Murthy House: Garden area: Haldi ceremony: 11:20 a.m

Nyonika reached Murthy house a few minutes ago and as soon as the Haldi ceremony starts. Nandini is sitting on a seat. She is wearing a beautiful yellow maxi dress with elegant jewellery. Her dense black hair is tied in a loose bun. All her cousins, friends and close family members are buzzing around her. Nyonika observes her would-be daughter-in-law with pride and affection. Nandini is really looking like an angel. A perfect combination of beauty, brain and innocence. Suddenly some words run through Nyonika's mind.

"Height of stupidity."

Manik's words churn her heart once again. All of a sudden, Nyonika feels some bitterness towards Nandini.

"Manik never talked to me like this before."

Her mind forces her to incline to the notion that Nandini might fuel this attitude of Manik.

Kishori: (Impatiently) "Don't delay more, Mrs Malhotra. Ashirvaad rituals (Blessing ceremony) will start after this. All relatives are waiting. We are running out of time."

Nyonika's train of thoughts gets disturbed and Kishori's words increase the sourness. She makes an insolent face.

Nyonika: "Hum to ji aisehi hain. (We are like this only) Late Latif. (Always late) Punjabi nasal jo hain. (It's Punjabi breed) Manik is also like this but I think now Nandini is gradually changing my son."

Saying this, Nyonika puts the bowl of turmeric on a stool and scoots down to reach Nandini's seated frame. The sarcasm in her lines didn't go unnoticed by Nandini. She looks into Nyonika's eyes and feels the absence of her usual affection. Manik called Nandini to inform her that Nyonika would reach soon as she was stuck in traffic. That time he was sounding a bit pissed off. However, at that time Nandini didn't try to fathom the issue and got involved in rituals. But it seems that mother and son might have a tiff which has affected her would-be mother-in-law's usual vibrant nature. Nyonika takes some turmeric from the bowl and smears it on Nandini's cheeks. Nandini touches her feet. A murmur comes out of Nyonika's mouth,

Nyonika: "Khush raho. (Be happy)"

This time also Nandini feels the void of warmth in her words. She tries to meet Nyonika's eyes but she steps back and allows other people to continue the rites. Nandini's heart keeps on getting tingled by this feeling of discomfort. Something is not right.

....................................................

Murthy House: Living room: Ashirvaad ceremony: 12:30 p.m

After the haldi ceremony, Nandini took a bath and changed her attire. Now, she is wearing a light pink lehenga choli. She was applying the lipstick for the last time when her phone rings. Glancing at it, she picks up the call.

Manik: "Hi...are the rituals over?

.........

Nandini: "Only for the Haldi ceremony. Ashirvaad is still pending."

.........

"Hmmm...By the way. I have something to tell you. That day in the changing room, I forgot...he...he and the reason were you...I..."

Manik sounds nonchalant. Nandini stops him in between,

Nandini: "I will listen to you later. First, tell me one thing. Nyonika Mom is okay, right? You both didn't have any fight over the late coming I guess."

Some moments of dead air linger on the line. And then Nandini hears his hesitant voice

Manik: "Why? Isn't she sounding normal? Don't say that Mother India and your Hitler Amms had again a verbal spat."

.........

Nandini: (Rudely) "Stop being funny all the time, Manik. She is upset and I can feel it clearly. Now tell me...are you the reason? Is she hurt because of you?"

.........

Manik: (Surprised) "Hurt? Why?"

.........

Nandini: (Sternly) "That's I am asking you...why? What did you tell her when she was stuck in the traffic? Tell me the exact scenario."

Manik takes a few seconds to recollect his memories and repeats the exact conversation he had with Nyonika. He still can't understand what wrong he did. Nandini listens to every word of Manik patiently and then sighs sharply.

Nandini: (In a grave voice) "Manik, sometimes we don't realise that every relationship has its own sanctity, especially the relations which are respectable and deeper than anything. We can't take them for granted. A mother and her child's relationship is longer than any other relationship because it is 9 months longer than those. Still, she accepts other people's existence in her child's life. She accepts a girl in her son's life because she prioritises his happiness more than her love for him. A mother can be selfless for her baby but does her baby reciprocate that?"

She pauses.

Manik: (Confused) "Means?"

He really doesn't know what she tried to convey.

Nandini: "Means you are a stupid! If you were a mother then you would have understood."

Saying this ruefully, she cuts the call and leaves the room to head to the place where the Ashirvaad ceremony will take place. Manik keeps looking at the mobile screen for a while and then looks at his belly. He bloats it purposely and strokes it like a pregnant woman. Nandini's words are still resonating in his ears,

"...if you were a mother..."

His eyes become wide. The thought makes him traumatised.

Manik: (Mumbles) "Sapneme bhi nehi soch sakta...(Can't even think in my dreams) Kya bola isne? (What did she say?)"

He keeps on staring at himself through the mirror, totally perplexed.

.....................................

Murthy House: 4 p.m: In the living room:

The Ashirvaad ceremony ended 1 hour ago. Most of the people have left after having light snacks. Now, only Kauser, Nyonika and her friends are there. Nyonika turns to Rituja.

Nyonika: "Mrs Murthy...we have to take your leave. All are very tired and the day after tomorrow the marriage is there. I have to arrange some important things. You know...umar ho rahi hain...har kam me kuch na kuch galti hoti raheti hain. (I am getting old...I make frequent mistakes in every work nowadays)"

She tries to smile but Nandini observes the despondency in her voice. Nyonika gets up from the sofa. Kauser, Dhruv and other people try to follow her when Nandini intervenes.

Nandini: "Nyo Mom...Can you please come to my room? I have to show you something important."

Nyonika hesitates a bit but the plead in Nandini's eyes compels her to follow Nandini to her room. The other people wait outside. Kishori, Rituja, Kauser and Vimesh start discussing the time and other important things about the upcoming marriage. Ador is curling on a chair. He is a bit disappointed because Dhruv didn't come. Don't take Ador wrong. He had no bad intentions. It's just he wanted to make friendship with that weird human species. At least Nandini requested this to him last night. He licks his paws reluctantly.

Ador: "Gurrrrrr....bhook... (It's so boring. No problem. I will compensate it on the wedding day)

Okay, Ador's planning and plotting will continue for more, let's check on Nandini. What she wants to show to Nyonika.

..........................................

Nandini's room: 4:15 p.m:

Both Nandini and Nyonika enter the room and Nandini immediately locks the door.

Nyonika: (Tiredly) "Tumne darwaza kyun band kiya? (Why did you lock the door?) Look, Nandini, I am really tired. Jo dikhana hai jaldi dikhao. (Whatever you want to show please hurry up)"

Nyonika plops down on a chair. Nandini gives a mysterious smile and walks to the cupboard. Within a minute she takes out a packet.

Nandini: (Affectionately) "It is said that a mother is a daughter's best friend and vice versa. Can I be your best friend, Maa?"

Nyonika turns at Nandini with sheer astonishment. For the first time, Nandini called her Maa.

Author's note: The emotional scene depicted above will be continued in the next chapter, where the main wedding rituals will commence. In Indian society, a marriage is not just a bond between two individuals, but also between two families. Through this story, I want to showcase the bond between these two different families and cultures. Stay tuned for more updates.