It was evening and Swara was standing in front of the deity of Lord Shiva-Parvathy with her eyes closed. She was praying for a happy marriage life for herself and Sanskaar. Tomorrow was their wedding day and she had come to the temple to seek blessings for the same.

After finishing her prayers, she took the prasadam from the temple priest and returned back to home with her friends and cousin sisters who had accompanied her to the temple.

Sharmishta Amma's house was decorated well with lights and flowers and a huge Pandhal (marquee/shamiyana) erected in the front courtyard.

Guests and relatives surrounded Swara, once she entered the premises and after that she was very much busy mingling with them all.

Shekhar and Sharmishta also were very much busy and they were really happy for their daughter.

*************************

Sanskaar was feeling really restless finding himself among the crowd of his friends and relatives. All he wanted was to be with Swara since it had been almost one week since he actually saw her.

Even if they were staying in two adjacent houses, their families have made it quite clear that they should meet only at the time of their wedding.

He made some excuse and slipped off to his room quietly. He dialed Swara's number and impatiently waited for Swara to pick the call.

After a few rings, Swara answered the call.

Sw: Sanskaar...(whispers excitedly)

Sanskaar smiled and gave a noisy smooch on to the mobile. Swara blushed and giggled at his gesture.

Sa: (husky tone)Hello my princess..How are you..?

Sw: (shyly) Sanskaar..I miss you..

Sa: Hmm..(smiles happily) Don't worry..Just wait for tomorrow and then you will be mine..(naughtily)...I won't make you miss me after that..

Sw: (smiles widely) Sanskaar..!

Sa: I love you Swara...

Sw: I love you too Sanskaar..

Sanskaar could hear someone calling her name in the background.

Sw: (whispers frantically) Sanskaar..I need to go now..Amma is calling me..

Sa: (whines) Nooo..wait..

Sw: (hastily)Bye Sanskaar..See you tomorrow..Goodnight..Mmmuaaahhh..

And she disconnected the call, without waiting for him to say anything.

Sanskaar let out a deep impatient sigh and smiled.

Sa: Huhhh..!! Tomorrow...Will you please come soon..?!

*********************

WEDDING CEREMONY

On the next day, the Swara's family was all set to welcome Sanskaar and his family into the Marriage Hall.

Sanskaar was wearing a cream colour full sleeve silk shirt and a cream colour silk mundu (dhoti) with thin golden border.

The music of Nadaswaram ( a musical instrument like Shehnaai which is used in Kerala wedding) was being played in the background by a group of musicians.

Swara's cousin brother, Rakesh washed Sanskaar's feet and then patted them dry with a towel.

Then he was escorted to the 'Mandapam' (stage) by two rows of young girls who were holding  a platter containing flowers, oil lamp, rice, flowers etc.

The marriage would take place at the 'Mandapam'  and it was decorated with flowers, small plantain trees etc. He sat down at the Mandapam and waited for Swara.

Swara was also escorted by the same girls. She was wearing a splendid silk saree and her plaited hair  was beautifully adorned with jasmine garlands.

She was looking like goddess Lakshmi with a variety of gold ornaments. Sanskaar was staring at Swara with a happy smile and Swara blushed as she was made to sit down beside Sanskaar.

It was the 'Muhurtham' (the most auspicious time set by an astrologer) and Sanskaar took the thaali (mangalsutra) in his hands.

Swara bowed her head while he tied the gold chain with a leaf shaped locket around Swara's neck and Ragini adjusted Swara's plaited hair from behind to help Sanskaar.

At this special moment, the background musicians played a special high pitched tune with the Nadaswaram with a special beating of drums known as the Ketti melam. It was accompanied by the ceremonial ululating sounds made by women (Vai Kurava).

Sanskaar took a pinch of 'sindooram' (sindoor) and applied it on top of Swara's forehead and she closed her eyes feeling overwhelmed.

Swara then dipped her right hand ring finger into the chandanam (sandalwood paste) and applied a tilak on the middle of Sanskaar's forehead as per the tradition.

After that they got up and  stood facing each other. Swara took the 'varana maalyam' (varmala/ wedding garland) and wore it around Sanskaar's neck.

Sanskaar also wore another varana maalyam around her neck.

Sanskaar then gifted Swara a 'Kalyana pudava' which consisted of a Silk saree and a matching blouse on a platter with betel leaves and areca nuts. (This particular ritual signified that he had assumed the responsibility of providing for her.)

Then they exchanged flower bouquets with each other.

Swara's father Shekhar did the 'Kanya daanam' to Sanskaar. Holding Swara's hand, Sanskaar took three rounds around the Manadapam. This marked the end of their marriage ceremony.

Afterwards they made the newly-wed couple to sit down together on two magnificent and ornate chairs.

Swara's mother, Sharmishta went to them with a glass of sweetened milk mixed with ripe banana slices and fed three spoonfuls each to Sanskaar and Swara.

Several aunts of Swara repeated the same gesture as this was the traditional sweet feeding ritual.

The family members and friends wished them and blessed the newly-wed couple. And afterwards, a 'Sadya' (feast) was served to all the guests and relatives.

Sanskaar and Swara too had the food after their marriage photo shoot.

Swara was taken to the dressing room by Ragini and some other ladies of Sanskaar's family to change into the 'Pudava Saree' gifted to her by Sanskaar at the wedding. It was an important custom before she would do the 'Griha pravesham' into Sanskaar's house.

It was time for Swara to bid goodbye to her family. She hugged her Papa and Amma and the trio shared quite an emotional moment. Sanskaar too hugged both of them and thanked them for giving Swara into his family.

Sanskaar and Swara got into the car which was beautifully decorated with flowers. Sanskaar put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to cheer her up.

They reached Sanskaar's home with a group of close relatives. Annapurna performed the 'aarati' with an oil lamp (which rests on a platter heaped with rice mixed with flowers) and received them at the entrance.

Annapurna handed over the lit 'Nila vilakk' (A traditional lamp) to Swara, to hold while she entered the house. Both Sanskaar and Swara entered the house, with their right foot forward.

A grand wedding reception was held afterwards in the evening.

********************************

Soon it was bed time and Sanskaar was waiting for his bride impatiently in his room. He heard the sound of someone opening the door and his gaze turned towards it. It was Swara, who was looking really pretty in a traditional cream color Kerala saree with golden border.

She was having a glass of milk in her hand and Sanskaar noticed her blushing like a rose.

He got up from his bed and she looked at him with a bright moon like face. He was looking elegant and charming in a white color silk kurta and white color mundu (dhoti).

His face was full of magical love and she was enchanted by the look in his eyes. She was feeling the heat on her face under his scorching gaze.

Sw: (softly) Sanskaar..Your Amma told me to give this glass to you..She told me that you have to drink half of it, I will drink the rest..(finished shyly)

He had reached near her by that time and snaked his right arm around her waist. Without taking his eyes off her, he took the glass and drank half of the milk in one go.

Then he lowered the glass to her lips and whispered huskily in her ears.

Sa: Now, it's your turn...drink..

Swara looked into his eyes and drank the remaining milk from the glass.

Sanskaar kept the empty glass on the side table and his eyes fell on the portion above her lips, which was smeared with a thick line of milk.

Without warning, he bent his lips to kiss over her upper lip and sucked in the milk drops. Swara was quite surprised by his action and she shut her eyes tightly.

Sanskaar's eyes scanned her expression and he wanted to kiss her senseless. He cupped her cheeks with both palms and sucked in her both lips softly and gently.

Swara let out a gasp into his mouth and her hands automatically wound around him. Her fingers clutched onto his kurta as he deepened his kiss.

Sanskaar's tongue flicked over the partition of her soft lips and coaxed her to open her mouth for him to enter. Swara parted her lips and let his tongue inside. She sucked his tongue and entwined her tongue with it.

*****End of Part 16*****

Remaining of the first night in the next chapter😍

Will post tomorrow..😘

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Love,
Naina