Mala, filled with joy, said –
"Yes… my child! And Thakur Saheb and Thakurain Ji themselves will perform your wedding rituals with their own hands. Your wedding will create such a buzz all over Jodhpur. And listen—your engagement will take place tomorrow evening itself! Just imagine! The courtyard will shine with lights, guests will arrive, and everyone's eyes will be on my princess."
Mala's face was glowing with immense happiness, but as soon as Vaidehi heard her words, she said in shock –
"That's all fine, Mami Ji… but why such haste? Why has everything been fixed so quickly? I don't understand… how can I go away from you so soon? And that too, so far away… to Mumbai!"
Her voice trembled as she said this. Tears welled up in her eyes. Overwhelmed, she clung to Mala. Mala immediately held her tightly and stroked her head. Even her own eyes filled with tears, but controlling herself, she spoke in a gentle tone –
"Oh silly girl! Will you make me cry now? This isn't the time to cry, it's the time to smile and be happy. And who said you'll go far away from us? Yes, the house will change, the city will change… but tell me, how can the bond of hearts ever change? We'll talk on the phone every day. I'll share every small and big thing with you. And Aakash… whenever he wishes, he'll bring you here to meet me. After all, who can stay away from their Mami?"
Vaidehi couldn't say anything. Only the sound of her sobs filled the room. Her trembling shoulders were pressed into Mala's lap. Mala lovingly moved her a little away, wiped her cheeks, and in a mock-scolding tone said –
"This is not how brides cry, understood? Weddings are not a time of parting. They're the beginning of something new. Now just imagine… how beautiful you'll look in that engagement lehenga. It's your mother's lehenga… I gave it to Raja tailor to alter so it fits you perfectly. And I want my child to look the most beautiful of all."
Hearing this, Vaidehi slowly nodded. Tears were still in her eyes, but now a faint smile flickered there too. She said in a choked voice –
"Mami Ji… what should I do… my heart feels so restless. I keep thinking, the house where I grew up, the house I considered my own after losing my parents, how will I leave it? How will I live away from you?"
Mala clasped Vaidehi's palms tightly in her own and said –
"Oh silly girl… don't think like that. Look, when your mother came into this house, she too must have thought the same. But that's life—new relations, new places, new people. Yet the old bonds of the heart run so deep that no distance can erase them. You're my child, the apple of my eye. Without you, my courtyard will feel empty, but when I see your happiness, I'll be proud."
Vaidehi tried wiping her tears, but her voice broke again –
"But Mami… you are like my mother. When my parents passed away, it was you who raised me. If it weren't for you, I don't know where I would have been. Being separated from you… honestly, it feels like I'll lose myself."
Mala's heart melted. Her eyes brimmed with tears, but she hugged Vaidehi tightly and said –
"Enough, my child… don't make me cry anymore. So what if your mother isn't here, I am here. And I'll always be here. Distance does not mean separation. Remember this—whenever you need me, I'll be there for you. And you too, no matter how busy you are, always call me."
For some moments both stayed wrapped in each other's arms in silence. Only Vaidehi's soft sobbing echoed in the room. After a while, Mala lovingly pulled her away, cupped her face in her hands, and with a smile said –
"Now listen… just smile once. When you smile, it feels as though the room lights up. And crying? Crying doesn't suit you at all. Only joy suits the eyes of my princess."
Then, in a playful tone, she added –
"And listen, if you go to the engagement with red eyes and a swollen nose, everyone will say this isn't a bride but a weeping damsel."
Vaidehi smiled. Her laughter and tears escaped together. Mala patted her head and said with satisfaction –
"Now come on… wash your face, I'll go take a bath too. Then we'll eat together."
Vaidehi nodded and said –
"You go, Mami, I'll set the food in the meantime."
Mala smiled and went toward the washroom.
---
The Next Day
This day was different. Vaidehi had been busy since morning. Sometimes she checked the pot of dal in the kitchen, sometimes she swept the courtyard. A light sweat gleamed on her forehead, but her face carried that usual serenity and balance.
Just then, Gauri arrived! Seeing Vaidehi busy at work, Gauri put her hands on her waist and teasingly said –
"Well, well! Our madam looks very busy. Today's your engagement day, and instead of going to the parlor, you're busy sweeping the courtyard."
Vaidehi glanced at her briefly, then quietly returned to sweeping. Gauri pouted her lips and said –
"Oh wow! Such big news, such a big occasion… and madam here doesn't seem to care one bit. Look at her—holding a broom, like some maid. Madam Ji, today's your engagement, and you're tangled up in dust and dirt!"
Vaidehi sighed deeply and said with some irritation –
"Gauri, now that you're here, help me a little. And don't start your drama. Until I see the whole house neat and clean, I won't feel at peace."
Saying this, she extended the broom toward Gauri. Gauri widened her eyes, snatched the broom, and hid it behind her back. Pretending to be angry, she said –
"I won't give it back! Not at all! Do you want people to say the bride swept her house on the morning of her engagement? Oh, for heaven's sake! At least today, focus on yourself, Madam Ji!"
Vaidehi stretched her hand forward impatiently –
"Gauri… this isn't the time for jokes. Give me the broom."
Gauri struck a filmi pose, rolling her eyes, and said –
"No way! First, listen to me. Vaidehi, you're beautiful, no doubt. But on their wedding day, every girl adds an extra glow to her beauty by sitting in the parlor for hours. And you? You look like the brand ambassador of a cleanliness campaign!"
Then, joining her hands dramatically and looking up, she said –
"Oh God, what will happen to our future brother-in-law Aakash? Poor guy must have thought his bride would look like a flower. And here… she doesn't care for herself at all, just knows how to glare at people with those big eyes."
Vaidehi's anger rose further at Gauri's antics. She glared and said –
"Gauri! You've started again, haven't you? Enough now. Give me the broom."
Gauri tossed the broom aside, laughed, and came close to Vaidehi. She cupped her face in both hands, lifted her chin, and with a sweet smile said –
"Oh my dear friend! My princess! Have you forgotten? We have to go to Raja tailor's shop today to pick up your engagement lehenga. And here you are, sitting in dust and dirt. Come on, just look in the mirror once. Till yesterday you were my friend, today you're a bride. And you'll have to live like a bride now."
Vaidehi suppressed a soft laugh and said –
"Gauri, there's plenty of time to go there. Let me finish cleaning first. After that, we'll go peacefully."
Gauri slapped her forehead dramatically –
"Oh Lord! This girl will never change. If you stay stuck in work today, your entire makeup will melt away in dust and sweat. And then… then I'll tell everyone that the bride swept her house on her wedding day. Just imagine the scandal!"
Vaidehi rolled her eyes –
"Gauri! You really drive me crazy sometimes."
Gauri instantly grabbed her shoulders, pulled her out of the courtyard, and pushed her toward the washroom.
"Come on, come on! Enough work now. Become a bride already. Get ready. I'll finish the cleaning."
Vaidehi protested –
"Gauri! Leave me… I'll go myself."
Gauri gave her a light shove into the washroom and held the door from outside –
"Until you come out ready, I'm not opening this door. Understood?"
From inside, Vaidehi smiled and said –
"Gauri! You really are crazy."
Gauri laughed from outside –
"Yes, yes… I'm crazy. But my crazy wish is that my friend becomes the most beautiful bride in the world. Now hurry up, get ready."
---
Meanwhile
Jodhpur's famous Sadar Bazaar was at its peak. The lanes were so crowded it felt like the entire city had gathered there. At one stall, hot kachoris sizzled, at another, shopkeepers waved colorful dupattas in the air to attract customers.
"Come, come, buy Jodhpuri chunari… best price, best quality!"
"Look here, handwork… special offer, only today!"
Everywhere there was hustle-bustle, cheer, and joyous voices. Children sold balloons, while women picked glass bangles that jingled musically.
In that very market, a few army officers in civilian clothes kept a strict watch, monitoring everything and everyone.
Through the crowd walked two friends—Vaidehi and Gauri. Gauri stopped at every shop, admiring sarees here, earrings there. Her eyes sparkled as though she were the one becoming a bride.
She suddenly exclaimed –
"Oh wow! Vaidehi, look at these pink bangles! They'll look so pretty on your hands. I still can't believe you're really getting engaged today."
Vaidehi smiled faintly and said –
"I can't believe it either… everything is happening so fast."
Gauri looked at her and dramatically said –
"Fast? Oh lucky one, don't call it fast. This is destiny's game. And listen, today whether you admit it or not, I'm truly, truly happy for you."
But then Gauri fell silent. A faint sadness crossed her face. Vaidehi noticed and asked –
"What happened? Why did you suddenly go quiet?"
Biting her lip, Gauri said –
"What can I say… I'm happy, but also a little sad. Because you're going… to Mumbai."
Tears shimmered in Vaidehi's eyes too. In a soft voice she said –
"That's what I was thinking too… how will I live away from you, from Mami Ji? For me, everything is here."
Gauri gripped her arm and said –
"Don't cry, silly! Or I'll cry too. Actually, I've got an idea… if you want, I'll come with you to Mumbai. Just tell Jijaji, 'Take Gauri along too.'"
Both their eyes were moist, but both burst into laughter. Just then, Gauri spread her hands wide and said –
"And look, look! While we were having our emotional talk, we've already reached Raja tailor's shop without realizing it."
In front stood Raja tailor's shop. Big signboards outside read – "Raja Tailor – 50 years of trust, the first choice of every bride."
There was a queue outside. Women had come to book lehengas and sarees. From inside came the fragrance of silk and the tinkling of needles and threads.
Gauri pulled Vaidehi's hand –
"Come on! Let's get inside quickly. Otherwise, he might give your lehenga to someone else."
Vaidehi raised her brows, and Gauri grinned widely. Both stepped inside the shop. Gauri chirped –
"Raja Bhaiya, is Vaidehi's lehenga ready or not? Give it quickly, her engagement is today!"
Raja, a fifty-year-old man with a big belly and red-stained lips from chewing paan, rose lazily from his chair. He said –
"Oh yes, yes… of course! Vaidehi bitiya's lehenga has been ready for a while. Just wait till she wears it—everyone's eyes will freeze on her."
Saying this, he dragged out a large packed bag from behind the shop and placed it on the counter. The moment Gauri saw the bag, she snatched it up and said –
"Wow! Now it'll be fun. Come on Vaidehi, let's rush home. We've got to get you ready properly. Today's your day."
Vaidehi gave a faint smile, but her face still showed hesitation and unease. She softly said –
"Gauri… I don't know why, but my heart feels so restless."
Gauri turned to her at once, adjusting the bag on her shoulder –
"Silly! Why be restless? Every girl feels this way on her big day."
Both stepped out of the shop, walked through the crowded bazaar, and reached a deserted road, waiting for a rickshaw or auto.
Half an hour passed, but no rickshaw or auto appeared. Irritated, Gauri put her hands on her waist and said –
"What's wrong with these rickshaw drivers today? When we don't need them, they line up in front of us. And today… when we need to rush home, it's like they've vanished into thin air. Did they all go to another world?"
Worry lines showed on Vaidehi's face now. She bit her lip and said –
"Looks like there really is a strike today. Instead of just standing here, it's better if we start walking. Slowly, slowly, we'll reach home."
Gauri immediately pulled a face, dropped the bag to the ground, and said –
"What? Walk? And with this huge bag? You know we'll get tired, and we'll be late too."
Vaidehi tried lifting the bag and said with a smile –
"We'll have to put in a little effort, Gauri. But there's no other option. Come on, slowly but surely, we'll reach."
Gauri stomped her foot on the ground in frustration and said –
"You always compromise. If it were me, I'd have created such a scene at some rickshaw stand that they'd come running. But you… you just want peace. Fine, whatever you say."
Just then, suddenly from behind, a bike roared past them at lightning speed.
"Dharr-dharr-dharr-dharr-dharr…"
The sound was so loud that Vaidehi froze in her tracks for a moment. Her hand stopped mid-air, her eyes wide open.
Her heart started pounding loudly. She turned to look at the bike, now racing far down the road.
Even Gauri's eyes widened –
"Oh God! What was that? It felt like a bullet train passed by. Who drives a bike like that? If we had stepped a little further ahead, it would have hit us."
Still fuming, Gauri waved her hands in the air –
"People have no manners at all. No care for their own life, nor others'. This road isn't some racing track!"
To be continued...