Mr & Mrs!!!

Mr & Mrs!!!

The sounds of dhol, shehnai and traditional dancers welcomed the groom and his baraati. The ladies stood with the arti thaal as the groom touched his sword to the toran before entering the bride’s house. As the baraat walked inside they were showered with rose petals and holy water, the bride’s side stood humbly hand folded with smiles as they welcomed everyone. The groom took his place on the stage that had been erected specifically for the occasion waiting for his bride, who at the moment sat excited and anxious in her room. She had already gone red hearing tales of the grown-up ladies on how to keep her would be husband happy and close. She had been relieved on hearing about the baraat’s arrival more because the ladies left her alone and she needed that time with herself. She looked around taking in room, from tomorrow she would no longer sleep in the bed or take in the rains from her very cosy balcony; she would no longer create mess and later clean it up. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realised that she would leave her home but then as she looked at one frame kept on her bedside table, she smiled because she knew she could come back whenever she wanted to visit and stay because it was her home and doors of her home would always be open to welcome her with wide arms.

The groom fidgeted a little to see his bride only to see his family and others snickering. He had waited for this moment for a really long time and one moment he had given up but as he heard the sound of her anklets and kamar-bandh he looked down and mumbled, “Thank you Ranimaa”

Everyone showered flowers on the couple taking the sacred saath phere when Ajabde felt some flowers on herself. She looked around to see her husband standing nearby, his eyes fixed on the couple and a smile on his face. She turned to look back at Heer and Shakti as memories of her own wedding came to her

The Bijolia Kalan looked beautiful decked with marigold garlands and rangoli, the mandap was decorated under Rani Meera’s supervision who made sure it was similar to Hansa Bai ji’s own wedding mandap- simple yet elegant. Heer brought her to the mandap where her Kharus was waiting for her. His eyes sparkled as he filled her hairline with “sindur” and made her wear the mangalsutra. She was his forever.

“Kanyadaan ke liye vadhu ke pita aaye” panditji’s words made Pratap recall the very touching moment during his wedding.

“Raoji’’s hands were strong yet they seemed frail the moment he placed Ajabde’s hand on his. His bride had tears in her eyes as her father completed the ritual of giving away his daughter, his only child to another able man with the hope that he looks after his daughter and takes care of her like he (father) had throughout her life.”

“Vivaah sampan hua” everyone smiled as the couple took blessings of the elders. Heer was about to bend for aashirwaad but Pratap shook his head and hugged her instead, “behen bhai ke pair nahi choohti” and then he looked at her brother, “tum jhuko” making everyone laugh as he hugged his brother as he bent a little. Ajabde hugged both of them as she later guided them to the room to rest a little.

She had walked out when one of the servants gave her a piece of paper

Aakhen tarass gayi tumhaare didaar mein

Khade hain hum akele

Chahtri ki aadh mein

Aa jaana jaldi se

Kahin behosh na ho jaayein tumhaare intezaar mein

Waiting for you Kunwaranisa!!

Ajabde went to the roof to see her husband standing under a chathri, his back was towards her. She had been pleasantly surprised to know her husband wrote poetry too. There was very less that he couldn’t do she had accepted the moment he had climbed through her room’s window to come meet her few days before the wedding. Pratap stood eyes closed as he heard the voice of her anklets- the sound was soothing. As she stood beside him he looked at her, under the moonlight she glowed, dressed in the red traditional saree that once belonged to his Ranimaa with the traditional jewellery but for him the most important one was her mangalsutra which tied her to him forever. Her sindur hid under the single tier borla maang-tika. He looked at her when the servant asked for permission to enter; he nodded his head while she stood confused. He loved seeing her confused- biting her luscious lips, head tilted her curious eyes trying to figure out the situation. 

The servant placed the small kund in the middle of the chathri and left, he turned and lit up the kund and gave his hand gesturing her to join him. Before she could ask he gently pulled her pallu over her head and took her hand in his

“Mrs Ajabde Punwar Singh Songara I promise you a lifetime of happiness and fights, of making-up and of occasional tears. I promise to wipe your tears away and be your shoulder to let everything out. I promise to never ever see you anything less than my equal, my partner. I promise to cherish all of our moments. I promise to be your shield and allow you to be mine when needed. I promise to work with you to make all of our dreams a reality and I promise to do my best to always make you feel like the most happiest, loved bride in this entire universe”

As he spoke they again took the sacred saath phere this time with promises of him being her everything and more for the rest of their lives. As he looked at her with love in his eyes she said,

“Kunwar Pratap Singh Songara I love you and I will always love till the end of this janm” and placed her head on his chest feeling his arms around her.

Shakti and Heer stood staring at the stars hands entwined excited to begin their new lives together. The stars twinkled as not one but 4 halves united and formed their complete selves while other rejoiced and celebrated the union.

Three days later Sisodia Haveli welcomed esteemed guests and dignitaries for the grand reception of the two Kunwars. Udai Singh wanted to celebrate his sons wedding and so he humbly requested Sajja Bai ji to allow him to hold the royal reception for the two couples. He had hired the best event management team and given strict instructions for the event. He had sent away Jagmal after his cowardly act in Bijolia and even his wife was warned about dire consequences if she tried to do something that would ruin the event or hurt his children. Everyone had arrived at the haveli two days in advance and the boys had spent the time showing the haveli and the area around it to the family members and their wives. Both Ajabde and Heer had their “pehli rasoi rasm” at the haveli and earned praises for their cooking.

The two husbands sat playing the play station while waiting for their respective wives who were taking ages in getting dressed. They had been playing for nearly an hour and still no sign of the ladies

“Itna time in getting dressed” Shakti spoke up “ready khud ho rahi hain ya dress ko bhi ready kar rahi hain” His elder brother shook his head as he again won the game “Aadat daal lo bhai ab se aise hi intezaar karna hoga”

The sound of anklets made them look at the door as the girls entered, both dressed in traditional bridal attires belonging to their repective mothers; Ajabde’s hair were tied in a bun with gajra while Heer’s were tied in a braid.

Everyone complimented the good looking couples who were greeting their guests. The Rathores arrived dressed up for the occasion but all eyes were on Rajkumari Phool Kanwar who dressed in blush pink saree went straight for the couples

“Congratulations Ajabde” she spoke with sincerity and warmth. Ajabde in turn hugged Phool making all the guests gasp, “am so happy to see you Rajkumarisa”. Both the girls chatted like there was no animosity between them and even when she wished Pratap he humbly accepted her wishes.

As the dances began Jalal took Ajabde to the floor while Heer danced with Chaks. Phool approached Pratap, “may I have this dance Kunwarsa?”

Pratap and Phool joined the dancing couples on the floor. As they both began to move Phool noticed Pratap’s eyes were trained on his wife and she smiled,

“I’m sorry” her words made him look at her while she danced looking at the red rose fixed on his jacket, “I hurt you over materialistic things only to learn the harsh truth later. I was told that the way I lived needed me to be married to a wealthy man who could afford my lifestyle but I learned that to live a life means to live it with my head held high”

She stared him in his eyes, “you’re very lucky Pratap to have found Ajabde. She’s a unique soul because she lives with her head held high and fights for the weak. She saved me and gave me a new lease on life just like she has given you. I know you’ll always keep her happy and I wish you both all the happiness in this world”

The dance ended as Phool nodded her head and walked away with a smile as she found her closure. Maybe later on even she might find her unique soul who will look at her just like Pratap looked at his wife.

Jalal while dancing gave the signal to the music band that stopped playing as the lights dimmed out. Ajabde looked at him in confusion when his voice rang out making her look at the screen that began rolling out images

Hmm.. hmm…

Dehleez pe mere dil ki
Jo rakhe hain tune kadam
Tere naam pe meri zindagi
Likh di mere humdum

Heer’s eyes twinkled as Shakti sang along with his brother as images from their pre-wedding shoot came on making everyone smile. Her favourite image came of both of them looking at the mighty Aravalli range with the farmhouse in the background and their hands entwined

Haan seekha maine jeena jeena kaise jeena
Haan seekha maine jeena mere humdum
Na seekha kabhi jeena jeena kaise jeena
Na seekha jeena tere bina humdum


Hmmm.. hmmm..

Pratap looked straight at his wife making her go red and feel weak in the knees. She smiled as candid pictures from their wedding ceremonies came on the screen, both of them smiling during the pre-wedding cocktail party looking at the fireworks, her animatedly talking about something while he looked at her

juthe se ye mere naina
kahte nhi jo hai kahna
sach to hai ye chahte hai na
deakhna har dam

ho jariya hai tu khusioka meri
bin tere adhure hai hum
ke tere name pe zindagi likh di mere humdam

Everyone’s eyes went a little wet as wedding images appeared of both the brides- single shots, with their family members but the most touching was that of sindur-dan, Jalal had beautifully captured the moment of the union

OO mere mahiya ek pal bhi dur na jaa
sau tenu rab diya
ek pal bhi dur na ja
ek vaari dil hari piiiiya


me dil tere nhi jennnnnaaaa

Haan seekha maine jeena jeena, kaise jeena
Haan seekha maine jeena, mere humdum
Na seekha kabhi jeena jeena kaise jeena
Na seekha jeena tere bina humdum


OOooo aasama mila zamiko meri adhe adhe pure hum
oooo tere name pe zindagi likh diiiiiiiii mere hum dau m


Hmmm… hmmm..

The song ended with cheers and applause as the official wedding portrait of the couples came on with the title Mr & Mrs Forever!!!