44

Deja vu it was, but Shivangi remembered where it had happened before. Even if it was for few minutes, they both sat on the swing like this one. They had made eye contact like now and smiled at each other too. Their feelings, however, have come a long way from that night few years ago and so has their relationship.

Shivangi noticed how Ashwin was attuned to what the elders were instructing him. He looked handsome. He always does. She shouldn’t be surprised, but there was something about the way he looked today that made her heart skip a beat every time she looked at him.

As promised he took effort to actually hide his chest mole with makeup. Shivangi’s first reaction to seeing him was a chuckle. She couldn’t believe he took her silly request serious and acted on it. Who was she kidding? This is Ashiwn Kumar and nothing to him is more important than her wishes.

How lucky is she that this is the man she is going to marry?

Sitting with him on the swing felt different than all their previous times. This time it was a step that was going to bring them closer to togetherness of eternity. Shivangi noticed the gap between them and moved closer to touch her shoulder with his.

She didn’t know if it was appropriate behaviour for a bride to sit so close to the groom while performing wedding rituals. She didn’t care anyway. She knew they draw energy from each other. If the way Ashwin’s body relaxed was any sign how they need only simple physical touch to calm each other, then Shivangi knew she did the right thing.

Ashwin turned to her for fraction of second to pass a grateful smile before he turned his attention back to people.

Shivangi was debating if holding his hand was going to be too scandalous. She has grown up seeing only coy brides. She wondered why her mind was rebelling to go against the norm and hold him closer so that she can experience the rituals of wedding in his arms.

A small nudge on her shoulder broke her thoughts. She looked at Ashwin who pointed at her aunt who was trying to get her attention. He aunt was telling her it was time to go back to the stage for final rituals of wedding.

Ashwin halted the swaying swing with balance of his leg and waited for Shivangi to get up before he followed suit. Amidst many friends and relatives who were crowded to participate in the function, Shivangi climbed the stairs to reach the stage as Ashwin trailed behind her.

It was just a momentary slip in her step. Nothing people could have noticed, but she felt a hand on the small of her back immediately balancing her. Shivangi smiled feeling his touch that he didn’t remove until they were sitting beside each other on the mandap.

Ashwin’s eyes caught Shivangi’s and he gave her an assuring smile. She suddenly realized they didn’t even speak one word to each other since she walked out dressed to nines.

Why did it seem to her that they were already sharing what the other person felt? Didn’t they need words?

Ashwin folded his hand at someone in the crowd with a welcome smile. Shivangi followed his line of sight to find that it was producer of his initial movies. She followed suit out of respect and was greeted in return by the nice gentleman.

Shivangi finally realized there were guests she needs to pay attention to and not just let Ashwin arrest her eyes and thoughts. She let her eyes roam around the hall registering known faces while smiling at no one in particular until her eyes fell on a small crowd from their show that changed their life. Shivangi’s smile widened on its own accord. When she turned to Ashwin to point it out, he was already looking at them.

Shivangi saw Shakti wave his mobile at her with a huge grin. She nodded her head as if questioning if he was ready for the work she has assigned him. Reading her mind, he gave her thumbs up. Ashwin who noticed this turned to Shivangi with a questioning look, but she only shrugged in return.

Many TV and Youtube channels were ready to pay enough amount to take care of portion of their wedding expense if only they let them have exclusive coverage of the wedding. Shivangi refused every single offer even without consulting with Ashwin. If something they both hated mutually, then that is monetizing their bond. So, she asked Shakti to post important videos from wedding directly to Instgarma and twitter so that their fanfam knows they need no third party to reach out to their beloved ashaangi.

As Shivangi was about to get up from the mandap to change into her wedding saree that was offered to her after prayer, her gaze fixed on Ashwin. The next moment she returns after changing, she will not leave until she is his wife. Did he realize how close they are to having their dream moment?

Shivangi heard so many people speak at once that she didn’t register anyone’s voice. The time between her changing into her red wedding saree and her sitting on her father’s lap with Ashwin in front of her as pandit recited mantras minutes before wedding flew like quick breeze. Now, she sat there as her entire life passed in front of her eyes in a jiffy and in spite of marrying the man who is her entire life, she couldn’t help but choke with emotion of leaving her parents who are very dear to her. Her tear drops were unintentional but heavy with a bittersweet feeling.

She knew everyone was consoling her by reminding what a happy occasion it is and how lucky she is to marry the man she loves. Of course she knew that, but that knowledge doesn’t in any way lessen the worry of the fact that she will be leaving her parents. Can’t she wish to have both?

Her father and mother were whispering something to her, but even without looking at them, she knew even they were emotional. Her brother was in the vicinity. She could feel him even if she can’t hear him. Knowing her brother, he must be brooding silently inside his head.

Shivangi wiped her eyes with the tissue that was given to her. Even with loud reciting of mantra by pandit in the background, Shivangi could hear murmurs from his as well as her relatives that she shouldn’t cry on such auspicious stage. She rubbed her eyes with her palm not bothering about eye makeup.

Shivangi braced herself when she heard voice of one of his nosy aunts about tears, but the sentence wasn’t completed. Before that, a strong male voice ordered, “Konjam avala vidunga. Summa advice paneete irukadeenga.”

There was sudden dramatic pause on the stage when only distant voice of guests sitting in the hall and instruments were heard. That was not supposed to be funny, but Shivangi smiled knowing how much he never hesitates to stand up for her and the kind of power he holds to silence the whole crowd with just few words.

She lifted her head and looked at him gratefully. He didn’t smile back and she knew why. He hated to see tears in her eyes and he must be feeling so helpless now as he cannot console her the way he likes.

Their eyes locked and Shivangi hoped he knew how happy she felt that moment in spite of being emotional about her parents and brother.

The pandit who unaffected by the drama on the mandap dutifully completed all the mantras and reached beside the bride and groom with nuptial thread taking everyone’s attention.

Shivangi tried to register the moment in mind as good as possible. She couldn’t believe that the moment she saw Ashwin take the thread in his hand her mind went completely blank. There was so little that she was able to feel, like Ashwin’s elbow touching her shoulder, his sister instructing him how to tie, her father murmuring what seemed like a prayer, a rose petal falling on her eye. Before she could try to capture more moments, she became a married woman.

As Shivangi stood up from her father’s lap, everyone began to talk at same time telling what should be done next leaving behind a confused Shivangi. Her whole life changed. She is married now and all someone can think of is if they should start directing guests to breakfast.

She sighed not knowing what to do as one after another people started to leave the mandap stage when a family large hand engulfed her small ones in firm grip. “Hi, pondati!” he whispered cheekily in her ears making her blush.

Shivangi gripped his hand tighter and held his arms with her free hand. She wanted to cry as they stood there in between noise and chaos of guests holding each other first time as husband and wife.

His eyes glistened with signs of tears and Shivangi knew how he must be feeling. It was the moment they were waiting for and now they were experiencing it together.

“Ashwinney!” she couldn’t think of anything that could express how she feels at the moment.

Even as they were once again made to sit in front of smoke and recite mantras that made no sense to them, their trance was not broken and the magic that surrounded them felt surreal.

They didn’t know how many hours passed before they were finally taken to have food. Ashwin was coming down with a headache already while Shivangi was turning cranky until they were taken to have breakfast.

“Thalaivi!” Shakti popped out of nowhere with his camera pointing at the couple.

“Dei, sapadradhu ellama video edupa?” Shivangi chided

(Why are you filming us eating?)

“Soru dan mukkiyam. Neenga bro ku ooti vidunga. Appo dan pudusa kalyanam aana jodi maari irukum.”

(Food is important. Feed Ashwin bro that gives newlywed vibes.)

“Adellam naan eppavo ooti vitruken da.”

(I have fed him already)

“Adellam solladeenga. Ooti vidunga unga husband ku.”

(Come on, feed your husband)

Her heart skipped a beat. Husband. It is no more just a work for her, is it? Now the word has a name and face. Her husband.

Shivangi turned to her left and looked at Ashwin who was smiling at something Shakti was telling while munching at vadai.

Her husband.

She can never get tired of looking at him and calling him her husband.

“Bro, avanga vekka padranga pola iruku. Neenga ooti vidunga. Come on bro. Unga fans ellam next video ku waiting.”

(Bro, I think she is shy. Youu feed her. Your fans are waiting for next video)

Ashwin turned to her and smiled. He knew she isn’t the coy type. He also understood how overwhelming she must be feeling now. If she is feeling even half of what he is, then no wonder if her mind zones out often into world of dreams.

Ashwin took a small piece of the gulab jamnun and held it for Shivangi to eat.

“Nalla iruka?” he asked

(Is it good?)

Shivangi nodded.

“Unn gulab jamun unaku kedachiruchu. Enaku eppo enn gulab jamun kedaikum?”

(You got your jamun. When will I get mine?)

Their conversation from last night resurfaced making Shivangi fluster knowing what he was hinting at.

“Enna Rowdy vekkam ellam padra?” he exclaimed. “Kalyanam aagi konjam neram kooda aagala adhukulla maareeta?”

(Are you shy? You have changed already after marriage?)

“Ashwinn!” she whined hitting his arm.

“Purushana per solli ellam koopadra? Deiva kutham aaidum ma.” He joked with a serious face.

(You cant call your husband by name. That’s blasphemy )

“Vera enna solli kooparadhu?”

(How else to call you?)

He pulled himself closer to her and whispered in her ears earning another whack from as the blush from her cheeks spread down to her neck and below.

“Dei!” this time it was Ashwin’s sister who called as she walked down the aisle of the dining. “Ella sadangum mudinjanyum nalla sirichu pesikonga ippo seekiram saaptutu vanga ellarum wait panranga.”

(You can talk to each other later. Hurry up now. Everyone is waiting)

Ashwin didn’t think any of the games that were suggested made any sense. Maybe if they were strangers who didn’t know each other these would have served as ice breakers, but now it only felt like waste of time. Time that could spend taking quick nap for he was feeling tired with no proper sleep. However, seeing his wife was getting excited at the prospect of beating him in game, he gave in.

“Ring kandu pudikanum adhu dana?” Ashwin stopped his sister who was about to explain the game. “Ulla podunga.”

(I know the rules. Should find the ring, yeah? Get done with it)

“Adhu mattum illa. Yaaru jeikarangalo avanga solradhu dan innoruthanga vazhka full ah kepanga nu artham.” His sister said

(Whoever finds the ring will be the one who has major say in the relationship)

“Idhuku edhuku game?” Pugazh interjected. “Epdiyum machan tangachi edirthu oru vartha kooda pesa maatan.”

(Why waste time? We already know Ashwin does whatever my sister says)

“Anne, apdi ellam illa.” Shivangi argued. “Eppa paathalum avar ishtathuku dan pannuvaru.”

(Thats not true. He does his own only)

“Enna nee, kalyanam aagi konja nerathilaye enn tambi pathi unga annan kitta complain panra?” Ashwin’s sister joked.

(Are you already complaining about my brother to your brother?)

“Anni, neenga enn side illaya?” Shivangi pouted cutely

(Aren’t you my team)

“Achoo! Naan ennikume unn side danda.” His sister pulled Shivangi’s cheeks.

(I am)

“Akka, neenga enna takkunu thambi-ah vittu kuduthuteenga?” Shakti asked. “Ipdi ellarume Thalaivi pakkam pona, Ashwin bro pakkam yaaru irupa?”

(Are you taking Shivangi’s side? Who will support Ashwin bro?)

“Unga bro-ve Shivangi pakkam dan da.”

(Your bro is Shivangi’s side only)

The game lifted Shivangi’s spirits and she put her hand in pot of water even before Ashwin.

“Ring-ae illaya?” she asked her sister in law even as searched the pot

(I didn’t find the ring)

“Nalla tedu ma.” Ashwin encouraged

(Search )

Shivangi narrowed her eyes at Ashwin. “Eduthuteengala?” she asked

(Do you have it?)

His cheeky smile and shrug gave away that he indeed had the ring. Shivangi took out her hand with a pout.

“Best of three velayadlam.” His sister suggested

(Let’s play best of three)

Shivangi nodded enthusiastically. As ring was about to be dropped inside the pot, shivangi implored, “Achu nee edukadha”

(Achu don’t take it)

Next two rounds Shivangi won effortlessly and she didn’t even cheat.

After two more games were played, elders announced it was right time for the wedding party to leave for Ashwin’s home’s with the new bride.

“Maapla sir!” Pugazh called as Ashwin was about to get into his car. “Pudhu maapla vandi ellam oata koodadhu. Neenga pinnadi ukkarunga naan drive panren.”

(Groom isn’t supposed to drive. Come one, let me drive)

As Pugazh drove, Ashwin and Shivangi sat on the back seat holding each other’s hand.

“Veetuku pona toonga viduvangala, Ashwinney!” she asked him like kid

(Will they let us sleep?)

Ashwin sighed and stifled a yawn. “Romba tired ah iruku enakum.” He rubbed his nape.

(I am very tired)

“Inniku night toongikalama?”

(Shall we sleep tonight?)

“Ipdiye pona naan toonga dan poren.”

(Maybe I will if they continue with all these rituals.)

As they reached the house, everyone awaited with preparations to greet the newly wedded couple.

“Thooki ulla kooteetu ponga.” One of Shivangi’s cousins teased. Someone hushed them saying it was not traditional practice.

(Lift her and bring inside the house)

Ashwin had to look at Shivangi only once to know she was sold to the romantic idea. So, he without any hesitation lifted her bridal style making her squeal in surprise. “Ashwin, enna panreenga?”

(Ashwin, what are you doing?)

Everyone around them cheered as Ashwin entered his dream house with his dream girl in his arms.

Once they reached the middle of the living room, someone teased, “Apdiye room ku kooteetu polam nu nenaikadha da. Eraki vidu vizhaku ethanum.” 

(You can’t take her to your room already. We have more rituals to complete.)

Thankfully for them, after remaining rituals in their house’ pujai room, they were given exactly one hour to sleep. However, they were taken to two different bed rooms.

“Ippo onna toongana enna, night onna toongana enna?” Shivangi wondered aloud as she was removing her jewellery.

(How does it matter if we sleep in same room now? We are going to sleep tonight anyway.)

“Night enn thambi unna toonga vitruvana enna?”

(You think my brother will let you sleep tonight?)

“Avar ennamo pannutum.” Shivangi walked to the bed and sat on it. “Naan toonga dan poren. In fact, enaku full 24 hours sleep venum.”

(I don’t care what he wants to do. I am going to sleep tonight. In fact, I will sleep for 24 hours straight. )

****

How was the update?

I had so much fun writing it, especially the first part of the chapter.

With this update, book has reached 100K+ words. One of my longest books. Thank you all for support.

I was busy last week. So, update was delayed. Sorry.

I have many ideas for next chapter. Not sure which path to take. Let’s see how it goes.