Dev did not utter a word and bent down to take the blessings of Kir and Ita. He looked at Unma for a brief second and looked away. He then went inside the car. Ador who was sobbing, badly, could not believe she married him, that also against his wishes and against all odds. She was tensed as to what would be waiting for her in her in-laws place. She looked at Ita teary eyed and said, "Mummam, this is the life I had chosen, so don't feel guilty. Take care of Papa and Unma. Love you" and she left her home without looking back once, for fear they would understand that she was fearing her future.
Dev did not utter a word to Ador on the entire journey back home. Neither did he glance at her. He was tired after all and closed his eyes to get some rest. He was thinking, back home what would Bali do, create a scene or to let him go unscathed.
When Ador entered her in law's place, that she would be calling her new home, was longing for her parents love. She missed them already in a two hour journey.
She was welcomed to Durgabari(her in law's home) in grandeur. Someone told her to wait outside till the milk in the steel utensil had boiled on the stove and poured out, on its own, deemed as auspicious. Then her mother in law Gopi welcomed her home. Just like any traditional Hindu marriage there were some games post wedding which groom and bride need to play. It happened in Durgabari too. Dev, who became his usual cool self with friends and family, won every game, be it finding the bride's ring in a utensil filled with milk, roses and small small conch shells and other rings of other ladies dropped in the milk. He also won karee, a game of shells, to see who brings in wealth, to the family. He was all geared up to put Ador in back foot, wherever he found opportunity. And in the final game, when Ador was told to catch hold of a very slippery fish in a bowl of muddy water, she failed in her two attempts. Everybody laughed as she was losing. Lastly she could catch hold of the fish by the head.
She told to herself, that at the end of the day, she did emerge as the winner, after all. This ended the day. Now started the kalratri, wherein both groom and bride would not be seeing each other. Both slept in separate rooms after a tiring day.
Bali, as per his son's tantrum organised two wedding receptions, one for family and friends, the other for his corporate clients. He too made it a lavish affair, cause Dev was his only son. Tolly club, an eminent club of Kolkata was booked for reception. Wines flew like river. Everyone was raising a toast.
Dev looked dapper in a white blackberry suit that Kir and Ita had given him. There was live orchestra and people dancing around, merry making.
Ador's relatives who were making fun of her behind her back, on her day of marriage, were present here too. They were green with envy.
Some took the advantage of getting on the good books of Bali and Dev.
At the end of both days of reception, all relatives left, both from groom and bride's end, with the gifts that Kir and Ita had showered for marriage.
Durgabari was peaceful with only four inhabitants from the immediate family along with the usual domestic help, cook and chauffeur along with Adhi, who used to pay visit twice daily.