I was just looking at my archives when I realized that I hadn't put up a
single post in 2014!!!!!
So to make up for that, I shall write here, about the single most - best
happening of 2014!!
The magic of the green bangles
What is it about the colour green that makes it difficult for
me to like it, I shall perhaps never know. It is ironical considering the fact
that as an Environmental Professional, the word green is synonymous
with the name of my profession!
So when shopping for my wedding day, I bought the classic Marathi chuda
of green bangles rather unwillingly. However, on the day of the
wedding, I was surprised to see, how well the entire ensemble came to together!
Or perhaps it had seeped into my psyche that it would look good! Why else would
I continue to wear it for 6 consecutive weeks!! J
Now that I have the punch line, out of the way, let me rewind a
few months, to the beginning of 2014.
Please allow me introduce you to the other important 'P' in my
life!! I call us “P & P” and think it has a nice ring to it; ‘Ring’
being the key word here!
We met in the most conventional way of all sorts. My P always wanted it
this way apparently, typically my slightly whimsical self disagrees! I wished
there was more randomness to the way we followed that brought us
together. I prefer to think that fate played its part perfectly this time
and had us hooked to each other!
What instantly drew me towards my P (since day 1), the most was his
decisiveness, his quiet confidence and a steady mind at all times. The fact
that he genuinely seemed to be fond of me, didn't hurt either!! J
However, we were, still are and probably will always be as different as
fire and ice, dawn and dusk! So what exactly is it that binds us together?
A mere thread woven with black beads inter spaced with gold beads? A
promise made before God, our loved ones or perhaps the most important
wow, made to each other! Perhaps time shall reveal this X-factor! So
almost 6 months after we tied the knot, I find myself reminiscing about our
wedding day. Here are some highlights from my memory!
The wedding venue was resplendent in shades of yellow, white and blue.
The circular mandap was adorned with roses and carnations and flowing drapes.
As the sehanai announced the beginning of the ceremony, Prashant and I walked
in to a room full of smiles.
There is something very endearing about the entire wedding ceremony, the
sacred fire spreading the warmth and the cheer and the feeling of love all
around! Our ceremony started off with a short puja, a form of an invitation to
the Gods.
This was followed by the custom of “kanyadan” an act of handing over
one’s daughter to the future husband. As my parents, “my P” and I stood there
our palms hovering over each other in a staggered fashion, quiet tears escaped
my mother’s eyes. My father’s face contorted in sadness as he attempted to
reign in his emotions. My uncle and aunts gathered around my parents,
attempting to offer emotional support, but instead they too got entangled in
the emotion packed moment and succumbed to tears. Prashant looked on guiltily,
attempting to cheer up my mum. He eventually settled for staring off into the
far recesses of the venue while I shamelessly giggled at the entire scene
unfolding before us!
The next ceremony brightened everyone’s spirits as our families gathered
around us, waiting for the bride’s brother to pull the groom’s ears,
threatening him of dire consequences if he did not care for his sister! Siddharth
my baby brother, his grin stretching from one ear to another, settled down
behind us, waiting in position to do the honours. He tugged so hard on
Prashant’s ear that I was afraid it would fall off! As I admonished Siddharth
for tugging so hard, willing him to stop; my side of the family started booing
me, for taking Prashant’s side even before the wedding was complete! ;)
Next came the havan where we made our offerings to the Gods before a
pool of Fire, thanking the Fire God a symbolic messenger who would carry our
prayers to the Gods. This was the first puja of sorts, following which we
completed our pheras and a cute little ceremony called Sapta padi, in which my
groom promised to support me through all phases of life (I grinned in
reciprocation). Then we had the mangalsutra ceremony after which my Maa (as I
lovingly call my MIL) adorned me with ornaments from head to toe! J Yay me!
After that was the ‘naav ghena’ ceremony... not being a fan of public
speaking, I hesitatingly stuttered, “Roses are Red, Violets are Blue; Men
like Prashant are rarest of the few!!” (Could not have found a truer or more
fitting a statement.) After a quick sari change, we exchanged garlands
and were showered with rice and flower petals by our friends and family.
As I went upstairs for my last sari change, I could not help but gawk at
the idea that my life had changed dramatically! While my entire family deserted
me (once again... Grrr) it was Prashant who followed me in, attempting to
accompany me as I braved my way through the make-up ritual once again! Pankti
and Zeni ofcourse kept my adrenaline high as I scurried all over the room
attempting to pack everything in all at once!
From that day onwards, I began my wonderful journey with my P as a
married couple. To tell you the truth, we are like friends, who listen and hear
each other!
I have found the keeper of my heart...and have decided to keep it with
him... after all he keeps it safer than me! J
