Sreeja was little afraid of what will happen or how Venkat would react after the incident at nalangu.
Her thoughts were diverted by her cousins who made some jokes that she forgot about nalangu incident. Later her elder cousin sisters came to help her get ready for first night.
"akka... this pleat is not proper" said Sreeja holding the front pleat of her saree, to her cousin who was sitting down adjusting the pleats.
Her cousin lifted her head and stared at her. "Akka, pin it properly, you took extra care right from yesterday in draping the saree and other things, what now? put another pin"
"if you secure with so many pins it will be difficult to remove your saree"
"Why would I remove it now?And what will I wear after removing it?"
"hmm... you will wear this one" said her cousin showing her an old saree which Sreeja's mom wears.
"its my mom's saree and its old too. why would I need to wear an old saree on my wedding. If needed we could have bought a new one for me na, maybe a cotton saree"
"Sreejaaaaaa.... its part of the ritual. just do what we say" said her irated cousin who stuffed a sweet inside her mouth to stop her from talking.
The milk rice that she ate before and the sweet now all added up causing a vomiting sensation for her. She went to the bathroom and puked. After five minutes, she came out of the bathroom with her saree half drenched.
"why are you behaving like a child Sreeja? you should behave maturely. you are married" shouted her mom who came to see Sreeja.
"maa. what is the connection between vomiting and maturity? I told you I don't like that milk rice , no one obeyed me, that's the reason"
"anita... in that blue bag there is an extra new saree, change it for her soon, already its late "
"what again saree draping ah? no leave it I will go with..." her sentence was cut of by her cousin who dragged her and started removing the saree and proceeded to take off the blouse hooks.
"ayo... enna karpalika poriya?.. oru ponnu neeye enna ipdi pannalama? nee enaku akka mari" she said hugging her chest with her hands in anger.
(OMG, are you trying to rape me. you are my sister , you can't do this to me)
Her cousin glared at her .
"wait , I myself will change and drape saree how much ever i know, you correct the pleats"
After taking bath one more time, she came out wearing a new blouse and petticoat while covering herself with a towel. Again she got vomiting and puked. This happened thrice. After relaxing for some time, she again took bath.
Sreeja's mother who came to know this, did not know whether to shout at her or worry for her state now. Her cousins and other elder ladies even started shouting at Sreeja. They also brought the topic of how immature she was in nalangu.
Hearing it Sreeja now panicked realizing that she has to be with Venkat alone tonight. She started to cry not wanting to move away from her parents.
She did not want Venkat or his family and get into this troublesome life of adjusting with others, being looked at fault when you are not the one who did, and so on.
"maa, I don't want to go anywhere ma.. I will be with you and dad. Lets just forget this marriage. I am afraid ma. I don't want to go their house as well"
Her mom and cousins who thought she was crying because of first night pacified her.One of Venkat's cousin who was passing by Sreeja's room saw Sreeja cry and informed Venkat about it.
After sometime, when Sreeja became normal, they draped her saree again and brought her out. Venkat was sitting in the middle amidst of all the younger ones. The youngsters were teasing him to the core to see as, he was waiting for more than an hour for Sreeja to come out.
Hearing some ladies voice, they all turned to see Sreeja coming out of the room. Venkat too saw her but did not give any reaction.
"Venkat. enough of gawking at her, in few minutes she will sent to your room" one of his cousin teased, to whom he did not pay attention and was thinking something.
"hmm.. why would he even listen to us now? it's better we leave the place" said the youngsters and left not understanding his state of mind.
Venkat and Sreeja were asked to get blessings from all the elders who stood together as a big gang. Sreeja did not even dare to look at Venkat fearing he might be still angry.
Venkat was then guided to one of the rooms which was decorated and was also given a pair of dress for him to change.
Sreeja who was asked to wait was then handed over the milk in Silver sombu.(big silver mug). Seeing it hesitatingly she asked , "akka.. just now I had vomiting because of milk rice, do I need to have it again?"
"yes you have to.. now go to that room"
"but akka, atleast can I take coffee or boost..." before she could complete, her Cousin took her to the room.
"hey wait.. slow.. slow.. I can't walk fast wearing saree with a glass full of milk, it will spill" said Sreeja. Tugging her pallu to her waist with her left hand she followed.
Once she was near to the room, " look, once you go inside, change your saree first. I have kept the spare one inside, let him drink half of the milk and the remaining you drink ,do namaskaram and then..." her cousin stopped not knowing how to say.
Sreeja was standing with a face expecting her sister to say more. She thought why can't they give two glasses of milk rather than using the same for both. But she chose not to ask this openly to her cousin. Just to avoid another death glare from her.
Her mind was now thinking if her elder one will give her any tips to pacify him and tackle this tense situation rather than the useless milk and saree.Her mind voice reminded her that others does not know about the cold war happening between them.
"Right , how come I can expect her to give me tips on that" she thought ,agreeing to her mind voice.
"Sreeja , are you listening?" shaked her cousin
"han.. aan.. aann."
"pcch... just obey what he says. be a good girl" she said and removed the pallu which Sreeja has tucked near her waist.
Sreeja felt a tickling sensation and wriggled when her sisters hand slightly toucher her waist. "I feel pity for him. Not sure how he is going to manage you" said her sister.
"you should actually pity me, not him" thought Sreeja who felt afraid thinking of what would happen next.
"And one more important thing the good time is between 11.20 to 12pm" her cousin stated and left.
The fear of first night was no more for her. Her mind is now fully occupied with how she is going to face the wrath of Venkat for what happened in nalangu.
Her cousin went leaving her in a bewildered state. Sreeja prayed to God before opening the door.
"oh Lord Ganesha, I know I am not your favourite, still, help me pacify this Venkat. If it is success, I will ask Venkat to come 10 rounds around you and do 20 thoppu karnam' as well.
(thoppu karnam - way of holding your ears alternatively with your hands and doing squat. if you still do not understand, Kindly do a google search as I am unclear of how to explain this)
**********************
Clears throat...
ahem... well...uh... I know I have too much of guts to ask for vote even after dragging the story with wedding rituals. But I have full faith in my dear beloved readers. I believe that you all will shower me with your votes and comments.
Any idea on what will happen next ? provide your comments.
So with that said, thanks for your patience.
Oh... just a heads up. Next will be the expected chapter.
Bye for now....
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Mr and Mrs Unromantic
Romanceteaser... Sreeja: Maa, how can I manage without specs? Dhanam: No need of Specs... already proposals got rejected because of this Sreeja: Maa.. that's ok but I can't see properly without specs. Then how would I meet the guy? Dhanam: No need of you t...