ACCEPTING 'US'

4.

Shyam's POV:

The mere thought of getting married is giving goosebumps to me. I know I had to get married some day or the other but I didn't expect it to be so soon. I want to wait for another two years and then get married.
The debt we need to pay zamindar sahab is also not cleared. I am merely paying him interest and saving a little amount to return him the wholesome once. But now that I get married everything will be changed. I know marriage is not going to be a problem but still marrying a rich girl might be a problem. She might get all the comforts in her home but here she will not be getting everything she wanted. Ours is a poor family and maybe we cannot meet her expectations and needs.
I was thinking while doing the farm work when I saw a problem approaching me.
Did I mention the problem is not personal but the person is a problem in my life.
Laxmi. She is the daughter of my far relatives and she sort of like me. Ever since she first saw me she kept pestering me to marry her. I never felt anything towards her but I know she took it in a different way.
" I heard what you did. How could you do this to me? Huh? " She shouted coming near me and I ignored her. I kept the work aside and started going towards my bicycle and took off. I know she kept shouting but I don't care. If I stay there she may insult me more and also do drama in which I am least interested.
" Hey shyam. What's up man you look like you have been chased by a ghost? " Vikas said and chuckled when I reached the tea stall.
" You may be right " I shrugged to which he raised his eyebrows.
" And the ghost's name might be Laxmi. Am I right? " He said while laughing and I didn't understand how was he so sure.
" How do you know that? " I asked.
" Because I might be the person who informed her about your marriage proposal and sent her to your farm " he said while shrugging and I gave him a death glare.
" Why did you do that? Huh? " I asked angrily.
" Then what did you plan? If not me some other person will tell her and also it's better to inform her beforehand " he said and I sighed. He is also right in his perspective.
" So how's our Shyam's bride? Heard that she is from a very rich family " he asked and I nodded.
" Wait. How do you know all these? " I asked.
" How do I know? Come on Shyam. You went with the zamindar sahab and you know how elated he is with his son's upcoming engagement and wedding? " He replied which made me grit my teeth. He is the one who is responsible for my condition.
" So now tell me about your wife? " He asked again sipping his tea.
" She's fine " I replied uninterested. Although I couldn't deny the fact that she is very attractive and her eyes have some magic in them.
" That's it? " He questioned quirking his brow.
" And tell me how's bhabhi doing? I heard your mom is not available at home and her being alone in this condition is very difficult " I tried to divert the topic.
" Yeah. She's doing well. I hope she will be fine till your wedding though " he chuckled and I nodded.
Vikas got married a year ago and his wife is five months pregnant now. His mom went to her sister's house as she is on her death bed and wanted to spend time with her beloved sister. So she went there to accompany her sister who lives alone.
Later I told him about everything briefly and also about the engagement and the wedding. I skipped the part of her being handicapped though. I don't know how he would react so I just let it be. However he will get to know in future.
I went to farm again to finish my work. Thankfully Laxmi was not there at that time so I finished work soon. Mom came with lunch and later she left for work.
In the evening after I finished my work I laid in the front ward as it was quite hot inside.
" Shyama engagement is not too far son. I think we should start making arrangements " mom said and I hummed.
" You know zamindar sahab is going to gift a jewellery set to his daughter in law and he ordered that it should be perfect and done on time " she said while sitting beside me.
" Good to know " I replied looking at the sky.
" Shyama I know you are not interested in marrying but you have to accept the fact that your engagement is in the next six days " she said plainly looking distant.
" What do you want to do ma? " I asked looking at her who was still looking somewhere.
" Those kangan(gold bangles) should be given to my daughter in law as a gift on her engagement " she said.
" But ma they are the only ones you have with you. How can you give it to her? I am sure she will have lot of jewellery herself " I said sitting up now.
" Shyama I hadn't pawned them till now because they are given to me by mother in law and to her by hers. It's a tradition in our family to give those kangan to the bride. So we will give that to her on the engagement along with a saree and other essentials of a married woman " she said placing her hand on his.
" Fine ma. We will do as you please and tomorrow we will go shopping to buy a saree for her and for you too " I said smiling.
" I will not accompany you. I talked to Meenakshi she will come with you. So tomorrow come early in the evening and bring everything. And also we need to invite few of our relatives to the engagement " she said and I nodded.
The next day as mom said I finished my work as soon as possible and returned home. Meenakshi aunty is my mother's cousin who lives in our Village. She is a very talkative person and also fun loving.
" Oh son. Get ready soon we should go shopping and I must say your wife is just beautiful " she said and chuckled.
" Let's go " I declared after a few minutes and we left for shopping after informing mom.
I took all the saved up money because I don't want to look like a fool if I run short of money. So I made sure to take all the money. I hope it will be enough.
" Look this saree looks perfect. What do you say? " She said showing me a blue colour saree.
" I think this will be good " I showed her a green saree with a golden border and after she examined she nodded positively. We took the remaining things too and went back home. We showed the bought items to mom and she looked very impressive.
" Your son is good at selecting clothes for his wife " she winked at me making me blush suddenly.
I excused myself while both of them started discussing the preparations.
In the next two days mom called most of our close relatives through telephone which was located in the tea stall. She even invited all the nearby neighbours.
When we went to Laxmi's house to invite them they all were very happy knowing that their daughter will now not reject any proposals and she will get married soon. Laxmi was observing everything going around her but didn't open her mouth fearing her father's wrath.
Days passed by with arrangements and the day of engagement also came by.
I was sitting in my bullocks cart while vikas was beside me. Not only him but also Bhairav, Kalyan and Mani who are my other friends came with me. They all are married and also have children.
" Finally our bachelor friend will be no more in his bachelorhood. He will have a wife to attend " Kalyan said and all laughed.
The journey was very funny with my friends pulling each other's legs and making fun of each other. All the other relatives and neighbours are in the bus which we provided for them.
" Welcome son " it was dadi sorry correction Nani who invited us with a bright smile. She was holding sweets in her hands and served everyone while briefly knowing about them.
" Please be seated here. The auspicious time is in fifteen minutes. That time we will start with the engagement rituals " she said and went away while ordering something to someone.
As she said the rituals started and I was doing them accordingly. While on the other hand the bride will be performing hers. They gave me clothes to wear and I went and got changed.
.......

Sudha was all giddy while her engagement preparations were made. Before the engagement day her cousins and relatives came and they all congratulated her.
They applied henna(mehendi) on her hands and also haldi. This made her feel so happy.
On the day of engagement everyone came from the groom's side and saw her. They kept talking and smiling among themselves.
" Sudha, she is your mother in law. Come and take blessings " dadi said and sudha obliged.
" May you get all the happiness in the world " she blessed with a smile.
" Meenakshi come and handover the things to my daughter in law " she said to her and she came with a huge smile plastered on her face.
First she put kumkum on her forehead and handed over the plate with saree, bangles, flowers etc. Sudha went to change the clothes and everyone suddenly looked worried. They started whispering among themselves and Devamma became silent. She knew that they got to know about her and she cannot say anything in this matter. No matter what she wanted to put a brave face.
" Why don't you provide our guests with some drinks. It's too hot " she said to dadi.
" I apologize dear. I am sudha's dadi and you can call me chachi. It is a pleasure meeting you. I will tell prithvi to give them cool drinks and guide them in the backyard. There it might be a little cool " she ordered prithvi to look after the guests and he did as asked.
Now everyone was drinking cool drinks and slowly they left from there to take fresh air. Sudha got ready and looked at herself in the mirror. Tears filled her eyes looking at herself decked up like a bride. Her dadi has given all the jewellery of her mother to wear and she said it belongs to her only. So she was wearing earrings, a neckpiece, golden nose ring, and a long chain. Moreover wearing this green saree with bangles and flowers made her emotional. She put a veil on her head.
" You look ethereal dear. God bless you my child " dadi said from behind and she hugged her tightly.
" It's not the time to cry now. Everyone is waiting for you. Come " she said.
Her cousins and relatives saw her in awe. She truly looked mesmerizing. They led her to the stage where she was supposed to sit and made her sit.
After sometime shyam also came there with his friends. He saw her sitting there with a veil on her head
He slowly approached her and sat beside her. Soon her mother handed him the bangles and he removed them from the box. Her cousin forwarded her hands and he slowly slipped them in her hands. They fit perfectly in her hands. Everyone clapped and congratulated us.
" This is for you son " his father in law said and gave him a gold ring and he wore it.
After that everyone congratulated them and they smiled at everyone.
The same rituals took place with Radha and kishore and they all ate dinner together.
It was already night so they left after bidding bye.
On his way back he couldn't forget the way she smiled looking at her hands with kangan. She looked beautiful in that green saree. He felt something growing in his heart and he knew what it could possibly be.

A huge thanks to all the readers for giving my story a chance.
A special thanks to my dear friend pradhanas for supporting me.
Do vote and comment guys. It really inspires me to write more.
I hope you enjoy the story further.
Till then bye.