The Week Before

Chapter 3

It was the best combination of historic and beautiful. Varun's grandfather's house was everything I had imagined It it to be.It was big and white, tapestries and decorations were being added on by the people employed. There was a jolly spirit of celebration in the air which I could feel  from inside the car.For the first time, I was completely and utterly happy to have my marriage held here. I wanted to find and thank Adi for this. Adi was his only sibling and she had doubled as the wedding planner. I was happy to let her arrange everything as she was a professional, everything except the clothes that is. What good of a fashion stylist would I be if I couldn't do it but more importantly this was a childhood dream of mine, one of the few I could actually acomplish. There was no love at first sight or a romantic proposal, just this.
His father who was waiting for us in the front of the mansion started calling for his wife and family once he saw our car drive in. Soon the whole porch of the building was covered with people who had came rushing out of the house . The car slowed down in front of the house for us to get out so that it could be parked with the dozen of cars already there. I got out at the last and as my family was getting out from the other cars. There was quick mumbling and chattering among our big congregation of hosts. I guess its normal to want to scrutinise every aspect of a bride but I was not comfortable with the idea. I was involuntarily smiling at everyone who caught my glance . As we were waited for my entire family to file out of the cars and stand in a group a felt a small tug at the bottom of my duppatta, more like heard it because of the bells. There was the cutest Angel there looking up at me with the most innocent eyes. She seemed familiar probably from one of the pictures on his Instagram . Momentarily I was confused as to whether to crouch down to her or lift her up onto my arms but she helped me by raising her hands towards me. I lifted her up and placed her on my hip. She was heavy because my recent experiences was with my nephew who is a baby and well she is a toddler. She started laughing and smiling at me and started weaving her hands through my hair. A wind was blowing ever so slightly that I didn't notice it until it brought along the smell of jelebis.
Her mother came from the crowd and took her with a pleasant smile as it was time for the ritual to welcome guests into the house. Sudha aunty, my soon to be mother in law was standing before us with a platter and a small lamp on it. It was when I saw her that I realised he was not here. He was not here to welcome us. My eyes started combing the crowd and I didn't Know how to feel about his absence because I honestly didn't know if he could be present here according to custom. Aunty raised the platter and circled it around us three times. I bent down and touched the elder's feet and they welcomed us in.
The crowd dispersed as soon as we entered, the hosts showing the guests their accommodation. There would obviously be not enough rooms for an entire wedding party at the house. So the rooms and halls were to be shared .Adi had already made plans for the same and run it by me.
The house was even more spacious inside than I had thought. Wood carvings covered the edges of the room. The middle portion of the hall was empty with no furniture or decor pieces. Everything was arranged beautifully against the four walls. The middle part didn't have the ground floor ceiling. The doors to the rooms ran around the hall and i could see the top floor through the wide opening in the ceiling. There too rooms ran around the void . Fairy lights hung above the empty space all through the top floor cieling. It was beautiful sight that took my breath away. There were staircases on both sides of me as I stood just inside the door.
Just as I was getting conscious about standing there gawking at the sight, Sudha aunty caught hold of my arm in the most loving way possible.
" Varun is really sorry he couldn't be there to welcome you. Unfortunately he had some urgent meeting to attend. He is upstairs and I hope you don't keep it against him."
I felt some sort of strange relief at this declaration. I was bordering on thinking he was not here at all.
"  No, not at all. That's completely fine "she smiled at me and went to help my grandparents to their room.
Grandparents. I hadn't seen his grandparents. His grandmother is literally the sweetest woman, sweeter than his mother. Every time I met her she used to buy me chocolates or pickles. I felt a pang of guilt at not finding her the second I was dropped off.
Luckily, it was not hard to get directions in such a crowded house I found her in the veranda of the kitchen, behind the house reading a book that seemed too old.
"Dadi, do you remember me?"
I asked as I sat In front of her. Although it took her a moment to go through the long list of acquaintances that a 76 year old has accumulated and find me, she surprised me by pulling me into a soft hug and squeaking" of course I remember you hemu"
She let go of me and asked"How are you, child? When did you arrive? Have you seen him?"
"I am doing great.We just got here and no I haven't seen him"
"Oh, come to my room I have something for you."
She proceeded to rise from her rocking chair, with my help and started moving towards her room which was on the bottom floor. I had noticed on the plan that the only people who had private rooms were me, him and his grandparents because both of them lived here.
Her room was on the right side of the kitchen door. Once we entered it, I realised that dada was also there going through some old boxes. His face broke into a wide smile when he noticed me "Dear Beta, you are here already" I smiled and went into a hug.
" You don't know how much it means to us and your grandparents that you agreed to have the ceremony here. Me and your Nana, have always wanted to have our families together for atleast a few days for such a long time.  This is such a great opportunity for that. And I know that you would have your own preferences as modern young woman but I thank you for agreeing to this venue."
There was so much warmth in his voice.
" I am the one who should be thanking you for letting this happen."
Both of them were so happy and that was reflected in my voice too. Dadi turned and got something from the box dada was going through.
" since there never was a betrothal  ceremony we decided that now would be the best time to give this to you" she opened the box to reveal a collection of vintage jewellery. It was authentically antique. I had received a couple of necklaces and bangles from My mother but it was nothing like this. This was a whole box of the most beautiful accessories with paisley and damask designs.
"This was my mother's wedding jewellery. She gave it to me before she passed away and I have been waiting to pass it on. I don't think I will have a better opportunity. I want you to have it Hema."
I was dumbfounded but somehow managed to find my voice.
" I couldn't possibly..."
"It's fine beta, take it",Nana pressed on.
I moved forward and took the box in my hands. It was wooden and heavy although it was just the size of a chess board. I touched both of their feet and heard them say, " Ayushman Bhava".
As I exited the room I realised that my phone was in my hand bag, which was probably with my mother. My luggage would probably be in my room, the location of which I have no idea about except that it is upstairs. And I am standing in a house full of people with a box full of gold and encrusted jewels.