Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 24

Sid’s Pov: 

Bhaaraat was welcomed in a grand manner as expected…..her papa had made grander than expected…..But all the hospitality seemed like nothing to me….I just wanted to see her…..

I waited….I waited….impatiently for one glance of my bride……of my Anjali….I was imagining her in the bridal wear…..How would she look???What color would be her dress??? Any color would suit her!!!Would she be smiling?? Or blushing????I was curious….impossibly curious!!!!

I wanted to see her before anyone else sees her in that dress….i even tried to slip away to her room slowly but my aunty caught me…..Her mom was also like a security guard and never left me alone…..She handed me over to a bunch of saliyas who were behind me, making fun of me…..I couldn’t get my wish granted….They freaked out when they heard it….and were dead against that…..They said that I could see Anjali only after the wedding……I thought “yeh rasme, rules, regulations….bullshit!!!”…..But there was no other choice but wait for the pandit to say “Vadhu ko bulaaihiye” I even thought of bribing him to say that quickly….that was hilarious and brought a smile to my face…….



Finally [a deep sigh] my wait ended….I saw Aashu and few others bringing Anjali……Her face wasn’t visible….She had her ghoongat over her face……Suddenly a weird thought cropped up…..What if that’s not Anjali!!! I smacked myself at that thought…”Yeh film hai kya??? Tum kya kya sochte rahethe ho Sid…….par phir bhi ek baar check karle toh accha hota!!!” 

Akhiyaan milake channa paawe na judai we

Akhiyaan milake channa paawe na judai we

deve na tari menu saari khudai we, akhiyaan milake 

Oooooooo



Tare Hai Bharaati, Chandni Hai Yeh Bharaat

Saatho Fere Honge Abb Haatho Mein Lekar Haath

Saatho Fere Honge Abb Haatho Mein Lekar Haath



Jeevan Saathi Hum Diya Aur Baati Hum 

Re Jeevan Saathi Hum Diya Aur Baati Hum 



[She was standing beside me…..We exchanged garlands…..Then we sat down…..I couldn’t believe it……We would be life partners, soul mates in a few minutes…….everything looked like a dream….a sweet dream…..I pinched myself to verify……

I looked sideways to see what she is doing….may be she is looking at me 

too….But no, she wasn’t…..]



[Anjali's dad gave her hands into his….kanya dhaan…..]

Tare Hai Bharaati, Chandni Hai Yeh Bharaat
Saatho Fere Honge Abb Haatho Mein Lekar Haath
Saatho Fere Honge Abb Haatho Mein Lekar Haath
Jeevan Saathi Hum Diya Aur Baati Hum
Jeevan Saathi Hum Diya Aur Baati Hum

Tare Hai Bharaati, Chandni Hai Yeh Bharaat

The Anjali, I knew wasn’t like this….maine socha tha ke woh apni ghoongat se chupke se mujhe dekhegi……..her bubbly nature was such that I assumed that she would do all types of pranks even on her wedding day too….But then a wedding, the feeling of becoming a wife, the sorrow of leaving your parents and home behind could change anyone…..It would have changed her too…..I promised to myself that I would bring back the Anjali I knew, and I love….I would bring back her pranky nature…..That was what made me close to her….and I couldn’t afford to lose that….

I was surely young and immature for this huge responsibility, I wasn’t settled yet, I was still studying……there were 100 factors against me getting married but my love….my immense love for her outweighed those…..Everything else seemed very small before that love…..i strongly believed that she loved me back the same way!!!

Anjali's POV:

We were being knotted together….His shawl was being tied to my pallu……the sacred wedlock….. We were being binded in the holy matrimony for the whole life.......I was nervous and tensed to the fullest………i scanned through the crowd to find Aashu….She was standing in the front row with Deepak…Sheetal was missing….may be she was guy hunting somewhere behind in the crowd….. [I smiled at that thought for the first time after coming to the mandap….] I focused on the events taking place….i brushed off the other thoughts…..

Ganaga Jamuna Se Bhi Pawan
Tere Mera Bandhan
Tera Prem Phoolwari Aur Mera Prem Hai Agan
Janmo Janmo Ka Hi Sajni Tere Mera Saath
Saatho Fere Honge Abb Haatho Mein Lekar Haath
Jeevan Saathi Hum Diya Aur Baati Hum
Jeevan Saathi Hum Diya Aur Baati Hum

Saath Pheras
“After crossing seven steps with me thus, you should become my friend. I too have become your friend now. I will never discard this friendship and you should also not do that. Let us be together always. Let us resolve to do things in life in the same manner and tread the same path. Let us lead a life by liking and loving each other, having good hearts and thoughts, and enjoying the life together. Let us have undivided opinions. Let me be the Heaven; you be the Earth. Let me be the mind and you its spokesman. “

We were taking our pheras now….With each round, we were slowly becoming husband and wife and making promises to ourselves and each other…..
This made me seriously think about it…..Sid is my husband now…..I had to forget everything else and start loving him…..Afterall he saved me from a mess….he accepted this proposal and made my parents happy…..I promised to myself that I would try my best to be a good wife…..I would fulfill all duties of a daughter-in-law…..I would never give them a chance to complain…..I would keep them happy……

Tu Hai Jeevan Mein Jo Preetam
Aur Nahi Mangu Duja
Arthi Teri Karthi Hoon Man Se Teri Pooja
Mein To Dharm Hi Samjhu Teri Kahi Hui Har Baat
Saatho Fere Honge Abb Haatho Mein Lekar Haath
Jeevan Saathi Hum Diya Aur Baati Hum

“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. As the heavens are stable, as the earth is stable, as the mountains are stable, as the whole universe is stable, so may our unions be permanently settled.”

We were married…Whether happily, hmmm only time will tell!!……We took blessings from everyone….my parents, his parents, his relatives, my relatives…..all the elderly people of the family…..

Now came the most painful event of every bride….Vidaai…..I had to leave my home, my people and walk into a new place….I was being transplanted to an entirely new environment about which I didn’t know….Everything would be new to me….
I was missing my brother a lot……He had been there for me all through my life…..but he wasn’t there for the greatest event in my life…my marriage…..He would have been a support to me in all ways!!
My dad and mom hugged me….i couldn’t control my tears any longer…..i broke up….that brought tears to my parents…..Then I bid bye to my cousins and other close relatives….All were nearly in tears and were not willing to part with me….
Sid’s mom took my hands from them and took me away slowly……….She knew that I would stand there the whole day and not move on…..

"My comments: I have just tried to write the ceremonies of a wedding as much as possible....It might not be correct to the fullest and may not be the right order tooo.....Please excuse the mistakes!!!"

*******************************************

A big fully decorated car was waiting for us…..I was sandwiched between Sid and his mom….his dad was in the front seat…..I adjusted myself and sat in a confined manner……I was extra careful that i didnt touch him........I was continuously making my mind understand that Sid is my husband now and I shouldnt be treating him like an alien but it was too difficult to accept that….I realized that I was yet to come in terms with that truth!!!!   

Sid’s POV:
She was beside me but her face was covered still…..She bid a teary farewell to her people….The car moved out of the gate……The windows were open and there was a strong wind….I wished that her ghoongat moved a bit so that I could see her……As if my mind was readable, a gush of wind rushed in but my mom lifted the window panes and urged the driver to switch on the AC…I murmered to myself…”Maa ko bhi abi window close karna tha”

Anjali’s POV:
He murmered something….I turned to his side…through my transparent ghoongat, we looked at each other…..We were seeing each other the first time as husband and wife…..His eyes were trying to say many things….I tried to read it but…..

Sid’s POV:
Our eyes were locked….I was trying to convey what all was in my heart to her…She was made for me….We were made for each other…..I wished she realizes it too…..

Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayaal aata hai
Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayaal aata hai
Ki jaise tujhko banaya gaya hai mere liye
Ki jaise tujhko banaya gaya hai mere liye
Tu abse pehle sitaaron mein bas rahi thi kahin
Tu abse pehle sitaaron mein bas rahi thi kahin
Tujhe zameen pe bulaya gaya hai mere liye
Tujhe zameen pe bulaya gaya hai mere liye

Oops, a sudden break, a jerk spoiled our moment……She turned away at that…..
My mom and dad were continuously talking to each other….When I realized that they weren’t noticing us, I slowly, very slowly placed my hand over her hand….. Feeling my touch, she looked at me again…
I could feel a vibration….She was shivering….I tried to hold it firmly, I wanted to comfort her….i wanted to give her an assurance that she was safe in my hands…..that she was my life and I would do anything to keep her happy…..

Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayaal aata hai
Ki ye badan ye nigaahein meri amaanat hain
Ki ye badan ye nigaahein meri amaanat hain
Ye gesuon ki ghani chhaon hain meri khatir
Ye honth aur ye baahein meri amaanat hain
Ye honth aur ye baahein meri amaanat hain

I slid my fingers over her hand to reach out to the ghoongat…..I moved closer to her face…..She shuddered and lowered her head......I could feel her blushing……

Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayaal aata hai
Ki jaise bajti hain shehnaaiyaan si raahon mein
Ki jaise bajti hain shehnaaiyaan si raahon mein
Suhaag raat hain ghoonghat utha raha hoon main
Suhaag raat hain ghoonghat utha raha hoon main
Simat rahi hai tu sharma ke apni baahon mein
Simat rahi hai tu sharma ke apni baahon mein

My eyes were telling all the unsaid things to her….I love you and will love you forever……she raised her eyes to look at me……

Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayaal aata hai
Ki jaise tu mujhe chaahegi umar bhar yoohin
Uthegi meri taraf pyaar ki nazar yoohin

Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayaal aata hai
Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayaal aata hai

I couldn’t resist anymore….i tried to lift her ghoongat and see her face when the car screeched to an halt and also put a brake on my dreams…..Gosh, I was dreaming!!!

We reached home….All my relatives rushed to the car…….somebody handed the aarti thali to my mom….She did the aarti and took us inside….And yeah, Anjali ne kalash giraakar, sindoor ke thaali mein pehar rakh kar grahapravesh kiya…….Into my life…into my home…..

I was relieved now….By about an hour’s time, she would be all alone with me….I could speak to her peacefully without any inhibitions and interference…..

**********************************************

<<Rewind to the Mehndi and wedding ceremonies…..lets see whats happening with Kripa…..

Kripa’s POV:
I was shocked when I got Anjali’s invite….I was curious to know what happened…..Aashu told me the story in bits and pieces….there were blanks here and there…but it was not hard for me to fill it up….I was sure that Sid had played some game…..but I was surprised why Anjali accepted this….Her parents believed a 3rd person and not their own daughter!!!…..I always believed that Anjali had a fabulous understanding family…..

"A loving,caring family and great friends" 2 things that only lucky people get!!!! I used to envy her at times for those!!!
”Grass is always greener on the other side” I sighed as I got ready for her wedding ceremonies…..

At her wedding.......
On one side was Anjali.......
Anjali seemed to be in a saturated condition..neither too happy nor sad totally…..Sometimes she seemed as if she totally forgot that she was the one getting married….Sometimes, she looked as if she was in some trance and was totally unaware of what was happening around her…..and at times, she was dancing and enjoying the fun as if she was the happiest person in the world…..

I couldn’t read what was in her mind…..But one thing was sure…she was compromising on this for her parents……Anyways, that was beyond my control….So I left it to god….”Whatever happens, happens for the good”

On the other side, her friends were enjoying thoroughly.....
All along the dance and masti, Aashu wasn’t dancing with Deepak…She was with Anjali, may be a moral support……….Sheetal was missing from the scene too….During the mehndi, she was constantly interrupted by phone calls and she was completely absent for the wedding......…..Deepak was left alone on the dance floor…..All other guys had partners……


He called me to dance with him, in fact pulled me from my chair……I was a bit embarrassed by that….All were noticing us…..I couldn’t refuse the request…..I was forced to dance with him……I didn’t want to but he seemed more than willing….But it was just a friendly gesture from him……


He called me just because Aashu and Sheetal were not there…and not because he had any special preference for me….He had none of that sort….that was more than evident in his dance…….


He smiled, he danced, he nodded but nothing had any hidden meaning…..I didn’t want to lose my mind…..I tried to keep it under control…..I told to myself…”no Kripa, don’t misunderstand any of his gestures, he is just a friend to you….you are just a friend to him……nothing beyond that……yes…I chanted his words again and again in my mind”…..He has no special feelings towards me….and he has made it clear as well….So I can’t accuse him……I had to keep my heart under my control….

His charm, his smile, his touch lured me towards him…….My control went vain at times……To add to my torture, he twirled me around and dragged me closer as part of a dance step…..I couldn’t help but look at him closely…..I was in his arms for a moment….I wished that moment becomes longer than ever……I longed to stay there forever and ever……But the very next second, he pushed me away and held my hand…….I was dancing to his whims and fancies….I was in his control…..Though I hate to accept it, I loved the feeling of being in his control…….atleast momentarily!! My heart was slipping away from my hands……
I wanted to break away from him whenever I lost control of myself…..but then couldn’t…….

The wedding happened at its pace…..It was a grand elaborate affair.....
During the vidaai, Anjali cried…..Any girl would…..Apnon ko chod ke jaana koyi aasaan baat nahi….All of us cried with her......A teary farewell…..
Aashu opted to stay back with Anjali's mom........

I wonder what happened to Sheetal, Hadn’t Anjali invited her??? Aashu was trying to call her but she never picked up the calls…....which left just me and Deepak…I had to go home as my father never allowed me to stay out of home at night…..I couldn’t even think of asking permission for that…..

Deepak volunteered to drop me home….Though my mind said no, I didn’t let that out….I accepted the lift…I knew it would make my wounds fresh again but………but I chose to bear that pain……

*****************************************

<<Rewind to Scene at Garden view…..
[Jeeth doesn’t wait for Sheetal to reply but forces her to go wth him….As they walk and get into the lift, Sam and Tushar spot them…….]
Sam: woh Anjali ki dhost Sheetal hai na??
Tushar: haan yaar….wahi hai….par yeh shaadi mein kyun nahi gayi????yahaan kya kar rahi hai???
Sam: aur uske saath kaun hai???Woh teek nahi lag rahi!!! Kuch toh gadbad hai!!
Tushar: tum Sid ko phone karo…usse poochte hai….
Sam: hey no…don’t disturb him…...Sid mandap mein hoga….usse phone karke kya poochna….chalo unke peeche chalthe hai….

[They rush through the stairs to the first floor where the lift stops..….Jeeth is literally carrying Sheetal in his arms….They see him going to his room…..Then run behind him but he closes the door before that]

Sam: [knocks strongly at the door and in loud voice, shouts literally] Hey…You....Open the door…..Open the door…..

Tushar: don’t shout like this….may be he is Sheetal’s relative or close friend or may be …..[Pauses] boyfriend….We will never know, may be he is an important person in her life…..If that’s the case, we are actually disturbing them…..

Sam: [angrily] Boy friend….my foot!!! Agar girl friendke tabeyat teek nahi hai toh usse doctor ke paas lekhar jaana hai…..kisi hotel room mein nahi…….I am sure, he is upto some nasty act…….

[Door opens and jeeth comes out angrily…..]

Jeeth: [standing in the entrance] what’s your problem??? Why are you banging on the door???? Shaayad tum log galath room mein aaye ho!!!!

Sam: koyi galathi nahi hui hai…hum teek room mein teek samay par aaye hai……Woh ladki……usse kya hua hai???

Jeeth: tumse matlab????

Sam: humse hi matlab hai!!!
Jeeth: [sarcastically] accha……tumaari girl friend hai kya???

Sam: [in a flow] haan….woh meri girlfriend hai aur [pointing to Tushar] iski behen!!!!
[Tushar opens his eyes widely and rolls it at Sam…..Jeeth is shocked at their response]

Jeeth: [shocked] what???

Tushar: [mind voice: achha bacchu….maukey ka fayda kaise lethey hai, yeh koyi tumse seekhen…..Cycle gap mein mujhe bhai banaadiya…..aur khud boy friend ban gaya!!!! Tumse toh main akele nipat loonga…..] Yup…..Sheetal meri sister hai…..Now move…..

[They push Jeeth to a side and go inside…..Sheetal is lying on the bed……They pick her up]

[Fortunately they had come in 2 cars…They place her in one car….Sam sprinkles water on her face…but she doesn’t respond immediately]

Tushar: tum ek kaam karo….isse ghar le jao…..i will pick Sid’s guests and go to the mandap……I will try to adjust all of them in one car....or will take another cab

Sam: ME Alone!!!!

Tushar: don’t act so innocently……..[thinks]…..or the other way around….You handle Sid’s guests and I will take her home….

Sam: [thinks…looks at her in the back seat] nahi nahi….i will take her….

Tushar: ok fine….take her to a doctor first…..aise aalat mein tum usse uske ghar nahi le jaa sakthey….

Sam: hmmm…..[Smiles and drives off]
[Tushar brings the guests for the wedding and Sam takes Sheetal to the nearby doctor…..Doctor says that she has taken some sleeping pills and will get up only after 3-4 hrs…It might even take longer!!…….
Sam wonders what he should do with her…..He can’t take her home like that….He lives in a bachelor’s hostel and so he can’t take her to his place…….All her friends are at the wedding hall…….But he can’t take her to the wedding in this state…..Only place left is the car!! He has no other option but wait for her to return to her senses………He calls up Tushar who also gives him the same idea!!!]


[To be continued]