Distance Between Us

Chapter 7

Sheela never did this much of shopping in her life as she has done in a month. she never liked shopping but Wedding shopping was not a joke she realized. she was grateful to Thapsi for helping her for many things. There was so much to do. Decorations, cantering, invitations and every little thing.

Time passed quickly and the wedding day has arrived sooner than expected. Her mother was stressed about everything getting ready at time. Her father was managing everything with a straight face. Her brother became helpful for her father.

She was sitting in the mandap of marriage hall, smiling time to time at Rajesh beside her. Sheela wore traditional white Sari. Her mother's necklace adorned her neck, it was given by her grandmother to her mother and now to her. Her hands made sounds while doing each ritual by red and golden colour bangles. Her father gifted her with beautiful earrings and bindi which she had to adjust a couple of times while performing rituals with a smile.

Rajesh wore traditional white dhoti and shawl. He was lucky to find friend ship with the beautiful women sitting beside him. He couldn't help but smile at her when she shied away with a smile when he told her that. Dinesh and Kamini commented about the small size of the hall and having no return gifts for the guests. Janaki sat in the wheelchair beside Sujatha. Both were completely silent. The rituals were complete and they took elders blessing by touching their feet. And now Sheela and were  married.

She cried along with her mother and her father had moisture in his eyes and her brother hugged her tightly, her neighbors also came to say goodbyes to her, Leela aunty also cried hugging her, when she was leaving her parents house. She sat in the car with Rajesh, said goodbye's to everyone and left to begin her new life journey.

By the time they got to Rajesh's house, it was already night.  Rajesh got down the car and walked to the other side to open the door. Sheela has already opened the door, she held her husband's hand and got down the car smiling at him. Sujatha did the welcoming rituals and Rajesh showed her their room. The house had two bedrooms, a living room, and kitchen. It was small but cozy house. Sheela liked that it has a small gardening area. They changed their clothes and slept for the day.

The next day they had reception. Thapsi came in the evening to help Sheela get ready. Sheela wore maroon Saree and Rajesh had blue salwar kamiz. Her parents have arrived and her mother hugged her tightly and asked in worried tone,

" did you settle down well? How are you Sheela?"

Sheela squeezed her mother hand and smiled," I am good amma. There are no problems."

Devi smiled and blinked back her tears. It has not even been one day and already She  was missing her daughter so much. She wondered how she will manage in coming days. 

Sheela hugged her mother and held back her tears. She missed her parents and her house. It felt like she was dreaming when she woke up in the morning with Rajesh was beside her. She was waiting for her mother to call her to help her in the kitchen or to serve her father his drink or to wake up her brother.

 Devi held her daughter's face with both of her palms and smiled, "everything will be alright Sheela." Sheela smiled back and went to talk to her father.

When she was nearing to her father she could hear Dinesh’s voice.

"Rajesh has taste in selecting the place. I helped him out of course. This place is good unlike the hall for marriage," Dinesh said loudly to his friend near him. She could see her father had heard the words as his face fell. She went to him and said,

"Nanna. Don't listen to him. Marriage preparations were great. Don't take his words to heart,"

Raghu smiled at his daughter. She would always try to make everyone happy in the house. Rajesh is a lucky guy to get his daughter. He better know that he thought.