"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

~Nora Ephron

Jagati

"You look like a goddess. Let me cast the evil eye off." Mama said cracking her knuckles on the sides of her forehead.

My house is filled with people, endless love and laughter today, because today is the day of Janu and Dev's wedding.

Me and my Dev are going to be together forever.

After a few minutes, my Grandma walked with a bunch of money and swirled it around me mumbling something, and asked me to fake spit on it.

We are done with the Gauri Pooja at our house and everyone left to the wedding venue leaving me alone in the house with Karthik.

Wanna know how many people are invited to ny wedding?

The whole freaking state, because my father requested every one in the state to attend the wedding, and his reasoning was they are family too.

Amaya di, Divya di's family is here and did I mention that Arjun and Dhruv are here too.

Belive me, There is no end to my happiness today.

For the first 16 years of my life I was all alone and had no-one except for my family, but now I have people who I can call mine, People who made my life happier and better than it was before.

"Why are you crying? Do you not want the wedding? We can still cancel it." Karthik said coming into my room making me realize of the happy tears that are on my face today.

This stupid brother, doesn't compliment me and on top of it, he wants to me run away from my own wedding...Can someone knock some sense into him?

"Uncle J will be glad to get you out of this marriage." Karthik mumbled with a smile on his face.

That's true, My papa is still not able to accept the fact that I am getting married after 2 months of saying yes, and he acts really petty when he hears Devansh's name from my mouth.

"Shut up Kar, I am just overwhelmed with the amount of people I have in my life today.." I slapped his shoulder for teasing me.

"I can't believe that my little Janu grew up... Promise me that you won't forget me in your Dev's love."He said with tears looming in his eyes.

His words reminded me of all our times together, how he made my life better with his presence when I had literally no one.

"You are making me cry and today is supposed be the happiest day of my life, please stop talking with that ugly mouth of yours." I hissed at him pushing my tears back in, taking gulps.

He chuckled and kissed me on my perfectly braided head, filled with tons of flowers, and fake hair. I have been turned into a Rapunzel with hair reaching my butt and it's so heavy that I can feel my head being pulled back.

Don't get me started on this saree, the 6 feet of red and gold colored cloth that I am wrapped in making me feel like a burrito, which has been scored in the middle showing off my waist and back.

I am might look pretty or beautiful on the outside but this is the most uncomfortable outfit ever.

Heck! I can't even walk properly with out this saree limiting the size of my step and the jewelry poking every inch of my upper body irking the hell out of me.

If it was up to me, I would've worn a sweatshirt and leggings to the wedding, But the only reason I am doing is the man on the Mandap waiting for me, I just want to give him a full blown wedding experience.

Karthik drove me from our home to the wedding venue and there was a carriage waiting for me at the entrance.

Instead of walking to my Dev, I am now sitting on a princess style carriage, carried by Jamie, Andrew, Arjun and Dhruv with Anya(Andrew's daughter) and Nini(Jamie's daughter) sitting with me in here.

After a few minutes the carriage stopped, Anya and Nini got down, and Karthik helped me out.

I stood back on the floor and I froze at the sight, my fingers went freezing cold, my body started tremble in fear and my breathing got erratic.

The photographers and videographers started capturing my every moment with their uncontrollable flashes and requests to smile, the loud music of trumpets and drums, the chanting of mantras echoing through the place, the screens all over the area projecting my face, and the outfit I am wearing is not doing any help either.

I am so scared that everything seemed blurry to my eyes.

"You look so funny dude.." Dhruv laughed at my misery and got punched by Arjun.

"I know you are scared at the number of eyes on you, just remember to breathe slowly and smile.." Arjun whispered to me in a soothing voice, I nodded at him and started calming down my breathing.

"Stop looking at others, just look at the people you know and ignore everything else. Don't let your fears take over." He said rubbing my back, and I started to ignored all the sounds and flashes concentrating on the his words.

Amaya di, Divya di and my friends came to my side, and walked me up the stairs with a green coconut in my hands. Everyone around me looked so pretty like Indian princess.

They made me sit between my Mama and Papa, with my back facing the audience.

Everyone on the mandap was teary eyed looking at me. But, the man I wanted to look at from the morning is now shielded by a curtain separating us. I so wanted to pull down that and take a peek at him to calm the storm in my mind.

My papa and mama held me for sometime calming me down from the panic. After a few minutes of doing Pooja and repeating some mantra's along with my parents a huge plate was placed between us and the priest asked Devansh to place his legs in there, announcing that it was time for Kanyadaan.

"I don't want Uncle to wash my feet..He is like my father and it's disrespectful of me to let him do that." Dev said sternly from the other side, everyone around was shocked at his comment but my heart was filled immense proudness for him and his words.

He said Papa is like his father.

"Beta, It's not a disrespectful to anyone..In a wedding a groom is considered as a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu and it's a gesture of respect for marrying his daughter."The priest tried to convince him.

"I am really sorry Sir, If I am Vishnu, then she is my Lakshmi, and I can't let the father of such a powerful goddess, Lord Bramha the creator of the Universe do that....Please I am not comfortable with it." He argued back but him speaking about this Hindu Mythology was so sexy to my ears.

And that's how my man skipped the misogynistic ritual.

"He is saying that even though I am rude to him...If he thinks that I will be nice to him after this he got it wrong, he stole my precious from me." Papa grunted placing my red mehendi coated, bangles filled hand in Dev's under the curtain separating us.

The priest made him say, Dharmecha, Arthecha, Kamecha, Mokshecha.. Naati Charaami (Righteously, financially, by desire, or spiritually, I will not walk away from her) "

It felt like he was holding my hand for the first time, the tingles and all butterflies in the stomach just roared as he clutched my hand tighter assuring me in his own way.

That's not the butterflies roar dumbo, It's your stomach growling in hunger as you didn't feed it from last night

After that they gave me a beetle leaf with some brown paste and made it put it on each others heads. The curtains dropped making me look at him for the first time today.

Man! He is a sight for sore eyes.

I looked at his sinfully handsome face, disheveled hair falling on it, those black eyes radiating tons of happiness for me. Everyone around him went blurry and I couldn't get myself to look away from him.

"God! You look beautiful.." He paused looking at me, I felt the tingles creep up to my face making me red.

He is wearing the White Kurta with red embroidery and Red dhoti, I selected for him, and that dress fit his body perfectly showing off his flexing muscles and my Dorito body.

If he is candy bar, he would definitely be a 5 star.

"Stop saying things like that to my daughter before me."Papa glared at Dev and Mama slapped her head at my fathers behavior.

After a few more mantras, Dev stood up from his spot holding a yellow sacred thread as the priest said

"Mangalyam tantunanena mama jivana hethuna Kanthe badhnami subhage twam jeeva sarada satam" (This is a sacred thread. This is essential for my long life. I tie this around your neck, O maiden having many auspicious attributes!   May we live happily for a hundred years)

After he tied the thread around my neck , everything felt so heavy, the sounds, flashes and every one throwing rice at us..I couldn't fathom what was going on, there is no word to explain what I feel.

"Are you okay? " Dev asked settling down beside me.

"I am supposed to be but I am not.. I have so many emotions flowing through my body. I am happy that I got married to you, but I am sad too. I am scared of the title of your wife and all the people watching us now. I am irritated by these clothes and jewelry poking me. I hate the feeling of air touching my waist and finally, I am hungry as I haven't eaten anything from last night because I had to keep a fast for you.."I rambled my every single emotion to him while he listened to me intently.

"Why are you doing all this if you are not comfortable?" He asked the question any sane person would've asked.

"For you idiot! You wanted a traditional wedding with people in it. Do you think I enjoy being like this? Do you think I enjoyed having that green goo of henna on my hands, and that yellow paste..Dhruv, Karthik and Arjun dunked me in a water tank yesterday in the name of another ritual.." I snickered all my frustration at him.

When we started planning the wedding I told my father that I don't want a big one but he said that Dev and his family wanted one and we're pretty adamant about it, which is so unlike them. I wanted to convince Dev but kept to myself because I wanted to do something for him once in my life.

"What are you talking about? Your father told me that you wanted to have a big celebration.." Dev said in shock while I moved the stupid necklace that's choking me.

"PAPA.." I yelled out loud realizing that he played both of us and got what he wanted instead.

"Hey! Stop yelling my husband, he wanted a big wedding for his daughter and you guys said no. So I gave him this idea.." Mama came to his rescue holding his hand.

Freaking traitors for parents..

"Let it go Janu, It's all over now..We won't do anything big after this.. "Aunty said to me and I nodded smiling at her.

After us throwing a lot of things like rice, other grains at each other, Dev handed me a chocolate without anyone looking at us and I ate it happily breaking the fast.

They finally made us stand up and tied my saree end to his shawl and took us out to look for a star which can't be found at mid noon.

Finally, I can eat now

At least that's what I thought. But no, I had to meet all the guests my parents and Dev's parents bought to us and talk to them without any food in my system.

But the better part is they took the fake hair and some jewelry out upon Dev's request to Aunty. He covered my waist with his shawl and left no gap between us so no air could pass through and make me conscious about the scars on them.

I was happy at the closeness between us and I, for the first time forgot all the hunger raising in my body looking at his care for me.

"Uncle, can we continue this later after eating something? She is hungry." Dev said to papa and papa looked at me to confirm if that was true.

"I am sorry precious, Let's get you some food."He said pulling me with him and Dev followed as our outfits were tied together.

Why do photographers capture people eating? Can't they let me eat in peace?

I ignored them and devoured all the food like a monster who hasn't been fed for years. We went back to the stage to meet the remaining guests. After everyone left, it was time for me to leave to Dev's house which is another 4 hours drive in this outfit.

After endless teasing from Karthik about me not crying for leaving my parents, we finally started back to Dev's house, with Aunty, Uncle, me and Dev in one car.

I dozed off the whole ride in Aunty's lap and It was almost 7 when we reached. There were people waiting for us at the Dev's door to welcome me in. They did my aarti and I stepped into the house with my right leg first.

Everyone in this village came to look at me, after talking to them for a while, Aunty dragged me to her room, fed me some food and changed me into another saree, got me ready for my first sleep in with Dev before the auspicious time passes away.

Are we going to do the deed today? Do we have to do it? Is it like a rule? And what's the deal with people setting up time for it.

How would I know? This is my first rodeo.

We should've gotten Karthik married first and ask him about his experience.

"Why do you look like some one's going to hurt you?" Aunty asked bringing me out of my incorrigible thoughts.

"I don't know Aunty, I am scared about all the things. I am not a guest here anymore and I don't know how to do any housework..What if I suck at being a daughter in law and make you and uncle disappointed." I replied giving her a small smile putting all my thoughts out in the open.

She gently patted my head just like my mom.

"Janu, you became our daughter today and as far as house hold things you don't have to do them. Stop worrying too much and remember that we will always be proud of you." She said with a smile and kissed me on the head.

Aunty's words relived me and made me feel better. This is my second home and my Dev will never hurt me.

With that Aunty took me to Dev's room with a glass of milk in my hand and closed the door from behind as I stepped in.

His bed is decorated with flowers in a heart shape and the smell of Jasmines and roses overwhelmed the room making me want to sneeze.

Where the heck is he?

Before looking for him, I have to get out of this stupid saree with that thought I walked into his closet, took all the jewelry out and tried to unwrap the saree which was held tightly by so many freaking pins.

"What are you doing?" Dev's voice startled me as I was trying to get the saree off me.

I looked at him and found him wearing a tee and joggers.

Lucky dude! I wish I was a man now.

"Stop watching and help me." I hissed at him in jealousy while laughed and walked to me.

That laugh just tugged my heart, it's sounds so good.

But how does he look good in everything? Is it just me or does he look like this for everyone?

I hope not for everyone, then I have to lock him in a room.

He helped me take everything off patiently and carefully without hurting me while I kept staring at his beautiful face. .

He was boy who was crying in Aunty's arms when I first saw him, he was always there when I was in pain and once became the reason for my pain. I can't believe we got married and survived so many hardships together.

It all feels surreal.

"Done! Now go take a shower and sleep peacefully wearing comfy clothes." He said placing the last pin on the vanity mirror and I was completely covered with out an inch of my skin showing.

He went into the bathroom as I stood there, turned on the hot water and left after kissing me on my head.

I took a warm shower, got rid off all the gunk in my head and changed into my comfortable Pajamas ready to sleep the day off.

As I got out of the bathroom I could see that Dev was still up waiting for me by the look on his face.

"Finally! Are you ready?." He said closing the book in his hands.

"Ready for WHATT" I yelled in shock and confusion.

"Sleep what else?" And his obvious answer calmed down my thumping heart.

You have a dirty brain!

It's not me, it's the decor and the movies that made me think of it.

"Do you have a side preference?" He asked patting the bed.

"Why are you asking that? Are we gonna sleep on the corners like some strangers?" I questioned him back with a grumpy look and disappointment that I won't be sleeping in his arms.

"I was being nice, and why would we sleep like that?" He said getting off the bed and walked to me.

"We will sleep in the middle of the bed, with you and me glued to each other." He said lifting me up into his arms, dropped me on the bed and tucked me in.

He came in and settled beside me, letting me use his chest as my pillow and wrapped his hand around my waist pulling me closer.

"I dreamed of this for years, to start and end my days with you in my arms and I can't believe it's happening." He said letting out a deep breath.

I lifted my upper body and found my way to his lips, pouring in all emotions into that kiss. Sometimes touch says the words we can't seem to  talk out loud.

We broke apart for air, and dozed off together letting the silence in the room talk. It felt like I was in a paradise filled with everything I love in his arms.

"Janu! Your phones ringing...pick it up." I heard Dev's groggy voice.

I turned around to the nightstand and it was my Papa calling me.

"Come to the back gate." That's what I heard before the call ended.

I looked at the time and it was just 5:41 in the morning. Is this dream? Or did this happen for real?

I had to check if I really did take the call, after confirmation that it happened. I looked at Dev sleeping peacefully, not wanting to wake him up I slid out of the bed and walked to the gate with sleepy brain.

As I reached the gate I found Papa, Mama and Shyam bhaiyya waiting for me there.

"What are you doing so early papa." I asked him in confusion, letting them in.

"I saw some T.V shows where they make the daughter-in-law cook food on her first day. You don't know how to cook, so I got these made for you." Papa said as Shyam bhaiyya walked in with big containers of food into the kitchen from the back door.

"Papa, stop watching all those, it's not real and Let me sleep, I am tired."I said leaning on his chest and yawned through half of the words.

He gently patted my head and I was about doze off again, but all the lights turned on making me open my eyes squint, I took my time to look at the source of the light.

It was Dev, Aunty and Uncle with his gun.

"We are sorry to disturb you so early in the morning, Jagadeesh was missing Janu, and was looking for ways to come here. He finally found one in the name of food." Mama apologized at my father's actions while I was still in my fathers arms hiding from the light hitting my eyes.

Uncle, Aunty smiled at me and papa, while Dev looked at us with adoration in his eyes.

"Uncle, Aunty! Why don't you stay with us? That way you can be with her everyday and this is your house as much as it is Janu's." Dev said and I guess he won the award of the best son-in-law ever made in this planet.

Papa got so elated at his suggestion, that he agreed to stay here completely without realizing that he and mama have work to do in their lives.

The election results will be announced in the next 2 weeks and I really hope he wins.

With that we all walked into the house and are now in the living room with my parents and Dev's parents talking to each other happily as Dev and me stood in a corner watching them.

This is my family, my adorable cute little family.

"Dev..."I called his name but it came out like a whisper.

"I love you."I said holding his hand and he held it back tighter and said the same with his eyes.

They say love is blind, but it's not true. If it's blinding, you should probably end that love because it's toxic. Love should be the light that gives courage and strength, to lead a beautiful life like it it did to me.

The End

I hope you enjoyed the story of Janu and Dev and this chapter.

I am sorry for the long unannounced break I took and thank you for patiently waiting for me.

Don't forget to vote and comment.

Love,
Sneha