After this other customs did not require the partic.i.p.ation of Akash. Akash finally felt comfortable about this and thanked the G.o.ds.The custom of exchanging gifts and providing the dowry is done afterward. There is no demand from Patel family and Verma family has done their best to provide money and jewelry for their beloved Varsha.
Around 11 AM everything is complete and people started leaving. Marriage procession of the groom is ready to depart.
Akash is seating on the back seat of his car. Kripa is on the front seat beside the driver. The procession is waiting for the bride. During their return, the bride will go with the groom. This is the custom of seeing off the bride. The bride comes along with her family members especially ladies. Some women also sing the songs of farewell which are in the folk language of the village. These songs have wordings which tell the girl to be happy and to take care of her new family.
Varsha came along with her mother, grandma, and sisters-in-law and entered the car and sat beside Akash. Her mother could not stop herself from crying loudly. Varsha instructed her grandma to take care of her health while sobbing. She told them she will call them often and will come back whenever she has a chance. Her father, uncle, and brothers also said their farewell to Varsha with misty eyes. Ira came and sat beside Varsha and held her hand to console her.
Procession departed after the custom of farewell. It will take about 30 minutes for them to reach the hotel in Singrauli which is the temporary stay of the groom"s family.
Varsha is still sobbing into the car. This is the first time she is leaving her family to go far from them. This is also the first time that she is going to separate from her beloved mother, grandma, father, uncle, grandpa, brothers, and sisters-in-law. She is trying to stifle her sound of crying but still, it can be heard.
Akash felt odd and annoyed and said "You can come to meet them anytime you want later. Can you please stop crying?"
Ira looked at her brother daringly and said "Brother! You really very insensitive."
"He is insensitive and also an idiot when it comes to the matters of a girl." Kripa laughed from the front seat and said.
"Shut up." Akash rebuked.
It made Ira laugh and even made Varsha smile.
Marriage possession returns to the hotel with the bride. Everything is arranged. Varsha rested and had lunch with her new family in the afternoon in the hotel lounge. She is introduced with her new sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law who are sisters and brothers of Akash.
Varsha was also introduced with the guests, business partners and acquaintances of Patel family in the evening as the beloved granddaughter-in-law of Heeralal Patel.
Akash is not needed to join all the formalities and he spent his time outside the hotel and in visiting some places of Singrauli along with his friend Kripa and cousins. It is about 10 PM in the night when he returned to the hotel along with his friend and cousins.
Everyone has done their dinner and went to his or her rooms to sleep. Grandpa, Grandma, and his mother and sister are still waiting for Akash in the hotel lobby. When Akash came back, his grandpa called him to the lobby. His friend Kripa and cousins understood their cue and excused themselves to their rooms.
Akash sat on the sofa and his sister joined him and held his arm with her hands. His mother sat on one chair. Grandpa and grandma sat on another sofa facing Akash.
Grandpa said "Grandson! Now you are married and you must know the honor and respect of two families depend on the relation of you and Varsha."
"I know Grandpa," Akash said with a calm expression.
Grandpa said "I know you might feel that girl is not good enough for you or you might feel that she or her behavior is a bit different and not as you want it to be. But you should know that like you, she is also pampered child of her family. She also has expectations from her family. So, never ridicule or insult her in public. Talk to her privately if you have some grievance."
Akash looked at the expressions of his grandpa, grandma, and mother. He then said seriously "You all are treating me as a child. Although I may not feel love for her, I will never humiliate or question her in public because her honor is related to my own honor and respect."
Grandma"s eyes softened seeing the wronged expression of her beloved grandson and scolded grandpa Patel "You old man! Why are you saying such words to my grandson like he ha plans to torture our granddaughter-in-law."
She looked lovingly at her grandson and said "Dear! Don"t worry. You have only seen a village girl but you have not seen how devoted and caring she can be. We will not force you to change for her. I just want you to observe her fairly and not be judgmental because she is from the village."
Grandma saw her grandson thinking and then winked at her old man. Ira saw her mischievous grandma"s expression and laughed. She also likes her new sister-in-law and wants her brother to accept her.
Akash saw Ira laughing and frowned and said "Grandma! Grandpa! Do you need to talk all this in front of Ira?"
His mother said "She is already twenty and not far from a marriageable age. There is no harm in including her in talks."
Ira pouted and said "Brother just got married. I have not yet spent enough time with sister-in-law." Then she said excitedly "Anyway seeing my brother I have high expectations. That boy should be good enough to be able to compete with my brother otherwise I won"t care."
Everyone laughed and Akash looked adoringly at his sister and said "Don"t worry. I will personally test that person to see if he is good enough for you." Ira laughed with hee hee hee sound.
Akash then turned toward his elders and said "You don"t have to worry. I have already accepted your choice. Whatever is the case I will never hurt or humiliate our family." He stood up and walked toward his room.
Grandma and grandma felt satisfied with their grandson"s reply and smiled. His mother murmured "I am still worried about what is to come."
"What is there to worry? Did you not hear what our grandson said? Whatever is the case we will know for sure during breakfast in the morning." Grandma rebuked her daughter-in-law while smiling in a playful way.
Ira laughed. She also is expectant and looking forward to the next morning.