Rukmini

Chapter 2: The Wedding

We moved down the stairs, into the hall, where the marriage was to take place.

We were on time, perfectly on time. Aai was just about to call us from the room, when we entered the hall.

(A/N: Aai means mother in marathi, which is an Indian language)

The minute I walked in, everyone's eyes had moved onto me. I saw Abhimanyu staring and looking at me in awe. I felt shy and emotional. I was getting married, I would have to leave my parents. I guess, Alisha and Priya just knew me too well, that's why they both squeezed my hand.

'Its fine. I'm really sure that jiju's family is really sweet, helpful and supportive. They'll take care of you very well', whispered Alisha.

Out of nowhere, my brother, Arjun came running towards me. Okay, so here's another new person. Arjun, is my older brother, and we both have had a special bonding with each other since childhood. He is 5 years older to me. If there's anyone on earth whom I love and trust the most, its him.

'Rukmini, ...', he began.

He came ahead and gave me a huge hug. I was almost about to cry, but, checked myself in time and stopped.

'.... I can't take it. I love you. Even more than Abhimanyu. You're looking beautiful. And, you're going to go away. Anyways, don't cry. Leave your tears for the bidaai.', he continued and squeezed my shoulders, giving me a comforting smile.

(Bidaai = The ceremony where the bride is sent off to her husband's house.)

'I love you too.' I said.

Alisha and Priya led me to the mandap, where me and Abhimanyu were to be seated for the rituals.

(Mandap = The platform where the wedding takes place)

So, they escorted me to the mandap. I was made to sit near him. I blushed as I took my seat. I tried to look at him from the edge of my eye. Unfortunately, I was caught at the wrong time.

'What ? Why are you looking at me ? Am I looking unreal or something ?', he asked.

'No, its nothing.', I whispered.

'I dont know about myself, but I do know about you. You're looking really pretty.', he said leaving me in a daze.

We were silenced by the pandit.

(Pandit = a scholar of Hinduism who is qualified to conduct religious ceremonies like weddings, naming ceremonies, etc)

The saptapadi was taking place. I smiled as we got up to take our vows, circling the fire and symbolizing that he was witness to our wedding. These are the vows that are taken in every wedding. Each completed round signifies the completion of each oath. Hence seven rounds for seven vows.

The first vow is for food

The second for strength

The third for prosperity

The fourth for wisdom

The fifth for progeny

The sixth for health

The seventh for friendship

'Now, you will put this mangalsutra around the girl's neck. This will symbolise that your marriage is complete, and she is wedded to you.', explained the pandit in Marathi to Abhimanyu.

(Mangalsutra = Mangalsutra literally means "an auspicious thread" which is knotted around the bride's neck. It is usually a necklace with black beads strung with a bit of gold. It is comparable to the wedding ring of the West. It signifies a woman being married.)

I looked at him as he took the manglasutra from the plate in his sister, Sameera's hands.

She helped him in knotting it in my neck, as is the custom.

Everyone clapped after he tied the mangalsutra around my neck.

I was so happy. Finally, I'm married.

What I didn't know, was, that I was going to hate this day for the rest of my life.

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Radhika :*