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Roshni was dressed as a bride with a traditional outfit – heavy golden zari-embroidered lehenga and choli (long skirt and a blouse), with a veil draped over her face. With all the jewelry decorating her neck and hands, she looked absolutely beautiful in her wedding attire. Her hands and feet were patterned with intricate designs of mehndi (henna).
Prashant requested to talk to Roshni in private lest he may not find time later. Roshni agreed but wondered if all was well. Prashant nodded his head that everything was all right. He took her to his room and locked the door. He continued by saying that all this should be done by a mother, but since her mother had passed away, it was his responsibility to give her some advice.
Roshni hugged her father, she would be leaving her babuji’s house soon, and this thought made her sad. The tears blurred her vision, and she waited for her father to speak.
Prashant wiped his daughter’s tears. “Roshni bete, very soon you will become a wife to Deepak and a daughter-in-law to Sashank. Always keep in mind that life is full of compromises, and you, as a new member in the family, you will have to take the initiative to understand and compromise. You will have to be very caring and loving towards all.” He stroked her hair gently. “Once you do this, your husband and other family members will reciprocate. There should not be any room for arrogance and stubbornness.”
He hugged her. “And I have no doubts that Sashank, Akash and Deepak will keep you happy, but be mindful of them, take care of them, quickly adapt to their family traditions, and you will always be happy.”
His emotions were mixed – he felt lighter for having found a suitable groom for his daughter, but deep within, he felt the pain…the pain that his daughter was moving away from him, the thought that she would no longer live with him. Fear and anxiety captured him.
Roshni listened silently, nodding occasionally, and tried to make sense of all of her father’s advice.
A few moments later, Prashant continued, “I have a request, Roshni.”
Roshni was a little puzzled. She looked at her father and waited in silence.
“Will you promise me something?”
Of course, Roshni had no clue what her father asked of her. She was confused. Do I promise or not? She gathered some courage. “Babuji, please tell me, what is your request?”
Prashant looked at his daughter very affectionately. “Roshni bete, I have told you everything about Sashank and his brothers. Their past experiences left a scar on them. Sashank, even today, blames that woman for his father’s death. I don’t think he has forgiven her or his older brother for this.”
He sighed. “Whatever happened has happened. When it comes to respecting women, he still has his reservations. The same thing is true with Akash; he saw Sashank struggle for him and Deepak when there was no elder to support them. Deepak was too young and may not remember much other than what he has been told by Sashank or Akash.”
He placed his hand on her shoulder. “I want you to promise me that with your love and affection, and your exemplary behavior, you will try to change these brothers, especially Sashank and Akash. Bring back that love and affection that have been hidden in them for too long; bring back that happiness that they have longed for for so long. Bring some ‘Roshni’ into their lives, beti. They have been unhappy for too long. Change them and bring in hope, a ray of light into their lives. Spread the light of love and happiness. You never know, eventually they may want to get married and settle down.”
Roshni interrupted her father. “But, Babuji, Sashank bhaiya–”
“I know you are wondering about marriage at his age, right!” Roshni nodded, and Prashant continued, “It is never too late, bete. Marriage is not just for physical pleasures; there is more to it – some company, somebody who cares for you, who understands you and is there with you in time of happiness and sorrow.” He sighed. “Haan, and so many reasons! And regarding Akash, he is still young and can have a nice marriage and family.”
He faced her. “So, beti, do you see what I’m asking for? This is not an easy job, but will you promise me that you will try to bring back happiness in that house.”
Tears welled in her eyes. She moved close to her babuji, held his hand, and spoke with dignity. “Babuji, you have raised me with good family values, gave me a good education, and nurtured me. This is the least I can do for you. I promise I will do everything within my capacity
to bring back happiness and joy to that family.” She shrugged her shoulders, raising her eyebrows. “You never know, one day they probably will decide to get married.”
She smiled and rested her head on her father’s chest, a place of solace for her.
Prashant hugged his daughter. “I had expected this of you, my beti. Thank you, you made me very happy today, and my wishes are always with you! Be always happy and spread the light of love and happiness around.”
He left, asking her to get ready for the wedding muhurat.
Deepak appeared tensed and uncomfortable. Although Roshni was a nice girl, the thought that he was getting married to a stranger bothered him. He was concerned and apprehensive. What if there was no compatibility with Roshni, and what if his married life would be unhappy! Several questions bothered him. He’d tried his best to persuade Sashank bhaiya that he did not want to get married now, but all his attempts had failed. Sashank bhaiya believed firmly that Roshni was the right girl for Deepak. It was very obvious that Sashank and Deepak had very different views on marriage. Deepak was in deep thought when the priest instructed him to come to the mandap.
The mandap, the wedding platform that was temporarily erected, was decorated with flowers and tissue-type fabric. A pedestal for the sacred fire was arranged in the center, with two seats for the bride and the groom.
It was time to bring the bride. Prashant was flooded with emotions. He was very contented that he’d found a nice boy and family for his daughter, but the thought of her getting married – his only daughter who had become everything to him since his wife passed away would be going away to her ‘house’ – pricked his heart. He had tears in his eyes. Prashant led Roshni to the mandap. She wore a light green wedding lehenga and a pink choli, with a light green veil. She looked stunningly beautiful with all the jewelry. All the guests were enthralled by her beauty, her dress and gait. She walked graciously to the mandap with her head bowed down. There was a lot of gossip amongst the guests, especially the women, that this pair made a good couple and how they were made for each other.
Deepak heard this gossip and became aware that Roshni was in the vicinity, and he turned towards her. He was completely dazzled by Roshni’s beauty and her wedding dress. He could not take his eyes off her. Roshni was shy, and with her head bowed, she could not see Deepak as she approached the mandap. She walked gently to the mandap and was led to sit next to Deepak, and the wedding rituals began. The priest started chanting mantras. Both Deepak and Roshni followed the priest’s instructions to complete the rituals. The seven pheres were done around the sacred fire while the priest chanted. As Deepak and Roshni went around the sacred fire, they promised each other that they would assist and support each other at all times to lead a balanced conjugal life, the seven denoting that they were united for seven lives. Deepak tied the mangalsutra, a symbol of their union as mates for life, around Roshni’s neck, and filled Sindoor (vermillion) in her partition. The ritual of ‘kanya daan’ was completed by Prashant.
During the ceremony, there were a few occasions when Roshni sensed that Deepak was uncomfortable. She had no clue the struggle Deepak went through in his mind; she assumed this was natural because she herself was a little nervous as she went through the marriage rituals. But her reasons for being uncomfortable were completely different than those of Deepak.
Deepak’s uneasiness arose out of his dilemma regarding accepting Roshni as his wife, who was a stranger at this time. Roshni was uncomfortable because this person, her husband now, was who she would dedicate herself to completely and lead her life with, in happiness and sorrow, and he would be the father of their children. She was completely willing to surrender to him for all her life. She had no doubt in her mind that her father had found the right husband for her.
It was at this time the registrar arrived and initiated the formalities to issue them the marriage certificate with all the necessary witnesses. Prashant and Sashank insisted in getting a power of attorney for Deepak from Roshni so he could initiate the paperwork for Roshni’s immigration in the US. This task was completed as well. The registrar and the attorney left soon after.
Kusum moved around very comfortably as a family member and took care of the guests. She checked on Deepak and Roshni, and made sure everyone else was comfortable. Sashank had met Kusum for the first time but was impressed with the ease with which she took care of the wedding preparations for Prashant.
