章 12: Marriage

Aryan came in a hurry without knowing what was in his mind. As soon as he entered he saw the big screen where the marriage ceremony was telecasted repeatedly.

📷 Video 📸

The whole auditorium was brightly lit and decorated with flowers.

Arjun and his family walk into the Auditorium, where he is received by Aadrita's family. Mithun comes forward, receives him by applying kumkum in his forehead and washing Arjun's feet, inviting him inside.

Aadrita doesn't have any brother so Mithun should only perform for Aadrita's groom, since this function must be performed by the bride's brother.

Aadrita's uncle escorts Arjun to the mandap while Arjun's family is seated nearby. Arjun takes his place in the mandap where the priest is already seated.

Aadrita's Aunt takes her to the mandap wearing a red saree and her wedding jewellery.

Aadrita also takes her place next to Arjun. Aadrita shot a pointed look at Arjun for which Arjun gives her a helpless smile. Both stare at each other for a minute and when Arjun points out the camera with his eyes, Aadrita widens her eyes in shock then suddenly smiles and pinches Arjun.

(Aadrita is actually fighting with Arjun for not helping her stop this marriage and she suddenly smiles because she doesn't want to appear in her only marriage video being ugly but the photographer saw this as a romantic exchange between the pair and puts it in the wedding video 🤣)

The poojari also sees this exchange and asks whether he can start the Pooja and says anyhow both of you will have your full life for staring at each other. For which Aadrita lowers her head embarrassed for getting caught and Arjun just nods his head.

The priest starts the Ganesh Pooja with Arjun and Aadrita. In all Hindu ceremonies Lord Ganesh is worshipped first who is also called Vigneshwar, i.e the lord of obstacles, so he may remove all obstacles and bless them.

Arjun then gives Aadrita a Yellow saree which she has to wear for the next ceremony.

Aadrita is taken to the green room for change while Arjun sits in the mandap doing some Pooja with Manoj which is for honouring the bride's dad for bringing up her daughter, but since her father is no more, her uncle Manoj (mother's sisters husband) sits in her dad's place.

Aadrita comes back to the mandap after wearing the yellow saree that was given to her just prior while Arjun was sitting in the mandap.

Then Aadrita takes the blessings of all her elders by touching their feet. She then takes three rounds of the mandap and then gives a small bow before the audience who are present asking for their blessings.

Then Aadrita takes her place in Mandap alongside Arjun.

Aadrita's uncle Shivraj comes and gives his blessings.From ancient times it is believed that the girl's uncle (mother's brother)has the first right to marry her, so this ceremony is to indicate that her uncle has given up on his right to the boy.

After this it is time for Kanyadan that is the ceremony of parents giving their daughter to the groom.

Maya places Aadrita's hands into Arjun's hands. She then places a sacred cord (Vara Mala) around both Arjun and Aadrita's neck which joins them together. Maya asks Arjun to accept Aadrita as his equal partner throughout life which Arjun accepts gratefully.

While chanting slokas (holy verses), the priest places sacred betel nut in the Arjun's right palm, then places the Aadrita's right palm on top of the Arjun's right palm and finally covers the palms with a red cloth. The priest proclaims that the union has the approval of the families, and is conducted in the presence of family, friends and the community.

Arjun and Aadrita are asked to get up and exchange garlands symbolising their willingness to accept each other.

The couple conducts the "Pradhaana Homam" Sixteen Mantras are recited as an accompaniment to the pouring of ghee and puffed rice into the fire Through this offering, Aadrita prays for a long life for Arjun. The couple then circles the fire three times.

Arjun ties this Mangalasutra around Aadrita's neck with three knots, representing the Trimurthi or "Great Trinity" (Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Maheswara (Shiva)-the destroyer).

All other people joyously shower the couple with holy rice mixed with turmeric powder, flowers, and pearls in an abundant flow that signifies happiness, health, harmony, wealth and a loving and blessed family.

Then Arjun places sindoor on Aadrita's forehead promising to protect her and keep her happy. 😊

Aadrita places each foot on a rock symbolizing her strength in good and bad times. Arjun places a ring on her toe.

The priest announces the wedding completion.

*📷 End*

If one does not know he / she will think this as a normal wedding only, no one will suspect a bride exchange while watching this video. To summarise it, the photographer was awesome 😎.

Aryan was in a mixed mood not knowing what to do. He was getting scared that he lost someone important. He felt like his life was going to change. He was feeling low.

For Aryan, Aadrita was sunshine and a person whom he could confide in.

She facades her emotions to be cheerful but she is actually a silent companion if u know her in depth.

Aryan has a perfect family, a strong father, a loving mother and a pretty annoying sister but he had gone through many broken and losing moments because of which he has a weak side.He could not show this side to his family or friends. Only Ritu was able to console and accommodate him completely.

Both of them had many secrets with each other but there were many secrets that others don't know but they know about each other.

This is the most annoying reason why they could never become a life partner.

They were possessive about each other, they loved each other to an extreme extent but the thing was they never loved each other romantically. They were more than just friends, they were more than brothers, they were more than family but never lovers.

This possessive feeling was also the reason why Aadrita first thought that she was in love with Aryan but eventually found out it was never this kind of love. It was a friendship that she could not define. Maybe a friend with all the emotions of a lover, except romantic feelings.

Aadrita has already settled her feelings and sorted out her thoughts.

But for Aryan he was in the first stage of doubting whether he is in love with Aadrita. He was feeling broken. He was feeling lost. He didn't know how to respond to this situation.

He went inside the Hall where Aadrita, Arjun and Aadrita's cousins were talking about something.

Aryan directly went inside the hall and said

"Ritu, Come we will run away!"