Ramakrishna's changes

Ch-74

A day already passed…

"Rahul, I guess we shall leave?" Laya asked.

"Yeah, I will tell your Pedananna," he said to her.

"We will tell after breakfast," Laya said. He nodded.

They had breakfast with the family.

"Rahul, we are having Ganapati pooja today ( Worshipping Lord Vinayaka. So that they wouldn't have any disturbances in the work they started). Hope you will stay today also," Raghuram said.

"Actually, Mamayagaru (father-in-law), we need to leave," he said.

"It's only one day. Please," Sindhu asked. Rahul looked at Laya. She nodded.

"Fine," he said.

"Abhinav already brought a Kurti for you of your size. And a saree for Layamma. You can change into them," Raghuram said.

They nodded. Only when they nodded did he let out a relieved sigh. But Abinav felt like he was suffering from Alzheimer's. He doesn't remember buying any clothes for his sister and brother-in-law. He wanted to say it, but he shut his mouth when he saw his pedananna's and his father's murderous glare. After all, survival was important in life.

In fact, Raghuram and Arjun bought those clothes for them. This was their first time coming to their home together as a couple after they got married. They knew if they give clothes to them directly then they would not use them. So they have to come up with this.

After breakfast, they both returned to their room. They took a bath and changed into the new clothes they were given with. Rahul was wearing a wheatish color Kurti with a heavy design. While Laya was wearing a brown color half saree type designer saree. The saree is a complete plain saree made of georgette with a heavy lace design. It has a back collar ready-made blouse that matched the saree, making Laya look further beautiful.

As they descended the stairs, Raghuram and the family felt like they were the best couple in the world.

"This couple looks heavenly. May God bless them an eternity of love." the priest couldn't hold back as he blessed them. Raghuram smiled at his actions.

Hmm… maybe he needs to perform pooja for them so that no bad eyes would fall on them.

Soon, they joined the pooja. The rituals were done step by step. Sindhu was very happy that Laya was here.

After the pooja, the first thing they did was to build a Pelli Pandiri (Wedding Canopy: It is built with four strong wooden sticks buried six feet in the ground. It is decorated with Coconut leaves, palm leaves, mango leaves, flowers, and even a cloth. But usage of cloth is redundant here. It's the choice. In the olden days, weddings are held under these Canopies. So they did their best to decorate them. But now we have wedding halls, even though the canopy is not needed it is built to respect the tradition.)

After building the canopy, everyone got busy decorating the house and washing every inch of the house. Women started planning for their shopping, the bride was made to sit in between the women as they made plans. Shopping, body care, make-up artist, photos, pre-wedding photoshoot, Mehandi artist, wedding saree, sarees for different occasions, DJ sets, music setting, turmeric crushing (Pasupu Danchadam. I don't know what exactly it is called in English. In the olden days, all relatives would meet under one roof and starts crushing turmeric fingers or turmeric bulbs. And would use it for all the rituals), Haldi function, Mangala snanam (divine bathe).

[PS: these are not in order. But there are more functions to be done before the wedding. And weddings differ from place to place in India. Because of various communities in the country. This is based on my place. Don't shout at me. And yeah… in India in olden times marriages are done for sixteen long days. As days passed they became five day marriages and now one day marriages.]

Laya felt sad that she didn't get to enjoy all these. She was informed only before few days and even had a destination wedding. She was quite envious of her cousin.

"We will marry again. If you want," Rahil whispered in her ears.

"Forget it," she said.

"Hmm.." he responded.

"I am hungry," she said.

"Attaya," Rahul called.

Sitamma and Maha Lakshmu both responded at a time.

"What is it, son?" they asked.

"Laya is hungry," he said.

"Rice and curry isn't done. You have to wait till then," Maha Lakshmi said apologetically.

"Akka, we have fruits. We can make a salad for her. When she gets hungry again the food would be done," Sita said.

"Why don't I order food for her?" Ramakrishna said all of a sudden shocking everyone.

Seeing their reactions, he scratched his head.

"She doesn't need to starve like that. Takeaways come fast only," he explained, shocking them further.

"When we are here, how could we trust takeaway. Between, who knows what they add in those takeaways. We can cook," Sita said to her husband sternly. He nodded his head in an a-okay sign.

"Sir, we got this from the courier," the watchman said as he handed a big box to Ramakrishna.

"Give it to Sita," he said. The watchman gave the box to Sita.

"What is this?" sita and Maha Lakshmi asked. Raghuram, Arjun, Abhinav, and everyone were observing Rama Krishna's actions. They don't know if he was acting or was he really good.

"Open it," he said.

Opening it, they found Palm Jaggery. [PS: My mom said it is good for pregnant women.]

"Where did you get this?" Sita asked.

"Don't you remember this is made in our village," he said as he walked further. Taking a small piece from it, he ate it.

"Hmmm… the taste it is little different but still good," he said.

"Laya can take it when she leaves. It will take away body heat. I remember my mom giving this to you when you are pregnant," he said.

What!?

From when the cold-hearted Ramakrishna, who loved Laya's money became so gentle?

But he really changed for good.