Chapter 27 - Ceremonies and Complacency

It seemed like my friends at first didn't find my 'Nani' quite amusing when they met her. My grandmother had that sort of aura. She sneered like a cat if she saw someone of an opposite gender who wasn't related to me.

But then, Ayan and Rohit took up the task to irritate her and propel her with jokes.

" You look so young, I don't think so you look like Shanvi's grandmother at all. I think it's bit unfair to call you ' Nani '. "

" You can call me sexy Nani , I don't mind. That is the reason all the ladies are too jealous of me. " She waved her hand as if it was the most general fact in the world. " And you," she pointed a finger at me.

I instantly stood straight. " You marrying that monkey idiot. You thought we didn't know. I told you " she says her Vulcan eyes suddenly digging holes at my mother. " Told you they weren't friends " she hisses. " God knows what what they did in the disguise of being friends. "

" Mom! " My mother pleaded with 'please spare us' eyes.

My grandmother just sniggered in response, her eyes finding her next target. " And you why did you take so long to bring her home. A bride isn't supposed to stay out of her home. You all will make me mad. Let me go and see Tanya. First my daughter and then you. You all don't even know about any wedding rituals. Everything is on this old head. " And with that she headed towards her another target.

I let myself breathe after her departure. I roll my eyes at my mother, who shakes her head as if she still can't get over her mother. Who can?

" Your Nani seems interesting " Prisha says then everybody surrounding the big dinner table bursts into laughs.

" Was she calling Kiyansh idiot and monkey? " Ayan asks his face red in laughter. " I can see why he ran with

speed of train on the mention of Nani. "

Everyone laughs and then I introduce them to my mother.

" So I have given all of you the bedroom upstairs okay? It's away from the most of the relatives staying in the house. You all can have fun but please, please for the love of family Shanvi, don't let mom know that your male friends are your bedroom neighbours. "

" Okay " I laugh.

" And...." She steps tentatively towards me, her eyes suddenly soft. Her smile too vulnerable. " Come downstairs okay. I have the costume ready it's in your bedroom, your friends need anything just tell me. Okay? "

I nod my head slowly. " Okay. "

" Come here. " she says then, wraps her around me, hugging me. I hug her back, taking a deep breath. " I missed you. " She whispers on my hair. " Now go and get ready " she says leaving me and evading my eyes.

I am dressed in yellow 'kurta' and white 'salwar'. Wearing something ethnic after a long time. I stare myself at the mirror. The make-up artist wanted to put make up on my face. I argued ' who needs makeup for ' Haldi ceremony' ( a ceremony where you apply turmeric paste on the face of bride for good luck on her skin. )

My phone rings and I see that it's Kiyansh's mother. I smile and pick up her phone , I can hear buzzing sound of people coming from downstairs. I lock my door and say ' Hello.'

" Oh Hii. How are you? I hope I didn't disturb you, I wouldn't have called if it wasn't an emergency. "

" I am good it's okay, what's up? "

She takes an exasperated breath. " Oh it's Kiyansh we are supposed to send you 'Haldi' from our house. He is saying he wants to go at your place. "

" What? " I laugh.

" He is saying apparently he is your bestfriend, so it's his right to be in all of the functions. " She says in amused yet somewhat troubled voice. " I mean I can send him but you know these people talking about rituals of not letting the groom see the bride. I don't know. Maybe you'll talk to him?"

" Okay " I say controlling my laughter. "Bye."

I cut the call and there's a knock on my door. I open the door to find my parents, releived I let them in and close the door.

" You look so beautiful " my mother says, tears threatning her eyes.

My father doesn't even say something. He just makes a sound in the back of his throat and just starts sobbing.

" Hey! Wait. " I say and drag his hands from his eyes. " You can't cry like this. "

" When " he hiccups. " When did you grow up so fast. You...you are getting m... married. "

My eyes burns but I control it. If I am going to cry it will turn into a sobbing battle.

" Come here. " I say and hug them both tightly. " I will always be there okay? I am staying with you guys always. You both will always be my favourite person in the world. Like favourite. ". A lump forms on my throat. I clear it. " And I will never stop irritating you okay? "

They both tie there arms around me like vines.

So I say something that will distract them.

" Kiyansh wants to bring the Haldi from his house. And stay for my ceremony. "

My mother suddenly jumps back as if she has touched fire. " No...no....no.." she says with wide red eyes, " your grandmother will bite my head. "

My father clears his nose on the handkerchief. Then I notice he is wearing a yellow silk kurta, he is wearing kurta for me! The pattern in my kurta matching his pinstripes in the collar.

I grin at him " you are wearing a matching Kurta, it's matching mine! "

I shreik and jump at him. He grins and hugs me.

" Stop with your affections for a moment. We have a problem. Shanvi call him and tell him it's not possible. Please....Mom would...." She leaves the sentence incomplete. It's better left incomplete to be honest.

My father nods beside my mother.

" Let me handle this. " I say.

But I should have known better.