Marriage Procession

Two days before marriage Akash was called and informed that marriage customs will start now. He has to start participating in marriage customs which included applying the rogue of turmeric with mustard oil twice a day.

One of his aunts applied him the turmeric rogue and it felt really sticky due to oil. Worst of all, he was told not to bath for these two days. Rogue will be rubbed away from the body but he will not be bathing for these two days. When he complained once, he was told that the girl side has started this custom in five days advance and it means the girl will not bathe for whole five days. For the first time, he felt pity for the girl.

"She is an idiot. This is all due to her. Pitiful or not, she sure is dumb." he thought annoyingly. He still felt like Varsha did not help him in stopping this marriage, so she is the cause of all misery they have to suffer.

On the day of the marriage, After a haircut and a bit of beauty treatment on face, Akash was bathed in lukewarm water. Clothes he used to wear while doing the customs are kept aside to be donated. While bathing he felt like bathing never felt so good after applying the sticky thing on his body for two days.

After bathing his mother and grandma helped him prepare in a yellow tunic which has beautiful thread-work done. He wore matching pants and shoes. On the head, he wore a coronet made of cotton cloth and is adorned with pearls in a beautiful way.

When Akash came out of his room after getting ready, everyone praised him for being such a handsome groom which made him embarrassed. His friend Kripa is the one who mostly suffered from the frustration and annoyance of Akash but he understands the sadness of a person being sacrificed. Kripa felt amused and born with it all.

About 5 PM in the evening of 1 July, there were 5 Sedan cars, 5 minivans and a few other vehicles standing in front of the hotel. The car in front has decorations done in colorful papers and flowers to make it look colorful and festive and this is the groom's car. A priest anointed on his forehead using sandalwood powder with the chanting of Mantra and then Akash entered in his car. His friend Kripa and also his sister Ira joined him.

Auspicious time for starting the marriage procession is 5:30 PM and everyone boarded their assigned vehicles and procession started toward village Khirwa at the exact time. In front, back and in the middle of the procession, there are music bands on their open roof vehicles who are playing beautiful songs in sync related to marriage and union of two hearts. It is grand and lively and people are looking from the sides of the roads.

The procession is moving and Akash closed his eyes and put his back on the seat. "This is all so embarrassing" He muttered and his sister beside him giggled. Kripa who is sitting in front felt amused.

At the house of Ramlal Verma in Village Khirwa,

In the afternoon, Varsha took her bath. Two girls who have come from one of the well-known beauty parlors of Singrauli and are called to help prepare the bride started their work around 3 PM. Her both palms are decorated in beautiful henna work. Henna design in palm also includes the name of the groom in the center which denotes their love. Work on her brows, face, and hair was done to make her look like a beautiful bride.

She wore blouse and petticoat and then Saree on top of it. She then wore the jewelry, golden necklace, bangles and anklets. When she walked from her room, she looked like an innocent and beautiful doll and her silver anklets make a beautiful sound while walking. Her family members especially her grandma lost control and sobbed remembering that their beloved will leave them soon.

Varsha got ready by 5 PM and sat along with her sister. There is a lot of hustle bustle in the courtyard. Ladies are making the arrangements for food, decorations, and ceremony. Canopy for the marriage ceremony is created in the inner courtyard because the girl should not leave the house until marriage is completed.

Around 6 PM there is a noise from the outer courtyard that marriage procession of the groom has reached the village and many people ran toward outside to look at the procession. Some of the distant sisters and sisters-in-law also went outside to look at the music and fireworks being done by the group. After some time, even Varsha in inner courtyard heard the sound of fireworks and the sound of music. It seems marriage procession has reached the pavilion created for the groom's side.

Sitting in her room, Varsha is looking at her palms and seeing the beautiful art created by henna work. She kept smiling at how beautiful the work is and his name is also written there.

One of her sisters-in-law came into the room and said while holding the hands of Varsha "Sister Varsha! Your groom has come to take you home. Your love has borne fruit finally but we will miss you."

Varsha looked at her sister-in-law and her eyes turned misty and she hugged her tightly and sobbed. She felt emotional thinking her family who loved her dearly will be far away from her and also felt more determined about her love and marriage.

"Loveless marriage? My husband! you don't understand the power of love. I can die but will never let my love fail." She thought.