Bade Acche Lagte Hain | MaNan

Love in Colours.

30th October, 1995.

"Manik, sit straight." Chitra, one of his maternal cousins chided him softly as he kept moving while she applied 'mehendi' in his right hand. He was feeling ticklish as the cold mehendi touched his palm and he disliked the smell but was forced by his sisters on the name of the ritual.

"It's enough." He pleaded this umpteenth times but it went unheard like usual.

The sudden entry of Manas who brought drummers along with him distracted Manik and Chitra sighed in relief. All the men and children started dancing on the beats while the ladies were busy in getting their designs done perfectly.

Veer, Madhu's little son was jumping on the beats with his four front teeth in display and cute chubby cheeks attracting every attention. Manik smiled at him as he came and demanded to sit on his lap. Chitra gave him space and he stood on his lap talking to Manik in his gibberish tone.

"Mamu...dan..nshh." (Uncle dance with me.) He said pointing at the drummers, requesting Manik to dance with him. Veer patted his cheek again as he sat blank on his request.

Losing infront of his cute nephew, Manik stood up with him in his arms and he squealed with glee.

The intensity of the drums increased and everyone danced merrily surrounding Manik. His eyes moved to his father who joined the dance accompanied by his other two little grandsons. Manik stilled as he saw his father dancing with Manas and others, a smile beaming up his lips. He was all fine now.

Not making it obvious, Manik sneaked out of the crowd but Chitra caught hold of him and he was forced to sit again and get his design completed.

"Imagine, how your bride must be sitting like a statue, with mehendi claded till her elbows and knees. You can't even sit still for a minute." Manik made a bad face bearing the scoldings, just because she was three years elder to him and married. She had a habit of acting like a mother hen.

"Why is it important?" Manik indicated towards the mehendi making her smile at his curiosity.

"It's considered auspicious and the bride looks beautiful. It is said- the darker the shade of mehendi, the deeper the love between the couple." Manik thought about her words and smiled.

"So if the shade isn't darker, does that mean there is no affection?" Chitra chuckled at his question on which Manik glared at her. How can a mere colour define their pure bond?

"Everything doesn't have to be taken vice-versa. Besides, you will have to find your name in her hands at your wedding night. She would've have got it hidden nicely." Chitra engaged him in her talks, as his hand being bigger, she needed more time to complete the design.

"So write her name in my hand as well." He ordered instantly and Chitra laughed loudly.

"It doesn't go like this." She said in between her laughter but Manik was firm. His wife also needs to find her name in his hand.

"I want it. Write 'Nandini'." He emphasized on her name and Chitra complied with a sweet smile.

_______

"Manik."

Nandini whispered softly when the lady asked her groom's name to be written in between her design, though it couldn't be heard by anyone amidst the loud music and 'dholak' that the ladies played.

"Nice name." The lady commented and informed Nandini where she had scribbled the letters.

"Now he will keep finding it throughout your wedding night and will be cock-blocked." Other lady said and everyone laughed loudly. Nandini bends her head down, caught off-guard with their bold comments while her cheeks said a different story altogether.