The Bride - Part 1

"Its 12'o'clock in the afternoon, Anu. How many times have I told you not to go out of the house at exactly 12?" Aaji was telling Anu once again.

"OK, I'll leave after 5 minutes." Anu said, as usual.

"And you are getting married in 2 days, you should be careful now. Evil spirits are always in search of young girls and now as you are looking more radiant, you are bound to catch an evil eye. So be cautious."

"Oh c'mon now Aaji".

Anu was tired of hearing the same superstitious notes from her Aaji, her grandma, right from when she was a little girl. Staying in the city and being around fun-loving friends, she always thought that Aaji was way too superstitious. And more over she couldn't even argue with her, as her mother, Nalini, has always told her to respect her Aaji and never be rude to her. But Anu though tired of Aaji's over-cautiousness, never tried to disobey her.

Anusha Narkar, aka Anu has always been a fun-loving girl. She was a bright student in her class. After completing her Engineering in Computers, she grabbed a good job offer from one of the prestigious software firms in Pune, who were highly impressed by her grades.

Now 28, Anu was getting married to Prithvi Jadhav in the next two days. She had met him at a friends party. After 5 months of constant "chance-meetings" and co-ordination by Prithvi's friends, he proposed to Anu and she was more than happy not to refuse. She was engaged to Prithvi less than 2 years ago. But due to work commitments, the wedding got delayed. So, as in the desi-lingo, its a love-cum-arranged marriage. Just 1 week after the wedding, the two were moving to the United States of America, as Prithvi's project is currently there. Anu has planned to take a break from her job and be a home-maker for a few months, which her Aaji and mother say to be have been her best move.

"Nalini, don't forget to put a small kajal dot behind Anu's ear and beneath her foot" Aaji reminded Anu's mother.

"I've already done it", comes the "ok-i-already-know-it" kind of response.

"Also give her some water to drink, before she leaves the house. She's just had those tasty batata wadas. The taste may still be lingering in her mouth."

"Done!"

Nalini Narkar, was Anu's mother and Aaji's daughter-in-law for 35 years now. After her marriage to Anu's father, Ajay Narkar, she immediately adjusted to her mother-in-laws superstitious behaviour, as her own grandma was similar in nature and behavior. Nalini was both, a nice wife and mother to both her children Anu and younger son Neel, who just got his B.Arch degree.

All of Aaji's rules were a part of everyday life and no one bothered to ask explanations of any kind. There maybe a reason for her saying so. But none could reason the reasons. Somewhere in the corner of the mind all believed in Aaji's beliefs and so never tried to take the test. Aaji is not always superstitious. She is also a fun-loving grandma. She loves to watch all the saas-bahu soaps on TV and is very well aware of the changes taking place in the society. She used to love playing small games with the kids when they were small.

The house was filled with all kinds of aroma's - sweet, spicy, sour, tangy. While one guest said I smell wadas, other talked of motichoor ladoo's. Not to be missed was the sweet fragrance of lovely flowers decorated all over the house. Anu loved flowers. She regularly shopped for flowers and always loved keeping some fresh ones at home.

"Anyway I am not going alone. Priya and Jyoti didi are accompanying me to the parlor. And am going by car, though its just a 15 minutes walk from here", said Anu already in the thank-God-I'm-going -away-from-all-this mood.

"You should have convinced the beautician to come home instead of you going there", Aaji said.

"I did try, but she just didn't want to carry all the things, as there are other customers and trainees in the parlor too. They would have a hard time."

"Priya, Jyoti, don't leave her alone. See to it that the beautician does all the necessary stuff perfectly," Nalini reminded. "Shalu, come here. Get some salt and mustard".

Shalu, the house maid got some salt and mustard in both her fists and without saying swayed it from head to toe on Anu, murmuring something. In short, "May everyone's evil eye be gone in this white and black substance". The salt and mustard was thrown in a hot pan on the stove. Immediately, it gave off a pungent odor.

"See, didn't I tell you? You are looking so radiant Anu, that everyone's eyes are on you. You never know what all are thinking - good or bad", said Aaji.

"Yes Aaji. Can I go now?" Anu kissed Aaji on her cheek and left with her cousins.

They all rode away to the parlor. Aaji was constantly chanting her regular mantras and praying for the well being of her family. Nalini's eyes were immediately dampened with the thought that 2 days later Anu would be gone to "her house" forever.

After a few hours, Jyoti didi, Anu's first cousin pulled over the car upto the door of the parlor. Priya saw to it that Anu was comfortable in the back seat. She seated herself next to Jyoti didi. Anu was now looking even more beautiful. Now she didn't have to even step out of the house until her marriage. Mixed feeling engulfed her mind. Soon she'll be gone to a far away country, where there will be more fun with Prithvi and she alone, but she will miss her hometown dearly. Tears filled her eyes.

" Jyo didi, please can go for a small ride along FC Road?" she requested.

"Arey, no. Everyone will be waiting for you at home. We too have so much work to do", said Jyoti.

"Please didi. I don't know when will I be able to come from US and when will I be able to freak out."

"Hmm. Emotional black-mail."

"Yes, lets go no didi please. I too would be leaving Pune immediately after the wedding, so I won't be able to see the changes in the city", came the request from Priya too.

"OK", Jyoti thought and replied. "But just a small drive. No shopping now".

"Cool! I knew you would never disappoint us didi", said a thrilled Anu.

FC road had its regular traffic, but was not as crowded as during the evening times. They drove past Hotel Vaishali. She turned around slightly in the car and tried to search if she could spot any friends. But no. Anu remembered the fun times she had with her friends there. Tears filled her eyes again.

The car halted at the Dnyaneshwar Paduka traffic light. The car windows were closed. Suddenly someone tapped on the back right side window. Startled Anu looked to the right. She saw a bunch of fresh crimson roses. A face appeared from behind the roses. A middle aged woman was trying to sell her flowers. She was saying something with a sullen face. Anu thought it maybe the same old sad story of a poor street vendor, which she didn't want to hear again. But the flowers were fresh and lovely and attractive. By the time she had second thoughts about the flowers, the traffic light turned green and the car moved ahead. Anu turned back to see, the lady was rushing towards the sidewalk looking towards the car and murmuring something.

"I wanted to buy those flowers, didi".

" There are already so many flowers at home", said Jyoti.

"But they were so fresh and lovely."

"Not now Anu. We'll be late reaching home. Traffic has increased".

Anu was sad. The car halted after next 2 traffic lights. Anu couldn't stop thinking about the beautiful flowers. She spotted some vendors selling flowers, but none had the crimson ones she were offered. She looked around fanatically. And there she saw on the other side of the road the crimson rose bunch. The same lady, from the last light, was holding the flowers. Anu looked carefully. Yes, it was her. How did she reach so soon there? She doesn't even looked tired, that is if she may have ran behind the car. Did anyone leave her here so that she could catch up with us? Different thoughts started gathering in Anu's mind. But she felt best to ignore them and stared at the flowers.

"Didi can we take a left instead of going straight? I will buy those flowers within seconds", said Anu.

"Anu, we are late. Nalini Kaku has already called twice", said Jyoti.

"Please didi. I won't be able to buy flowers like this on the road in US. There will be no one to trouble you once I'm gone to my sasural", pleaded Anu.

"Gosh you are still so stubborn. Stop black-mailing me. OK we'll go. Where do you see those flowers?"

They looked around but they could see no one. There was the same knock again on the right side window. The flowers appeared first, then the lady. There she was. Anu lowered the window surprised.

"Tai, take the flowers. So fresh, so lovely" the flower lady said. She had weird smile and a noticeable scar on her right cheek from below her eye to her chin, which Anu hadn't seen earlier.

"How much for them?" asked Anu.

"Only Rs.15, tai".

"Priya, you have some change?" Anu.

"Yep. Just a second", said Priya without bothering to turn around and see the flowers. She removed some money from her purse. "There you go, take it".

"Here lady. From where did buy these?" asked Anu.

"Just from the garden near the river", the lady said. "You are glowing, tai. You are a bride-to-be, right? Lucky you."

"How did you know that? And tell me how did you reach so fast from there to here?" asked Anu now totally surprised.

"I just...." started the lady, but just then the signal turned green and Jyoti rode off.

Anu turned back to see the lady. She was again rushing to the sidewalk, grinning and looking towards the car.

"Did you see that lady?" Anu turned around and asked.

"No. I'm just happy that we don't have to take a left turn and get stuck in traffic again." replied Jyoti.

"She had a weird smile", said Anu. But she was so happy to get those crimson roses. She took the bunch in her hand and smelled the sweet fragrance of the flowers.

Just then Anu's phone rang. It was her mother.

"Hello?" Anu answered.

"Anu? Where are you? How much time more? Come home soon", said Nalini. There was an urgency in her voice.

"On my way, aai".

"Come soon", said Nalini.

Anu heard a soft sob.

"What happened Aai? Tell me."

"Aaji...."

"What happened to Aaji?" Anu was worried.

"Come home soon."

"Give me the cell", said Priya, grabbing phone from Anu's hand. "Kaku, whats wrong?"

"Aaji just collapsed. We have rushed her to the hospital." - Nalini

"Which hospital? Should we go there directly?" asked Priya.

"No. Bring Anu home first."

"OK. we are on our way. We will be there soon."

She ends the call. The 3 look at each other. There is a silence in the car. No one is talking. What happened suddenly? How did it happen?

Anu held the flowers close to her heart and tears in her eyes.

To be continued.....