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VIVEK
Vivek’s uncle did a good job arranging the wedding ceremony at the temple, as well as the party in the hotel hall. Snehal admired everyone from Vivek’s family for helping him tie a nuptial knot to her. Her parents seemed useless and her father should’ve have been kind. He had been so reluctant to everyone’s appeal to allow Snehal’s marriage to Vivek.
She put on a new pale purple mixed blue Mysore silk sari with a matching blouse she bought at the mall a day before. She combed her hair and entwined them like a rope. She applied the lip gloss and mascara and brushed her cheeks with pink.
“Bahu,” her mother-in-law approached, holding a small strand of jasmine. “Are you ready? You need to be in the bedroom before Vivek arrives.” She tucked the string into Snehal’s hair. “You are so beautiful.” She kissed Snehal on her cheek.
“Ma, can you see if everything is okay with my sari?”
Her mother-in-law corrected the frills at Snehal’s waist. “You’re all right, now.” She took the silver glass containing milk from the table. “Let’s go. I’ll take you to the bedroom where you need to spend the night with Vivek.” She handed the glass to Snehal.
Snehal walked to an adjacent room, and her mother-in-law gently opened the door. “You can go inside now. Don’t be afraid. I’ll send Vivek soon.” She smiled and walked back.
Her heart throbbing to her chest, Snehal entered. A strong smell of flowers – jasmine and fresh roses – greeted her. The large size bed was decorated with garlands of various flowers. A plate containing dry fruits was placed on the table beside the bed. Snehal was astonished to see the room decorated so beautifully. Vivek would come at any time and she went to the bed and sat in the middle.
Her pulse quickened when the door opened.
Vivek, in his golden sherwani suit with intricate design, entered. Snehal stared down shyly when he approached her. He sat on the bed. “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting for long.”
Snehal shifted her gaze towards him. “No, you didn’t.”
His face was fair with a cream rubbed on it; hair applied with hair oil glistened in the fluorescent light. A strong almond perfume from his cloth hit her nostrils.
“You’re so beautiful, Snehal.” Vivek cupped her chin and kissed on her cheek.
Snehal blushed. She closed her eyes and whispered. “You too are handsome.”
Snehal remembered Vivek’s suggestion to wait for the wedding day. Vivek was correct. He hugged her, and Snehal’s heart pounded to her ribcage. He took her to heaven while they passionately made love.