Rati, as instructed by the grandmother got ready for the evening rituals and ceremonies. She left the room after taking a final look at herself in the mirror. She wore a red fancy saare with heavy gold embroidery on it, gifted by the grandma, a golden choker enhanced her long neck, middle parted hair tied loosely in a braid. She reached at the nearby Devi mandir* along with Mrs. Mehra, Payal and other ladies Vardhaan’s maternal and paternal side. Vardhaan was already waiting there with Grandma and a few male members of the family.

The temple was old, spread around in hundreds of meters with big trees of banyan, peepal* and some flowers inside its premises housing dozens of birds, whose chirping made the surrounding lively. The sun in last hour before his departure made everything shine under its golden rays.

The brand new couple was something everyone was interested in at the temple. People looked at the bride and the groom drawing conclusions, making comparisons among themselves. Vardhaan was wearing a lemon yellow kurta* and white churidaar* which made his plus points pop out; custom made kurta showed off his broad shoulders and muscular back, rolled up sleeves attracted attention towards his strong hands. He looked even taller than his actual 6’3”; quite handsome in a royal way. His wide forehead and bridge of his long pointed nose shone under the setting sun just like his dark deep-set eyes which appeared grey under sun.

(Kurta*- long loose shirt with side slits worn by both genders.

Churidaar*- long tight trousers worn by people typically with a kurta or kameez.

Peepal*- also known as ‘sacred fig’, one of the trees with cultural and religious importance in India.

Devi Mandir*- temple devoted to Feminine or female deity.)

Rati admired him as she walked towards him “whoa…that’s a view. He should have been in my office... I would have never resigned.” She thought. A low throaty laughter caught her attention. It was him, laughing; her eyes travelled to his thin lips “Woof… those lips” she thought with a sharp inhale “Silly! ...focus…focus. It’s a temple”. Before she could avert her eyes it met with Vardhaan’s; like he would read her thoughts she turned her head to other direction.

“Come here.” Grandmother called from a distance. The blessing ritual started with offering some flowers and proceeded as per grandmother’s instructions. It could be considered as the introduction of the bride with the Kuldevi* (*ancestral tutelary deity in Hinduism).

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An hour had passed by, the sun had set leaving hues of red and pink in the sky creating an ombre effect, chirpings had stopped, temple was lit with lights and lanterns, previously lively premises now had a solemn ambience.

“Take this and tie around the banyan tree together” Mrs. Mehra said giving the ball of red thread in Rati’s hand. She took the ball of thread and tied a knot somewhere in already existing layer and layers of old and worn out red, yellow and white threads, tied around the tree’s trunk.

“Why are you standing? Go join her.” Payal said to Vardhaan. He looked hesitant of the command and stood awkwardly near Rati. She saw his hesitation and handed him the ball of thread, she held the thread lightly between her thumb and two fingers controlling the thread’s motion. They both walked around the tree side-by-side tying the thread around the tree’s trunk in a circular motion for 7 times, 7 rounds just as they did at the wedding; it was like a recap. They were connected by thread, the thread of marriage. He peeped at Rati every now and then with admiration followed by disbelief that it was true. While Rati tried to focus on what she was doing and not on the man she was doing it with.

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“It’s such a fuss…That too going on for weeks. Firstly all those rituals before marriage, then this and then there’s party at night. What do you need all those rituals for…he got married. Bride is home. Why torture all of us with this?” Nitin complained sitting on the couch eating peanuts.

“No one here asked you to join. Leave if you want to. You aren’t helpful anyway…” said Payal, teasing him.

“Aunty, okay! You tell me. If rituals and blessing were true, there won’t be any divorce or bad marriages or affairs. If people don’t want to be together they won’t, it doesn’t matter if they were blessed or not.” Nitin stated.

“Yes... absolutely true.” Grandma said.

“See… granny also agrees.” Nitin exclaimed happily.

“Maa! Why…” Payal looked at her mother. Grandma continued “yes, it’s very true. Blessings and ritual can’t change things when the marriage is doomed but we do it anyway. Just like irrespective of your marks and past records, we still expect you to graduate.” Everyone in the living room laughed.

“It’s not insurance…its hope. Idiot!” Vardhaan said slapping Nitin on the back of his head.

“Don’t hit me!” he said rubbing his head. “Grow up, then I won’t,” Vardhaan said taking a handful from his bowl of peanuts.

The back garden of the Mehra residence was all set for yet another ceremony for the official introduction of the bride with the family and friends. It was supposed to be small but ended up being a full blown party with tens of people, food and music. Rati sat on one of the two fancy chairs, on a stage like platform with Vardhaan. People came and greeted, some chatted while others just left after giving the gifts & blessing the couple whereas some joked around. It seemed to be going well but Rati had other thoughts. She hated crowded places and here she was. She tried not to roll her eyes at everyone and everything by plastering a ‘nice to meet you’ smile.

On the other hand Vardhaan was feeling uneasy because the relatives made sure to share an embarrassing story of his childhood with some even worse details. He cursed them in his heart for ruining his image in front of his bride; he avoided eye contact with her throughout the ordeal. “I see my ‘heroic’ image going down the drain. You are all evil what I ever did to them?” he thought sighing. While Rati was excited to know what silly story the next relative was going to share, it kept her spirits in check throughout the party. His ordeal was her highlight of the night.