Salim and Kayal #Watty's 2016 # YourStoryIndia #ProjectWomanUp

Double engagement

Kayal's POV

Days flew by really fast. Above all I was dreaming about Salim. According to our custom, he had to gift me an engagement saree. Normally, in our families bride's family and bridegroom's family go together to buy this engagement saree for the bride. But, since we had only one Sunday in between and that happened to be a working weekend for me, I asked Aunty (Salim's Mother) and Salim to choose for me. Since she was in Trichy, there was no point in making her run between in week days. When Salim felt bad that I couldn't select my engagement saree, my Amma convinced him that it is good that I didn't join them in shopping. She warned him that he may have second thoughts about our marriage if he takes me to shopping before our engagement. I convinced Salim that I will definitely join him to buy Koora Pudavai (Bridal wear Saree) for our marriage. I am actually more excited to buy my koora pudavai than this engagement saree. But my Amma thinks that I am a total pain when it comes to shopping. So she bought the saree which has to be brought from our side by herself. It was really nice but a little too grand for my taste. But I can't say no to Amma.

I insisted on buying Salim's dress. So I bought him a Veshti (a long white garment worn from waist to ankle) and a Silk Shirt. I think Green is his favorite color. I have seen him wearing most shades of green. Hope he likes this green as well. In our families we don't have the custom of exchanging rings. I also know that in Islam, exchanging of rings is not encouraged. But Salim was insisting that he needs to gift me something which would remind me of him. I wanted to tell him that, I don't need a piece of gold to remind him. I am mostly thinking about him only. But, I didn't want to hurt his enthusiasm. So, I agreed to his idea of gifting me a ring. 

Since men aren't allowed to wear gold in Islam, I bought him a Titan watch because I can't practically afford platinum ring and silver turns black easily in our climate. I know Titan is not the most expensive brand, but it is Indian and trustworthy. My Titan watch is working for the past eight years. I then inscribed a logo of our intertwined initials in the back of the watch. In Tamil my name starts with 'Ka' and Salim's name starts with 'Sa'. A small curve is attached to Sa to make it Ka. So I first engraved 'Sa' and then engraved the completing curve which would make it 'Ka' in a floral design. On a Post it Note I wrote, 'God willing may we complete each other' and kept it inside the box. Hope he likes it. I have kept it very safely.

I am a little anxious because today is the engagement and this is the first time I am wearing makeup. I am against the idea of wearing makeup. But Reshma made me wear Nude Make up. Honestly I am waiting to wash it off. It reminds me so much of that heroine in 'Naduvula Koncham Pakatha Kaanom', where in the hero mocks the heroine for the makeup during their wedding reception. I really didn't want Salim to look at me like this. I am very very comfortable in my own skin. Just when I was thinking about running to the bathroom and washing my face, Reshma came in.

"Don't even think about it."

"Reshma please. What if he sees me and goes back to Trichy because he doesn't like me with this stupid make up? I know that it is a very stupid thing to say, but Reshma honestly I feel very uncomfortable with this make up."

"Kayal, Ali Bhai is smitten. He is not going to run anywhere. Actually he has come now. Don't stare at him as if you are starved and he is Biryaani. I know you can't feel shy but remember to at least look at the floor. There are many aunts over there, you can't stare at him in front of them."

Just then there was a knock in the door and Fathima entered. I said "Hai Anni(Brother's wife, Sister in law is also called as Anni if she is elder to the bride)" and Reshma said "Assalamualaikum".

Fathima must be surprised with me calling her as Anni. She replied with a smile, "Walaikkumsalam" and "Hai, are you ready?"

Before I could reply Vidhu who was quiet all these time said, "She is thinking of washing her face because she is afraid that Ali might run away if he sees her in make up."