Love, rituals and duties
Getting married to Veer was not easy. Falling in love was way easier. Well, easy, because he has a heart of gold and good looks was an addition in the package. With a height of 6 feet 2 inches, sturdy structure, dusky complexion, military fade haircut, Veer was the most handsome man Shikha had ever met in her life. She had met him at her best friend’s wedding. Apparently Veer was her best friend’s husband’s elder sibling. At 26, Shikha was initially in no mood of getting married. She was a Ph.D student still struggling with her thesis. With power glasses, straight long hair, plump structure and adorable smile, Shikha was an epitome of cuteness overloaded.
At her best friend’s marriage, Shikha was introduced to Veer. Veer was 33. He was a military professional. Half of the time he was out of his home, hence he was reluctant to get married because he knew he won’t be able to give time to his wife. Other than that, there was one more problem. It was his mom. Well, he never meant that his mom was a problem, all he meant was, his mom was someone who was very much into rituals. Half of her time, she was into prayers and fasting. She wanted a daughter in law who would adhere to the norms of the rituals she followed. Veer had lost his father when he was a kid. His mom meant the world to him. He could never hurt her, neither could he get someone in his life who would have to adhere to all the whims and fancies of his mom. This very reason refrained him from getting married.
After meeting Shikha, he could not take her off his mind. Same was the case with Shikha. However, Shikha always maintained distance from boys because somewhere deep in her heart, she had this feeling that she was not good looking enough and there is no point getting attracted to someone, because no matter what, the boy would never propose to her. After her best friend’s marriage, she forgot all about Veer and went about her regular chores. After a week, she received a text message from an unknown number. The message said, ‘Hi, is this Shikha’s number. Please ignore if it’s not Shikha’s number.’ Shikha replied, ‘Yes, this is Shikha’s number.’ Suddenly her phone rang. She received it. A baritone voice said from the other end, ‘Hi, I am Veer. Not sure if you remember me. We had met at the wedding.’ Shikha’s hands trembled.Calming herself, she replied, ‘Yes Veer. I do remember you. How are you?’ . Veer replied, ‘I am fine. Thanks. How are you?’. Shikha said, ‘I am fine. Nice to hear from you.’ Veer smiled and said, ‘ Well, I was in town for a few days, so thought of catching up with friends. I was wondering if we can catch up and talk over a cup of coffee.’ Shikha shivered. She did not know if what she was hearing was real or was she dreaming. She pinched herself . It was real. She replied, ‘ Umm Sure. Where and what time?’ Veer said, ‘ 6 pm., coffee house, Anand Road. Is it fine?’ Shikha controlled her nervousness and said, ‘Yes. I will be there.’
The coffee meeting was more beautiful than what Shikha dreamt of. Polite and cordial to the core, Veer never made her feel uncomfortable. He talked about topics in such a friendly demeanour that Shikha felt that she knew veer all her life. When they were about to leave for home, Veer said, ‘If you don’t mind, can we meet again some time day after tomorrow. I will be leaving on Sunday.’ Shikha smiled and said, ‘Sure.’ Veer replied, ‘6 pm, Dine Hub, Sagar road.’ Shikha laughed and said, ‘ Okay.’
The meetings continued. After Veer left, he was in touch with her. One fine day, he met her and said, ‘ Shikha, it has been 6 months. I think I was right.’ Shikha fumbled and said, ‘ Right? About what?’ Veer replied, ‘ I need you in my life because I am in love with you. Will you marry me?’ Shikha froze there. She loved Veer but never thought that he would propose to her. She stood there like a statue. Veer said, ‘Come on Shikha, answer me, my knees are hurting.’ Shikha did not realise that Veer went down on his knees with the gold ring. Shikha extended her ring finger and with tears in her eyes, she nodded and said, ‘Yes.’
Now, the challenge started. Veer told Shikha all about his job, his transfers, and his mom. He told her, ‘I love my mom and I know that it’s not easy to adhere to her fasting rituals. I love you too. After marriage, I don’t want you to suffer, but, I need you in my life as well.’ Shikha held Veer’s hand and said, ‘I will manage. All you want is, I and your mom, both of us should be happy. Right?’ Veer nodded and said, ‘Yes, that’s all. How you manage that, I don’t care. Both of you mean a lot to me.’ Shikha hugged veer and said, ‘Fine then. I am all set to marry you. I will become your strength, not your weakness. You can continue your job peacefully, but you have to promise to make time for me whenever you can and I will stay with your mom, who, from henceforth is also my mom.’
The marriage was solemnized with pomp and show. Right from the second day of wedding, Veer’s mom, Ratna told Shika in a very kind tone, ‘Dear, you know, I lost my husband at a very early stage of my life. Hence, to ensure peace and happiness at my home, I believe in certain rituals. I will be happy if you also to follow these. Trust me, we will all be happy that way.’ Shikha smiled and said, ‘Ofcourse maa. I will do whatever you say.’ Ratna blessed Shikha and said, ‘Always take a shower before entering the kitchen. Also, I fast on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Since, this is your home from today, it will be wonderful if you also do that. Fasting means, you can have only fruits and milk during the day and then at sunset you can have full meal, but vegetarian. Rest of the days, you can eat non veg food, but ensure you don’t mix the utensils. Alright? During periods, ensure, you bathe twice daily and wash your hair and wash the bed linens as well. Don’t use the washing machine to wash your clothes and linens during periods. Okay?’ Shikha kept listening to her. She then said softly, ‘ As you say maa.’
Veer was shocked initially. Shikha never complained. Being a big time foodie, staying away from food and that too non veg food was not easy for her. Whenever Veer was home, he would take Shikha out to eat, but Shikha would insist that Veer should eat home made food because he comes home after so long. Veer loved home made food but then, Shikha barely gets to eat non veg at home because of all the rituals. Veer fell in love with Shikha all the more because of this adjusting nature of hers.
Ratna loved her daughter in law. The first thing she always saw in the morning was Shikha’s hair was wet which proved she took shower the moment she woke up. Then she would make lunch for both of them, veg mostly. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, Shikha would take only fruits with her to college for lunch. There were times when Ratna would see Shikha drained out. That’s probably because Shikha did not eat anything except fruits the whole day. Ratna would take pity on Shikha and make warm Chapati and Veggies for her after she comes from college, but Shikha would say, she would eat only after taking a shower.
Veer and Shikha lived happily with Ratna. Shikha’s parents and friends were initially worried as to, how will Shikha adjust. However, they longer worried because they saw Shikha in pink of health and spirit.
Shikha could never fast. If she did that, a bad migraine attack would make life hell for her. Hence she always kept all kinds of delectable cookies, salted nuts and bread in the stock of food supplies in her room. The moment she woke up, she would just brush her hair with some drops of water and wrap a towel on her head. That made Ratna feel, Shikha took a shower. Shikha would always first have some cookies and water in her room and then come downstairs and have her breakfast. She would then take a shower. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, she would have a full meal at the cafeteria which served delectable food, right from chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets to mutton biryani and non vegetarian thalis. Also, on those days, she never wore kajal or lipstick. That made her look somewhat tired and sick. During periods, she used to dump all the clothes and put them to dry. She never washed them, because washing clothes with hands is not only time consuming but also tiring. After three days, she would put the same clothes in the washing machine. Whenever she felt like eating home made non vegetarian food, she would make that on the days her mom in law allowed. Utensils got mixed, veg and non veg got mixed, but, she ensured the house maid washed the utensils thoroughly. Shikha always ensured regular health check up for Ratna. She ensured Ratna was happy. Since Shikha came, Ratna’s mental and physical health improved by leaps and bounds.
Veer knew all of what Shikha did. Ratna knew none. How did it matter! All of them were happy and healthy and they lived happily ever after. That’s all that mattered.
