Sitting at my dressing table, I was getting ready. Radha jiji was helping me. Vashma was so confused, she couldn't decide whether she wanted to stay by my side or look into the preparations. Therefore she changed places with Radha Jiji every now and then. And Radha jiji accommodated for this arrangement more than happily. Presently Vashma was attending the guests downstairs.

Before me, on the table, was a pretty, flat basket lined with bangles of all colours. On one side was my hand mirror – elegant, intricate, made of brass. On the other side was a beautiful metal box, filled to the brim with jhumkas and baalis. And dangling down from a corner of the box was my payal – unaccompanied, just to be gazed at.
I had donned a ruby pink salwar kameez with golden zardozi work accompanied by a light golden net dupatta. Radha jiji carefully swirled the dhoop vessel under my hair, perfuming my hair. I applied kohl from my kajloti, and she braided my hair.

'Amrit! Kinni sohni lag ho tussi. Hayeee!! Damaadji ne toh dekhte reh jaana hai tuhaanu!'
I looked down with an embarrassed grin. Chirpily, she added 'Ruko ji tuhaanu kala tika lagaa du hein!' She smudged the kohl in her eyes with her little finger and applied it like a dot behind my ear.

Just then Keerti peeked into my room stealthily. As I turned around, she tip-toed in, placed a small pretty wooden box in front of me, waved us a goodbye with a smirk and left without a word. Both of us, looked at each-other and then at her with an amused smile as she left.
I eagerly opened the box. It had lovely golden bangles. They were so beautiful!
'Bade sohne hai Amrit! Lao main pehna doon!', Radha jiji said with a pleased smile.
'Nahi nahi!', I stopped her. 'Rehne do tussi, aene vi kuch khaas nahi hai!', I said, running my fingers over them.
She looked at me with a confused expression. 'Acha? Thik hai lao doosri chudiyaan pehna doon.'
'Uh.. rehne do. Aaj chudiyaan pehen-ne ka mann nahi kar raha mainu', I said, biting my lip.
'Amrit, kore haath jaogi neeche toh acha thodi lagega?! Nai nai nai pehen lo na chudiyaan!', she requested.
'Nai jiji, mann nahi kar raha chudiyaan pehen-ne ka', I said, looking at those bangles mischievously.

*

Prem Niwas and Raizada Sadan were decked top to bottom with alternative strings of fairylights and yellow-orange flowers from outside.
Inside Prem Niwas, the drawing room was bustling with guests – neighbours, colleagues, friends and family. The center table and the takhts had been transported upstairs to the terrace. Instead, mattresses had been laid out around the drawing room, with dholaks and harmonium along with abundant cushions and masands. Every mattress had stands beside them with tilted pots and marigold flower strings dangling down from the mouths. One takht was placed against the wall opposite the door, slightly to the left – the bride's seat, my seat.

I saw dagras and dagras of mogra blossoms, all around me. I took some and smelled them. I really didn't know what brides are supposed to carry in their potlis but I took a few handful of mogra blossoms and stuffed them in my potli. These had made my day today.

That's when Kabir came sprinting in front of me, 'Mummy!'
I eagerly turned towards him. My tiny Kabir was wearing Kurta-pyjama today. This was a surprise, Vashma hadn't discussed this with me. Oh! He just looked so exceedingly adorable!
He ran into my arms and I kissed him hard on his head.

'Main kaisa lag raha hoon?', he asked enthusiastically.
'Bohot pyaara lag raha hai mera Kabir!'
'Sabse pyaara?', he asked whimsically.
'Haan haan, sabse pyaara!', I said boastfully.
'Oye hoye hoye hoye! Tussi vi toh kinni pyaari lag rahi ho!', he said cutely.
I gave him a pleased smile.

Soon, Randheer entered Prem Niwas with Mummyji, Bauji, Mama-Mamiji and his troop of cousins. He was wearing an embroidered ruby pink kurta paired with a light golden patiala. He met people around, embraced some, touched someone's feet, conversed with someone and my eyes were stuck on him. Then suddenly he turned towards me and startled, I gave a little shiver. Flustered, I looked elsewhere. But I could feel his eyes on me.

I slightly turned towards him – He looked so star-struck, I had butterflies in my stomach.
Then he looked down at my unadorned arms and then back at me with questioning eyes. I tried avoiding his eye.

Just then I saw, entering Prem Niwas were Harinderji and Sukhdeep Kaur ji – By all accounts, they were the charter members of Vasant Vihaar. They must be around my grand-parents' age and they commanded a different respect in our entire neighbourhood. They had two daughters, both married long long ago and now they lived alone in a house near ours. They were fondly addressed as Naaniji and Naanaji by the entire neighbourhood.

Veerji and a couple of our neighbours rushed to help them inside. Randheer hurried to their side as well. This would be probably the first time he was meeting them. He greeted them with a courteous smile, touched their feet and struck a conversation with them. They seemed pleased.

I too was about to go to them but Mogar bhua and others stopped me. They said that both of them would come to me to bless me rather. Moreover Naaniji's seat had been arranged for, near mine.

Naaniji and Naanaji came to me and blessed me as I touched their feet. Cupping my face in her hands, Naaniji fondly said, 'Gudiya raani! Tera gudda te bada sohna hai!'
I looked down with an embarrassed smile.
'Hor kinna sayaana hai munda! Jive nas-nas'ch sharaafat behndi ho!', Naanaji added, sounding impressed. 'Inhadi jodi nu Rab raakhan!', Naanaji said, stroking my head. Naaniji took a seat beside me while Naanaji went towards where the other men were.

Just then I saw Kabir getting down the stairs with the box of bangles in his hand, which Randheer had sent. He hadn't been able to open it yet as it was latched tightly. However if he didn't stop trying, all the bangles would surely fall on the stairs any moment. Ugh how did he lay his hands upon them ?! I looked around myself. As everyone was busy with something or the other, I rushed to him.
'Ye tainu kitthe mili?', I asked him urgently.
'Aapke kamre mein. Mainu sundar lagi toh main utha le aaya!', he replied whimsically.
'Saari sundar cheezien is tarah uthake ke nai laate. Laa mainu dede!', I said holding out my hand.
'Nai!', he said, hiding it behind himself.
'De de na!', I requested.
He shook his head defiantly. Now how do I get this box back? He was just not ready to part with it. After a few failed attempts to convince him, I decided to trick him.
'Tainu pata hai, wahan na ek isse bhi sundar dabba hai!', I said pretentiously, pointing towards the table, beside the kitchen door.
'Kitthe kitthe ??', he asked eagerly.
Clearly his attention had been sidetracked. His hold loosened on my bangle box.
'Wahan mez par', I guided him, gently taking the box from his hands and dashed away.

As I came running upstairs, looking behind, Randheer caught me in his arms midway outside my room – deliberately or accidentally, I had no idea. Before I could process that he had locked his arms around me, he pulled me along into my room, beside the bed.
'Aapne chudiyaan nahi pehni Amrit? Pasand nahi aayi aapko?', he asked gently.
Firstly he was too close, moreover that ittar always made me go weak. Couldn't he just take one step back so that I can calm myself?
'Kisine ... pehnaayi hi nahi...', I replied meekly.
'Ohh', he said in a matter-of-factly tone. 'Aur agar koi ab pehna de toh aap pehnengi?'
I nodded, trying hard not to blush.
He took the box from my hand and keeping it on the bed beside us, opened its latch, one arm still around me.
He took out some bangles and slid them down my wrist and then switching hands swiftly, he slid the rest of the bangles in my other hand. Here my heartbeat rose every second because he just did not let me go.
Then slowly, he tucked my loose tresses behind an ear, eventually running his fingers over my earring.
'Amrit, ye jhumke ... jach nahi rahe. Chaand- baaliyaan peheniye na!', he said tenderly.
I meekly gestured to his arm around me. How did he expect me do anything like this?!
He just shrugged and tightened his grip around me.
'Haye Rabba!', I muttered, looking away.
Carassing my face, he turned it towards himself,
'Gaalon pe gul aapke khil rahe hain
aur dhadkane humari ruk jaati hai.'

What do I even-?
I buried my face in his chest. Nobody should be made to blush so often! No one!

'Rangi saari gulaabi chunariya re
Rangi saari gulaabi chunariya re
mohe maare najariya saawariya re...
mohe maare najariya saawariya re...

rangi saari.... Hayeee
rangi saari...

Rangi saari gulaabi chunariya re
Rangi saari gulaabi chunariya re
mohe maare najariya saawariya re...
mohe maare najariya saawariya re...

He made me sit on the bed and brought over the earrings box eagerly. First he unfastened those jhumkas from my ears . Next he rummaged the entire box and laid out all the earrings on the bed. He chose chand-baalis from the lot, held them near my face, considered them for a moment then switched over to another pair. After about half-a-dozen pairs, he finally selected one. I requested him to bring over the hand mirror as well.

Jaavo ji jaavo
Jaavo ji jaavo....
Jaavo ji jaavo, banao na batiyaa
aaj baali hai humri umariya re...
aaj baali hai mori umariya re..
mohe maare najariya saawariya re...

As I held the hand mirror, he did the chaandbaalis. Instead of looking at the chaandbaalis, I was rather looking at his reflection. I hoped he didn't notice this.

'Tota-maina?!', Vashma called out from the door. We looked at each other and then turned around. 'Agar sajna sawarna ho gaya ho toh neeche chaliye. Dholki bhi shuru ho aapki', she said teasingly.
With embarrassed smiles, we got up and followed her downstairs.

*

Mummyji gently placed a chunri on my head and caressing my face she said,

'Teri khusiyaan deti ae baisaakhiyaan main vaariyan
sohne rang de tere duddh-malaayi vaariyaan
teri boli te laado main duniya saari vaariyaan
teri chunni deti ae charkhe chokhe vaariyaan'

She kissed my forehead while I gave her an endearing smile.

Vashma came up to me, and kissing my knuckles, she stepped back, kicking off the festivities.

'Chitta kukkad banere te
Chitta kukkad banere te
kaashni dupatte waaliye
munda sadke tere te!
kaashni dupatte waaliye
munda sadke tere te!

Gesturing towards Randheer's family and then Veerji, she danced.

Saari khaid lakeera di
gaddi aayi station te
aankh vijh gayi veeran di

Radha jiji joined her.

Kunda lag gaya thaali nu
Hathaan-ich mehndi lag gayi
ik kismat waali nu!

heera lakh-sawa-lakh da ae
dheeyan waaleya diyaan
rab izataan rakhda hai
dheeyan waaleya diyaan
rab izataan rakhda hai

Chitta kukkad banere te
Chitta kukkad banere te
kaashni dupatte waaliye
munda sadke tere te!
kaashni dupatte waaliye
munda sadke tere te!

(As lovely as the white cock, sitting on the wall
O one with the red dupatta
this boy is smitten by you

everything is the play of the lines on your palms
the train has arrived at the station
making the brothers teary-eyed

The toran has been fastened to the tree
her hands have been tinted with henna
she, who is very fortunate

Diamonds are worth lakhs of rupees
but girls are even more precious
The Lord treasures them

As lovely as the white cock, sitting on the wall
O one with the red dupatta
this boy is smitten by you)

All the ladies of the family and the neighbourhood played the dholaks and harmonium with all the fervour. They even pulled in Mummyji to dance with them.

'phullan di bahar raati aayo na
shaava raati aayo na
phull gaye kumhalav gori mann bhaayo na

phullan di bahar raati aayo na

Aase paavan paase pavan vich vich paava kaliyaan
je mera raanjhan na aaya main dhoond fira sab galiyaan

ik mere raanjhan aaya – shava!
dil da chaanan aaya- shava!
dil di masti aayi – shava
khid khid hassi aayi – shava!
is mera laal churaya – shaava!
laal gopal churaya – shava!
phullan di bahar raati aayo na
shaava raati aayo na
phull gaye kumhalav gori mann bhaayo na'

(O spring of flowers, don't come at night
don't come at night
Flowers have withered, the bride doesn't like them

Petals have been spread here & there and everywhere
If my beloved doesn't come, I'd search him in all the lanes
See my beloved has come!
Light of the heart has come!
The cheer of the heart has come
Laughter and joy has come

Someone stole my son
someone stole my Gopal

O spring of flowers, don't come at night
don't come at night
Flowers have withered, the bride doesn't like them)

Vashma and Radha Chachi rushed to me for the dance as well. But Mogar Bhua stopped us, 'Oh kudiyon ki kar rahi ho ?! Apne vyaah mein koi kudi naachti hai kya? Nai Nai!', she said urgently.
'Par kyun Bhuaji?', I complained. 'Sab toh yahan humaari khushi mein shaamil hone aaye hai na!'
'Aur apni khushi hum hi khul ke nai mana sakte?', Vashma added.
'Changa nahi lagta!', she said dotingly. 'Tere sasural waale bhi itthe hi hai na. Kyun zid kar rahi ho tum saari!'

Just then Mummyji came up to us, 'Bacchiyon, ruk kyun gayi tum sab?'
And probably looking at our faces, she understood what the matter was. 'Mogar! Bacchiyon ke naach-gaane pe rok tok mat lagao. Amrit ko bhi shaamil hone do! Apne vyaah kisi bhi cheez ke liye kyun vo apna mann maare?!'
Mogar Bhua looked at Zaida Chachiji, who nodded after a while. Eventually Mogar bhua too acceded.

With bright smiles, Vashma and Radha jiji led me to dance with them.

gori diyaan jhaanjran bulaundiyan gaiyaan
gori diyaan
gori diyaan jhaanjran bulaundiyan gaiyaan
gori diyaan
gallian de vich dand paundiyan gaiyaan
gori diyaan
gori diyaan jhaanjran bulaundiyan gaiyaan
gori diyaan

As I danced with my companions, he leaned against a wall, cross-armed, with all the love in the world.

Athri Jawaani gallan pher dass di
maahi gussa ho gaya na gall vass di

Athri Jawaani gallan pher dass di
maahi gussa ho gaya na gall vass di
raah jaande raahiyan nu sunaundiyaan gaiyaan
gori diyaan
gori diyaan jhaanjran bulaundiyan gaiyaan
gori diyaan

I could feel intensity the gaze rise along with the heat rising up my neck.

Kaale je dupatta ne ki paye ner ni
ghund wich nain odhe laye gher ni
oyee balle balle balle

Kaale je dupatta ne ki paye ner ni
ghund wich nain odhe laye gher ni
oyee balle balle balle
Kaale je dupatta ne ki paye ner ni
ghund wich nain odhe laye gher ni

Mittran de dil tadpaundiyan gaiyaan
gori diyaan
gori diyaan jhaanjran bulaundiyan gaiyaan
gori diyaan

How much ever, I may try to look elsewhere, my gaze kept returning to him. Any attempt at subtlety is ruined when he repeatedly caught my eyes with his own. Looking away becomes more difficult each time.

Saambh ke te rakhle nenaney goriye!
roop da shingaar jaalidar doriye!
oye balle balle balle
Saambh ke te rakhle nananey goriye!
roop da shingaar jaalidar doriye!
noor puri kolon sharmaundiyan gaiyaan
gori diyaan

gori diyaan jhaanjran bulaundiyan gaiyaan
gori diyaan
gallian de vich dand paundiyan gaiyaan
gori diyaan
gori diyaan jhaanjran bulaundiyan gaiyaan
gori diyaan'

(the damsel's anklet beckons him
the damsel's anklet
the damsel's anklet beckons him
the damsel's anklet
she goes about distracting all the boys in streets
but the damsel's anklet beckons him

She is young, she goes about chattering
The beloved is angry and she is unable to appease him
She is young, she goes about chattering
The beloved is angry and she is unable to appease him
even the passers-by can hear her anklet now

she wears a black dupatta covering her face
her eyes can be seen slightly from the veil
she wears a black dupatta covering her face
her eyes can be seen slightly from the veil
she goes about tormenting friends
the damsel's anklet beckons him
the damsel's anklet

do take care O beautiful
of your beauty, which is adorned by net fabrics
do take care O beautiful
of your beauty, which is adorned by net fabrics
she blushes when she nears the city of beauty

the damsel's anklet beckons him
the damsel's anklet
she goes about distracting all the boys in streets
but her anklet beckons him
the damsel's anklet)

*

I was busy greeting some relatives when I noticed Mala – one of my friends looking fixedly at someone in a coy manner, in the other direction. Amused and curious, I turned to see whom she was staring at. But there were only Randheer there, conversing with Mummyji. Shocked, I turned to check again. Yes, she was staring at Randheer. I glared at her with furrowed eyebrows. Isnu mere Randheer hi mile the ghoorne vaaste?!
I looked around for Vashma. Finding her, I waved towards her. Luckily I did catch her attention, and she hastened to me.
'Kya hua?', she asked dotingly.
'Vashma, vo Mala ko leke jaa na yahan se', I said shooting death stares at her.
Confused, 'Hein?! Par –'
'Bina sawaal poochhe le jaa na!', I said urgently
'Oye par aise kahan leke jau?'
'Upar, bahaar, rasoi wich Kithon vi!', I said crossly.
She looking at me with raised eyebrows and then said, 'Acha thik hai, tu ruk.'
She rushed to Mala, diverting her attention and lured her away to the kitchen, returned alone and sat beside me. 'Ab bata mujhe, kya hua?', she asked.
'Voh... Randheer ko ghoor rahi thi', I said in a peeved manner.
'Oye hoye hoye hoye hoye!', she said teasingly. ' Is sab ki thodi bohot aadat tujhe daal leni chaahiye'
'Kyun ? Mainu nai daalni aisi koi aadat', I said irritably. 'Keh toh aise rahi hai jaise tune badi aadat daal li hai!'
'Oye jaan na le lu main us kudi ki!', she exclaimed. Now I looked at her with raised eyebrows.
Just then I noticed Mala coming out of the kitchen with a tray full of glasses in her hands and serving everyone. She was deliberately moving towards where Randheer was standing.
I nudged Vashma and gestured her to do something. Reassuring me, she again went to Mala, took the tray from her hands and engaged her in some other chore in the kitchen.

Vashma came back a while later with a triumphant smile and settled down beside me. Radha jiji too came and sat down on my other side.
'Koi gal hai? Mainu vi batao !', she asked eagerly
'Voh Mala hai na, humari saheli. Taad rahi thi iske Randheer ko!', Vashma said dramatically.
'Haaye Ram!', Radha Jiji exclaimed. 'Vyaah mein aake dulhe ko taad rahi thi?!'
'Ab Randheer hai hi aise! Meri Amrit bhi toh ek hi nazar mein aashiq hui thi, haye!', Vashma dramatically said, leaning on me. I turned pink. 
'Haan haan par aise bhi koi koi karta hai kya?!', Radha jiji said in an annoyed manner. 'Tussi mainu batao iska karna kya hai?'
'Aane do use!', Vashma said pretentiously. 'Uski khatiyaan khadi kar denge!'
'Mala ko muli ki tarah kaat denge', Radha Jiji added dramatically.
I looked at both of them and started laughing. They too joined me in the laughter.

*

For the past couple of hours, I was enjoying the celebrations, meeting and greeting the guests, stealing glances at Randheer and keeping an eye on Mala. How does one single person manage all of that together? Perhaps all brides do. And if you're a happy bride, this is pulled off effortlessly.
 Gautam, Yash and Keerti came and huddled around me. 
 'Banda aapki khidmat mein haazir hai bhabhi!', Gautam said with a slight bow. 'Koi bhi kaam ho bataiyega!'
'Main bhi!', Yash added.
'Main toh hoon hi!', Keerti chimed in. I nodded with a smile.
'Agar bhaiya se bhi kuch karwaana ho toh bhi!', Yash added with a teasing smile.
'Uski... zaroorat nahi padegi', I said softly. 
'Bhabhi aapko humpar bharosa nahi hai ya.. bhaiya par kuch zyaada hi bharosa hai?', Gautam asked with a smirk. 

'Gautam Bhaiya! Aap bhi na! Zaahir si baat hai! Bhaiya toh inke mann ki baat padh lete honge!', Keerti added. 'Bhabhi ko kya zaroorat humaari bichwayi ki?'
A soft blush crept on my cheeks. 

'Kya kar rahe ho tum sab?', came Randheer's voice behind them. 
'Bhaiya! Bas do ghadi bhabhi se baat kar rahe hain!', Yash complained. 
Before he could say something, Yash added, 'Hum tang nahi kar rahe unhe. Aap poochh sakte hain unse!'
'Yash! Bhaiya ka apna mann nahi lag raha na isiliye chale aaye humare bahaane bhabhi se baat karne!', Gautam said, brushing Randheer off. Randheer glared at him with an embarassed smile. 

'Par bhaiya! Hum itne bhi ache nahi hai! Aap chaliye humaare saath, aapko Bauji bula rahe hain!', he added and pulled a reluctant Randheer away from here. He half-turned towards me and I gave him a sighing smile. 
It's like siblings and cousins are de facto entitled to tease and annoy the bride and the groom.