MOHABBAT-E-DIWAANGI ( Book 1)

39. [ part 2]

aadish s pov

I entered the hall with Baba Sa after taking a refreshing bath and changing into a crisp white kurta pajama. As soon as I stepped inside, my eyes widened. The entire place was decorated beautifully, as if it had transformed into a haven of colors and fragrances. It felt as though the whole palace was drenched in flowers, their vibrant hues bringing the space to life. The air was filled with a sense of elegance, making everything around me appear even more mesmerizing. I couldn't help but stand there for a moment, taking it all in-this was beyond anything I had imagined.

"Armaan Rudra Om, aaj ke din ke liye aapki bhabhi maa ki puri zimmedari aapki aaj hum unhe dekh nahi sakte... samajh aayi... aur haan, kisi ne badmaashi ki ya unhe tang kiya, hum bata rahe hain, iss baar sach mein kut denge aap logo ko."
("Armaan Rudra Om, for today, the complete responsibility of your sister-in-law's mother is on you, we cannot see her today...understand...and yes, if anyone misbehaves or disturbs her, we are telling you, this time we will truly beat you all.")

This echoed in my mind as I stood there, realizing the importance of the moment, and a wave of protective feelings surged within me.

I heard Maa Sa warning my baby brothers, her voice filled with concern and care.

Meanwhile, Rudra, unable to hold back, said with a teasing grin, "Maa Sa, sab to theek hai... lekin yehhi dialogue maar ke pichhli baar bhi kutta tha aapne."
("Maa Sa, everything's fine... but this dialogue, last time you also ended up beating him.")

His words caught my attention, and for a moment, I couldn't help but smile at his usual playful nature, despite the seriousness of the situation.

And I knew, after this, Maa Sa would definitely kill him today. But it's my wedding today, and as much as I would want to be happy, I couldn't let this happen to my brother.

"Aaj nahi, Maa Sa, kill pakka, saath mein pittege is nalaayk ko," I said to myself, determined. I quickly called Maa before she could respond to him with her usual "chor chapat" (slapping him).

I couldn't let Rudra face her wrath today-this was my day, and nothing was going to ruin it, especially not for my brother.

I said, "Maa Sa," and she turned towards me, taking a moment to observe me closely. After a few seconds, she took the baliya (the charm used to ward off the evil eye) from my head while walking towards me. Her eyes were filled with tears-"khushi ke aanshu" (tears of joy), as my Maa Sa said.

"Mhara laal," she whispered lovingly, and then took a batua (pouch) from her waist, filled with gold coins. She took seven rounds of it around my head and asked one of the guards to distribute it among the people working in the palace. She then ordered him, "Aaj pure sheher ke mandiro mein maha bhoj karwa dijiye... dhyaan rahe koi bhukka na soye aaj ki raat. Aaj raat Rajawat ki shaan ghar aa rahi hai... is khushi ke mauke par aaj bas mere bachhon ko sabki dua mile," (Today, arrange a grand feast in all the temples of the city... make sure no one sleeps hungry tonight. Tonight, the pride of the Rajawat family is coming home... on this joyous occasion, today I want all my children to receive everyone's blessings.)

She spoke with so much warmth and authority, her words wrapping around me like a blessing. After the guard left, following her instructions, she made sure that today, no one could enter or leave the palace. Only three trusted guards were appointed to handle everything, as Maa Sa didn't want anything wrong to happen or anyone to spoil her children's happiness.

I just gave a small smile, feeling the warmth of her touch as she held my hands in hers. Her fingers wrapped around mine gently but with an unmistakable strength, like she was grounding me in this moment. Her eyes looked deep into mine, and with a soft but firm voice, she said,

"Dhyan rakhje, ghar bandhan se bharta hai, janjir se nahi!"
("Remember, a home is filled with bonds, not chains!")

Her words carried weight-simple yet profound. Maybe others didn't fully understand the depth of what she was trying to convey, but I did. I could sense the concern behind her statement. I understood what was going through her head. Baba Sa and Maa Sa were the only ones who knew everything that was truly happening within these palace walls. They saw things that no one else could, and they always knew how to guide me in moments like this.

As we continued talking, the air around us felt more peaceful, even though preparations were in full swing. Baba Sa was speaking with the priest about the pooja arrangements, his voice calm yet commanding as always. Meanwhile, Om, Rudra, and Armaan were busy with their own tasks, making sure everything else was in order. They were checking on the arrangements, the details, the small things that seemed insignificant but were necessary for today's grandeur. Everyone had their role, their responsibilities, but I knew that in this moment, it was the bonds between us that held the greatest value.

As we were almost done with our talk, Baba Sa called us to sit for the pooja.

"Bhalehi main aaj jo bhi hoon, magar Maa Sa ne kabhi mujhe apne Bhagwan aur na apne sanskar bhoolne ki izzat di."
("Though I am who I am today, Maa Sa never allowed me to forget my God or my values.")

I continued, my voice filled with conviction. "Vo kheti hain, aap aasman bhi ban jana, magar kabhi apni niw ko mat bhoolna."
("She says, you may become the sky, but never forget your roots.")

And then, with a softness in my tone, i added, "Aur vo sach kheti hain, sukoon parivar mein hi to hai, aur jab usme koi aisa shaks jud jaye, jisse aap jaan se bhi zyada mohabbat karte ho, to vo jannat ban jayegi na."
("And she speaks the truth, peace lies only in family, and when someone enters it-someone you love more than life itself-that's when it truly becomes heaven.")

I sat there, reflecting on my own words. Basking in the warmth of those thoughts, I realized that this was why I took every word of Maa Sa so seriously. She wasn't just a mother; she was a guide, a protector, and her wisdom was something I couldn't take lightly. The love and bonds she spoke of were the foundation of everything-today, tomorrow, and forever. It was the reason why I valued every lesson she taught me.

Yes, she had said that the wedding would be completed in a day and would only involve family. But there was one thing she was clear about: she wanted the wedding to be done with full rituals and perfection. She insisted that every detail, every tradition, and every prayer be followed to the letter so that we wouldn't miss the blessings of our ancestors.

Her voice, though gentle, carried a sense of responsibility as she emphasized how important it was to honor those who came before us. The weight of her words lingered in the air, and I could sense the deep reverence she held for the traditions and the sacredness of this moment. It wasn't just about the union of two people-it was about honoring generations of family, the roots from which we grew. In her eyes, everything had to be perfect, so nothing would stand between us and the blessings that had been passed down through time.

As I was about to sit for the Grih Shanti Pooja, which was the first ritual Maa Sa insisted on for the wedding, Rudra walked up to me. Armaan and Om were a little further away, but Rudra came to my side and said with a playful smirk, "Aur dulhe raja, dil mein kuchh kuchh ho raha hai ya nahi?"
("And bridegroom, is something stirring in your heart, or not?")

I just gave him an annoyed look. "Ab dil mein hota toh bhot kuchh, magar isko kaun bataye?"
("There is a lot happening in my heart, but who can tell him?")

Seriously, how could he be so carefree about everything? Sometimes, I didn't even feel like he was my real brother. He was so different from me. "Vaise, ye ladka mujhe toh kabhi kabhi Rajawat lagta hi nahi. How can he just watch those cringe movies all day? He seriously doesn't seem like my real brother... he's adopted, pakka!" I thought to myself.

I completely ignored him, trying to focus on the pooja. It almost took me two hours to complete, as Maa Sa had strictly warned me, "Chahe puri duniya tabah ho jaye... magar mai kisi bhi pooja ya rasm ke beech se kahin na jaun."
("Even if the whole world falls apart... I cannot leave the middle of any ritual or ceremony.")

Her words echoed in my mind as I sat through the pooja, every moment pulling me deeper into the sacredness of the occasion. No matter what, I had to stay focused, stay committed to the traditions she held so dear.

Sorry yrra's 💗
Soon will update new chapter