Neeraj aur Poonam ki Shaadi - Ab Aage…

Current Tune: Saajanji Ghar Aaye - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

As the elders from Neeraj’s side of the family enter to the main entrance of the hotel, they are welcomed by the elders in my family. Immediately at that time, there is a ceremony called milni that happens at that time. This is when specific relatives from both sides meet so that everyone knows who is the thoujee, chacha, mama, bhaiya, etc… Both persons then put a haar (lei) on each other, give a small hug, and then go back to where they were standing.

Now there is even one more catch — as my family is quite the rambunctious group, so what else they do is that they also try to pick up their counterpart. So for instance, when it was Lalit Mama’s turn he put the haar on Neeraj’s Mama, and then tried to pick him up. The other relatives around him usually egg him on to try to pick up the other in-law up, especially if the other relative is a bit on the plump side. It was funny when it was Shyamlal Jijaji’s turn (Funny Aunty’s husband) because he was so sneaky about it. He put the haar on, gave the hug, and as the photographer was taking the picture, he slowly started moving down and soon enough he had Neeraj’s relative up in the air and even made a circle. Cute:!:

After the milni and the photos, it was time for Neeraj to enter. At the entrance, he did the Toran, and yes, it was ready by the time Neeraj reached there. Then Mumma does the ceremony to welcome dulhe raja into the entrance. As she walked toward him, she didn’t know but my cousins immediately created a wall around her. They wanted Neeraj’s jhutis (shoes) so as Neeraj slowly began to get off, my brothers told him to stay on. They were going to give him the royal welcoming by putting him on their shoulders and carrying him into the entrance and to the stage:!: Everything was happening so quickly that no one noticed when Kanika walked right under Mumma’s arms and grabbed Neeraj’s jhutis:!: Very sneaky:!:

Then my brothers, Deepu Bhaiya, Raju Bhaiya, and Suraj, carried Neeraj all the way through the garden area and into the banquet hall where the stage was beautifully decorated.

During this whole time I was upstairs in the room, so I had no idea what was going on. At that time, it was okay for me not to know what was happening as I got to do something that I hadn’t had a chance to do for a very long time: sit down with Mitu Didi and Pooja Didi and talk about life. Really I learned so much in that time period that we were upstairs, that I really felt that it would have been great if I had even a bit more time.

We heard the multiple knocks on the door, and we understood that the time had come. The excitement within me was overwhelming — I couldn’t wait to see Neeraj.

We got downstairs and slowly around the corner you could see the photographers and the videographer and their lights. The shine was on me which was an unbelievable feeling when everyone wants to see you. All of my cousins were all around me as they were going to escort me into the hall. The brothers were going to carry the chunni (one holding each corner) that was blessed from the Mata ki Chowki ceremony and hold it above me.

Now I was getting nervous, not because that time was here, but it was due to the fact that I wanted everything to go just right, just the way I had dreamt about it so many many days in the past.

The didis had told me to walk slowly into the hall. This was my shining moment, and I needed to enjoy every single step up to the stage.

So that’s what I tried to do, I really don’t know if I ended up going too fast or too slow, but I thought I was doing it just the right speed. As they got me through the lobby and entering the hall, Baby Didi (eldest cousin on paternal side) and Taijee were garnishing the floor that I stepped on with beautiful flower petals of various colors. I just smiled as my eyes met Baby Didi’s as I could just feel a great sense that this is going as I imagined.

I wasn’t looking down and sharmaaying like the dulhans you would see in the movies or in the olden times, I stood very confidently, and tried to stand straight. The beautiful golden and red lehenga that I was wearing weighed a ton, and then on top of it I had over 50 pins poking me in my head from the styling of my hair. I was told a few times to keep my head straight, but I just couldn’t because of the weight, that it always ended up going a bit to the left. I don’t think it was that noticeable, but whatever.

As I reached the steps to the stage, Neeraj and our eyes met, and it seems that nothing needed to be said. He walked to where I was, extended his hand, and brought me up to the stage next to him. A fairy tale it was, and I couldn’t believe that I was the princess in it. My prince was a gem.

The posts continue on so keep reading. The next post will highlight jaimala, an update on the jhutis, photos, and dancing.

Stay Tuned:!:

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.