An 'affair' to remember!

Let me share with you a 'dream' that I lived for about 4 weeks. This dream was an 'affair' that i would remember all my life!

I couldn't sleep for all those 18 - 19 hours I was on the plane to India. A million thoughts crossed my mind and i kept telling myself again and again "Hey, I am getting married!". My friends (Dolly and Gautam) had come to receive me at the airport and the first thing that I said when I hugged them was " Hey,I am getting married!"

I left for my hometown Alwar the next day. When I met mumma and papa, and hugged them...for a moment I went back to all my childhood memories.

Right from the first day, the rituals and ceremonies took over. Preparations were on the roll for the 'D' day! I thoroughly enjoyed the royal treatment I got as a 'soon to be' bride. Here I am talking about the 3 hours long expert body massage everyday with milk, flowers, saffron, barley flour and what not!

Soon, the house was full with my cousins, friends, kids and others. I had the 'Sangeet ceremony' on the 1st of December. This was the 'fun' part before wedding - where me, my friends, family and others performed - the theme being 'My Wedding'. The hard worked parody - prepared & performed by Gautam (the man with the voice!), Dolly (my best friend!)and
Abhishek (the dancer!)stole the show. I too performed!

The next day, I had the Mehendi (Henna) ceremony - the tiring part of the wedding, where the mehendi artist takes 5 hours to complete the bridal mehendi. I had my arms and legs full with mehendi. That night, we all danced like crazies.

Next day was the 'BIG' day - the day of my wedding! I can't forget that look on my father's face that morning. He kept looking at me as his little girl who had finally grown up. In the parlour, while getting dressed for the most important day of my life, I was trying not to get too stressed...trying to keep from crying.

With my friends, I reached the venue. People were coming in, all dressed and waiting to see the bride and groom together. The fragrant petals in the wind were convincing. After some waiting - the groom arrived royally on the horse! There & then i knew - 'forever' was waiting for us, and uniting as one will be our new task. It was time we prepared ourselves to remove our fears, and overlook the past that ever brought us tears.

Under the beautiful flower net carried by my brothers, I made my way to the stage for the 'Jaimala' ceremony. 'He' gave his hand, we exchanged garlands up in the air and there we were standing together and being looked upon by a thousand people. This really was my happiest day...the most satisfying smiles and tears of joy spread all over. People, family, friends, kids - everyone and everything looked so beautiful and colourful.

It was time for the reception - food, fun, music and a series of pictures with everyone coming and blessing us.

It was midnight and we were ready for the 'Panigrahan Sanskar' - the ceremony where my parents would give me away (not literally) to Shatrughan. For this, i dressed up in another traditional dress. It was time for the vows and the "I do's and dont's". We took our seven rounds around the 'holy fire', praying for our lives to be filled with love, for God to bless us richly from above. We prayed for a happy life, for the two of us to find joy and hope and to help one another cope. We prayed for our lives to be blessed with unending laughter and happiness. We promised to walk life's road hand in hand and honor the red mark on my forehead. We prayed for our love to grow more and more each day and build a life based on faith and trust. Finally, there I was - married to the man I loved so dear with all my family and friends sitting near.

When I left my house, i cried looking at my father - who's eyes were filled with tears as he remembered my younger years. I could also see my mom's eyes filled with pride as she stood looking at me and 'him'. I hugged everyone and sat in the car, making my way to my 'new' house.

I know my parents knew that they did not lose a daughter that day but gained another son in a very special way!

As I write this today, I vow to almighty, the promise of our love through eternity, to never fade but to shine brightly.