Perfect Strangers ✔

|| 19 ||

Chandra's and Nandhini's family gather in the temple.

Everyone gathered are monotonous.. it was ironic when we relate to the situation....

Its a celebration which gives new relationships, cheer and happiness between two families, brings two hearts together which everyone cherish forever💖

They ceremony starts!

Chandra and Nandhini get near other (hesitate to face each other) and exchange garlands. They sit and chant mantras recieted by priest but their mind sings something else...
Durga ties Chandra's shawl to Nandhini's saree.

The priest gives mangalsutra to Chandra. Chandra and Nandhini feel their heart pumping... Hesitantly Chandra picks up the mangalsutra, turns and ties in her neck... she hungs down her head...
Chandra fills sindoor in her forehead.

Priest tells them to get up for holy rounds around fire, Chandra lets his hand back so she can catch and walk behind..
She holds his hand and they walk around 7 times..

They both are in different worlds... thinking differently... now they are bound in a relationship.

They look at each other and turn other side.. Officially Chandra Nandhini are married!

Priest tells to get blessings from elders. Chandra goes to Gopal, Nandhini follows behind; get blessings. Then from Lalita and Ravi. Ravi get overwhelmed seeing her.

They get near Shylok-Durga, hugs and wishes them. Ratan is standing near Shylok-Durga, Chandra and Nandhini turn to him.

Ratan suddenly reacts..
Ratan: No! No! (Moves away; Thinks they are about to get blessings from him).

Shylok-Durga, Lalita giggle.
Chandra and Nandhini didn't react to it.. everyone worship the God and get ready to leave.

Gopal: so.., everything is finished... let's go to our home... are you ok with it?

Lalita: yes we will all go to your house and leave from there..

Ashish: actually we need to pick up luggages from the mandap... then we will leave..

Ravi: we will take it on the way..
Now we will start to home..

They take up luggages from the mandap and reach Nandhini's home.

Durga and Lathika prepare tea for everyone, serve it . All others are seated in sofa. Utter silence prevailed in the house.

Lalita: ok! I think we should leave!

Gopal: hmmm... yea..

Nandhini's heart starts to beat like anything... she didn't want to leave... don't want to go anywhere... she wants to be alone..
But no other go she had to leave to her new home.

Biding bye to her home is not easy... it is filled with love, care and loads of memories be it good or bad.. These days she was safe, happy with the warmth of her family... now she has to leave all and move on.. its not easy...

Nandhini's mind forgot the present ... it starts to go through the memory lane... its a nostalgic moment...

Suddenly Durga touches Nandhini.
Durga: we will leave dear...

Nandhini gets anxious... she feels like going to school for the first day where we want to go to our parents and not to the class...

Nandhini lits lamp near her mother's photo; get blessings from Nandhini's mother.

Chandra gets blessings from Ravi.
Ravi: she will get angry sometimes but a very lovely girl. She will look after everything well. She lost her mother at early age itself..(Controls his tears; smiles) take care pa...
Nandhini feels emotional..

Chandra: yes... (nodes his head).
Nandhini hugs Ravi, cries.

Ravi: dear, be happy always! Look after everyone! Always smile!
Nandhini nods her head; crying.

Gopal gets near Chandra.
Gopal: she will behave like a like a little girl, but very kindest at heart... i know this situation is tough for you but now you two are married... start your life be happy.. she is a blessing for us.. she is my mother..
Bursts out crying, Nandhini hugs him.

Nandhini: i will not leave you thatha! Cries.

Gopal: where I am going? We are in same city, you can come to meet us! Video.. do Video call! We are always with you!

Lalita: yes dear! The one close to our hearts never leave us💖

Ashish gets near Nandhini. Gives her a box. She looks at that. He tells her to open.

She opens it. Its a beautiful necklace. Nandhini smiles out.

Ashish: i bought it before marriage... wanted to gift to on reception.. do..
Nandhini hugs him tightly.
Ashish hugs her and cries out. He was controlling his tears and pain inside. It all broke out.

Nandhini: i love you so much ♥
Ashish: i too, love you❤
Everyone felt comforted by their bond... even Ravi and Gopal hasn't seen them so emotional towards each other.

Ashish hold Chandra's hands.
Ashish: Please take care of her!

Chandra: yes! They both hug.

Lalita: ok! We will leave. I, Shylok, Lathika will go first... (to Durga) certain preparations should be made la.. you, Ratan and Chandra-Nandhini come together.

Durga: ok paati.

They all greet and leave.

Ravi, Gopal and Ashish feel very sad but satisfied.

Shylok, Lathika, Lalita travel in the first car followed by the others.

Ratan drives the car, Durga sits near him, Chandra and Nandhini at back.

Chandra and Nandhini didn't face each other. Chandra is lost in thoughts... where Nandhini is silently weeping...
Ratan notices Nandhini crying, signals Durga.

Durga watches her weeping from front mirror.. takes the tissues... turns to Chandra... he see Durga, she signals him to give tissues to her.

He gets the tissues from her.. abruptly gives it to her.. Nandhini is facing the car window, didn't notice it.. he clears his throat, she turns, look at him, gets the tissues..

Nandhini: thank you.

Chandra smiles.
Durga and Ratan who were watching this scenario, look at each other and smile.

TBC