Ch 1: Saagai (Engagement )

I never thought that I would end up in a typical Indian family. It's true that I said that I would marry anyone of my parent's choice but...Indian family? I don't have any problem with them. I am Punjabi and you can guess that our family is always excited about everything.

I thought to marry a foreigner when I was 17 but when I turned 20 my taste changed.

When I returned from London after completing my courses, I got to know that my family already started searching for a bridegroom. It was okay for me because I never gave attention to boys topic but....

I never thought I would be marrying a Gujarati in the end. Gujarati? Seriously? That means turning into a vegetarian?

And...the main problem is, I will be going to a joined family. I got to know that there are total 19 members in the family and well-educated but...what can you expect from a typical Indian family who always focuses on traditional cultures? I don't know what type of people they are but my parents selected them for me that means they will be good but how can I cope up with them? 

My would-be-husband is an engineer and I just completed my courses on medical and now I'm going to be a housewife.

*sigh* Wastage of all my certificates and dreams.

Oh! By the way, myself Manpriya Arora but you can call me Priya or Peu. And my would-be-husband is Anant Chauhan that means I would be Manpriya Chauhan...sounds weird.

My parents are quite excited about this marriage and my cousins are literally teasing me...well, I kinda like Mr Anant. I mean he seems to be a good person and good looking also. I liked him on Chandlo Maatli. Dad said that he is a very polite person and indeed I understood by looking at his photo.

[Chandlo Maatli: Chandlo Maatli is considered the first ceremony of the wedding where the formal announcement is made. During this ceremony, the father of the bride along with four male relatives visit the groom’s place with a steel container or maatli full of sweets and gifts for the groom and his family. He then applies chandlo or a red circle at the center of the groom’s forehead and gives him the maatli and some money. The marriage date is also fixed at this ceremony.]

I am again saying that I don't have any problem with this marriage but why a joined family? I have to stay with my mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law and Mr Anant's cousins.

I think I'll not be getting any freedom to wear dresses of my type and to go to the places where I want and...*pout* I have to live on Vegetables. Anyways, we will see what happens and most importantly, I hope they will treat me nicely.

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"Priya! Are you ready?" My cousins came inside my room as I was wearing the earrings. 

"Almost" I said, looking at the mirror. "Where's the makeup artist?"

"She is downstairs and wow! You're looking gorgeous. I wonder how Mr Anant will control himself after seeing you." They teased as my face heated up.

Today is Gol Dhana, means Saagai (Engagement). My makeup artist came and after I was ready, I came downstairs.

"Aw, my baby is looking so beautiful today!" Mom smiled, holding my chin.

"Yea, just like you." I chuckled as she rolled her eyes and laughed.

"The coriander seeds and jaggery is ready!" Dad shouted to particularly no one as he came in the hall "Are you both ready? The car is waiting."

We nodded and went outside and I sat inside the car as my cousins sat beside me. I looked behind as my parents and relatives entered inside the other cars.

"Today is the best day ever." Nilangana, my youngest cousin smiled.

"Why do you think so? Today is not her wedding." Nisha, the eldest one asked.

"Yeah, but today I got to eat so many sweets." Nilu said as we laughed.

"I don't like sweets though." I said as all of them turned towards me with surprise.

"Um...what happened?" I asked, awkwardly.

"Don't you know that newly wed bride shouldn't talk?" Nisha smirked.

"Eh? What type of ritual is that? And I'm not even married yet." I said.

"Yeah, but practice not to speak much in front of your in-laws as they are... Ahem! Too strict!" Nilangana chuckled which put me into a deep thought for a while.

"Oh come on!" Nisha said. "They are good people and you don't need to worry about anything."

I nodded and decided not to drag the topic more. So, I started looking outside from the window as they were gossiping.

After an hour, we reached our destination and came out. The place was amazingly organized for our engagement and I was left dumbstruck by looking at the huge place.

I came out of the car as thousands of people surrounded me and then there came my in-laws with plates of flowers and coriander seeds for the blessing.

I am not used to so much crowds, specially when most of the people are unknown to me. I smiled a bit as they started to bless me.

After that I entered to the garden and went inside the place which was designed for the engagement ceremony.

Do you know that I'm hella nervous now?

Everyone was talking and laughing among themselves as I'm admiring the place when my sight fell on my mother.

"Stop looking here and there!" She directed me as I gave her a ugly look. That means now I can't even look?

I sighed and looked down when I heard that people are saying that the groom came.

I realized that he came inside and stood in front of me. I wanted to look at him but I don't know why its becoming so hard for me to look up.

Manpriya, just look at him! You should know how your partner is looking today *grins*.

Damn, I am blushing too hard now but I somehow gathered my courage and look up.

I looked at him as he smiled at me. G-God! Is he for real? I quickly looked down again as I heard him giggling.

Then the priest came and murmured some prayers which was beyond my IQ. I can't even understand those languages in which the old man was speaking.

Anyways, at last we exchanged the beautiful rings as everyone clapped.

...

...

I love wearing rings over nail polish, its gives a pretty look to my hand and my ring was bit fancy as compared to Mr Anant's.

After the engagement, my mother-in-law fed me sweets but I can guess that she is strict...very strict. Uwa! Why can't she be a bit friendly like my mother? They are childhood best friends after all.

Engagement is done and soon I'll be married to Mr Anant, the youngest son of a Typical Gujrati Family! Be ready Manpriya and...oh! I've to enjoy wholeheartedly before the wedding because who knows what's coming for me *shrugs*.

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