Mangalyam thantuna nena..-3

Shankar came back to their table with 2 steaming cups of masala tea..Vishali looked up from her notes and smiled closing the book.
“ I did not think u will be coming here before tomorrow” she quipped
“well see I can still surprise you “ shankar retorted “ the line was way to long ..” he said
“ so how is Sudha I have not talked to her for weeks” vishali said
‘you know she is busy shopping and all “ shankar said
“ well most of the time iam sure she is on phone”Vishali said taking a sip of masala tea
“Hmmm.. Masala tea from the canteen is the best “
“ well not exactly u know time difference between US and India and all and anyways he did send an email to her sometime last week telling her he is working on something so he is very busy” shankar replied
“ Oh.” Vishali said
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Vishali entered the small community hall adjusting her Saree ..she had worn a pink chiffon saree with little chikken work on her blouse.
" you are late.." shankar's dad hollered at her from other end of the hall and smiled at her
"sorry mama(uncle) " vishali replied sheepishly
" Sudha is in back room towards the left trying to get ready..i think her amma is trying to help her but u know we are oldtimers ...we dont know the happenings of new generation.." Shankar's dad winked at her
" let me go and help her then mama.." vishali started to move towards the room
" i think we need to talk to your parents about getting married too...u never realize how much your girl has grown up until u see her in a saree..u are looking very beautiful today.." shankar's dad said
Vishali blushed and said a "thanks mama" shyly
Shankar's dad then saw someone he knew entering the hall and went to talk to them and Vishali walked to Sudha's room in the hall
The place looked very festive what with all the mav illai ( mango tree leaves) and thoranam ( not sure what it is)..also some artifical potted plants were strategically aligned making it look actually a little garish vishali thought
"where is shankar..???" vishali thought as she opened the door to the room and saw sudha arguing with her mother about her hairstyle
" amma i dont want to keep kunjalam( hair adornment) in my hair.." she protested and seeing Vishali her face lit up.." vishali please tell her na.."
Both Shankar's amma and patti saw her
"enn kannae pattudum neenakaren.. podaivaila enna naana irruka paaru..(i think i myself will give her an evil eye..she looks so beautiful in saree..) " shankar's patti said looking at Vishali
Vishali blushed and then said " well today is Sudha's day paati i think she should dress as she likes..and mami( aunty) kunjalam is so old time.."
"thanks.." sudha said hugging her and shankar's amma Beamed at both the girls and then
" serima nee vandutae .( ok u are here now) dress as u girls like.."
Both of them giggled and Vishali started helping in tying sudha's peacock blue saree
" it is his fav color.." sudha said
" oh i c...starting to impress your hubby already.." vishali teased her..
"well anyways he wont be here ..so it does not matter.." sudha replied her face a little downcast" it is just for our in laws u know...our only son is getting married..we want it to be a occasion to remember...i was not enthu for it vishali getting decked like a doll and standing in front of everyone so all his relatives can look at me and pass comments..but u have do it for customs.."
"if it is custom's i think you guys could have had a small ceremony now and then a grand one later when u and divakar are together..." vishali said
Sudha rolled her eyes and said " wait till u are in my position then u will know whatever u say will have no weight ..atleast if you disagree.."
" i will be honest all this grandeur when both the guy and girl are not interested..that seems like such a waste to me..." vishali said adjusting the pleats of sudha's saree
" well all divakar said when he called me a week back that too was whatever his parents wanted.." sudha said" amma and appa want this to be grand too u know..sometimes you are helpless in these things...i feel so bad that becos of me my parents have to waste so much money.." tears brimmed in Sudha's eyes
" Appa had to sell our ancentral land for my wedding..he says that he wants it to be a grand affait..but i can see it is his parents who want it...and everytime i bring out the expenses both my parents sush me by saying that you are our only daughter and we dont mind doing it for you...it breaks my heart to see them both sitting and working out expenses..we are only middle class people vishali...i feel like such a burden to them.."
" hey Sudha comon yaar today is day of your engagement ..u should be the beaming bride there and believe me things will be fine..i think you are just having some pre wedding jitters that is all...things will all be ok..." vishali smiled trying to cheer up her friend even though in her heart vishali felt exactly as sudha did
" seri(ok) no more crying iam gonna start with you eye makeup now we are getting late ok" vishali forced more cheerfulness in to her voice and started earnestly beautifying her friend
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"appa i withdrew the amount you asked me to" shankar said passing the leather pouch with money in it..
he was worried that his appa had broken their saving's account but did not want say anything to spoil the mood.
"seri da kanna ( ok dear boy) go and see if all our guests have coffee and here comes the grooms family..let me go and greet them "he said moving to the entrance
Shankar went and talked to the caterers and after making sure that everything was going good he went to Sudha's room and after knocking on the door he heard " enter" and knew that vishali was there and was very surprised to see vishali in a saree
"wow yaaru intha mami?? ( who is this aunty..?)" he asked in his mocking voice indicating vishali
Vishali threw the comb she was using to set sudha's hair at him and said " may be we need to get your eye's checked along with your brain.."
Sudha laughed along with Vishali at shankar
" anyways came to tell you that Groom's family is here so get ready soon.." Shankar said but was still looking at Vishali with open admiration
" just 2 more mins she will be ready " vishali said getting her hair set in the right way" there you are all set.." Vishali beamed " you look so pretty..iam sure if divakar was here he would be drooling.."
Sudha smiled at her compliment " i think i should go and say hello to my In laws now.." at that moment her sister in law came in with couple of her friends and took sudha out to introduce her to her relatives and other family friends
Vishali straightened her hair and saw that shankar was still there.." you really look very pretty today" shankar said very hesitatingly
" if you are making fun of me..i will hit you with my sandals" vishali said turning to look at him
" no iam serious ..you were always beautiful but today you look radiant" he said earnestly
Somehow hearing shankar say that made Vishali Blush even more
" you both are here" shankar's mom came bustling in" the ceremony is about to begin ...let's go"
She said
vishali gave shankar a very special smile and walked out with his mom..shankar sighed and then followed them both out.