Chapter 31

RR through our eyes (Chapter 31)

 

Thanks Mano for the edits.

 

 

 

Paro smiled at him and whispered, “No special eighth vachan for me ?” He was taken aback. He did not know what to answer. Did she cry because she remembered the last time he took the vachans ? Or is it just the smoke from the havan ?

 

When he did not reply she came out with her statement,” Eighth vachan specially from me to you –Rudra. Whatever happens in the future I will never ever leave you. I will be with you through thick and thin. I will always be yours.“

 

As far as Rudra and Paro were concerned at that moment in that crowded hall there were just the two of them. Looking at each other with longing and all the love in the world.

 

 

All Rudra wanted to do at that moment was to pull her into his arms and hug her tight.

For forgiving him for all his faults.

For forgiving him for doubting her.

For loving him in spite of the hate marriage.

For coming back to him to pull him out of the hell he had pushed himself in. Not once but twice.

For her perseverance in getting him to agree for the wedding. Not once but twice.

For remembering bits and pieces of their life together

For saying the exact opposite of the eight vachan he had uttered last time (with no thought to how much it pained her).

For saying the eighth vachan he should have said first time around.

For everything.

For just being in his life. For coming back into his life.

He wanted to thank her. Just hold her tight so that his heart beat can be heard by her. So that she can recognise how much he feels for her – through every pulse and every breath of his.

 

He did not hear the priest telling him that he can let go of her hand now. All those emotional thoughts would have fleeted across his face because Paro suddenly looked worried. He smiled to reassure her even when his eyes were veiled by tears. And she asked ,” Haath Kab Chodoge ?”

 

“Kabhi Nahin” he said remembering the same dialogue in front of the railway station.

 

“Phir Maang Kaise Bharoge ? “ she asked with a twinkle in her eyes and he slowly let go of her hand.

 

The rest of the ceremonies followed. He filled her Maang with Sindoor – again. They could not help sharing a secret smile thinking about last night, her proposal and what followed later.

 

He was particular about selecting the Mangalsutra. He already had discussed this with Rajeev and Poonam. And now he held it in his hand to tie it around Paro’s neck. She tilted her head towards him and whispered , “You have to make this moment special Rudra. Most memorable. Okay ?”

 

As if on cue seven violins started playing the background music to the mantra “ Mangalyam tantunanena mama jeevana hetuna: kanthe badhnami subhage twam jeeva sarada satam “ recited by the priests.

 

“This means - this is a sacred thread. This is essential for my long life. I tie this around your neck O maiden having many auspicious attributes. May you live happily for a hundred years (with me).” Rudra told her.

 

“I know. I have friends in the South too” Her voice was filled with happiness.

 

And then seven kids including Dhruv, Koel and Saurabh surrounded Paro and Rudra and sprayed them with rose water. As if on cue the curtain above opened up slowly and down came at a slow speed hordes of rose petals and they started floating around Paro and Rudra. Paro was thrilled and more so when she found a couple of lovely butterflies flying around.  

 

“Memorable enough ?   Rudra asked amidst the applause in the hall.

 

By nature Rudra was not a man who would display affection openly let alone publicly. But he knew his Paro will ask for something special while tying the MangalSutra and he did not want to let her down. So he was prepared. And had taken the help of Aman and Sunehri to get all this arranged.

 

Paro looked ecstatic looking wide eyed at all the kids, rose petals and butterflies around. She went around and around stretching out her hands living the moment.  And Rudra was happy that he could - with this final ceremony - rewrite all the wrongs of their last wedding.

 

Just like the time he had created fake snow - he had to hold her hand to stop her. Unfortunately this time he could not create romantic moments right away. Those have to wait. For now he adorned her slender long neck with the mangalsutra.

 

 

 

Om..Om

Mangalam Bhagwan Vishnu
Mangalam Garuda Dhwaja
Mangalam Pundareekaksham
Mangalaya Tano Hari
Mangalam Bhagwan Vishnu
Mangalam Garuda Dhwaja

And whispered against her ear. “ Congratulations Mrs Rudra Pratap Ranawat”. Just in time he took hold of himself and did not utter the name Parvati after the Mrs. Thank God for small mercies. Well big mercies. He thought to himself.

 

They took the blessing of their elders by touching their feet – Danveer-Mohini and Rajeev-Poonam. Paro did not let go of Dhruv. Asked him to stay with them as they had to take the blessings as a family.

 

There was a long queue of people waiting to wish them which took almost an hour – the family could get around to sit for lunch with the close friends and relatives. It was almost 3pm by the time the scrumptious meal was consumed. They had hardly an hour before starting preparations for the grand reception in the evening.

 

That is when Paro was frisked away by her friends to the hotel room they had booked. And Rudra walked towards his colleagues – both present and past. He asked Aman to keep an eye on Paro – just in case. There was nothing out of place during the entire day. And no news about any imminent appearance or attack from Tejawat. So Rudra was relaxed but still he was not ready to leave Paro alone. Almost an hour later when he had discussed all office related work and had allowed his friends to pull his leg for some time he went looking for Paro. He could not find her in her room.

 

He came across Maithili having conversation with Paro’s Mamisa. They had not forgotten to invite her. Rather Rudra was insistent that she be invited. Mamisa was the only living relative of Paro and he wanted her there. Yes he knew this gave Tejawat evidence that this could be Paro but then Tejawat would have come to the conclusion from the resemblance itself. Mamisa’s absence would not have stopped him from acting on it anyway.

 

He could not find Paro in any of the rooms in the fifth floor. And Aman’s mobile was not reachable. Which made Rudra worried and he looked around the other floors where he knew they had booked rooms. With each passing floor his steps hastened and his heart beat went up by another notch.

 

Rudra came across VK Singh in conversation with Rajeev. He wondered what they were talking about. Both seemed to be absorbed in the topic.

 

Then he came across Gitanjali Mam and Poonam. He could not help overhearing their conversation. Poonam was almost in tears. “ Gitu, both of us are not even able to enjoy this wedding fully you know. From the moment we saw her photos we realised that our daughter is no more. Yes of course Rudra has no idea that we know. Nor does he know about what happened. Apart from me and Rajeev you are the only one who knows the truth. I don’t want anybody else to know about this. Particularly her. As such we are not able to live with the guilt. We do not want to add to that. Promise me. Promise me that you will not discuss about this with anybody. Not even your husband.”

 

“ Yes Poonam. I promise. Your secret will be safe with me. Now please stop crying before somebody sees you. We need to get going. Others will be looking for you. The reception will start very soon and a few arrangements are still pending. Remember, I am always here for you. Call me whenever you want to unburden your sorrows.” Gitanjali told Poonam assuring her by holding her hands in hers.

 

Neither of them saw Rudra hearing the last part of their conversation. He felt bad about the Mehras realising the truth.  He had taken lot of effort to project Myrah as Myrah to them. He thought he did a good job of hiding the fact that Myrah is Paro He made sure he never addressed his wife as Paro in front of the Mehras. But still they did put the two and two together and deduced the truth themselves. He had a renewed respect for them for going through the wedding without even revealing a minute amount of the sadness they felt. For still treating Paro as their daughter. For saving Paro from shocks by hiding the truth from her. And most importantly for not taking Paro away from him to live a lie. Yes, he realised these two are the epitome of parenthood.

 

Rudra missed one word in the Poonam-Gitanjali dialogue and so did not try to find the meaning behind it – “guilt”. Maybe it will come back to him later. For now his priority was to find Paro.

 

He finally tracked Paro and gang ( as one can call them) with the beautician. The guy friends including Rohit and a few of the girl friends were all assembled outside in the corridor along with Aman. Rudra took the opportunity to talk to Rohit.

To thank him for being supportive. To thank him for being understanding.

 And Rohit in turn congratulated Rudra and told him to take good care of his best friend or else........he will have to deal with Rohit first.. Rudra would have normally scowled at such words even when they are said jokingly. But this time around he smiled back and shook hands with Rohit. Paro was lucky to have such a wonderful family and friends during the last few years. He indeed was thankful to each and every one of them.

 

The reception was a grand affair. Rudra was dressed in black the way he was for the Jaipur dance. He wanted to check whether the dress will trigger any memories in Paro.

 

When he saw her coming down in the red saree he was sure of one of the two things.

 

·         Either Paro remembers and thus selected the saree.

·         Or destiny as usual made them choose the respective clothing  to relive the moments.

 

Little did he know that this time also Gitanjali Mam intervened and selected the saree for Paro.

 

He just stood staring at her beauty. And she did steal glances at him to admire how handsome he looked. Those in the audience including the Mehras could not help thinking that this is a match made in heaven.

 

And the bride and groom were so tired shaking hands with each guest. After some time Paro adopted “Namaste” thus escaping from the repeated motion of shaking hands – winking at Rudra.

 

All the guests had proceeded to the dining hall and Rudra and Paro were about to sit in the special thrones kept for them when Poonam held Paro’s hand and said, “See who is here .....”

 

It was followed by a man’s booming voice, “ Myrah Beti, congratulations”

 

She turned around and saw the owner of the voice. And she grinned welcoming him with open arms.

 

Rudra looked back too. What caught his attention was the face next to the man. A face which looked quite familiar.

And he was flabbergasted.

 

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