Match Made in Wedding | Rajvardhan Hangargekar ✓

Rangolis aur Rang

"Do all of you know how to make Rangolis?" Imari asks us.

Some nod in yes and some nod in no.

"I have loved making Rangolis since childhood. What began as an unsuccessful attempt to copy a complicated peacock design, is now a favourite Diwali activity." Akka says fondly.

"And she's quite good at it haan! Akka, remember how we used to begin making Rangolis from after lunch and finish by early evening."

"Oh yes! You know Imari, afternoon was the standard time for making a rangoli. Most of the times in our society, it was women who made them and sometimes men joined in. We'd begin with showing each other what we were planning to make..."

"And that would snowball into asking for a colour one had forgotten to buy and borrowing of things like glitter, soparis, chaaps... you know Imari, we would change into our fancy clothes only after the rangoli was made so that we don't spoil them."

"Oh and if some adult would ruin it by mistake then wars could be raged. Children were forgiven easily though." I add.

"That sounds fun! Did you and Kriti make a rangoli together?"

I look at Akka with a mischievous smirk and she breaks into a laugh.

"No. Devi needed her own space to make her own Rangoli. She would never agree with my choice of design..."

"True that, Akka's choice of designs was way too old school for me. Drawing those dots and connecting them to make the same kind of rangoli again and again was very repetitive for me. I wanted some free flow."

"Besides you were in loveeee with our fourth four neighbour, remember? And to see him, you'd often stick up to his sister asking her to teach you the designs...."

I giggle. "Of course I do. Pro tip, Imari, Rangolis can inspire romance, trust me. Not that you need it anyway but just saying." I shut my mouth feeling a little embarassed on having gone so far. Luckily being the good natured person that she is, she smiles at me and says,

"I'll keep that in mind. Also last question ladies but I heard Anmol say that we needed to use black in our rangoli today. Why?"

"Because, today is kaali chaudas, which is also known as Roop chaudas, where women are encouraged to celebrate their beauty. And what color looks good on all women?" Anmol leans forward as she asks this, excited to hear Imari's answer.

"Black!" Exclaims, Imari. It occurs to me for the first time that despite cultural differences, some things are universal, jaise ke ladies looking gorgeous in black.

"Exactly! And so we use a little black in our Rangolis too to signify that it is Roop chaudas today."

"Ohhhh. Do the men wear black too? Because then I'll have to inform Faf to change."

Everyone falls silent. That's a pretty good question. Roop toh dono ka hota hai. Men and women. Why should we celebrate only female beauty? I get up.

"That's a lovely question Imari. Hadn't occurred to us but now that you've suggested it, I'll make sure that all of them wear black today."

"Hmmm-mmm Imari, don't fall in Devi's trap. She's not that nice. She's just doing this to avoid making this rangoli with us." Akka teases me. The fakeness of her annoyance makes my eyes moist. A wedding will change so much. So damn much.

*********

Done. I've let Appa, Sai, Rutu, Faf, Jaddu, Cherry, Sam and almost all the uncle's to wear black today. Now only Raj is left. I knock on his door. Once. Twice. Thrice. Upon getting no response I increase the frequency, yet nothing.

"Hey, are you looking for Raj?" Sam asks me. I nod in response.

"I had seen him go to the terrace, a couple of minutes ago."

I thank him and hurry towards the terrace. I need to be quick. Change bhi karna hai.

I find him admiring the foliage around the wada. He seems to be in deep thought because he shows no signs of movement when I advance towards him.

"May I borrow you for a minute, Mr. Raj?"

He startles upon hearing my voice and I instinctively reach to squeeze his arm and calm him.

"I'm sorry. I was thinking about something."

"Pata chala. Waise aisa kya soch raha tha?"

"Yehi ki, so much emphasis is put on weddings. No offense to anyone who marries by any ceremony they choose lekin it's so strange that marriage has the power to change your life."

"It does. And I've seen so many people change their priorities and readjust. To be honest I myself find it kind of amusing and absurd. All this 'ladki has to leave her house behind and change her surname and all.' Very weird. I mean Akka used to share her room with me but imagine those who are only childs, unko kitna kuch badlna padega to share a room."

"Exactly. Marriage demands too much of change. From the couple and the close ones. You know what, whenever you miss Kritika Akka, and want to rant about it with someone else, please consider calling me."

"Ayee that's so sweet of you Raj." I am genuinely touched after hearing the offer.

"Sweet. Oh no, I just want to prepare myself for the time when I'll have to live without Meera."

I smack him on the shoulder.

"Is Meera your sister who's studying in France ?"

"No, that's Radhika, uske bina jineki toh adat ho gayi hai. Par Meera, she's my 17 year old younger sister."

"Aaah. At least you have about a decade to prepare yourself. Tab tak toh you'll be married yourself."

He averts his gaze upon the mention of marriage and I don't know if it's because he's offended.

"Do you think I will find her?" He whispers. I barely catch it.

"Are you kidding me! Of course you'll find her. What are you so worried about?"

"I don't know, Devi. Whatever little fame I've got, I feel it is going to come in between me and her."

I have the urge to stick my tongue out and remind him of Rutu and Akka when I see his crestfallen face.

I open my phone's lock and search for a song.

"Ishq bulava jaane kaddd ave?"
(Who knows when love will call us...)

When I finally see a hopeful smile on his face, I pause the song and say, "Oh I almost forgot, aaj black pehna hai, kaali chaudas hai na."

I expect him to ask questions but he surprises me by giving me a thumbs up.

The more I know this guy the more different he seems.