ACCEPTING 'US'

6.

Sudha's condition these past few weeks was no less than a mess. She couldn't come to the conclusion that she is finally going to get married and was about to leave the house she had always been her lifetime. It was sometimes hard for her to sleep thinking that she would be sleeping alone without her grandmother. She could easily say that her grandmother was just as a mess as she was.
Everyday passed by with preparations to the marriage and bringing new things deeply disappointing sudha that she will be sent off. Although she was not loved by her step mother and sister she would miss them too. They would not really talk to her but their mere presence is what she will miss.
Her brother Raghu did not attend her engagement because of his exams and she was awaiting his arrival. One fine day she was folding clothes and thinking about something when someone closed her eyes from behind. She jerked the strangers hands away and stood up abruptly making an attempt to get away.
" Surprise didi " Raghu, her brother said making her instantly calm down.
" Oh my God Raghu. You finally arrived " she said and engulfed him.
" How are you didi? " he asked.
" Don't call me didi. You didn't attend the most important day of my life and dare to call me didi " she said angrily pushing him away placing her hands on her hips. He put his hands on his ears.
" It was not intentional didi. My exams came around the same time your engagement and I could not miss them and moreover your biggest day is still there " he said smiling and sudha could not be upset with him more. She removed his hands from his ears and smiled.
" Now that you finally accepted my apology can I get your hand made fritters. It's been very long since I tasted them " he said pouting. She nodded and started her way towards kitchen.
Meanwhile Raghu met his other family members and came back to kitchen to see his sister working very precisely. After few minutes she was done and took the bowl in her hand to exit kitchen.
" What are you looking at? Huh? Come and eat them already " she instructed Raghu when she saw him.
" Can I join too? " Dadi asked coming from behind Raghu. Three of them sat in the kitchen itself and started munching fritters. Raghu kept praising sudha for making such delicious fritters.
" Tell me how's jiju? " He asked suddenly making her food stuck in her throat.
" That.. " she was saying but unable to form words while her dadi sighed.
" What are you even asking her Raghu? She didn't even see her husband " she said making a mad face.
" What? Aren't you engaged to him already? " He asked confused.
" I am engaged " she said and showed her kangan to him.
" Then why dadi is saying you didn't see jiju? " He asked to which sudha kept stuttering.
" What will she say Raghu? Her aunt asked her to keep her eyes low so she didn't even see who is she going to marry. And you know she promised to see him on marriage day. How thoughtful. Isn't she? " Dadi said sarcastically making Raghu burst in laughter while sudha pouted and kept her head low.
After quality time all the three left to their respective works.
Days passed in a blur as sudha was busy with going to the tailor shop to get her clothes stitched. Her step mother bought her a few sarees while they went shopping leaving sudha at home. Although she was upset, she was later overwhelmed that her sister came and handed her the shopping bags containing clothes. They even brought new sarees for her grandmother who was also very happy.
It was just a few days before wedding when all the house started buzzing with relatives. The house was completely covered with serial lights and during night it looked like a shining star.
On the day of mehendi her aunty did the rituals and started the ceremony. Her sister and she were made to sit side by side and both of their hands were covered with beautiful designs by her cousins.
Even on the day of haldi both of them were applied with haldi by all the ladies and later it was fun. Everyone started playing with haldi making it into holi festival. Everyone were happy but her dadi was just sitting in a corner and laughing. Deep inside she was dreading that her sudha will be away from her from now on. Although she kept a straight face while looking after the arrangements she was getting emotional seeing her granddaughters getting married soon.
On the day of wedding both the bride's got up early and did the rituals. After the rituals were completed they were to wear the sarees brought by her in laws which arrived a few minutes ago.
" Here are the things you need to wear " said someone with a warm smile. She nodded and took the huge plate containing the clothes and accessories and entered into her room. Her aunt's sister in law was with her to help her wear everything. As everyone were busy getting ready for the wedding it was only her who came forward to help her. She is a nice lady and always loved her.
" Wear these on sudha " she said after she wore saree handing her the jewellery.
After whe was done with jewellery she did her hair and put flowers and also some accessories in hair. She even did her makeup and nodded after a satisfied sigh. Sudha looked at herself and found herself looking beautiful and hugged her gratefully. She made sudha sit on the bed and sudha looked at her confused. 'It's time for the wedding now' Sudha thought.