Mehendi ki kahaniya!

 It was Shagun's Mehendi function. She was getting married to her childhood sweetheart Karan. She had always dreamt of a lavish wedding - doli, baraat, mehendi, sangeet. They had 'played house' tons of times, when they were kids. But now, was the real, bona fide event.




"Baccha, kitni pyaari lag rahi hai, kala tika lagati hu aaja", said Shagun's mom. Shagun was wearing an orange ghagra choli with bright pink borders. Carefully lifting her ghagra, she sat on a beautifully decorated platform. It was Monsoon theme, with colorful umbrellas hanging, the white and gold flower decorations, perfectly matched the theme.



Champa had come to apply the bridal Mehendi, to the bride and other families members. "Champa, badhki ki shaadi ke baad aaj dikhi hai, kaha thi?", asked Shagun's taiji. "Bas yahi hu taiji, pati bimar tha, usi mei thi", Champa replied. "Aab sab thik hai na?", taiji inquired. "Ji, thik to hai, par woh chal nahi sakta, pada rehta hai bed pe..... aaj ke acche din pe nahi taiji, fir aati hu baat karne", Champa said.



Champa started with her Mehendi design, for her this Mehendi meant, she could go back to her ailing husband and feed him and her kids. For her this Mehendi didn't mean anything more now...just a means of income.




For Shagun, the bride, this Mehendi meant her dreams coming true, the fantasies of infancy turning into reality. This Mehendi was her road to happiness, of living happily ever after!






"Karan ka naam chupake likhna, I want him to find it later", Shagun said with a naughty smile. Her friends had gathered around, singing Mehendi songs...teasing her...pulling her leg, having fun. For her friends this Mehendi was a way to celebrate their friendship of years. It was a happy and sad moment, of saying goodbye to their friend.




Shagun called in her bua. "Bua, aap bhi laga lo na Mehendi", she said. "Bacche, mei nahi laga sakti abb Mehendi, tere fufaji ke jane ke baad... aise kaise mei?....", tears fell from her eyes. "Yeh sab purani baatein hai bua, meri shadi mei koi rona dhona nai, naa hi koi purane riti-riwaj", she argued. Shagun hugged her bua and forced her to apply Mehendi. Bua wipped her tears and sat down in front of Champa.
For bua this Mehendi was revival of memories, a reminiscence of love, happiness and step towards freeing herself from the 'widows-can't-do-this and that' stamp. She was elated to see her hands painted, after a long time, with the beautiful green Mehendi, the smell and the recollection of instances of her husband.




Taiji's daughter Rimi joined in late. Rimi had recently divorced with her husband. It was a rough battle, but she had won the custody of her only daughter. Her husband used to get drunk and hit her, sometimes their daughter too. She had freed herself from the clutches of the nightmare, finally. Taiji asked her to get  Mehendi applied. She sat in front of Champa. "Kaisa design banau didi?", Champa asked. Rimi asked her to make a butterfly with lovely  design on its wings...flying cheerfully...released from its dark cocoon....For her this Mehendi wasn't much more than a decorative accessory on her hands.




Women having different life stories had convened at one place today, to enjoy, at Shagun's Mehendi function.....and that Mehendi on each one's hand had distinct denotation!


JUI.


PC: newsmeter.in

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