We were sitting the the mandap, gleefully following the Purohitji's instructions. Kabir was sitting beside me, fidgeting with some flowers and one end of my chunar. That's when I saw Veerji rush towards the door. I turned to find Bhanu Veerji standing there with Saroj Parjaiji and a small girl at their feet – probably Guddi, their daughter. Veerji welcomed them with a surprised smile. He embraced Bhanu Veerji, greeted Parjaiji and patted Guddi on her head fondly. I couldn't discern for Bhanu Veerji's expressions about what was going on his mind.
I was too elated to see them. My entire family was here for my wedding. I hadn't expected they would actually come. But then all the injustice they had met out to us came back in front of our eyes. That bond which had been snapped off – it wouldn't be the same ever again. However I still wished we could atleast be pleasant to each other as a family.
I did not move from my seat. I just looked on. Bhanu Veerji came up to me. Knelt down beside me and with a pat on my head, he plainly said, 'Vyaah di badhaaiyan Amrit.'
No apology, no expression of regret – he was here for mere formality. Before I could reply, he just got up and went to find a seat for himself. He didn't even bother to greet Randheer.
I went still for a while. Why had he come here if he didn't want to mend things? His absence had been better than this cold and rude behavior.
Still thinking about him, I turned towards Randheer. He shook his head and gestured me to take a deep breath in and smile. I relaxed and did the same. I shouldn't have these thoughts right now. This could be dealt with later. Nothing had changed really.

We proceeded further with the wedding rituals. A while later, Purohitji said, 'Ab vadhu ke Mata-Pita ya Bhai kanyadaan ke liye aage aaye.'
And to my dismay, I saw Bhaanu Veerji getting up for the same. Unke rookhe bartaav ke baavjood mainu khushi hui thi ohnu vekhke, par voh mera kanyadaan karein ye mainu manzoor nahi hai! Ye mere Uday veerji ka hakk hai! Aaj achanak inne saal baad aake vo ye hakk chheen nahi sakde!
I considered for a while whether I should protest. It would probably be disrespectful but this couldn't happen.
Before I could react, I saw Uday Veerji quietly come and take seat beside me to perform the kanyadaan. I heaved a sigh of relief.
I did not turn to see Bhaanu Veerji 's reaction.
I could hear the women singing vivah geet behind us.

'Ram Siya ke shubh byaah ki ghadi hai
mil mangal gao ri!
mil mangal gao ri!
Mithila nagariya mein dhoom machi hai
sab mil khushiyaan manao ri!
sab mil khushiyaan manao ri!

Ram Siya ke shubh byaah ki ghadi hai
mil mangal gao ri!
sab mil khushiyaan manao ri!'

Following the priest's instructions, he took my right hand and smeared haldi on it and placed sacred articles like a betel leaf, a coconut, some rice and placed it on Randheer's hand and poured some water on it with a kalash. That explains why 'haath peela hona' is a phrase used for marriage all the time. Once he withdrew his hand, the ritual was fulfilled. Keerti tied my chunar  to the patka on Randheer's shoulder, and we stood up for the pheras.

'Dhanya dhanya hui aaj Janakpuri hai
Dhanya dhanya hui aaj Janakpuri hai
sab mil mangal gao ri!
sab mil mangal gao ri!
Ram Siya ke shubh byaah ki ghadi hai
mil mangal gao ri!
sab mil khushiyaan manao ri!'

With everyone's blessings, at long last, we completed all seven pheras. Randheer had been holding my hand throughout the pheras.
As we sat down- this time me on his left, he gently asked, 'Zindagi bahein phailaaye aapke intezaar kar rahi hai. Kya aap is zindagi ko apnaayengi?'
After a while I softly replied, 'Dil khol ke!'

A lone tear escaped my eye as Randheer lifted my maangtika and filled sindoor in my hair-parting. I closed my eyes to take in the moment.
Purohitji announced, 'Vivaah Sampann hua. Ab se aap dono pati-patni hue!'
Slowly opening my eyes, I looked up at him. And he gazed back with a satiated smile.

teri aan haan raanjhe
teri shaan haan raanjhe
dil vich mayyon dadka
teri jaan haan raanjhe

Keekarann sukkan lagiyaan
umraan mukan lagiya
ho mainu mil gaya raanjha
nabzaan rukkan laggyan

Mera raanjha main raanjha di
raanjha hai chit-chor
hunn ta mainu mil gaya raanjha
ki chahida hai hor?

ho mera mera raanjha
ho raanjha mera raanjha
ho raanjha mera raanjha
ho raanjha mera raanjha

Naaniji remarked with a pleased smile, 'Kudi di naak pe sindoor gira hai! Badi kismat waali hai gudiya raani!'
'Chachiji, nazar na lagaiye meri laadiye nu!', Mummyji added with a pleased smile and hugged me from one side lovingly.
We stood up to take the blessings of all the elders.

We were about to get down from the mandap when Radha jiji and Vashma blocked our way.
'Ek bohot zaroori cheez bhool rahe hain aap!', Vashma said mischievously.
I and Randheer looked at each other with knowing smiles.
'Uh Vashma...', Jijaji rushed to Vashma's side and muttered urgently, 'Galat joote utha liye tumne! Randheer ko joote toh waheen hain!', he said pointing towards them, lying near our feet.
'Koi galat walat joote nai uthaaye humne! Aap fikar mat kijiye!', Vashma babbled back silently. 'Haan toh Jijaji! Nikaaliye humara shagun!'
Randheer clasped his hands to his front and courteously said, 'Par Mukund ne sahi toh kaha! Yeh to mere joote hi hai.'
'Churaayi toh humne usse bhi keemti cheez hai ji!', Radha jiji replied with a wide grin and pulled out my juttis from behind her.
All the family members around us started laughing.
'Maan na padega haan aap dono ko!', Jijaji remarked with a proud smile.
'Ae sahi kitta kudiyon!', Bauji called out from behind.
'Ab aap itni mohabbat karte hai Amrit se. Humne socha is baat ka hum bhi thoda fayda uthalein!', Vashma said with a whimsical smile.
'Ab Damaadji khud ke joote bhale hi chhod dein, par Amrit ko do kadam bhi nahi chalne denge na aise!', Radha jiji added sweetly.
'Bhabhi!', Keerti came up and stood beside Randheer. 'Aapko bhaiya ki sharafat pe shaq tha? Vo toh yoon bhi aapko mooh maanga shagun de hi dete!'
'Haan haan Keerti, hum jaante hai! Par ab toh haq se dugna shagun maanenge hum!', Vashma responded haughtily. 'Ab sirf rupiyon se kaam nahi chalega!'
'Kuch zyaada hi ache se jaanti hai aap sab mujhe!', Randheer said softly.
This was so wicked of them to tease and annoy my husband like this! 
Keerti tried to negotiate, 'Dekhiye, ye galat baat hai! Ye naainsaafi hai! Aap log ko sochna chaiya na. Aise humare seedhe saadhe bhaiya ko fasa diya!'
'Kyun na fasaayein?!', Vashma exclaimed haughtily.
'Bhabhi ki jootiyaan churaali. Ab toh bhav-tol bhi nahi karenge bhaiya! Khushi khushi lutt bhi jayenge!'
'Teer sahi nishaane pe laga hai kudiyon!', Mogar bhua exclaimed. 'Changa changa!'
Keerti herself picked up Randheer's jootiyaan and said, 'Aap vo jootein lauta do. Ye lelo! Phir baat jaari rakhte hain na!', she requested.
'Arey aise kaise?!', Radha jiji said. 'Oh ji maine na pehli baar kiya hai ae. Mainu te bada maza aa raha sacchi! Hum koi joote shoote nahi lautaane wale haan!', she exclaimed excitedly.
Mukund jijaji silently came up and stood behind us, about in the middle.
'Kya Randheer?! Meri dulhan ki jootiyaan churayi hoti inhone toh main toh unhe baahon mein utha ke la jaata!'
Randheer shot him a glare with an embarrassed smile. I tried hard not to blush.

Gautam came from the other side and standing beside Randheer, he said, 'Voh toh maine pehle hi bhaap liya tha aap sab kuch toh karne waali hai. Yoon rupiyon vupiyon se nahi maan'ne waali aap!' Turning to Randheer, he said, 'Bhaiya aap fikr mat kijiye! Humne pehle hi sab intezaam kar rakhe hain!', he said with a proud smile.
Turning around, he called out, 'YASH!'
'Aaya bhaiyaa!', came Yash's voice.
Curious, everyone turned to see what was happening. There came Yash with a big tray in his hands, laden with jewellery boxes.
'Har ek saali ke liye ek-ek jodi payal!', he said with wide smile.
That was so very charming of him! Now none of my bridesmaids would ever forget that they got such a delightful nek for Joota Chhupaayi!
Vashma and Radha jiji looked at each other with pleased smiles. All my other bridesmaids too looked extremely happy.
'Munde ka bhai te bada sayaana hai ji!', one of the guests remarked.
'Aur saaliyon ki bhi chaandi chaandi hai aaj!', another said, sounding impressed.
I looked at Gautam proudly.
'Aaj bacha liya tumne! Aur meri saaliyon ka mann bhi rakh liya!', Randheer whispered to him with a sigh of relief.
Gautam returned him a triumphant smile.

*

We were led out of the baithak, into the dining area, in front of the kitchen for sajankot. I and Randheer were seated on velvet mats, side by side with a big wooden chowki infront of us. Vashma, Veerji, Radha jiji and Jijaji were serving everyone.
A big silver thaali was brought to us. We were supposed to feed each other and break each other's fast. Sometimes these rituals were so embarrassing. Moreover they made us sit at the head of the dining area, with all the baraatis lined on the either sides, staring at us. How am I supposed do anything like this?
Jijaji came up to us and whispered to Randheer, 'Aaj sharmaate sharmaate, meri saali sahiba ko dekhte dekhte hi pet bharna hai? Khana khilao bhai ek doosre ko!'
With a broad smile, Randheer replied, 'Tumhari saali sahiba ab biwi hai humari!'
I turned crimson on hearing that. It was difficult to say whether who was dying to assert this fact more- him or me. 
'Haq jataane ke liye main hi mila tha ?', Jijaji asked with raised eyebrows. 'Ya yoon keh loon ki bas kisike saamne ithlaana tha!'
Both of us looked down and smile bashfully.
'Acha chalo ab khaana khao. Subah se bhuke hai, yahan fikar mainu ho rahi hai aur tum dono ka te sharmana hi khatam hi nahi ho raha!', Jijaji remarked.
Te aur ki karaan? Sab is tarah hume hi dekh rahe hai! Haye Rabba! How I wish I could disappear from here.
Still embarrassed, I looked down and started mixing the food to prepare a morsel, when Mamiji remarked, 'Sab kyun in dono ko ghoore jaa rahe ho ji! Bichaaron ko chain se khaana te kha laen do!'
'Haan haan chalo sab apne khaane pe dhyaan do! Chalo chalo!', Bauji added.
Phew! This was Godsent!
With a sigh of relief, we started feeding each other. I literally was just nibbling on the food he made me had. And he was having the time of his life. Some of the baraatis had even started to get up but Randheer hadn't had his fill yet.
'Amrit aap toh ache se kha hi nahi rahi hai! Ye lijiye!', he muttered in a complaining tone, bringing up another morsel.
'Nai nai mainu inni hi bhook hai sacchi!', I said timidly.
'Aap sirf bahaane bana rahi hai! Ye koi baat nahi hui! Chaliye muh kholiye warna-!'
'Warna?', I asked with raised eyebrows.
'Warna main yahaan se uthunga hi nahi! Aap jaanti nahi main kitna khudgarz hoon!', he said whimsically.
I stifled a chuckle and nodded meekly, opening my mouth.
True to his words, he did not get up until he was satisfied that I had eaten properly.

*

It was for us to depart. Veerji had literally had warned each and everyone individually that no one is supposed to cry. I don't know but this gesture itself made me want to cry. But no! I couldn't hurt him and disrespect his feelings. Standing at the door, I looked around at Prem Niwas.
Leaving Prem Nivaas was a very different feeling from leaving Om Nivaas. We loved Om Nivaas too dearly in a different manner because that was the place where we had been born and brought up, we had been loved, cherished and pampered. Unlike that, Prem Nivaas had been built by us. It had just been the five of us – Veerji, Vashma, Radha chachi , Kabir and me.
No house could take Om Niwaas's place. Similiarly no house could take Prem Niwaas's place as well. After some days I'd be saying the same thing for Raizada Sadan as well.
I am lucky I have had three different homes with three very different sentiments attached to each.

One by one I embraced every one. Acceding to Veerji's demand, they did not cry. I too kept my tears in check. Everyone wished us a very happy married life ahead.
Holding Randheer by his shoulders, Mukund Jijaji warned jokingly, 'Teri koi shikayat aayi na mere paas, maine chhadna nai hai tainu!'
'Ji ji, Amrit ke Jijaji!', Randheer said in a matter of factly tone.
'Meri Amrit ko Rab ka sabse keemati tohfa samajhiyega aap!' Vashma said, in a quavering voice.
'Maine kabhi usse kam inhe kabhi samjha bhi nahi hai!', Randheer replied tenderly.
'Bade naazon se pali hai humari bacchi, par itni si umar mein bohot kuch dekh liya isne', Zaida chachiji said, caressing my cheek affectionately.
'Mushkilon to aati rahengi zindagi bhar par tum dono ki saajhedaari se hi vo sulajh bhi paayengi, ye baat kabhi bhoolna mat!', Iqbal Chachaji said to both of us.
We nodded obediently.

I suddenly looked around and noted, 'Kabir kahan hai?'
Randheer and everyone too looked around. I held Vashma's hand urgently and asked, 'Vashma Kabir kahan hai?!'
'Pata nahi Amrit, bohot der se dikha nahi!', Vashma said worriedly.
'Pheron mein toh poore waqt Amrit ke bagal mein hi baitha tha!', Mummyji said.
Zaida Chachi added, 'Haan! Hum bhi uth gaye the beech mein par Kabir- itna chhota baccha, hila tak nahi wahan se. Waheen baitha raha- Amrit ki chunar ka ek kona thaame.'

That was the breaking point. I looked around urgently and called out, 'Kabir?!'
Everyone started searched everywhere –the baithak, the room beside it, kitchen, dining area, some went upstairs. Where was Kabir? Had been too negligent towards him during the past few days? This was so irresponsible of me! Now I was just getting anxious by each passing moment. If only I could just find him right now!!

Suddenly Manoj called out from the stairs. 'Amrit!! Vo tumhaare kamre mein hai!'
Without a thought I hurried upstairs. I didn't realize that because of the gathbandhan, Randheer too was pulled along.
On reaching the room's door, Randheer stopped me gently. Removing the patka from around his neck and placing it around mine, he said, 'Ab jaiye!'
I nodded with a weak smile and hastened inside.
Kabir was sitting on the floor in one corner, on the other side of the room. I quickly rushed to his side and placed a trembling hand on his shoulder. He was sobbing badly.
'Kabir?', I said gently. He slowly turned towards me. His eyes and face had turned red due to crying. And now I couldn't stop my tears too. My little one was crying so bitterly and for the first time, I couldn't give him he wanted.
'Aise nahi rote na bacche!', I requested tenderly.
'Kinne kharab hai sab neeche?! Sab itne khush kyun hai?! Tussi jaa rahe ho! Koi udaas kyun nahi hai!', he exclaimed, crying harder.
I cupped his face in my hands and wiped away his tears.
'Aap kyun jaa rahe ho!!', he whined, hugging me tightly. 'Nai jaao na! Nai jaao!!'
Leaning over and resting my head over his, I responded softly, 'Door kahan jaa rahi hoon bacche! Bas yahin toh hoon!'
'Mera saath toh nai hoge na', he said softly.
'Ab toh mere do-do ghar ho gaye na! Aur mere saath tere bhi do do ghar!'
'Kaise?', he asked cutely, siting up but still weeping.
'Mummy ka ghar, bacche ka bhi ghar hota hai na?', I asked.
He nodded slowly.
'Par mainu koi rokega toh nahi na?', he questioned.
'Aaj tak tainu kisine roka hai Raizada Sadan aane jaane se?'
He shook his head.
'Toh fir?! Ab kyun rokega koi? Aur kiski kya majaal jo mere khargosh nu roke!? Haan? Fudak'ke aa jaayi mere kol!', I said, trying to smile amidst those tears.
'Rai Sahab bhi nahi?', he asked innocently.
'Vo fufaji hai na tere! Rai Sahab nahi bulaate! Fufaji bulaana chaiye na!', I said with furrowed eyebrows.
'Nai! Vo aapko leke jaa rahe hain. Maine ohnu fufaji nahi bulaana!', he said adamantly, looking away.
Gently turning his face towards myself, I asked with furrowed eyebrows. 'Kabir? Inna naraaz nahi hote na kisise! Aur Randheer toh kitne pyaare hain. Voh bhi toh tainu pyaar karte hai na!'
He considered this for a while and then replied thoughtfully, 'Haan. Pyaare toh hai vo. Aur voh aaye the mere paas! Ohne mere saath dosti bhi kari thi!'
'Hmm!', I said, bringing my arms around him again. 'Jo pyaare hote hain, unke baare mein pyaar se baat karte hai na!'
'Haan...', he replied softly.
'Mera Kabir bohot samajhdaar hai na? Saari baate samajhta hai na?'
'Hmm...', he responded weakly.
'Bas toh abhi mummy bhi nahi royegi aur mummy ka baccha bhi nahi royega! Hai na!'
'Thik hai.', he replied in a feeble tone.
We straightened up and wiped each other's tears.
'Hum humesha saath the, aur saath hi rahenge!', I said, struggling to smile.
He nodded.
I kissed him hard on his cheek and he kissed me back even harder.
We stood up and walked out of the room hand-in-hand.

Randheer was anxiously waiting outside, near the stairs. He turned around quickly as soon as he heard us. Kabir looked at him and said softly, 'Fufaji, aap Mummy ko leke jaa sakte ho.'
Strictly speaking, he said this as if he was actually permitting Randheer to take me with him. And to my surprise, Randheer knelt down in a flash and embraced him tight. His expression was one of great relief and contentment. After a moment, Kabir too wound his tiny arms around Randheer's neck.

Randheer lifted him up, just like that. After a while Kabir released his arms from around Randheer's neck and turned to one side. He held out one hand to hold mine and next, we went downstairs.

Nobody remarked anything – I'm glad they didn't. Radha chachi took Kabir in her arms. He kissed me on my forehead before that.

I and Randheer moved towards the door. Vashma and Veerji stood there blocking our way.
With an eager smile, Vashma said, 'Aapke naye safar ki shuruwat zara khaas honi chahiye nahi?'
'Haan bilkul!', everyone behind us exclaimed in unison.
I and Randheer looked at each other with confused smiles. I was still coming to terms with all the happennings of the day, and my family wasn't done with their surprises yet.
Exchanging smiles, Vashma and Veerji parted and stepped aside.
Behind them was a one-horse-driven elegant dark brown coach, with a coachman sitting at the front. Every inch of the coach was decorated with roses and sprays of jasmine! This was so so beautifull!!

I looked at Randheer with a pleased smile. He too was elated.
I turned to Vashma and Veerji. Before I could say anything, they said, 'Chup! Ek dum chupp! Kuch nahi bolna!'
Suppressing a chuckle, I nodded obediently.
Mukund jijaji came from behind and said, 'Dulhan paidal ko kabhi sasural jaati nahi! Aur fir kyun tumhe akeli ko doli mein bithaye!'
'Isilye humne socha kuch alag karte hain!', Radha jiji added sweetly.
I looked at them all, pleased as a punch. How I wished my arms were big enough so I could take all four of them and hug them tight!
But turns out, that was not needed. Veerji, Vashma, Radha jiji and Jijaji huddled all around me and hugged me tight. We stayed like that with big, wide smiles on our faces.
I guess this was how Veerji wanted it to be when he said he wanted a happy bidaai for me.
A while later, we let go of each other.

Randheer and I proceeded towards the coach. He stopped at the door and turning towards me he softly said,
'Pashmeene reshon se khwaab buna tha'
'Ishq ishq sa saaz chuna tha', I added with a smile.
'Aaj jo paakeez si ye dor judi'
'jaise kai hasratein fir gulzaar hui!'
'is dor ko hum sar-aankon pe rakhenge', he said, with a smile.
'pyaar ke naye meyaar likhenge!', I continued.
'Mashroof si is duniya mein chota sa ek aashiyana hoga', he said dreamily.
'Zindagi ke kaaghaz par pyaar ka, roz naya ek afsaana hoga!', I said with sparkle in my eyes.

He offered me a hand and taking it, I climbed onto the coach. We waved all our family members from the window. As the coach set off, I and Randheer turned to each other. Randheer took me in a deep embrace, and I closed my eyes in bliss.
Home at long last.