Tumko Dekha Toh-2 Update 24

Hi all,

Finally here comes the update everyone has been waiting for..Ram and Priya's wedding..so here is inviting all TDT readers to the beautiful wedding..just a request..don't tell the press!!

I would love to know your feedback. It encourages me to write better.

Thanks and Cheers.

Saras

Priya woke up to the birds chirping at her window. They seemed to be really happy and excited too! Priya had a big smile on her face..IT WAS HER WEDDING!!  She went down to greet her parents. Shipra was on her way upstairs with a tray of tea!

Priya: Ma…yeh kya aap mere liye chai leke aa rahe hain?

Shipra: Priya: Har din tum hee toh karthi ho yeh sab..kam se kam aaj ke din apni beti ko chai pila doon..Her eyes filled with tears.

Priya took the tray from Shipra. Maaa..yeh kya..aapke aakhon mein aansoon?

Shipra: Kya karoon..aaj ke baad tum apni zindagi shuru karne jaaogi Ram ke saath..tumhein time kahaan milega apni maa ki haath ki chai peene ke liye?

Priya: Arrey yeh kya baat hui? Of course ma..no matter where I go…I will always be your daughter..please ma don’t cry..I feel sad too.

Sudhir joined them both.

Sudhir: Priya beta…I don’t know sab kuch itna jaldi ho gaya..just  yesterday I was thinking when I would see you as a bride..never thought it would happen so soon. I am happy and sad-happy to see my daughter marrying a wonderful person like Ram but sad that she will go away to make her own life-I will miss you so much Priya..kiske saath khelunga chess? How will I live without  you? Just felt I held you in my arms for the first time and tu itni jaldi badi ho gayi? He wiped his tears and continued..

Sudhir: Beta, though we were shocked when Ram announced that you both were getting married, I must admit that your mother and I hoped you and Ram would be good friends. But I am so happy that you both found in each other a soulmate. God bless you both.

Shipra: Sudhir..ab Priya ko math rulaayiye..see this was the day we waited for all these years..ab let us enjoy every moment of this day..and kahaan ja rahi hai Priya..she is going to be here in Mumbai..she can visit us..we can visit them..aur  phone hai and of course chess bhee internet mein khel lena usskey saath! Ab aap jaayiye aur tayyar ho jayiye..I will go too..

Shipra: Chalo beta go and shower and get dressed. Ram has sent your wedding saree and jewellery! He wants you to dress up in the clothes and jewellery of his choice!! Hmmm hamare liye woh bhee nahin choda..

Priya: So what ma? Reception ke liye aap le aayiye mere liye saree ok.

The beauticians had arrived. Priya went to shower and get dressed. Sudhir and Shipra looked lost as they saw Priya go up to her room- life without her would be difficult. How would they manage..Shipra put her head on Sudhir’s shoulders..Sudhir wiped her tears..

Sudhir: Itni badi badi baatein kar rahi thee..ab kya hua? Shipra..come on ..go dress up beautifully..you are the mother of the bride..par dress up for your husband ok? Chalo jao!

Ram woke up early..way too early..rather he hardly slept! He was happy and excited. Neha and Vikram had delivered Ram’s wedding clothes. He was eager to know what Priya had bought for him. He was also waiting to see Priya in the saree he got for her. Having showered and fresh, he went to open the gift wrapped package ..the cream and maroon Sherwani  left him gaping. How did she? Oh My God it looked so classy. Vikram walked in.

Ram: Oye Vikram..itni jaldi..tu tayaar bhee ho gaya? Aur Neha?

Vikram: Neha..yeah right woh toh kal raat se make up lagaakar bhaitee hai..Ram’s wedding and she is the first one to come..she is supervising the arrangements outside Ram.

Vikram: Ram….Did you just see what she got for you? She has class Ram and she shares your taste in clothes!

Ram looked proud.

Ram: Yes Vikram..we are alike in a lot of ways! Just wait till you see her. You will know. Ram looked smug.

Vikram: Kya?

Ram: Tu nahin samjhega!! Chal let me

Ram splashed his face generously with her favourite after shave..sprayed his favourite perfume..yeah she loved that oo. He looked naughty and splashed a little more! Yes his biwi would not be able to take her eyes away from him!!!

Ram (thinking) I wonder how she will look! God I hope I don’t  just stand and stare at her like a dimwit!!!

He was all set..ready to walk towards the mandap. Hopefully all the arrangements were perfect. He could not wait to see her.

Priya looked at the packages left for her to open. She slowly unwrapped the beautiful package. The saree left her wide-eyed with surprise..the cream and maroon creation was simply gorgeous. Shipra and the others who were there to help her get dressed just gasped. It was the most beautiful saree they had ever seen. Priya unwrapped the jewellery boxes..in them lay a lovely necklace studded with rubies…beautiful cream and maroon traditional bangles and a pair of lovely ruby-studded jhumkas. Priya was overwhelmed. Ram had taken a lot of pains to choose clothes and jewellery for her- just the kind she would have chosen herself!!

Priya refused to put her hair in a bun, instead opting to wear it in a beautiful long plait with lovely ruby studded pins inserted into the delicate weave of her plait. She wore thick and fragrant strands of jasmine flowers flown in for her specially by Ram..Everyone was surprised that she chose not to wear a lehenga like everyone else or wear an elaborate hair-do..she chose to be herself! Her make-up was flawless as always..the colour in her cheeks were not only expensive make-up..it was a healthy glow and the glow of love!! Her lipstick- maroon. Her make-up done with minimal fuss she changed into her wedding clothes..the cream and maroon saree with a maroon almost backless blouse!! Priya could not hide her blush as she was the target of a lot of teasing by the women.  Shipra came to her and fastened the necklace around her delicate neck. Priya wore her earrings. Shipra took her mehendi dyed hands and slipped the bangles into her hands lovingly. Priya looked at her mother. For a moment, Shipra went back in time….before her eyes she saw the beautiful squirming bundle as she held her for the first time..the rush of tears on seeing the answer to many years of prayers..the tiny being who made her a mother for the first time..the trust in those tiny beautiful eyes..the little girl who ran and hid behind her pallu holding on to her hands with little hands..not wanting to let go of her mother as she stood outside on her first day of school. The fear in Priya’s eyes..not wanting to leave the safe haven of her mother’s secure arms..it all came rushing to Shipra and flowed out as tears.

She wiped her tears…it was a happy day..her princess was marrying the prince of her dreams…it was no time to shed tears..she smiled at Priya and took a beautiful maang tikka and fixed it securely with pins. She re-arranged the lovely flowers. Priya wore a big maroon bindi..her lovely eyes lined with kohl and eye-liner..a touch of mascara completing the make up. Shipra looked on and took a bit of kajal and smeared a little behind Priya’s ears.. The beautiful anklets could not do justice to Priya’s beautiful feet. She was ready…ready to start a new life..a life with Ram.

The Kapoor farmhouse was decked like a bride..no vulgar display of wealth..a quiet beauty in the surroundings..a beautiful rangoli outside looked elegant ..the scent of roses and lilies engulfed the lawns.  There were rows of seats for the guests..a beautiful outdoor wedding. The weather had to be just perfect and it was! The cool January air welcomed the guests. They just gaped at the lovely arrangements- classy, elegant and breathtaking. Strains of Sitar welcomed them warmly. In the middle of the huge lawns was the stately mandap..elegant flowers everywhere..no artificial plants or lights. There were huge brass lamps lit adding to the ambience of the wedding mandap. The pandit was getting everything ready for a simple yet meaningful wedding ceremony. The press did not get a whiff of it..firstly it was far away from the city..the farmhouse lay sprawled over acres and acres of land..only close friends and family were invited and they were very discreet. Obviously, Ram had his reasons and they also knew Priya was a very private person- a media circus was last in their minds!

A beautiful black Mercedes arrived and in walked Karthik and Natasha. Neha was there at the entrance along with Vikram!

Vikram: Choti..Karthik..you guys are late!! Overslept hein?

Natasha: Bhai..bas yaar..don’t start now!

Neha: Haan don’t start now..chalo andar chalke akele mein baatein karenge and you tell me ok?

Natasha blushed .

Natasha: Haaaaaaaaaaw so mean!!

Karthik squirmed..embarrassed..scandalized. The poor guy did not know where to look!

Natasha: Oh I can’t wait to see bhai.. They all went inside to meet Ram.

Ram: Arrey wah! Aa gayi tu? Badi jaldi aa gayi bhai ke shadi pe!!

Natasha: Bhaaaaaaaaaaaai please… she ran to him and Ram hugged her tight!

Natasha: Bhai..you are looking exceptionally handsome today…and yes Priya’s favourite perfume..kuch zyaada hee laga diya aapne!! And this Sherwani is awesome!! It looks perfect on you!

Ram blushed..

Ram: It has got to be perfect Choti..this was Priya’s choice!

Krishnaji came in to see Ram.

Krishnaji: Ram…I am so proud to see you like this beta..you are looking very nice and yes Priya has a fantastic eye for clothes..in fact I like everything about her! You both are meant for each other. I hope you find loads and loads of happiness. Finally, Ram I see you happy and smiling..taras gayi thee beta tumhein aise khush dekhne ke liye. Chalo beta it is time to go to the mandap!

The beautifully decorated white Mercedes arrived.

 Ram walked towards the mandap in his finery..eager to see his bride..but Priya hadn’t arrived yet. He sat down at the mandap restlessly looking at his watch! But unknown to him Priya was whisked away to a room upstairs from where she made her regal walk to the mandap. The Sharmas were already waiting..Ram turned just in time  to see his queen walk down the stairs…ever so slowly..ever so elegantly..head bowed down..grace..and….Ram could not stop looking..she looked like a goddess. Priya looked up at Ram once …their eyes locked..she blushed and continued her descent down the stairs. The Pandit had to make his presence felt and prodded Ram to recite mantras..though Ram was rudely awakened from his dream state, he turned away to concentrate on the wedding rituals. A garland- the varmala was given to her and she took it elegantly and walked upto him shyly..amidst a lot of teasing Priya put the garland on Ram’s neck..she could not bring herself to look at him while his eyes were fixed on hers..he was asking her to look up..just once..she did..she saw the love in his eyes- his love for her..through various births maybe..the reassurance..they exchanged garlands..there was a lot of clapping and teasing. But Ram and Priya were in another zone. None of it mattered..none of the others did- it was them- their moment.

The pandit called Sudhir and Shipra to perform the Kanyadaan…it is not easy to give away something so precious. Every father goes through this when his daughter marries. Sudhir was no different. Priya was not only his daughter. She was also his friend. His hands shook as he held his daughter’s hand to give it away to Ram. Ram smiled at him and nodded. Sudhir knew his Priya was in safe hands. Sudhir and Shipra performed the Kanyadaan..it was a poignant moment.  Shipra and Sudhir broke down. Priya was emotional. Ram touched her arm and she calmed down.

On the Pandit’s instructions the sacred fire was lit and Ram held Priya’s hand…never to let go…

Chanting of mantras began…Natasha waited just behind them and tied the gathbandhan..and Ram and Priya stood up for the most important ritual in a wedding..the pheras..or the seven sacred vows of marriage. They took seven parikramas around the sacred fire reciting the sacred vows signifying the meaning of marriage. Ram and Priya listened keenly to the Panditji who explained the meanings of the vows and followed his  instructions diligently. This was was a very very important moment in their lives where both of them committed to each other through these sacred mantras. Marriage was a sacred institution and they were embarking on a beautiful voyage of life together-with promises and dreams-of being together through thick and thin. The pheras began and Ram and Priya started walking around the fire slowly repeating the mantras after the pandit..understanding what it meant and how they were to lead life as man and wife.

Ram’s vow:  O!, you who feeds life-sustaining food, nourish my visitors, friends, parents and offsprings with food and drinks. O! beautiful lady, I, as a form of Vishnu, take this first step with you for food.
Priya:  Yes, whatever food you earn with hard work, I will safeguard it, prepare it to nourish you. I promise to respect your wishes, and nourish your friends and family as well.

Ram :  O!, thoughtful and beautiful lady, with a well managed home, with purity of behavior and thought, you will enable us to be strong, energetic and happy. O! beautiful lady, I, as Vishnu, take this second step with you for the strength of body, character and being.
Priya:  Yes, I will manage the home according to my ability and reason. Together, I promise, to keep a home that is healthy, strength and energy giving.

Ram:  O!, skillful and beautiful lady, I promise to devote myself to earning a livelihood by fair means, to discuss, and let you manage and preserve our wealth. O! dear lady, I, as Vishnu form, cover this third step with you to thus prosper in our wealth.
Priya:  Yes, I join you in managing our income and expenses. I promise to seek your consent, as I manage our wealth, fairly earned, so it grows and sustains our family.

Ram :  O!, dear lady, I promise to trust your decisions about the household and your choices; I promise to dedicate myself to help our community prosper, the matters outside the house. This shall bring us respect. O! my lady, I, as Vishnu, take this fourth step with you to participate in our world.
Priya:  Yes, I promise to strive to make the best home for us, anticipate and provide necessary things for your worldly life, and for the happiness of our family.

Ram :  O!, lady of skill and pure thoughts, I promise to consult with you and engage you in the keep of our cows, our agriculture and our source of income; I promise to contribute to our country. It shall win us future. O! my skilled lady, I, as Vishnu form, take this fifth step with you to together grow our farms and cattle.
Priya : Yes, I promise to participate and protect the cattle, our agriculture and business. They are a source of yoghurt, milk, ghee and income, all useful for our family, necessary for our happiness.

Ram:  O!, lovely lady, I seek you and only you, to love, to have children, to raise a family, to experience all the seasons of life. O! my lovely lady, I, as Vishnu, take this sixth step with you to experience every season of life.
Priya:  Feeling one with you, with your consent, I will be the means of your enjoyment of all the senses. Through life's seasons, I will cherish you in my heart. I will worship you and seek to complete you.

The seventh vow as per norms was taken by both of them together..

"We have taken the Seven Steps. You have become mine forever. Yes, we have become partners. I have become yours. Hereafter, I cannot live without you. Do not live without me. Let us share the joys. We are word and meaning, united. You are thought and I am sound. May the night be honey-sweet for us. May the morning be honey-sweet for us. May the earth be honey-sweet for us. May the heavens be honey-sweet for us. May the plants be honey-sweet for us. May the sun be all honey for us. May the cows yield us honey-sweet milk. As the heavens are stable, as the earth is stable, as the mountains are stable, as the whole universe is stable, so may our union be permanently settled."

Ram looked at Priya. She knew he meant each one of the vows. She did too..it was not only a marriage of two people..it was a union of two soulmates.

The saptapati was complete with showering of flowers and blessings .

Then came the applying of sindoor- vermillion..Ram took sindoor with his ring finger and applied it on Priya’s parting..Sindoor signified her becoming a married woman..Priya was getting increasingly emotional …and finally came the ritual of tying the mangalsutra. Ram took the mangalsutra in his hand .. Panditji recited mantras and Priya prayed for a happy life with Ram- for his health and happiness- Ram  tied it around Priya’s neck. There was a huge shower of rose petals ….everyone was busy laughing and making merry..Priya held Ram’s hand her eyes filled with tears..tears of joy of finally being one with the man she loved..tears of sadness of going to leave her parents’ home..tears of apprehension of a new life..Ram hugged her and kissed her forehead.

Ram: Biwi….don’t cry..mein hoon na? I will take care of you..don’t cry baby.

Priya just nodded.

After some more rites, the wedding ceremony was complete. Ram and Priya took the blessings of all elders. Ram was looking at Priya…as if he was seeing her for the first time- she looked like ethereal- her saree..the flowers..her bright red vermillion and her mangalsutra…all this told the world she was his..forever…finally! Priya was in a trance..she touched the mangalsutra…she could not believe it..She was Mrs Priya Ram Kapoor. Ram stood close to her as a everyone wanted to wish them both and click pictures! In a spare second..Ram quietly whispered..

Ram: Biwi…you know you are looking sooooooooooo beautiful today..I cannot take my eyes off you!

Priya just blushed: You too Ram..you are looking very very handsome!!

Ram: Priya..uff I just want to be alone with you..whisk you away from all these people here…here I am taras gaya hoon tumhein dekhne ke liye.. and what is this? Mein itna kuch bol raha hoon and you are not even looking at me? You are just blushing!!

Priya: Raaaaaam  please!

Ram: Haan haan I know darling I will take you away..acha  suno na I have made some plans!!!

Priya: Plans???

Ram winked and smiled..yeah right..plans!

Priya: Kya plans? Batayiye na Ram! Pleeeeeeeease?

Ram: Aise nahin bataaunga..