Flaming Sun Collection 1: Happily Ever Afters from India Box Set (The Malhotra Bride; Meghna; The Runaway Bridegroom)

by Sundari Venkatraman

  “Nothing that a kiss from you won’t cure.” She gave him a wide smile before obliging his whim.

  Eighteen

  Akshay was out of the hospital and back to work in no time. The flesh wound hadn’t taken long to heal and he was fine except for the scar on his right arm.

  The next couple of weeks were frantic. Invitations needed to be sent. Approximately 1500 guests were expected to the merger of two foremost business families. This was over and above the 200-odd relatives.

  A smaller number of people were invited to the Sangeet on 11th and Mehendi on 12th.

  There was loads of shopping to do. While the actual wedding arrangements were being taken care of by an event company, loads of gifts needed to be bought for the near and dear.

  Despite protests from her parents, Akshay insisted on buying everything Sunita needed. Most of her ethnic wear were ordered from Tanuja’s boutique. Gokul was equally adamant when it came to the wedding sari and jewellery. It had to come from the bride’s father he said.

  Her clothes and accessories were directly delivered to Malhotra Park, to be unpacked and stored in her dressing room by a maid.

  They put a stop to all these activities a few days before the wedding. Akshay was concerned that his bride-to-be wasn’t too tired at their wedding.

  Sunita glowed after a visit to her beautician and loving attention of her fiancé, when guests from outside Mumbai began to arrive. A mood of celebration hung around the Rishi residence with about 50 guests staying there. Sandhya came to live in her maika along with her kids ten days before the wedding so that she could help her mother and sister. A number of local relatives and friends dropped in to meet and greet the visitors.

  A choreographer had been roped in to train everyone with the latest dance moves from Bollywood. The sound of music blended with laughter. Leela hired some extra help in the kitchen and to wait on the guests.

  Being the bride-to-be, Sunita was the butt of a lot of banter that she took in her stride. She was surprised at herself. It was barely some weeks ago when she fought with her mother on her wedding being arranged with a stranger. Was she the same person?

  While Akshay worked harder than usual as he planned to go on leave for the wedding and honeymoon, he made it a point to meet Sunita every day even if it was for just a short while.

  The Sangeet was set for the evening on the lawns of the Rishi bungalow. Sunita was radiant in a bright green ghagra choli. She wore the bracelet Akshay had gifted her along with emerald chandelier earrings and matching necklace also bought by her fiancé. Akshay looked stylish in a cream churidhar and wine red kurta.

  He came with his parents and directly made a beeline for his fiancée.

  “Hey sweetheart, you look gorgeous,” his voice was soft the words meant only for her ears as he checked her out from her shining head to her painted toes. He raised her hand to his lips.

  Her face shining with joy, Sunita said, “You look awesome too.”

  They took seats next to each other in the front row to listen to the singers who had especially come in for today’s programme.

  Professional singers played the dholki along with songs; the drum beat adding rhythm to the music. Many of the guests and members from both families joined in the boisterous singing. Some of the lyrics were made along the way, making fun of just about everyone. Lots of cheeky advice was imparted to the bride on how she should conduct herself in her husband’s home. The groom had his turn when he was musically taught the best way to find a place in his bride’s heart.

  The next on the agenda were the Bollywood numbers as the trained guests got up to dance. Akshay joined in the melee while Sunita sat glued to her chair, suddenly taking fright despite all the practice sessions.

  He saw her still sitting there and went to get her. “Oh, come on, it’s fun.’

  She shook her head, her teeth biting nervously at her lips.

  He went on one knee, put out his right hand to her and said, “Please.”

  How could she refuse? Amidst laughter, clapping and teasing, Sunita took his hand and joined in. People moved away in a circle and made space for them in the middle.

  Akshay took the lead as Sunita threw away her inhibitions. She loved it. He was a natural dancer and it wasn’t difficult to follow him, especially as the choreographer her taught her well.

  The party was a grand success and went into the wee hours of the night.

  The next day dawned bright. A paste of turmeric and sandalwood was applied on Sunita as she sat on a low stool. This ceremony was performed by all relatives and even a few friends joined in.

  After her bath, she dressed in a simple salwar kameez for Henna to be applied on her hands and feet. The aroma of freshly ground mehendi leaves pervaded the house. Ten artists had been hired to work on all the women and girls. One of the artist’s jobs was to take care of the bride-to-be as bridal mehendi took 4-5 hours to complete.

  The Mehendiwali sat in front of Sunita with a cone and drew a design from her inner elbow and worked towards her hand.

  Tanuja came in along with her group of female guests. She sat next to Sunita and gave her a hug. Sunita rested her head affectionately on her mother-in-law’s shoulder and said, “Hello, Aunty.”

  “Hello darling. I think you’re going to make a glowing bride tomorrow. All set?” she smiled.

  Sunita blushed a bright pink as she gave her a small nod.

  Akshay walked in just then and inspected her hands. “You’ll be keeping this paste on for how long?”

  “Till at least 10 at night.”

  “Rather you than me,” he grinned. “Shall I get you something?”

  “Yeah please, some fresh lemonade.”

  “Sure. You Mom?”

  “Nothing for me. I’ll move on. Just came to say ‘hi’ to Sunita. Take care, dear,” with a kiss on Sunita’s head, Tanuja left the room to join the others in the hall.

  He brought two glasses of lemonade and held one for Sunita to sip from. “That’s lovely, thanks.”

  “You can’t get away with just a word of thanks.” He enjoyed the rising panic in her eyes.

  “Akshay, please—”

  “Thanks Sandhya,” he smiled at his sister-in-law who brought him a tray loaded with food.

  “You’re most welcome, Akshay. Do you have everything you want?” she asked solicitously.

  “It’s perfect. Why don’t you and Raghu join me?”

  “We’ll do that,” said Sandhya as she left in search of her husband.

  Akshay offered Sunita a jalebi. She let him feed her the sweetmeat and look a surreptitious bite of his finger.

  “Ouch, what was that for?”

  “What are you talking about?” she gave him an innocent smile, her eyes dancing with mirth.

  “Hello, children.” Grandpa Ratan walked in.

  “Hello, Dadaji. Come and sit down.” Akshay patted the chair next to his. “Have you had lunch?”

  Grandpa nodded. “Sunita, show me your hands,” he commanded. Sunita thrust out her hands for Grandpa Ratan’s benefit.

  “Beautiful, my dear. I’m sure the design is going to turn a deep shade of orange after you wash away the mehendi.”

  “How do you know, Dadaji?” asked Sunita.

  “My dear, the bride’s mehendi colour depends on the love her groom has for her. The more he loves her, the darker the shade.”

  Sunita turned red as Akshay and Dadaji roared with laughter.

  “Jokes apart, it’s the truth,” insisted Dadaji.

  “I can’t wait to see it. Should I come over later at night?” Akshay whispered in Sunita’s ear, a devilish grin on his face.

  She refused to look at him. Sandhya and Raghu came in with their lunch, teasing her some more. She was thrilled to see her fiancé getting along so well with her family.

  Sunita couldn’t hide her disappointment as Akshay got up to leave.

  He touched her cheek. “Just need to tie up a few loose ends. Bye Sandhya, Raghu,” he shook his
brother-in-law’s hand. “See you tomorrow, Dadaji.”

  Nineteen

  Akshay did visit Sunita late in the evening. There was a reason for it.

  When he reached his office after leaving his fiancée’s Mehendi party, Sara handed an envelope to him saying, “The lawyer sent this through his office boy Akshay.”

  Wondering what it was, he sat at his desk to open the cover. His face blanched when he saw ‘Pre-nuptial Agreement’ at the top.

  He had forgotten all about the contract he promised Sunita. They had grown so close that he had become confident that theirs was a normal wedding. The lawyer obviously hadn’t forgotten the instructions he gave him a few weeks back. In time too!

  Tomorrow morning was the wedding ceremony. His fiancée would expect to have this contract in place, even if he wasn’t keen. He couldn’t go back on his promise to her. As it is, she had no great faith in men. What if she hated him for cheating her of the contract wedding he had promised?

  He didn’t want to read what the lawyer said. What did it matter? The joy of the past few weeks looking forward to marrying the woman he loved had gone for a toss. Just because he had fallen for her didn’t mean that she loved him too.

  She responded so well to his kisses. But that could just be physical chemistry. Indian women were rarely given a choice but to accept the husbands chosen for them. Sunita after all had been brought up in such a traditional environment.

  He wanted to tear up the papers in front of him, even burn them down. But how could he do that? He couldn’t go back on his word.

  It’s a wonder that Sunita hadn’t brought up the topic in all these days. He pushed the pages back into the cover without reading what they had to say. He’d go meet her after work.

  SUNITA WAS SURPRISED BY HER LATE NIGHT VISITOR. She hadn’t expected to meet Akshay before the wedding tomorrow. He looked so serious too. Was something wrong? He wasn’t going to cancel the wedding at the last minute, was he? A small frown appeared on her face as he walked into her room.

  “Sunita,” his voice was hoarse. “The pre-nup agreement I promised to you on the day we met. The lawyer delivered it only today. I thought it best we sign it before the wedding tomorrow.” There was no emotion in his voice.

  She was shocked to the core of her being. She had forgotten all about his pledge just a week after meeting him. She had brushed it off as a joke when they got to know each other better. She thought he liked her a lot, even if he didn’t love her. Obviously not! Why would he insist on signing the contract otherwise? And she’d gone and fallen in love with this guy. She bent her head so that he wouldn’t notice that the colour had completely disappeared from her face.

  “Tell me where I should sign,” she said; her voice devoid of emotion.

  “You should read it first,” he advised.

  She couldn’t care less. “I’m sure you have covered all the points. I’m too tired to read it. Just tell me where you need my signature,” she insisted.

  He took her signature on all three pages of two copies, wrote his own name under hers before handing over one set to her.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said and left.

  That was it! No hug, no kiss. He obviously didn’t care for her. Tears running down her face, Sunita tore the contract into tiny pieces before throwing them in the dustbin.

  Twenty

  September 13 th dawned with showers, the sky as heavy as Sunita’s heart. But by eight o’ clock, the clouds had cleared way to brilliant sunshine. Should she take hope from that? Her heart refused to be cowed down. The grass and trees shone a bright green as the dust and grime were washed away.

  The muhurat for the wedding was set for 11.30 am; the wedding to be performed by Arya Samaj rites at Malhotra Park.

  The Rishis and their guests left well in time to arrive at Akshay’s home by nine. He couldn’t have asked for a better-looking bride.

  She wore a dark red silk sari that was brocaded in gold zari and a matching blouse; a red and gold tikka on her forehead. Gold eye shadow and a thin line of dark brown eyeliner made her gorgeous eyes shine green. Her cheeks were highlighted with a pale shimmer while her lips pouted a rich red shade.

  Long diamond earrings danced on her ears as a diamond neck piece reached down to her navel. A broad gold necklace shaped her slender throat along with a thick gold chain that fell midway between the two. Her hair was braided neatly and adorned with flowers and she wore a thin gold chain at the hair parting which had a small pendant falling on to her forehead. With gold bangles on her wrist and payal on her ankles, Sunita glowed in her bridal wear.

  Akshay wore a cream silk brocaded churidhar and sherwani. The long coat buttoned down the front and fell down below his knees. He wore a head dress of red bandini. This pagadi was the same shade as Sunita’s sari. There was a red tikka on his forehead and diamond earrings twinkled on his earlobes.

  First was the chooda ceremony, performed by the bride’s maternal uncle. Since Leela had no brother, her cousin Liladhar mama came forward to present Sunita with bangles made of ivory, both red and natural. Sunita was made to sit on a raised platform. Liladhar took out the white and red bangles, nine for each arm and washed them with milk over a silver tray placed in front of the bride. Then he wiped them dry on a towel and placed them on Sunita’s arm, the red and white alternating.

  A special mandap had been constructed in the middle of the hall. This temporary platform with wooden pillars and domed roof was decorated with a myriad of flowers and coloured curtains.

  The bride and groom were led there. They were both handed garlands made of fresh roses as they stood in the middle of the mandap, facing each other. They had to exchange varmalas, to publicly acknowledge their chosen spouse. First it was Sunita’s turn to garland her husband-to-be. She did it gracefully, a blush stealing up her cheeks. She gave him a shy smile, wiping the thought of the contract from her mind. Then it was Akshay who placed the garland around her beautiful neck.

  She was instructed by the panditji to invite her groom to sit on one of the low throne-like chairs provided for the two of them. Once he was seated, she took the chair beside him, giving him a silver tumbler of water.

  Akshay stared at the mehendi on her hands. The colour was dark, just as Grandpa had predicted. He caught her hand as he took the tumbler and opened it, palm upwards. The design was perfect. Didn’t that tell her of his love?

  Having tried to pull her hand back in vain, Sunita gave him a look from under her long lashes. He gave her a sly wink, drawing her attention to the mehendi. Colour ran up her cheeks as she hoped against hope that Dadaji was right.

  The panditji claimed Akshay’s attention by clearing his throat loudly. He sat on a wooden platform placed at right angles to the bride and groom, giving them instructions during the ceremony. Akshay washed his hands over a silver bowl placed on the side and drank the rest of the water from the silver tumbler Sunita had given him.

  The panditji handed a small silver bowl with a spoon to Akshay. This contained madhurpak, a mixture of ghee and honey. Akshay sprinkled a little bit of this in all four directions. Then he offered it spoon by spoon to the guests who came forward before taking some for himself.

  A havan kund made of bricks had been set up before the wedding couple. A copper container holding pieces of wood and cow dung cakes that are used as fuel during the fire ceremony was placed within. The panditji set a small stick of fire to the container. It burnt slowly as he added ghee from time to time. Agni, the Lord of fire is the most important witness to a Hindu wedding ceremony.

  The bride’s parents, Leela and Gokul Rishi came forward to perform the kanya daan, giving away their virgin daughter to her groom. Together, her parents took Sunita’s right hand and placed it in Akshay’s. Then with folded hands they requested him to protect, cherish and take care of her in the same way they had done since her birth.

  The two got a small break while the Rishis presented the Malhotras with the new clothes and jewellery they had bought
for them. Then it was the Malhotras’ turn to reciprocate.

  Akshay sensed Sunita’s nervousness and stroked the hand he was holding, bringing a semblance of calm.

  Hindu weddings are noisy and this one was no different as the shehnai wailed over the guests talking nineteen to a dozen. They spilled over into the grounds where a marquee had been set up and chairs laid out in neat rows.

  The panditji got back to Akshay and Sunita. They repeated the mantras from the Rig Veda after the panditji, holding hands as instructed. The panditji kept adding ghee to the fire and chanted prayers for fire worship.

  Then Akshay was asked to hold Sunita’s hand and take six vows promising to look after her and cherish her. He did this solemnly in front of Agni and elders present.

  Amidst the chanting of mantras, Akshay and Sunita went four times around the fire. In the first three rounds, Sunita prayed for her husband’s well being as instructed. In the last and fourth round, it was Akshay’s turn to render a prayer for his bride.

  The pallu of Sunita’s sari was tied to one end of the shawl draped on Akshay’s shoulder. The knot contained some rice, flowers and coins, all symbols of prosperity. Then they performed the Saptapadikriya, taking the seven steps together as one. This symbolised the beginning of their lives together as man and wife. Mantras were chanted as they took each step forward.

  The steps symbolised what they would always share with one another. Each step was a promise. The first was for food, the second for strength. The panditji explained the significance to Akshay, Sunita and the audience. The third was taken for wealth, the fourth for happiness. The two of them were bound together by the auspiciousness of the moment. Then came the fifth step. This was for family, the sixth step was taken for sharing conjugal rights and finally the seventh and most important step was for friendship. Sunita blinked away the dampness in her eyes at the poignancy of the ceremony.

  Dadaji had tears of joy in his eyes as he watched the ritual, which bound his beloved granddaughter to Akshay forever.

  Then prayers were offered to Suryadeva for a life of eternal bliss. Akshay placed the red sindoor at the top of Sunita’s forehead at the beginning of her hair parting, completing the ceremony. The two of them went forward to take the blessings of all the elders starting with Grandpa Ratan.