This is not newlywed's bedroom; no flowers, no fragrances. The white frilled curtains sooth my eyes and mind but if it had been adorned with flowers, I would have felt in the fairy world where a princess is going to spend her first night with her prince charming. Hmmm... The sound of the footsteps makes me realized I am a bride and get up and sit decently on my king's bed. My sister-in-law enters, "Samaira, let me take you to your room." My puzzled look compels her to say more than her usual sentences (She hasn't yet said more). "This is my room", she declares and holds my hand without looking at me. I prevent myself of saying something as I want to see 'My room' before creating any scene.
Neeru, my sister-in-law, makes me stand in the same room I hated the most. "This is your room", she smiles which seems wicked to me. Sartaj is already there, half sitting on the old bed with the same old bed-sheet. 'I'll not sleep on this bed', I declare too. Sartaj gets up and closes the door at her sister's back who leaves. We are alone in 'Our room'. I prefer to sit on the chair than on the old worn out bed-sheet. He kneels and holds my hands. I burst out in tears. "Please, don't cry, listen to me, my love," he says and kisses me tenderly on my forehead. "I can't say anything to my mother and sister. Actually, my room is where you had been sitting for the last one hour. Since Neeru loves my room the most, last week Mummy gave her my room. I wanted to change the décor and bed of this room which I've recently got but couldn't get enough time." Tears clouds my eyes and I am unable to absorb this mentally. I know Sartaj is hiding something or his real face is still unknown, hidden. My suitcases and other accessories are lying in the room, I just notice. In the one corner of the room, there are piles of books, boxes and other accessories as they've just thrown out of some other place. The room is messy, I really hate it. I regain my strength and take out the shawl from one of the suitcases. Spread it on the bed and lie there without changing or talking to Sartaj. This is my first night at my King's palace!!!!!
I don't realize when Sartaj sleeps near me. Some noises from outside make me awake from my deep slumber. I am feeling headache as though someone has held my head and smashed it hard against a rock. 'Missing you, Mumma,' I start crying again. I look around and take a deep sigh. The tingling of my bangles; my Choora awake Sartaj. He, likes a scared child, sits and starts looking at me but cannot dare to utter a single word. I get up quickly and run to the big bathroom, the only thing I like about the room, it's attached big bathroom. But this time even it's marvelous marbling failed to relieve my distressed mind. While taking shower I resolute myself and not to give up easily, as I always do. I decide to find out the reason behind the atrocious behavior of my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. I can't afford to leave my husband's house as I will not tolerate seeing my Mumma suffers because of me.
'I don't run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead I run towards it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your foot.'
My eyes meet Sartaj's who's still sitting on the bed. He smiles and I smile back that gives him encourage to say something. I decide not to get annoyed with him until I get the truth. 'How it's possible that they decided to change the room one week ago only and Sartaj also got agreed with them! I know Sartaj loves me but there's something he is hiding from me.
'We're the perfect couple, we're not just in the perfect situation.'
He comes closer and kiss on my forehead, I hug him and put my head on his shoulder as an unfortunate tired traveler who doesn't know where to go but he's on his way.
"Hello", my mother's voice, my emotional barometer. I make a call to her from my room (thank God! Landline phone is available in this room). 'Hi Mumma', I control my tears and pretend to be very happy in my 'new house'. "Mera shona kaisa hai?" (how's my darling?), Mumma gets delighted to hear my cheerful tone. 'I am really very happy, Maa', 'Mumma, listen, what did my mother-in -law say about my furniture when you wanted to get it delivered before a day of marriage?' I ask as I wanted to make confirm everything until I take any step. "What happened, all well? Mumma gets worried. 'Areeee nothing, mummy, Sartaj's mom forgot what she said so told me to ask you again', I giggle (hiding my emotions) "She said not to deliver anything before a week until all guests leave," Mumma's reply has removed the shadow of doubt that something fishy going on or they just wanted to humiliate me. But why? 'Mumma, I'll call you later, my mummy is calling,' I know she'll be happy to hear this. "Go go, listen to your Mummy first," she is intensely excited.
I hear a loud tap on the door as if we'll not open the door, they break it. Sartaj has already left when I decided to call Mumma. I locked the door and show that I am getting dressed up for my new day in my new house. Found furious mother-in-law standing at the door when I open it. "Satshriakal (Good morning) Mummy! I touch her feet and hug her tightly. Haven't given her a chance to utter something insulting or rude. She manages to control her surprise and hugs me back, "bless you, beta." All relatives are sitting in the dining hall having breakfast, they pass smile and Sartaj's cousin hold my hand and take me to the dining table, "You're looking gorgeous in this color also. Every color suits you Bhabhi" she points to my blue crepe dress (traditional suit) bordered with a floral resham embroidery 'Thank you,' I smile. My eyes are searching for my soul mate but he's nowhere. "He's gone somewhere," my Mummy reply. She has not said or ask anything about what happened last night. After sitting for a while with relatives, I come back to my 'disgusting room'. I call Mumma, 'Please tell Sammy to send furniture today. Mumma, what is the color of my bed.' My Mumma's reply makes me feel the ground slipping under my feet. I get stupefied. "But your Mummy has told to cancel the order for bed as they've already four beds so no space for one more bed, we didn't tell you as she said to give you surprise with new room and bed. What happened, beta. I hope you are not hiding anything from me," her tone changes from happy to tensed one. 'Arrreee nai baba, nothing like that. I don't like the bed so Mummy says if you want, they can buy a new for me. You know Mumma how much I like white furniture and the bed they give is of brown color,' I laugh. "Are you sure, they won't feel bad? Mumma get worried. 'C'mon, they are really a cool family. You just convey Sammy to order a new white bed and if it's already available then get it delivered today,' I drop the receiver after kissing her on the phone. Today I and Sartaj have to go to my parent's house for Phera Paana (it's a ritual to go to parent's home next day after marriage and have dinner with them). But I am worried if furniture will deliver in my absence Mummy could create a scene. I immediately call Sammy's office number and tell him to deliver everything after 19.00 hrs. I know I am behaving like a rebellion but have to take a risk.
I cannot recognize Sartaj at once who may be coming from salon after taking haircut and shave. Since I saw him without beard when he met me first time at my home, after 4-5 months it's difficult to absorb this appearance all of a sudden. But he's looking stunning. He comprehends what I am thinking and comes near, "What!" I slip eagerly into his arms and our lips met hungrily. The last night incident made me forget everything that I am newly married and our souls, our bodies have not yet met, craving for each other's love. But I had decided last night I would not let this problem affects our relationship (If Sartaj is innocent). My body, my soul needs him terribly and I want myself to melt in his arms but I control myself, 'Not on this bed.' I pull myself and gaze up to his smooth features. Don't want to draw my eyes from this face. "I love you, Samaira" he kisses me again. 'We have to get ready for Phera' my hands reach out and run a finger down his cheek that increases his pulse; his hands slid up my back in a slow caress that makes my heart beat wildly. He lowers his head and his lips brush my neck in a soft caress. We get jolted with a sudden knock on the door.
My Mummy gets a big suitcase and Sartaj takes it from her hand and keep it on the table. "Beta, this is your Vari (clothes and jewelry given to daughter-in-law). 'Wah g, after changing my special night to disastrous one, she's brought gifts for me. But I (as usual) control myself. 'Thank you, Mummy g' I smile innocently. "You have to wear a dress from this suitcase for your Phera." She says warmly. "And if you want to wear a sari, it's other accessories are also stitched, so you can wear anything of your choice" she sweetly touches my face and leaves. I get confused at her gesture. Hmmm...
I chose a rich wine velvet Zardozi sari, it is gilded with zardozi embroidery. Since I have bought sarees of this embroidery so familiar with this thread work. Mummy gives me three heavy jewelry sets, with heavy Meena work bangles. Still confused what does she want!
We get ready by 12.00 noon. "I can't take my eyes off you" Sartaj whispers as we bid goodbye and leave.
Sartaj cannot understand that why are we going at lunch time for Phera. I already told Mumma to prepare lunch instead of dinner. 'I informed Sammy to get my furniture delivered in the evening along with the bed that Mummy wanted to cancel,' I tell him in the same breath without looking at him. He stops the car all of a sudden and look at me, "Okay" and put on the engine. I was expecting his wrath would spoil the day but nothing happened. I give him another bewildered look but he seems as calm as always.
Everybody gets elated to see me. We leave around 16.00 hrs. by car loaded with the gifts given by my family. On arriving home, Sartaj calls his helpers to remove 'the bed' and other accessories but I keep his books there. He must have told everybody about the delivery of 'my furniture', so nobody dares to ask me anything. Still unable to understand about their behaviour last night! 'Leave thinking about it. But why did they want to humiliate me, it is about their son's married life!
Around 19.30 hrs, my brother reaches along with the public carrier. I get startled to observe the entire change in my in-law's demeanour. They behave as everything is normal and they have accepted with me an open heart.... I don't know what to say! My room is looking better with my white furniture though changing curtains and lamps are still have to be changed. 'No worries, think about tonight because it is going to be a special day of 'our life'.
"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds."
The candles burned on the table, casting a soft, cloudy light across the room. There is a pleasant scent of flowers. The two bodies, the two souls are going to mingle forever today. The scene of the room is straight out of a romantic movie. While I am standing near the double-glazing door, Sartaj enters with a gift-wrapped box. He gently keeps the box on my white vanity dressing table. He comes near me and takes my face into his hands, "Love you, Samaira." 'I love you too, Sartaj', I keep my head on his strong and broad chest that gives me a sense of protection which every girl wishes to get from her father and her husband. He kisses my hands and his lips brush mine, softly, gently, long enough that I could inhale his breath. The sharing of one breath! He looks at me with a light of passion in his eyes. We kiss again, it steals my breath. He groans softly, low in his throat. His arms circle me and he gathers me in his strong arms and we roll over on the bed, tangled in each other's arms and still kissing. At his touch, I blossom like a flower. It's like opening up my soul, seeing every color of the rainbow.