013

                                    

                                          
The occasion demanded the heavy prepration and energy. 
Each and every person of the family was appointed different works for such Raghuveer was handling all the outside work from seeing the caterers to watching the decorations to bringing the necessary items from the market. Roopa and Radha were swept away in making the list of the guests, of whether or not the gifts Raghuveer bought will be sufficient, of about the clothes and fruit baskets and sweets that will be sent to the Tripathi's house.
Manorama has kept the chair in the middle of the hall, sitting there and directing anyone and everyone about the rituals and manners of things to be done.
Niyati watches from the far..the scene seems almost foreign to her eyes, she never had seen a wedding before and all of this rush and chaos was just too much to handle. 
She was given the task of putting the mehendi on the hands of Shivangi, Roopa, Mitthu and some other women of the neighborhood. 
(It took lots of the persuasion from Raghuveer for Niyati to change her decision and attend the function despite the oath she took that day about Manorama.
"I will take care of maa. She won't say anything, won't do anything I assure you that. " Was the words that sealed the deal for her. And indeed Manorama has kept her eyes and taunts away from Radha and her family.)
"I must say Radha, your daughter indeed is talented. Look how beautiful my mehndi is.." Neelu compared her mehendi with other ladies giggling among them not realising the strain it causes to the girl for putting such detailed design on her hands as well as to the others. "All the daughters of the family are god's blessings."
Niyati stands up from the circle making her way to the kitchen to drink a glass of the water and after washing it she put it on the shelf again. When she returned the topic has taken the other turn "...I know many good families around the area. If you want to Radha..both sisters could be wed off in the same mandap" an extreme fat woman said from the sofa wearing the bright pink coloured saree looking like the overgrown gorilla in it.
She turned to her mother to show her temper for Roopa to interfere "today is Shibu's day didi..let us focus on that.." Radha sent a thankful look to Roopa who simply nods her head and walked outside hearing Raghuveer's call.
"Wao." Shivangi looked like the absolute princess in her yellow coloured lehanga and jewellery and open hair straighten for the occasion. The ivory complexion of her glistening from all the home made mask Roopa has made of her, the makeup only enhancing her beautiful features. 
Roopa, Radha, Niyati and Maithili stood behind a beaming Shivangi who was sitting in front of the mirror. Roopa put a black thread around her arm where the blouse sleeves cut around then putting a small dot behind her daughter's ear "my little girl is now all grown up. So much so, soon,she will leave her mother's courtyard for a new world that is awaiting for her ." 
Radha put a hand on Roopa's shoulder to give her support, understanding very well how the woman was feeling at the moment. She also has two daughters and so she will has to go through this fearful moment twice. Of sending your beloved sparrow to the open cloud where you will not be there to take care of her at any given moment. Of sending the daughter you raised, cared and loved to a place that will be completely new to her, to people who might not be able to give the same care to that sparrow as you have gave.
How can a mother console herself sending her own heart away with her daughter and then able to spend her whole life without her.
"Maa.." Shivangi turned to embrace her mother, tears glistening everyone's eyes.
For Ranveer to barge inside the room and announcing "maa.. Didi's in-laws are here. Papa is calling you and kaki to welcome them." He eyed the women suspiciously as each and every one of them was now dabbing their eyes with Niyati fudging over Shivangi. "What happened? And- Wao didi..you look so preety." He mumble in awe looking at his sister.