Voyage to be Wed.......

That was Nov 1, 2010 when mapa were leaving for Agra and I was in complete agitation and irritation because a day before (31st Oct, my birthday), first time ever, they had mentioned the word 'Marriage' to me. The preconceived notions about the institution of marriage and that too at a stage when I had just started my career, had put my mind in a very bad shape.

But now it was 2011, times had changed and so had my feelings. After exactly one years time, on Nov 1, 2011, I was again bidding bye to mapa, this time happily, as they were going to Allahabad to give final touch to my wedding preparations. The moment mapa got into taxi I felt as if I had never been parted this way with them. It seemed to be a farewell that was to divide all my love and care for them.The feeling was inexplicable.

The countdown had begun; these were my last 5 days of 'single-dom' and last 3 days at home (all on my own).I was still to go to office for a day and then was on leave from Nov 3 (at office people gave me looks that said 'you should have been on leave by now' and I gave them a smile').

Now friends and acquaintances started paying visits (those who wouldn't be coming were coming with wishes and gifts). I was a little disappointed as two of my very specials ones, a friend and a cousin, would not be making it to wedding (certain things are always out of our hands, no matter how well we plan), but I was happy too, as many other special ones had reached or were coming from far and distance. Few of my friends whom I had not met for years made it too. It was good to have their presence during the times when my life was taking a new turn. I was in an excited state of being curious, jittery and edgy; sweetly confused with a lot to be said and heard but no appropriate words to explain.

With numerous things in mind we finally left for Allahabad on Friday, 4th Nov. There were 10 of us including my friends and cousins and relatives for an overnight train journey. We reached Allahabad early in the morning next day. Funny part was, while we were waiting for the taxi at parking I realized that the guy standing adjacent to us was Nisheeth (My Allahabad Aim ;) ) who had come to receive some friends (I was amazed with this beginning); and then started a non-stop leg pulling by my friends and cousins (things said and heard can't be shared here ! lolz).We directly went to the venue from station and for the entire day I had relatives reaching from all over India, one after the other.

Then my 'the-then-would-be-bro-in-law' commenced the Mehendi celebration by bringing in the Haldi and Mehendi from my Sasuraal. Once I was done with my Mehendi application (which was a little strenuous as I had never before sat so very still for so long) started a riot of music and dance. We all danced like crazy. (I go pink when see myself in the video recording). I think even the photographer and DJ must have gone into shock to see a mehendi clad bride-to-be dancing in pajamas (ROFL !).

It was my Bua's birthday too so we had a small cake cutting ceremony and a satiating chicken dinner before getting into bed (I didn't say 'going to sleep' as sleepless with anxiety all of us were, especially I). Next day was to be our Big Day.

Not Single but Mingled !!!!!

5th June 2011, I was on way back from Connaught Place with my cousin and the converstaion was mostly one sided (between me and Vineet its mostly so, I speak and he makes funny faces); I was anxious as it was yet another meeting with a prospective groom and his family in the evening and like past cases I had a prejudiced 'no' in my mind . Vineet knew this and was counseling me to calm down.

Withstanding all the apprehensions and agony, the moment came when we were sitting with a family that could possibly be mine.Glances were exchanged, words shared, drinks taken, and after an hour of awkwardness things settled to discuss further later over telephone, and we dispersed.

Somehow I realized that this time I just couldn't move on,and instead actually wanted to know more (but being myself I would/could never show). So with the desire of hearing more concealed nicely, I got myself engrossed in my life back again. 

But as the ball rolled, our families (thankfully! ) helped us talk more, meet again and left the judgment of our lives on us. A  judgment that had to ornate our lives forever.

The moment is still very clear in my memory when dad asked if it was a 'yes' or 'no' and I very diplomatically had said 'I don't mind'  (but I did mind it very much ! I had butterflies playing soccer in stomach), and dad's words were 'we want you guys to be engaged !'. It echoed non-stop. I gathered all my conscious and called him up to talk out our acceptance. I felt a little above the ground. He seemed to be reciprocating very patiently, but I was in some other world; with mixed feelings, happy-nervous, excited-anxious,gabby-silent; all together and nothing at all.

Carrying this state for a forthnight, we finally got engaged on July 9th at Allahabad (Last time I was here,at my birth place, I was 7 and this was my first visit since then ). I had surprised myself (and shocked a few others later with the news !), not because I agreed and got engaged, but because I was happy to be engaged to this person whom I had met only twice before and was talking to for only 20 days, but I was happy.

Hence forth, my life changed; my weekends got busy and my sms count was on all time high (only then I discovered that when out of memory my phone gives alarms of message not received due to same.. lolzzz !!!). I smiled often, every buzz made people around curious, every time I used laptop I was supposed to be chatting with my fiance (mostly true ! ).I feel funny when I recall what we talked about; we hardly had things in common so still hunting for reasons, we pinged each other, went shopping and savored time together. Had fun throughout the courtship days !

At home, preparations had geared up for the wedding. The day chosen was Nov 6, 2011 and place Allahabad. Venue had been booked and shopping list finalized (and revised and again finalized and yet again revised and so on until I got married !!!!)

Time seemed to have run past in a flash and had landed us into the month of November. In a weeks time, from Miss Ajita S Varma, I was to be Mrs. Nisheeth Saxena.  :)