❤ The Journey From Love To Marriage

They had not imagined that the journey from love to marriage would be so long.

Two young hearts had started cherishing dreams of married life but the hours of waiting were increasing. Seeing me sad and gloomy, mother said, "What is the matter, Rati, why are you sitting with such a sad face? Manoj has not called for many days. Did they have a fight?" "No, mother, why should we talk about it every day? We were preparing for the wedding for so many days, everything went in vain. If Manoj's grandfather had not died, it would have been 15 days since your wedding today. He was quite old. The wedding could have happened after the thirteenth day rituals but your in-laws have very conservative views. They say that there is no shadow. Now the wedding will happen only after 5-6 months. All our preparations went in vain. The wedding cards had been distributed. Advance payments had been made to the function hall, the caterers, the decorators, and many others. There has been a lot of loss due to postponing the marriage by 6 months. Manoj is very disturbed by this, mother. But he is unable to say anything.

Son, we were also of your age once. We can understand the feelings of both of you, but we cannot do anything even if we want to. I had even told your mother-in-law that what if there are no shadows, all days are auspicious for good work…now we should get married. As soon as I said this, she got angry and started saying, all days may be auspicious for you but we believe in shadows. He is our only son, we do not want to create any misconception in the mind by ignoring the old beliefs from our side. Rati started thinking what more can Mummy do and what should I do, how should I tell Mummy what Manoj wants.

We both studied together from nursery to intermediate. But friendship happened only after coming to intermediate. After intermediate, Manoj went to study engineering and I took admission in B.Sc. Despite our colleges being different, we used to spend some time together during vacations. We used to talk on the phone in between. We used to chat on the computer. As soon as we started M.Sc., mom and dad started looking for a boy for marriage. I told them that mom, get married after M.Sc., but they said that you should continue your studies, the marriage is not happening right now, it takes time to find a good boy. As soon as the discussion of marriage started, Manoj's image floated in my eyes. Though we both were good friends, but till then we had not promised each other to get married. We had not even dreamt of a future together, but when mom discussed marriage, Manoj's name came to my mind, should I consider this love? Does Manoj also want the same thing, how do I know what's in his heart.

When I told Manoj about mom's proposal of marriage during the meeting, he said, "You will get married so soon, you still have 2 years to complete your M.Sc. It will take time to do it,” then thinking something he said, “Tell me straight, will you marry me…but it will take me at least 2-3 years to settle down.” A wave of happiness touched my body and mind, “To tell you the truth Manoj, when mummy talked about marriage, I suddenly remembered you…is this love?” I think this is love, see, the thing which I could not say till now, came to my mind as soon as the topic of your marriage came up and I proposed to you.

Now that we both have expressed our love for each other, then we will have to think seriously about this matter. Not only will we have to think, Rati, you will also have to convince your parents for this marriage. ‘Will your family agree?’ Look, right now it is my final year of engineering. I am also taking CAT coaching…I have to give the exam for that too. By the way, it is possible that I may get a placement in a good company this year because many companies come to the college and offer jobs. If I get a good offer, I will accept it and as soon as the discussion of marriage starts, I will tell about you. The seed of love had already grown between us and our love had now started dreaming of becoming life partners. Now it had become necessary to mention this in our respective families.

When I told Mummy about Manoj, she said, "He is not from our caste...how is this possible, your father will not agree at all. Are Manoj's parents ready?" Right now his family does not know anything about this. By the time the final exams are over, Manoj will get a job offer in a good company and as soon as the results come, he will join the company. Only after that will he talk to his parents. "Is it necessary that he will agree?" "Mummy, I need your permission first." How can I take this decision alone... I will have to talk to your father... I will have to muster courage to talk to him. What will you do if Papa does not agree?" "What can I do, Mummy, if the marriage happens, it will happen with your blessings, otherwise it will not happen."

While my M.Sc. final year started, Manoj got a good start in a big company as soon as he completed his engineering and it was also almost certain that the company could send him to the US anytime in the future. Discussions about marriage had also started in Manoj's house. I somehow convinced my mother and my mother convinced my father, but Manoj's mother was not ready for this marriage at all. This decision had created a storm in Manoj's house. His mother has more say in his house than his father. Manoj himself had told this once... Manoj had also announced in his house that if he would marry, it would be Rati, otherwise no one else.

Finally, Manoj's sister and brother-in-law explained to his mother in their own way, "Mummy, this stubbornness of yours will take Manoj away from you, nowadays one cannot predict the mental state of children, what they might do at any time. There is news in today's newspaper that the lovers committed suicide after not getting the approval of their parents... both of them are adults. Manoj is earning well. If he wanted, he could have married in court but he did not do so and is waiting for your approval. Now the decision has to be taken by you.

Manoj's father had said, "Son, I have no objection to Manoj's marriage...the girl is educated, beautiful, from a good family...and most importantly, Manoj likes her. What if she is not from our caste, but who will explain it to your mother. "When everyone is ready, am I his enemy...why should I be the bad one? I am also ready." Before mother could change her mind again, the engagement ceremony was completed. It was decided that the marriage would take place as soon as my M.Sc. was completed. It had been 1 year since the engagement. The date of the wedding was also fixed. If Manoj's father had not died, we both would have returned from Kullumanali, Shimla after celebrating our honeymoon by now and after 3 months, I would also have gone to America with Manoj. But now there are no days left for 6-7 months, so Manoj's mother has said that the wedding will happen then only. But Manoj is not happy with the postponement of the wedding. For this, he will have to talk to his family himself. Yes, if there was any hindrance from my family, I would have tried to remove it. But what can I do? I agree that he also has some feelings. For 4-5 years we have been meeting like friends, we have been weaving dreams of the future together like lovers, but I have never seen Manoj being weak like this. Although if it was up to him, he would have got married the very next day of engagement, but it was my final year, so he kept his heart in despair.

We kept passing the long hours of waiting, sometimes by meeting, sometimes by talking on the phone. Both of us were waiting impatiently for the wedding day. The distance was not bearable. The desire to live together and become one was becoming stronger. As time was passing, the days were moving towards the destination, diving in the colourful sea of ​​dreams. 10 days before the wedding, we had even stopped meeting and decided that we will see each other as bride and groom, but 7 days before the wedding, Babaji's death destroyed our castle of dreams. Manoj had given me the news of Babaji's death and said, "Babaji also had to go now. There is an endless desert between us again. It seems, now I will have to go to America alone. Meeting you has become a mirage.

After the thirteenth day rituals, we both met in the garden. He was getting very emotional, "Rati, I cannot bear the distance from you anymore. I feel like flying away with you to an unknown place, where there is no society, no traditions, no customs between us. 2 The rules and laws of society have erected such a high fence between the union of lovers that their patience is bound to end. Come on, Rati, let us run away somewhere…I want to be in your proximity. This is such a big city, come, let us spend a few hours together in a hotel. Whatever Manoj was going through, I was also in the same situation. One part of my mind was saying that I should erase the Laxman Rekha I had drawn but the other part of my mind was pricking me with the pin of sanskars that all this is not right without marriage. Anyway, once Manoj's wish is fulfilled, then this desire will raise its head again and again, "No, this is not right.

"What is not right, Rati. Don't you trust me? We have to become husband and wife. Today my mind is adamant, I can get lost, Rati, take care of me," in the secluded twilight of the garden, he took her in his arms and started kissing her wildly. I had given him this freedom today so that his passion could calm down a bit, but before Manoj's deep breaths and his desire to be more engrossed could tempt me too, I stood up. Control yourself, Manoj. Is this a place to get carried away? I am not a stone, I am a human being...control yourself for some more days. "I have been controlling myself for so many days." "What you are seeking is not the solution to our problem. Now we will have to struggle for a permanent solution. Come on, I am very hungry, give me something to eat with a hot coffee, then we will think about it together." After giving the order to the waiter in the restaurant, I started the conversation, "Manoj, now you have to do only one thing... somehow get your parents ready for marriage soon, which is not very difficult. After all, he is our well-wisher. Did you tell him even once to do it now instead of postponing the marriage for so many days?'' ''No, you did not say that.'' ''Then tell him now. Everyone has some hesitation in leaving something old and adopting something new. After all, he has agreed for his intercaste marriage, you will see that he will definitely agree to do the marriage without shadows as well.''

A wave of happiness ran across Manoj's face, "You are right Rati, why didn't I notice this? I will drop you home after dinner. The date of court marriage is also near, I will not let it be postponed." "Okay, now we will meet in the court on the wedding day." "Are you scared of my behavior today? In the meantime, are you allowed to call or not?" "Okay, let me allow you to call."

After completing the marriage formalities in the registrar's office, when we both came out with our family, Manoj's brother-in-law said, "Manoj, now the legal seal has been put on your marriage. Rati is now yours." "Hey, son-in-law, this is India, we had to do all this for the visa, otherwise we would not have considered it a marriage. Rati will become the daughter-in-law of our house only after the marriage ceremony," my mother said. “That was just a joke, mummy, now you guys go home. I will bring a party from these two.” After ordering food in the hotel, Manoj asked his brother-in-law, “Brother-in-law, did our complaint reach mummy or not?” “Brother-in-law, why do you worry. We both are with you. You both will go to America together. I have not talked to her yet, I was waiting for this court marriage of yours to happen. Your sister has taken the responsibility of convincing mummy. If this also does not work then I will take over.” “Yes, brother, I will try my best to convince mummy.” Yes, you try, if she does not agree then take my name and say, ‘Whether you get married now or not, brother will take Bhabhi along with him.

"Wow brother, today you have really grown up." "After all, now I have become the husband of a wife." "Okay brother, now we will leave, what is your plan?" "After roaming around for some time, first I will drop Rati at her house and then go to my house." Putting his arms around my neck, Manoj looked at me mischievously, "Yes, Rati, what do you say now, are your values ​​ready to accept me as your husband or not?" I chirped while winking my eyes, "Now you are ninety percent my husband." "That means ten percent is still lacking... will we have to wait some more?" "I regret that day Manoj... but now I am yours."