Chapter-3

Oreeti. POV.

Due to my late night talking with Aarav I got dark circles under my eyes . My cousins scolded me and Pratiksha gave me a meaningful glance and laughed at my helplessness.

My cousins woke me up at 9 a.m. and they took me for Haldi Ceremony. I was made to change into a white sleeveless suit. When I was getting dressed I remembered Yesterday night and my conversation with Aarav on phone. I don't know but after talking to him on phone I feel like enjoying alll the ceremonies because this will happen only once in my life and if the one who is centre of attraction of these ceremonies will not enjoy then how my all family members who has done so much for this will enjoy itm they will keep worrying about me and will question their judgement regarding different things. So now I will try to enjoy these ceremonies.

Then my cousins took me outside our house in the lawn where a beautiful setup was there. In the middle of it a small seat was placed for me.Then my mom came and brought a beautiful plate containing Turmeric(Haldi)paste with flowers alongside.Firstly. My mom came and applied haldi on to my face and arms and then the whole process started. My whole family came one by one and started applying haldi to my body as it makes the body soft and glowy and near me a priest was sitting who was chanting various verses.

After that I was taken to the washroom to have bath and change into a pink and plain Saree.Then I along with my mom and Dad sat in front of sacred fire inside a setup known as Mandap. In front of us an old priest was sitting who was continuously and was motioning for us to make offerings of cocount,oil,etc such things.I always liked to watch such things from far away but because of my allergy I am finding it hard to concentrete. I was sneezing continuously due to which the priset was giving me a hard stare. My parents told him about my condition and after that only he calmed down.

After that my elder maternal uncle came and gifted me a beautiful diamond and pearl studded bridal nose ring and bangles. I was made to sit on the hall where everyone was sitting and then one by one each and every lady came to me and tied Kalira which is an gold or silver umbrella shaped ornament. Usually gold or silver is given by close family members and the other people give the ornament which is embroidered with coconut. It was so tiring as I had to keep smiling. Every lady there would hug me and talk to me. It was so crowded that it became suffocating for me. I am also not a big fan of get together with strangers. That was the time when I got to know that how much of a big family I have. but I do felt nice After meeting so many people but it would have been better for some other time. My cousins were laughing at me but they were also very helpful to me. Pratiksha was sitting near me and my mom at my other side. Their support was enough for me to go on.

After that the whole ceremony was completed and finally I was able to put some food into my stomach. It was already 2 p.m. and I have to go and get ready for my marriage. When I was eating my all female cousins and aunts came and fed me curd,sugar and a fried loose wheat circular chapati kind of thing. It was also a ritual but at the end of it I was full to the nick. And the major thing is that I am not a big fan of oily things but I had to go on endure this.

After that my mother and father came to me in my room and together we sat down on the bed and there they told me all the things which I should do after being married. My father then told me

"If some how you feel that Aarav and Aarav's family don't respect you then you can leave that house and come to us because being married doesn't mean that you have to endure humiliation just to stay with your partner.We are here with you. If they tell you to do something which you don't like tell them straightly that you don't bloke it and be more vocal about your feelings because your in -laws and husband will not be able o know the things until or unless you tell them. And also try to take Aarav's feelings into your consideration also because the effort in a happy marriage should be from both sides. If the effort is only from one side then the partner who is putting the effort will feeling suffocated .

Oreeti,you have always been our Pride. So never do anything which will hurt you, your in-laws and our reputation. For few days you might feel homesick but afterwards you will start feeling nice. If it would have been for is I would have never sent you out from my house and always kept you in front of my eyes."

Then both of them came forward and hugged me. my mother and father had tears in their eyes but still we all said nothing and just enjoyed the moment we have alone. Later we also talked about different things and we kept talking fro about 2 hours and when they left. Pratiksha came and I hugged her cried my heart out.

Then Pratiksha took me to the washroom and told me to wash my face with the cold water and then she brought me to my room and there my make up artist was waiting. My rest all the cousins went to their rooms to get ready or to the saloons which they booked. The makeup artist was a very sweet lady. She was going to help me get ready. We have already instructed her not to overdo the makeup otherwise it would have been difficult for me to recognise my own self in my own wedding album.