Surangi, The Child Bride

Part 58

"My heart once meandered along

Like a gurgling restless brook

All it took to tame the waters

Was my beloved's wilful look!"

Rohini glowed like a radiant bride whose yearnings had been fulfilled when she married the man she had fallen hopelessly in love with. Sitting across from her Dinkar beamed happily. Their wedding was traditional to the core, with the elders in the family at the helm of most of rituals. Today's occasion had been the traditional Satyanarayan Puja that the newly weds had performed together. Both the bride and the groom looked immensely relieved now that the formalities were over, perhaps because they were soon to embark on their first journey together as man and wife, a short vacation that Europeans referred to as a honeymoon.

While everyone fussed over Rohini and Dinkar Surangi found herself mulling over the words of the couplet the bride had uttered in honour of her spouse. As far back as Surangi could remember Rohini had been a hopeless romantic with a massive crush on Madhav. Even when Surangi was an eight year old child she had been uncomfortable with the thought of Rohini seeking Madhav's attention. However the Rohini before her had come a long way. She had hinted at her flirtatious past with such candour before everyone present yet nobody seemed to mind. In a way it was reassuring to Surangi. Rohini and Dinkar were so deeply enmeshed in each other's love that Madhav was no longer on the former's radar. But as much as she tried to fight the urge Surangi could not help but feel a tinge of envy. She had been married to Madhav for eight years now. There had never been a show of overt affection for each other. Sure, there was solidarity but this kind of fairy tale magic was missing.

Such was the custom among Marathi families that they would not leave the bride and groom alone until both has paid a poetic tribute to each other. It was now Dinkar's turn to respond to his bride in verse and everyone badgered him until he came up with his own ookhana.

"Your mother's an excellent cook

Your uncle's a wealthy banker

Your youthful charm is so intoxicating

What better port to drop my anchor!"

"Shee, Bhaoji, how gross! We thought you'd weave a soft romantic rhyme for our Rohini!" Rohini's cousin expressed her indignation even as the company burst into spontaneous laughter.

"Where exactly are you planning to drop your anchor? Surely you have the blueprint of your honeymoon imprinted on your mind already!" Waman' s suggestive remark scandalised the young girls present further.

"Enough, boys and girls. do not forget that there are seniors present here!" Vasant warned the youngsters. Obviously he was referring to his wife and Dinkar's mother Shanta whose face clearly showed her displeasure. It was evident by now to everyone that she was not too fond of Rohini and she found this verbal display of mutual affection between her son and his wife distasteful and forward. She used the few moments of pause as an excuse to leave the room to attend to something in the kitchen. Ironically once Shanta had left the room the atmosphere became jovial again.

"Actually, I second my son's opinion, Rohini. Your mother indeed makest the finest puran polis!" Vasant smiled warmly at his daughter-in-law.

"Me too! Her cooking is truly delicious, as is yours, Rohini!" Dr Madhav was hardly aware how his innocent compliment to Rohini would affect his young wife. Neither did anyone else notice how Surangi' s expression changed on hearing her husband praise another woman in her presence.

"Surangi, why don't you sit down beside me! There is so much I want to talk about!" Rohini called enthusiastically.

Surangi dragged herself from her seat and settled down next to Rohini.