The wedding night

7th December, 1996

The Stage was set and the lights were gleaming in the evening. Manu was had taken all the responsibility for wedding arrangements of his only sister Manju. After all, the only daughter of Major Suraj Bhan Singh, was going to get married.

Manu had made all the necessary arrangements for wedding. He booked the best caterers, the best sound system, best decorators of Haryana for the lavish wedding of his sister. He was waiting for this day since many years. Imagine a 15 year old boy handling all the responsibilities.

Manu’s mother was so proud of him. The Barat had finally arrived at the door. All the family members went to the gate of Farm-house to welcome the Barat. People were enjoying the glorious day. The Groom was in a beautifully decorated Chriot with two white horses. 

It appeared as if, a King had come to visit their door step. Manu watched the groom and how he was being welcomed. He imagined, one day he'll be treated with the same royalty. The ceremony of elder relatives "Milni" began where, Groom's father and bride's father, Groom's mother and bride's mother, Groom's uncles and Brides uncles had greeted themselves.

On entering the gates, the waiters served drinks of various types with two girls spraying gulab jal on the guests. The groom's family was so delighted over such a royal welcome. The groom was accompanied to stage by his family and they settled around him. His mother and sisters took the charge of collecting gifts. 

Manu ran to the In-house as, it was now time for the Jaimala ceremony. Manu watched his sister and with teary eyes hugged her. The stage lights were dimmed and the music started. Everyone saw a spotlight on Bride and her brother's holding the duppata above her head. 

Manju was looking extremely beautiful. She walked slowly and with every step she was getting closer to her new life. Finally a 26 year old doctor was getting married to a 30 year old MD. The bride was followed till the stage by her family and the groom desperately stood waiting for the Jaimala ceremony.

As soon as they stood in front of each other, both looked at each other holding the jaimala. The groom initiated the ceremony  while, the bride was putting the Jaimala on Grooms neck, his cousins lifted him up. Seeing this, the bride's brothers lifted  her and so the ceremony was successfully accomplished.

After both of them sat, the guests began to come to the stage to give gifts and sagan. Manu went away from the crowd to check the main course arrangements. Soon after this, his father called him and asked if the TATA Sumo was ready outside the gates. Manu's father had gifted cash, gold and TATA Sumo to Groom. Manu felt so proud of his family as, he was the heir to a property of 1500 Crores. But, he missed his elder brother Ajay who, was undergoing his military training in IMA Dehradun.

Soon after all the work assigned to Manu was accomplished, he finally went to spend some time with the couple on stage. His brother-in-law hugged him for such a wonderful wedding arrangements and told him, "Anytime or Anything you want in life, do not hesitate to ask me. I'll always be by your side and it's a Sardar's word."

Manu thought in mind that he's so lucky to have such an honorable person as his Brother-in-Law. 

It was time for the Phere now and the couple was accompanied to the mandap by their families. The pandit began chanting the mantras and the couple was sitting beside the Agni kund. The groom was asked to decorate the Bride's forehead with sindoor and asked him to tie Managalsutra around her neck. Manju became emotional and saw her brother. 

He was showering her with flowers. The couple took Pheres around the Agnikund and took blessings from the elder relatives by touching their feet. At last, the marriage was successfully commenced.