Every child is special in its own way.Even I was and would think so for I wanted to live for a cause, love animals around me, interact with old people,strangers, cook, clean, lead, manage the house and participate in major decisions of the house thinking I am big too.That was me... so involved with my parents, with things happening around.....noticing that the maid doesnt clean well and teach her with my small hands how to sweep, challenge my dad at the age of 11 how to run the household while my mom was coping with her series of operations,taking the kitten to school inside the school bag while its mom was away,convincing the vegetable seller that my monopoly dollars are for real and will make him rich if he sells the khatta imli for five dollars,thank Santa Clause for his gifts everyday which would make me study(of course that was my mom),Making holes in my Mohan Uncle's pocket with my innocent smile leading him to buy me whatever I wanted.
Having grown up amidst the love and affection of some very significant people in my lives who held my hands at some point or other and have been there till now like Aruna Mosi, my parents, my sister, friends, cousins,relatives,and people from many walks of life......after having seen me grow,study,graduate, work, get promoted, finally wished I settle down with a nice man.
After years of search after my consent, I got engaged to Sarang on the 8th Nov 2009.It was kind of unbelievable when we all started looking forward to the D day of marriage ie 15th May 2010.
I took a sabbatical from work and after having stayed for eleven years away from parents, joined them back in my home town Jorhat.
Time passed by with the subconscious mind telling me I will be gone.With all of us being over stressed that everything goes well, there would be friction.Amidst certain certain restrictions till marriage which came as a surprise for I was brought up as a very independent kid, it was hard to accept that I was the would be bride, for nothing changed much for me.I was still the same, with my hair oiled would step out and meet old uncles,go gymming in my pair of shorts unaware of people and their statements, raising my mom's heartbeats praying "nazar na lage".
Though being the bride, the entire wedding affair was managed by me,from shopping to booking, from packing to jewellery, with a thought that my parents are old and shouldn't worry much.
I felt like a guest at my own house, with people visiting me and showering me with love and gifts.But I was a strange bride...the excitement in me wasn't about how I would look, or the efforts to make me look the best that day, but the fact that I would be with Sarang, the kind of man I always wanted to be,who is one of his kind in this world...not because he is my husband today, but because he is a lovely human being and a great son of such great parents.
The day arrived when we had to fly down to Dehradoon, where all the functions would take place.9th May.With all the packing done, all the goodbyes, sleeping with a mixed feeling in the house where I was born, I moved around like the special child doing special things every moment, loved by all, I would be gone.The fact that I stayed away from the house for eleven years didnt bring any respite.
The child in me made people laugh n adore me the same way they did 29 years back.The leader in me led my parents, Aruna Mosi with the whole baggage to the Airport releaving their stress of valuables and the fact that we reach safe.Today their child Setu actually took the lead, made them board the plane, got them safe to Dehradoon after all the planning and started attending the guests as and when they arrived right from receiving them from the airport or train stations.
It was my marriage and I found it funny that I was tired, drained out, and all that I had in my mind was all should go well.
Amidst little fights about planning and execution,things were running smoothly.From kids' milk to Fasting fruits of religious ones,every little thing was take care of in the unknown city where we flew down.
With my extended family's support and Sarang by my side, it was a smooth sailing of affairs.
With cousins dancing to the tunes of Hindi mehndi songs, friends flying down from all corners to be with you,each and every relative making it to my wedding made me feel special again like I felt as a child.Often my eyes would meet my mom's and dad's eyes and I would see the mixed feelings in them.
With Sarang's great entry at the Sangeet and the way he impressed all I felt proud that I was going to be his wife.It felt great when people actually meant that he is fabulous.
One after the other with series of rituals and events we finally tied the knot on the 15th May 2010.Cant forget the episode when Sarang stopped between the pheras to tell the pandit ji that he was worried if his dhoti would open up.With Kanyadaan making my parents get tears in his eyes, his subtle humour made the atmosphere light.
It was such an overwhelming moment when you try hard not to cry.My father broke down hugging me and it was so difficult to leave him like that.I heard later from my sister that he felt his leader, best friend was gone and he was lonely.
I was sad, scared, and tired when I stepped into my new house.With new faces, new relations, I was calling the the leader in me, the fearless Setu, the same child who would love the old people, the animals, talk to strangers and the feeling within gave me strength.The biggest strength was the vaules and the faith my parents, and Sarang had placed in me.
It was a new beginning, new identity submerged with the old ones,new set of responsibilities and expectation, siding some things which I was very passionate about or thought of very strongly and I was taking my own sweet time to come to terms with my own self,"Mrs. Setu Sharma".
It has been a month since I have been living in a new country understanding this new phase of my life.But whenever the pall of gloom surrounds me, the face of my husband brings back my smile, the happiness of my parents that I am in good hand among a new bunch of lovely people makes me remember that it is time again I have to make myself feel special and this time it should come from others...my new family my husband and I gear up to a bagful of good deeds, smiles to bring on people' face.I have to go a long way but I know I am not alone now.I have Sarang by my side.
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