan Swami Katha" is concluded with "Aarti and Stuti" of the "Supreme Lord".

After taking the blessings from God and Panditji they took blessings of everyone in the house. Then kept "Prasad and Food" in front of God as "Naivedya" (offering to God). Then distributed the "Prasad Sheera" to everyone and sat down for lunch together. Rutuja's parents and brother left after lunch. Rishikesh's mother was pleased by the food prepared by Rutuja and told her that food was really good today. She thanked her mother-in-law for the compliment.

Rishika, Harshada, and Rutuja went to Rishika's room after they were finished cleaning in the kitchen. Rishika said girls "I am really sleepy right now". Harshada said, "I think you are ready to sleep on the place you are at the very moment, you may sleep on the floor too" all three of them laughed at it and Rutuja said then, we better take you to your room before you sleep on the floor now. Their husbands were listening to their banter and started laughing too. Rishika looked at them and said "Great! Now you all are laughing at me. Which just doubled their laughter. She pouted and went inside the room and Harshada and Rutuja follow behind her.

True to her words Rishika fell asleep as soon as she laid down on the bed. While Rishika was sleeping Harshada and Rutuja were talking about the danger of those people when they find out about the marriage. But, for now, there was no activity from their side which was good nonetheless Rutuja was distressed about their situation. They both took some rest as they had "Wedding Reception" coming at evening.

It was almost 5pm when girls started getting ready as the reception was due at 7pm. Rutuja wore "lehenga choli" with minimum makeup to go with it. Harshada and Rishika styled her semi curled long hairs elegantly to suit her dress, Rutuja loved the way she was looking at the moment. After Harshada and Rishika had gotten ready. They went to the living room where Ashish, Aniket and Rishikesh were waiting for them.

Boys were staring at three of them so Harshada said, Hey guys,"Why are you staring at us?" Ashish said, "Why can't we stare at our wives when they look this stunning". Girls blushed by his words causing a smile to lit across their husband's faces. Rishika said, "We better go now or they will wonder where we are". Everyone got in car and Ashish drove them to the venue of reception.

When they reached the lawn where the "Wedding Reception" would take place. All of them went to stage and made Rutuja and Rishikesh sit on the chairs arranged for them. Rutuja's family had gotten there early and they went to meet her. Rutuja embraced her parents and brother whom she had been missing the most.

People had started to arrive at 7 pm. Now the venue was buzzing with people. One by one all of them came to "Congratulate" Rishikesh and Rutuja while they seek blessings from every one of them. An hour later Rishika, Harshada, Ashish and Aniket went home saying they had to do some work. While they were gone Aditya was standing beside them till they all returned as they were a bit lonely without their friends.

The program of "Reception" went well and now all of them sat together for eating dinner. Rutuja's parents finished their meal and came to say goodbye to all of them before returning. Rutuja said bye to her family as they left. After finishing they went home. Rishikesh's mother told Rutuja that she would be staying in Rishikesh's room from now on. Rutuja said, ok mother then went to Rishika's room.

At Rishika's room Harshada told Rutuja that she was going back tomorrow morning at 9am but, Rishika will there with her for one more day. Rutuja said, "I will be missing you both when you go back". Rishika and Harshada said, "We will miss you too". They embraced each other for a while then let go. Harshada said, we better take you to Rishikesh's room now. They took her and her luggage to Rishikesh's room.

Rutuja instantly got nervous there while Harshada kept her bag beside his closet. Rutuja took a night dress from her bag and went to get changed. After she was done with changing they helped her with jewellery and hairs. Harshada and Rishika assured Rutuja that she would be fine. Harshada said, Rutuja please stay calm everything has been good so far so "Why are you worried?" Rutuja calmed herself as Harshada had told her to. Rishika said, we will be going now and left the room.

The room was not decorated as our friends knew about our relationship. Rutuja sat down on the bed which was set on the floor and started braiding her long hair.  Rishikesh came inside the room and closed the door letting out a sigh of relief. Then took his clothes and went to get changed. After he was done changing he came back and sat on the bed and noticed Rutuja was still nervous.

He went and sat beside her while she was finishing braiding her hair and said, "you look adorable in two braids". She got shy and said, "I do not look adorable in braided hair you tease". While he just smiled at her. Rutuja noticed that she wasn't nervous anymore and asked him "you said that because I was nervous, didn't you?" Rishikesh just smiled and said maybe I did but, it's the truth. At which Rutuja threw a pillow at him. He just kept laughing some more and threw it back to her.

They both burst out laughing as they thought how silly they were being at the moment. Rishika 's room was right beside Rishikesh's and they all were worried about their friends. But, when they heard them laughing together they were at ease and thought "if they can laugh together in the middle of the night being silly with each other they will be fine together. Rutuja said that's enough of laughter for today we should sleep now.

Rishikesh asked Rutuja, "Are you sure that you want to sleep on the floor?" you can take the bed if you want I will sleep down. Rutuja said, it's fine besides I like sleeping on the floor and usually prefer reading till midnight. So, you might be disturbed by light coming from phone if you sleep here. He said ok you sleep on the floor I will take the bed. "Goodnight Rutuja", he said switching off the lights. She said good night to you too before he drifted off to sleep.