Chapter 18

Sadhvi 's pov:

I replied

" I will forgive you only if you buy me two ice creams.... My favorite ones. "

She immediately replied "Deal sealed. "

I asked "Are you coming tomorrow?

Please don't give any excuse tomorrow. "

She replied "Tomorrow is my bestie 's marriage..... How can I not come. I will come to your home early in the morning "

I said OK and slept knowing that my mom and dad are going to buy some jewelry for me.

I'm not interested in jewelry so I decided to rest at home...... Even niyati aunt will join them at shop.

My mom came and said that

"We are going to shopping.... You lock the door and sleep. "

I dragged my body outside and locked the doors.

I went and slept on my bed hugging pillow.

I heard the sound of door bell.

I saw that is was already 8......i ran to open door for mom.

Ther i saw my mom with few shopping bags and dad parking his bike.

Even Krishna came from his friends house.

They entered house and settled on sofa.

I stood beside sofa and then my mom narrowed her eyes at me...

"You slept till now? "

I sheepishly smiled and said "Yes mom..... "

She said OK and said that she brought my favorite noodles as take out.

I said thank-you mom happily and took the take out box from her.

I washed my hands and opened the box and started feasting on it.

I think they already ate outside.

I ate and thrown the box in bin and again went to sleep.

I have set an alarm at 6 'O clock .

I know that there will be few rituals before marriage.

I slept hugging my pillow..... I mentally noted that next I have to buy a big plush toy by saving money.

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Alarm sound woke me up.

I saw that time is 6 'O clock.

I climbed down from bed rubbing my eyes. I was taken back when I found something on my hands.

Oh my mom applied mehendi on my hands last night.

I slowly removed it and went out.

I saw my mom was already waken up also my maternal grandmother came.

I greeted her and asked

"Grandma.... Where are uncle and aunt? "

She said that they will reach before wedding.

I nodded my head and went to brush my teeth.

I washed my face and came out.......

My mom saw me and asked me to sit on the stool near sofa.

I obediently sat there.

My neighbors started coming..... And my mom came out of kitchen.

She came near me and asked me to show my hands.

I showed my hands for her..... She said

" Your mehendi is in darkest shade. "

I blushed hearing that. We Indians believe that darkest the shade of mehendi, the more groom loves his bride.

She asked my neighbor aunties to start the rituals.

She first applied half on my face, hands and legs.

Likewise all the aunties came and repeated the same process.

After nearly half an hour all applies half on me.

Mom asked me to go and sit in lawn.

I was already tired sitting at same place..

But I just went and sat outside.

Then aunties came and started pouring water on me.

This ritual is called mangalya snanam.

After that I went to washroom and washed my hair and bathed once again.

I came out wearing a kurthi and leggings.

I went to my room and saw that Geetha sat on my bed.

I too went and sat beside her.

It is really tiring me..... I don't know how I will manage for whole day.......

She said "How are you Ms. Bride"

I said "Not again yaar..... From morning I have been doing all the rituals. They are really tiring. "

She said " Bear for today.... Tomorrow you will be free. "

I said "hope sooo "

My mom came inside my room with the blouses we gave for stitching yesterday.

She gave me a simple Saree and asked Geetha to help me in getting ready.

We both closed the door after my mom went out .

Geetha helped me in draping my Saree perfectly.

She applied some makeup on my face while I kept rejecting her not to .

She said today is your marriage you have to look extra beautiful for your husband.

I shut my mouth and said do what ever you want.

I closed my eyes and let her be.

After 15 minutes I opened my eyes and looked in mirror.

What she said was true.... I 'm looking good with make up on my face.

We both went out as she already wore a lehenga she did not change her clothes.

Mom said that there is another ritual to complete.

I saw that the time is already 10.

Niyati aunt said that muhurtham is at 11 :45

So I think they will hurry in all the remaining rituals.

Next ritual is Bonalu.

It is a ritual where bride will carry a pot on her head which is filled with rice and few things from her home to the temple.

My mom gave me the pot I kept it on my head and turned towards Geetha.

She was carrying a plate with diyas.

We all walked to the temple and the priest came and did some Pooja.

When we returned the time was already 11'O clock.

I have to get ready and reach temple at 11:45.

I quickly rushed to my room and changed my Saree ....into Red pattu (silk) Saree.

Geetha helped me wearing all my ornaments like necklace , mang tika

Nose pin

And also the poola jada

This is poola Jada. Telugu brides usually wore them.

I also wore a waist band.

I checked my self in mirror and I looked perfect.

Sadhvi in bridal look.

I went outside and saw that my mom was looking me with wide smile.

She certainly and hugged me and also gave me a dupatta to wear it as a veil.

And gave me a Bhasikam.

It is tied on forehead of both bride and groom.

This is called basikam.

Mom hugged me again and started crying feeling emotional.

Even my eyes started tearing up.

Geetha helped me rubbing my tears and we started our journey to temple.

After we went to temple, priest called me to the mandapam (place where wedding is held)

I sat on the floor and started performing Pooja as the priest said.

Suddenly someone shouted that

Groom's has came.....

I instinctively raised my head to see him.

My eyes almost popped out seeing him.......

****

Guess who she saw??