Mates For Life And After Life
After the seven rounds around the holy fire were completed they performed Anjali. Mridul and Mihir put puffed rice in the hands of Mrinal. Abhay stood close to her holding her hands from back and extended their arms forward. They then pour the offering into fire together.
While offering the puffed rice Abhay whispered into Mrinal's ears ‘Thank You'
This two simple words were enough for Mrinal to understand he is thanking her for coming to her life.
She whispered back in his ears ‘Thanks to you also.'
Their love was simple yet strong, pure and true.
(Anjali - An offering to the fire is made. The bride's brother puts puffed rice (khoi) in the hands of the bride, and the groom standing close to her holds her hands from the back and extends their arms forward. They then pour the offering into the fire together.)
After Anjali they were once again seated on the piri. Every time Abhay was helping her as her Banarasi was heavy. He was constantly tensed for her. He doesn't want her to get sick at any cost.
As they seated at their respective seats in chadnatolla Abhay first tied the new Mangalsutra around her neck. He chuckled looking at the old Mangalsutra. She didn't remove it until Abhay tied the new one. Then he applied sindoor or vermilion (a symbol of marriage worn by Hindu women thereafter) on the Mrinal's hair-parting. Some amount of vermilion fell on her nose making her looking all cute. A lone tear escaped from her eyes. But this time it wasn't tears of helplessness, it was happy tears. During the process of sindoor daan her head was covered with a new saree given by Abhay's family called "lojja bostro".
(Sindoor Daan and Ghomta – Once again seated at their respective places in chadnatolla the groom applies sindoor or vermilion (a symbol of marriage worn by Hindu women thereafter) on the bride's hair-parting. During the process of sindoor daan the bride's head is covered with a new saree given by the groom's family. This is known as "lojja bostro".)
The priest announced them husband and wife.
Abhay softly whispered into her ears ‘I love you Baby.'
‘I love you too.' Came her reply making his heart flattered.
The innocent angel became Devil's once again. His to love, His to cherish and His to respect. They are Mates For Life And After Life.
After marriage they took blessings from the priest, their late parents and their elders.
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Mrinal and Abhay were sitting on the bed with everyone (only youngers). They had dinner with all family members. It was all fun for them. Abhay was putting extra food on Mrinal's plate as she didn't eat anything whole day.
‘Abhi I can't eat more.'
‘No you have to. You kept fast. Baby you will be sick.'
‘But I can't eat that much.' She pouted.
‘Your pout can't save you. EAT!'
Abhay pushed the spoon in her mouth.
It was their Basar Ghar. They were going to enjoy the night with youngsters. Mridul and Mihir laughed at Abhay's grumpy face knowing they are going to spend the whole night with youngsters. But looking at her happy face he forgot everything. The night was really funny with their old memories and laughter. Rima, Robin and Isha were there also with Adith. nd Mridul continued to tease Abhay. His Mafia King was totally different from this true avatar.
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Mrinal was crying hugging her mother. She spent whole 1 year without them. But her Bidaai made her sad. She hugged all of them tightly.
‘Baby don't weep. You know na you can come here whenever you want.'
Abhay didn't like her teary face. It was true she can come whenever she wants even she came here in past one year whenever she wanted. But it is her house. Her childhood was spent here. Though she wasn't born here but got her family here only.
Devika and Vishal consoled her patting her head ‘You know na we will bring you here whenever you want.'
She wiped her tears ‘I know Chote papa. But it was ..'
‘No Mira it is your house and will remain.' It was her elder brother.
He kissed her forehead and said ‘Our little princess is just going to Mumbai from Kolkata. We will meet you whenever you want.'
She smiled at him ‘I know Borodadbhai.'
Her sister – in – laws were also crying. Her mother was crying most. Abhay went to her and took her hands in his hands ‘I promise you Arti ma just call me for once I will bring her here or take you to her.'
She nodded her head. Mrinal hugged her father. He was her hero from childhood and will always remain. Her uncles hugged her together.
Brinda, her grandmother kissed her forehead and said ‘It's your new journey. Enjoy every moment of it. God bless you both.'
Her grandfather kissed her forehead and blessed her.
Little Adi and Barsha were crying sitting on Abhay's lap. Abhay patted their head and said ‘Don't cry little loves we will meet soon. I promise moni will come to meet you whenever you want.'
‘We know Pisan, still I miss moni a lot.' Adi replied wiping his tears. These two kids were very adorable. They kissed Abhay's cheek making pouts.
After taking blessings from elders Abhay hugged his brother – in – laws. They shared a brotherly hug. Mrinal was hugging them tightly. These two are her shields, sweetest and naughtiest brothers.
She hugged her sister – in – laws. They wiped her tears while they were themselves crying.
The two adorable babies came to their Moni and hugged her ‘You will come to us na?'
‘Of course I will.' She kissed their cheeks. They kissed both of her cheeks. Soon it was the time to leave for Singh Raizada Mansion in Kolkata. As soon as Abhay was about to put on his shoes he didn't find them. He looked here and there for his shoes. But couldn't find them. And the realization hit him. It was a ritual of stealing the shoes of the groom. Mihir and Mridul started laughing.
‘Ahmm.. my shoes are missing.' He said grabbing everyone's attention.
‘It should Abhi.' It was his choti ma.
‘I know. How can I get it?' He asked not knowing who has his shoes. This shoe stealing is basically done by the bride's sister. But she is the only daughter of her families.
‘If you want your shoe then you have to give us the thing we want.' It was Aroni.
‘Yes of course.' Abhay was ready to give them anything they want.
‘Promise!!'
‘Promise my dear Boudibhais (sister – in – laws).' He said genuinely.
‘Ok Adi and Barsha go and bring that white box which I gave you last night.'
Adi and Barsha nodded and brought the white box and gave it to Aroni. She gave it to Sneha ‘Okk so jamai babu (brother – in – law) here is your shoe but before that keep your promise.'
‘Ask whatever you want to ask. I will be glad to give.'
‘Keep her always happy. Don't make her cry.' It was Aroni. Tears rolled down from Mrinal's eyes.
Abhay took the box and said ‘I will never dare to do that. It's Abhay Singh Raizad's promise.'
They nodded their heads. They weren't not blood related. They were each other's soul sisters.
‘But I want to give you somethings, gifts.'
‘No!! we don't want a gift shop please. Look at the whole house. No no thanks but don't.' It was Sneha. They never planned to ask for gifts. Mrinal's happiness was important for them.
‘Ok fine but please take this.' Abhay forwarded two small boxes.'
Mrinal said before they could deny ‘Take it Boudibhais. He brought it for his sisters.'
She meant them only. They took the gift from them making him happy. There were two platinum earrings with a big diamond on each of them in each boxes. Both Abhay and Mrinal chose it for them.
‘It was like you were eager to get your shoes to be stolen.' Mridul said making everyone smile.
Abhay grinned his comment. Both of Aroni and Sneha thanked him. They would have return it but they didn't want to make them upset.
Soon they left for Singh Raizada Mansion in Kolkata after taking leave from them. Her bidaay ritual was simple as she didn't throw rice in the sari of her mother to fill the responsibility of her mother to her. Nobody from the families wanted to do this. And Mrinal knew she can never thank her enough for what they do for her.
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Inside the car Mrinal was leaning on Abhay's chest. Abhay pressed the switch to put the black shield between front and back seat of his car. Nobody can see them but they can see outside clearly. Abhay was caressing her back soothingly. She was crying softly. Abhay was wiping her tears. Her tears were making him sad. He kept cooing in her ears making her smile. And he felt proud of himself for making her smile.
Mrinal was welcomed by Devika in their new mansion which was named by her name only.
She did her Arti to welcome her. She put tika on Abhay's forehead and filled Mrinal's hair partition with red vermillion. She lovingly patted her cheeks hiding her smile. Then she put kalash filled with rice in the middle of the doorstep. Before Devika could say Abhay bend down and lifted her right leg and guided her to perform Grihapravesh as it was their tradition. Then Choti ma put a plate full of red colour (Aalta). Mrinal put her legs on the plate and then put her right leg inside the house.
‘The queen is back.' Vishal happily said as she entered inside the house. They were eager to welcome her in this new mansion. All the workers were looking at them lovingly. They were happy for their Abahy baba and his wife.
They took blessings from their parents and then from Devika and Vishal. They took blessings from the elder workers. Younger workers congratulated them.
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‘Noo!!' Abhay huffed. Again he has to stay without his Baby. And now he understood why his brother – in – laws asked him before coming here ‘Are you sure you still want to follow Bengali rituals in your house also?'
He replied with a smile ‘Yes of course.' that time. And now he is feeling like hitting his own head. He didn't know he needs to stay away from her again.
Vishal laughed at his face. He wasn't allowed to see her face until tomorrow. He went to his room and called Mrinal. But the line was busy. Mrinal was talking with her grandmother.
After talking with him she called back Abhay.
‘Hello Abhi. I was talking with Didun.'
‘Baby who made this Kaal Ratri? I want to stay with you. I don't want to stay away from you.' He complained like a kid. He was so excited to held her in his arms. But nothing happened.
‘I don't know.' Mira giggled at his childishness.
‘I miss you Baby.'
‘Abhi we just met in the morning and then in the lunch time.'
‘And it's night. I miss you a lotttttt.'
She smiled warmly and wholeheartedly. They continued to talk until Mira slept. After she slept he was listening to her soft snoring. How badly he wanted to go to her room and scoop her in his arms. But he was afraid of his choti ma.
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