Chapter 33: Kudmayi

Shehnai Yoon Goonji
Sabki Aankhein Bhar Aayi Re
Shehnai Yoon Goonji
Sabki Aankhein Bhar Aayi Re

Ho Solah Baras Ke Do Kadam
Chaukhat Ke Baahar Kya Gaye
Teri Kudmayi Ke Din Aa Gaye

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Yuvraj’s POV

Today is our haldi and... Guess what??

MY WEDDING!! WITH MY ANYAA!!

The thought itself is so nice that my heart had started beating faster.

Last night when we went to our chambers in a separate part allotted for the guests in the Alwar palace.

I heard two of my relatives. Old and distant.

I didn’t know them much but baba sa said they are my grandmother’s sisters.

They were judging my Anya.

FLASHBACK

“Haan bhabhi sahi keh rahi ho. Raj khandan ki Ladki hokar bhi itna uchalna sahi thodi na hai.” The old lady said to the other lady.

(Yes sister you are saying right. She is from a royal family, its not right to roam around so freely.)

The other lady nodded “Bilkul. Esi Ladki hai bilkul laj sharam hi nahi hai.”

(Yeah. What kind of girl she is with no shame.)

Just then I was passing by the kitchen when I heard the two women whispering.

Anger surged through my veins as they went on degrading my Anya and after a moment I had already had enough.

“Chupp!” I said loudly making them freeze and turn back.

(Shut upp!)

“Dadi ki behne ho aap log par dadi jaisi bilkul nahi ho. Sharam toh bech aaye ho chor bazar mai.” I said while taking slow deliberate steps towards them.

(You are grandmother’s sister but nothing like her. You must have sold your shame somewhere.)

The ladies shivered as fear turned in their veins. “Beta aisi baat nahi hai. Ham toh bas---” The lady tried to defend herself but I cut her in the mid.

(Son It’s not like that. We were just---)

“Bakwas kar rahe the.” I completed her sentence with my own twist, disgust laced in my voice along with anger as I added “Nikal jaiye yahan se kal subah se pehle, nahi toh bhul jaunga ki aap mere se badi hain.” I completed and walked out of the kitchen leaving the ladies in fear.

(doing nonsense.) (Get out of the palace before morning or don’t blame me if I forget you are elder than me.)

FLASHBACK ENDS

I was already satisfied with myself as I hadn’t saw them around since morning.

My haldi is already over and by now hers would also have been but something is still left.

Yes! You guessed right. I promised her that I’ll be there today and apply haldi to her myself.

So, stealing a small bowl of haldi I tip-toed towards her room but before I could enter I felt a tap on my shoulder.

“Haa damad ji, kahan ja rahe hai?” He father said looking at me with a knowing look.

(Yes son-in-law, where are you going?)

My bravery vanished as I stumbled to frame a sentence “Woh Kaka… mai washroom… woh…” Before I knew it I had already spelled out the worst excuse.

(That uncle… I washroom… I…)

“Accha beta, mujhe nahi pata tha meri beti ka kamra washroom hai.” He said with a smirk, knowing everything yet probably trying to make me speak the truth.

(Right son, I didn’t knew my daughter’s room was the washroom.)

“Woh uncle…” I started as he listened attentively before I deliberately looked behind him “Arey maa sa.” I said, and he got distracted as he looked behind.

(Uncle…) (Mom)

As soon as I got the chance I ran out of there.

When he realised that he had been fooled and turned to look at me only to see me already running far away. He laughed muttering something under his breathe.

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‘Ab kya karu?’ I thought to myself while standing in the palace garden and looking at Anya’s room’s window when I saw something and an idea struk my mind.

(What should I do?)

A pipe.

Without a second thought I started climbing the window and to my luck no one was nearby.

Within minutes I had already climbed the distance as I knocked on her window.

Hearing the voice she might have been started as she opened the window, scared but as soon she saw me her expression turned relieved. And then again concerned.

“Yuvraj! Aap kya kar rahe hai. Gir jaayenge, andar aaiye.” She scolded while pulling me inside the room.

(Yuvraj what are you doing. You’ll fall. Come inside.)

As soon as I entered the room I cornered her at a wall and closed the space while looking at her.

She looked amazing, A white lehenga with yellow flower prints along with pearl and peacock feather jewelleries.

Her face was streaked with haldi marks along with her arms.

“Aap abhi kyun aaye hai?” She asked softly, shyly as she felt my intense gaze on her.

I smirked at my effect.

(Why are you here right now?)

“Vaada jo kiya tha aapse.” I replied while taking the small bowl filled with haldi out.

(I promised you.)

“Dekhiye.” I said while taking a hand full of haldi and gently putting it on her cheeks while slowly and sensually moving towards her neck down to her collar bone.

(See)

I turned my gaze up to look at her blushing with that pinkish hue that always looks fab on her.

After a minute I stepped back.

“Kaha tha na aaunga aur tumhe haldi bhi lagaunga.” I said while reminding her of my words.

(I said I’ll come and apply haldi too.)

“Haan toh hamne bhi kaha tha ki ham bhi lagayenge.” She said while inching closer

(Yeah so, I also said the same.)

I looked down at the empty bowl. “Par yeh toh khali ho gaya.” I said looking at her confused.

(But this is empty now.)

She looked at me, intensly.

That look…

Oh I knew it too well!

It was whenever she had something mischievious going on in her mind.

She pulled me down by my collar and I didn’t resisted but my gaze still held confusion.

But every though vanished when she rubbed her soft cheek with my rough, bearded one making the haldi from her cheek to print onto mine.

After sometime when she was satisfied she stepped back.

“Haan ab hui na haldi puri!” She said while sitting back on her bed.

(Yeahh! Now the haldi is done.)

I followed the queue and sat beside her. It had been less than a minute when a persistant knock echoed through the door.

“Aaru please open the door. Your bridal outfit is here.” Aaliya’s voice came through and both of us froze.

“Ab kya karenge.” She asked panicking.

(What will we do now?)

Just then my gaze flicked back to the open window.

“I’ll go back just like I came in.” I said while already walking towards the window.

She looked reluctant to leave my hand but as the knocking sound got louder she nodded.

“Aaram se jaana.” She said softly, concerned before her voice turned playful as she added “Milte hai aapse thodi der mai aapki dulhania banke. Intezar rahega baarat ka.” She said.

(Go safely.) (I’ll meet after sometime dressed like your bride. I’ll wait for the barat.)

I kissed her cheek softly before climbing the pipe out of the window.

Author’s POV

The evening sky was out casting soft orangish hues in the air.

Music was playing in every corner of the large hall and palace.

Aarnaya was sitting on the bed with her makeup and hair already done and dressed in her deep red lehenga looking every bit of the bride she was today.

Aaliya and Tanvi walked in.

Aaliya’s eyes were teary “Yaar kab itne din beet gaye aur aaj teri shadi hai.” She said while hugging Aaranya tightly.

(How did so many days pass so soon and now you are getting married.)

The same emotions were reflecting in her own eyes.

Just then her brothers and father entered the room looking royal and majestic but something softer shined in their eyes despite their tough and harsh facades.

Her walked walked towards her taking in her look as a bride.

“Maaf karna beta 10 saal tujhe itna dard dehna pada. Maaf kar dena apne baba sa ko agar kabhi kar paaye toh.” He said softly while taking her hands in his.

(Forgive me, you had to endure so much pain for 10 years. Forgive your dad if you ever could.)

She looked at him while kissing his hand “Baba sa aapko maaf karne ke liye aapki kuch galti bhi toh honi chahiye na.” She said.

(Dad to forgive you you must have some fault too.)

“Bahut pyaari lag rahi hai.” He complimented before stepping back trying to keep in emotions in check and hold back his tears.

(You are looking very pretty.)

Her brothers stepped forward next.

“Aaru bahot badi ho gayi na.” Dev said while looking teary and torn.

(You are growing so fast.)

Veer picked up a bottle of kohl and put some behind her ear while rotating his hands over her head warding off the evil eye.

Aditya couldn’t control his tears anymore. “Bahot yaad aayegi teri… 10 saal tere bina kaise bitaye hai woh toh ham hi jaante hai.” He said while hugging Aaranya tightly.

(We will miss you a lot… Only we know how we survived 10 years without you.)

Lakshay gently parted them while trying to joke despite his laugh sounding choked with a sob kept in. “Arey uska Bandariya wala roop bahar aa jaayega agar makeup kharab ho gaya toh.” He said teasingly while wiping a tear that was about to roll down her cheeks.

(Her monkey look would pop out if her makeup would be ruined.)

Yuvraj’s POV

I was standing in the altar waiting for My Bride. My Anya.

She walked towards me slowly her brothers holding the phoolon ka chadar above her.

The song ‘Palki mai hoke sawaar’ played in the background matching the energetic vides and the wide smiles on both of our faces as we looked at each other.

Hoke main badi bekaraar chali re

Main to apne saajan ke dwaar chali re

She pointed towards me and winked and God! Like everytime my heart started racing. I stood still on the stage without blinking as if I would lose a glimpse of her.

Paalki mein ho ke savaar chali re

Main to apane saajan ke dwaar chali re

She looked at her brothers and then again at me while Aaliya and Tanvi were showering rose petals at her from the sides.

Ho jaaungi main jal jal ke mitti

Maine piya ko likh di hai chitthi

She pretended blinking hard and flinching as if some invisible flame is burning her and then pointed at me before acting as if wring me a letter when faux scribbling on her palm with her fingers.

Tu na a tu na a main a rahi hoon

Sajan sajan sajan

She shook her finger towards me as if telling me not to come as she is coming and started walking towards me while blowing the flying kiss.

I acted as if catching it and holding in near to my chest above my heart.

Kar kar ke main intezaar chali re

Main to apane saajan ke dwaar chali re

She fanned her hands around her sides as if tired of waiting and then her pace got a bit quicker as she walked.

Paalki mein ho ke savaar chali re

Main to apane saajan ke dwaar chali re

Finally as she was near the stage I pulled her on the altar and kissed her knuckles while lost in her deep eyes.

After a moment as she snapped her fingers in front of me. “Kaisi lag rahi hu?” She asked softly.

(How am I looking?)

I took a step back and looked at her again, my heart falling for her multiple times again and again.

Her dark red lehenga along with the emerald jewellery set she was wearing made her look majestic and her makeup and hair was flawless but despite all that she was looking like the prettiest bride I had ever seen.

The smile that lightened her face, the dimples in her cheeks, the two strands of hair falling on her cheeks. That all looked like her, and she looked mine.

“Meri lag rahi ho.” I replied while looking at her as she said “Aap bhi mere lag rahe ho. Kitne pyaare lag rhe ho.”

(Mine) (Same. You are looking so handsome.)

I blushed at her compliment.

Gesturing Yudhveer to come, he nodded instantly understanding as he brought two thick bundles of crisp notes.

I took it from him and rotated it around her head warding off the evils and then handed the notes back to Yudhveer who gave it to the group playing dhol.

Shivika and Aaliya came next as the pandit ji said it was time was the varmala.

They had two varmala’s in their hands. Made with pearls, peacock feathers and jasmines.

Yes Jasmines.

That smelled like her.

Shivika handed me the garland first as I gently placed it around her neck before softly kissing her forehead.

Then it was her turn. Aaliya handed her the garland.

But the height difference was clear as despite shetried to put the garland around my neck. She couldn’t.

As I saw her struggling, without a second thought I sank down on my knees so she could easily put the garland around my neck.

The crowd gasped. A lady spoke “Areyy Kunwar sa aap ek aurat ke saamne kyu jhuk rahe hai.” She said with judgement.

(Prince you cannot kneel in front of a lady.)

Without any hesitation I replied “Ek aurat nahi. Meri Aurat. Mere hi dil ke samne jhukne mai kya galti hai.”

(There is no fault if I do infront of my heart.)

And she blushed. Gosh that pink soft pink colour!!

She placed the garland around my neck and I got back to my feet as we went towards the sacred pyre and sat near it.

The priest started chanting the mantras.

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