A Little, Everytime

There were lights everywhere, some small, some flickering and quite a few outstandingly charming chandeliers giving the evening a grand look. It was an unusual and most awaited event in the Raghavan family. It was their younger daughter's wedding, a much awaited affair for Mr. and Mrs. Raghavan. Tears streamed down from Mrs.Raghavan's eyes for almost all day and Mr. Raghavan felt assured seeing the youngest and troublesome daughter getting married to the man of her choice.

It was time for Vidaai (the last ritual of wedding in Indian wedding where the bride is send off to live with her husband.)

Mrs.Raghavan said holding Rati's hands "Take care of yourself and everyone in the family. Don't be mean to elders or to your husband. Call if you ever need anything or want to talk. Respect your elders, eat on time. Eat well. Be nice to everyone." She kissed her forehead and cheeks.

Rati just kept staring at her mother as if didn't understood what was being said whereas Vardhaan came forward and held Mrs.Raghavan's hand as if reassuring well being of her daughter. Mr.Raghavan wasn't the one to talk much. He hugged Rati and mumbled softly to her "Don't be scared, everything will be okay. He is a nice person. Have patience." Then gently patted her head with a smile. His eyes shone with tears on the brink of falling. Rati had never saw her father teary eyed, she gazed at his face like an infant staring at moonlight. Astonished. Her reaction made his tears fall, flashing back to the moment when he was holding her fragile little body in his arms for the very first time. His little stubborn troublemaker was going to have a family of her own. Rati held his index finger and bowed her head into his open hands after briefly staring at them. Vardhaan didn't know what was going on but this scene warmed his heart.

Mrs.Raghavan performed the last rituals then newlyweds were good to go. Relatives wished luck and blessed the couple. Mrs.Raghavan being an overly emotional mother kissed Rati, again. This time Rati bowed and touched her feet with both hands pausing for a few seconds and did the same with the father. (Touching feet of the elders is a show of respect and gratitude, a common practice in Indian culture)

Rati waited in the car and it was Vardhaan's turn to be under spotlight. He exchanged words with his in-laws, touched their feet and broke into laughter catching everyone's attention. Mr. Raghavan patted his back and then he rushed to the car and met Rati's direct gaze making him somewhat nervous. "We will leave now. You okay? Need something?" he asked to which she just shook her head.

There was 4 to 6 hours time before they reached Gisebrai, Vardhaan's hometown. It was getting darker and darker and the atmosphere inside the car had a dull and melancholic feel contrasting the pretty and festive interior including the people inside.

Vardhaan had been waiting to get some alone time with her, to have a nice look at how blessed he was to have a woman like her. When she had arrived at the mandap* (a temporary structure with pillars where the marriage takes place) wearing maroon lehenga* (traditional skirt like attire paired with blouse), she looked divine. With every step she took towards him, he got goose bumps. Her big almond eyes stared at the ground when she sat beside him.

Now that they were alone he wanted to just look at her, capturing the moment with every detail but decided otherwise and just let her be. He couldn't help himself from stealing a glance at her every now and then. On the other hand she was feeling low and just stared silently out of the window for nearly an hour then lowered her head on the headrest and closed her eyes. Vardhaan got his wish. He gazed at her face with soft expression paying attention to the details. She had small forehead, low set brows over almond eyes with dense lashes, red coloured small and fuller lips, small chin and high check bone. As his eyed went further his cheeks got hot and averted his eyes with a hiss.

He wondered what he did that she agreed to marry him. It couldn't have been just for looks as looks aren't enough when arranging a marriage especially from the man's side; he knew from past experiences. He wanted to ask her why did she chose him, not that it was a bad decision but because he didn't want to keep guessing the reason. They met once before the marriage and she was convinced that he was suitable partner or it was because of family or because of some other reason. He wanted something that would help him understand her better. He sighed staring at her reflection in the rear view mirror.

Hours of wait had passed as the well lit house with fancy decorations welcomed the newlyweds. The swollen eyes of its residents filled with excitement upon seeing the cars. The commotion in the front of the Mehra house was a bit too much for 5 in the morning but neighbours didn't mind instead they were also waiting with the Mehra family for the newest member of the family: the bride, the eldest daughter-in-law.

The structure was old probably 60-70 years old, had small windows and metal doors. The area was surrounded with trees, so many of trees. It must have been built when the area wasn't all that developed and got upgrades with time: 'New body with old bones'.

Vardhaan hopped out of the car as soon as the engine turned off, stretched his long limbs.

"Lieutenant Sir, you shouldn't get tired so easily. It might shed bad light on your capabilities". A hoarse voice commented from the crowd. Vardhaan teased the person with throwing a punch from the distance. Everyone laughed.

This woke Rati up; she rubbed her eyes a little soaking in the surrounding. "Not many houses in the neighbourhood just 6 to 7 big houses which suggested good relations among them, which means many special guests close enough to be considered like family. I hate it!" she sighed.

She took a deep breath and got out of the car getting stares from the family. Some smiled, some were in awe and she was awkward. The ladies came forward to greet the couple. Rati was tired and wanted to sleep instead she was surrounded by a bunch women asking "Are you okay?"

"Did you sleep well?"

"How was the journey?"

"Do you miss your home already?"

"How about bonding with our handsome boy"

"did you guys get to know each other" All these questions made her annoyed and the thing that she couldn't tell or show how annoyed she was made her even more annoyed.

An elderly woman came to their rescue "why not go and haunt someone else with your questions. You all have started going crazy due to lack of sleep... Just leave my kids alone." She was short in height and walked fast taking small steps, wrinkled eyes, her lips smiled upon seeing Vardhaan and Rati.

"What granny... we were just asking to let her know we care..." A woman complained.

"That isn't Caring, that's Scaring! Now move and let them in."

"Ah! You look so pretty." She said holding Rati's hand, with affectionate look in her eyes. She performed the welcome rituals along with other ladies of the family. Rati was exhausted emotionally and physically but so was everyone. The Mehras had prepared for the rituals the whole night and the way it was performed she could tell everyone wanted to be done with it as fast as they could. It was about an hour and all the rituals were finally over. Grandma patted Rati's cheeks and told Vardhaan to show her the room. Vardhaan winked at the grandmother and accompanied Rati into his room. The room was neat and well kept; decorated with flowers, 6-7 luggage sitting in the corner, king size bed with peach coloured sheets. It smelled like sandalwood and roses. She sat on the bed with slumped shoulders and sighed deeply looking at the lug gages: Her lug gages, which she'd have to unpack soon. She felt like screaming in anger.

"That is going to be a lot of work." Vardhaan said pointing at the luggage with his eyes.

Rati's shoulders stiffened hearing this; for a moment she forgot she wasn't alone here. She was in his room, on his bed, sharing his space."What have I done! "She thought to herself. "now we will be sharing a bed" her mind screamed at this point. She was tired so she put the thoughts to sleep and tried to act normal.

"Where is the bathroom?" she asked.

Vardhaan's heart fluttered to the sound of her voice. "Right end of the corridor." This was the first time she had talked after their first meeting which a few months ago.

"Thanks. And where's the kitchen?"

"What do you want? I'll get it."

"No, it's..."

"I'll bring it. What do you want? Also there might be someone waiting with questions and you look too tired for that." He was right. She was tired and wanted to be left alone.

"Water... Cold water " Vardhaan left after he got the answer; she again relaxed her shoulders and lowered herself on the bed feeling the soft mattress press against her back. The sweet moment of calm and peace after a crazy week made lips curl in a smile.

---------------------------------

Vardhaan really liked that she asked him something, it wasn't a big thing though but still made him feel good. It was silly and he knew it but again it wasn't something he got to experience often. He found himself to be a complete different version of himself than he thought he would be when with her; or maybe he never knew how he would act around a girl. "Gift of the boy's boarding school" he scoffed.

He took a bottle from the fridge and some fruits.

"What are you doing here?" Payal asked seeing him in the kitchen.

"Oh Aunty! I came to get water and something to eat"

"This fool! That's all you give to your bride: an apple and water. That's all you have to offer? You want her to think we don't have manners or we don't care if she eats well? Huh..." she scolded him briefly and gave a glass of juice.

"Then...what do you suggest?"

"She must be hungry. It was a long journey and there are few more rituals to be performed in the evening. You take this and that kheer, make sure she eats it: Its prashaad* and I'll bring the rest."

(Prashaad*- devotional offerings made to god (typically edibles like fruit, sweets, sweet dishes) later on shared among devotees)

Vardhaan came back in the room only to find Rati sleeping in foetal position. He knocked on the door making her aware of his presence, she sat upright, startled.

"I didn't mean to scare you! Sorry. Aunty sent this for you; it's prashaad. Did you freshen up?" He asked placing the tray on the bed carefully.

"I fell asleep. A minute please" She answered removing her jewellery one by one and placing on the side table.

"Yeah, sure" he replied, a bit in daze witnessing the site before his eyes. Not to come off as a creep, he averted his eyes by looking for his clothes in the almirah.

Rati was removing the mangtika* (a kind of jewellery for forehead) letting rogue strands of hair fall on the oval shaped face. She freed her ears from heavy gold earrings, then removed the nose ring followed by her heavy embroidered deep red dupatta* (*a piece of cloth approximately 2 to 2.5 metres used as head cover or stole). Then one by one her necklaces, hand jewellery and then waistband. She took out a small bottle and cotton from a small carry bag stacked in the pile of luggage and started removing her makeup.

After a little struggle Vardhaan found his comfy sweat pants and tees. He pulled the t-shirt without much thought and all the clothes stacked over it fell to the ground. Rati turned to the sound of the soft thud and found a grown up man trying to fix the mess by brushing it under the almirah. She thought to herself "Is this how he works when on duty: Brushing things under."

"Those were all ironed" said Payal entering the room with a tray full of food. Vardhaan, startled, greeted her with an awkward smile.

"I've told you not to put too much clothes in it." He said in a failed attempt to defend his actions.

"Those are all yours. Where else should I put them?"

"I... ll go get changed." he escaped further embarrassment.

"He likes his things all clean and organised, but acts lazy sometimes. Let me help you". Payal said to Rati.

"I'm almost done. It's okay. Thank you".

"Come on don't be shy. Enjoy all the attention and help while you can. You must let people pamper you while you are in limelight...you know." She suggested. "Here is food, eat and sleep for a while there is a few post marriage rituals to perform then there will be a small party. If you need help or anything come to the room in the left to the kitchen. Eat well."

Payal was the aunt of Vardhaan and only daughter of his grandma. She had a round face with deep set round eyes, average height around 5 feet. She had a warm air around her and a calm resting face, she seemed grounded and kind.

"Yes ...Aunty".

She smiled and said holding Rati's hand, "God bless you pretty one." Smiling at her she continued "You see we all have been there and felt the same what you are feeling now. ; Left our house to be with someone... a stranger and his family. It's alright to feel weird, don't try too hard. Just give it time. You will settle and find your place here and in his life."

Rati felt a sense of familiarity listening to this, but not too much, just enough to not panic at the thought of new life. "I think you wouldn't even need to try for the latter, Vardhaan seems so happy since the day he met you, I bet he would carry you around in his arms not letting you do a thing, if you let him." She teased Rati lifting off the serious atmosphere.

---------------------

Vardhaan jumped on his cousin's bed taking up all the space.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with your wife in your room doing things a couple should be doing when they are together?" Nitin said smirking at Vardhaan. A big mahawar* painted foot kicked Nitin lightly in the stomach.

( Mahawar*-deep red colour liquid used to colour feet of bride and groom)

"Jerk! Have some manners. We are older than you, Son!" "And I was told to sleep here for a few days. Is there a problem?"

"Of course, I have a problem... I don't approve of that"

"Really... but it doesn't matter...'cause no one cares."

"This is my room... and you are not sleeping here." Nitin said firmly.

"Like I said... I don't care" Vardhaan mocked.

Nitin frustrated, tried pushing him out of the bed and failed. He said after another failed attempt "Okay! I'll let this one go...But just because it's your wedding."

Vardhaan looked at the 19 year old boy, whose eyes were squinted with disagreement; his eyes shone with an idea, he said "O no, no! You shouldn't let people get away that easily...that too, after kicking you and barging in your room, newlywed or not."

Nitin now knew he was in trouble. Not wanting to show he was nervous he said "I don't. It's just that you are family and older than me and also a soldier...you can be excused. And you were just joking around... I know."

"Oh really? " Vardhaan said teasing him and in a swift motion wrapped his hand around Nitin's neck pretending to choke him.

"Maa*, Vidhu* is...." Nitin opened his mouth to scream for help which was immediately closed shut by a big hand.

(Maa*- mother)

"sshhh... stop screaming I wasn't going to kill you. What a coward? How long are you going to run to your mother? Tsk tsk idiot. Grow up" Vardhaan said hitting him on the head.

"Why? You scared that Maa will scold you" Nitin triumply said.

"A soldier is never scared." "Have some balls! Either stop messing around or be a man and face the mess you've created." He replied in a serious tone and went to his side of the bed trying to sleep.

Nitin, irritated, went back to playing on this phone, mumbling something under his breath.