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Posted on: Sep 30, '08

THE ENGAGEMENT SAGA... PART - III

HI FOLKS , IF YOU HAVEN'T READ PARTS I & II OF THE ENGAGEMENT SAGA IN MY EARLIER BLOG, YOU OUGHT TO READ THAT FIRST... THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF THAT... BY POPULAR DEMAND..!!

When Aakanksha walked into the room we all gave a collective ‘oohhh’ of admiration.
My Bebu looked so ethereal in her lehenga of white, embellished with white and silver embroidery, a winsome expression on her face, that she took my breath away.

I am indeed lucky to have a sweet, loving, intelligent, respectful and beautiful daughter-in-law…touch wood..!!

Then surprise, surprise… Shantanu took the mike and began crooning ‘IRIS’ to Aakanksha…
Mannnn…. hats off to my son for having the guts to sing in front of 250 odd people. I didn’t know that he could even carry a tune.

I cringed a bit, like every good mother should do, when he knelt in front of Aakanksha, at the end of the song, to present her the famous ‘ring’.
And we cheered and whistled and the flower shots went up and champagne bottles were opened.

I got nicely drunk that night, partly from happiness, partly the Whisky, and a small bit of sadness at having handed over my beloved son to another woman.

Gifts and flowers were exchanged, delicious food was consumed, congratulations were given, and laughter was heard everywhere. WE BECAME ONE LARGE JOINT FAMILY THAT NIGHT..!!

Now cut to the post party fun…

We reached home post midnight, happy and exhausted, just waiting to hit the bed, when what do we see……. The whole house was lit up from within and bustling with activity.
I saw sahayaks carrying baskets and other things into my house.

Well, it didn’t look like a burgling job in progress, but I ran in wondering what was going on.

My living room was stacked with baskets and boxes in every size and shape, beautifully decorated with silver net and ribbons.

“Yeh kahan sey aaya bhaiyya?”
“General Saab key madam ney bheja hai ji, aap ke liye.”
“Mere liye?” I was totally perplexed.

I called up Aakanksha’s mom.
“Nimmi, yeh kya bheja aapney?” I enquired politely.
“Aap key liye gifts hai ji”

“Gifts????? Woh kis liye?”
“Aaji hamara rivaj hai ji, dulhey ki puri family ko gifts detey hai”

“Lekin Nimmi, hamarey Maharashtra mein toh aaisa kutch bhi nahi hota hai. Sirf dulhey aur dulhan ko engagement gifts detey hai. Mainey bataya tha na aapko ki hameein kutch bhi nahi chahiye”

“Ji welcome to Punjab ji… hamarey yahan aisey hi hota hai. Sab log apni apni haisiyat sey detey hai. Humnein aapko badey pyar se diya hai”

Which statement made it very difficult for me to refuse to accept the stuff..!

By the time I finished the call and went back, the relatives were merrily tearing into the baskets and opening the packages to see what was inside.

“Stop! Wait! Hang on… don’t open any of that.!!”
I was yelling frantically.

“Gauri maushi, is mey dry fruits hai….aur is mein tinned stuff…is mein mithaiyan, aur Kaka ke liye suit piece” The nieces and nephews were eyeing all the mouthwatering goodies.

“Wait baba, don’t open every thing in a hurry…let me see ki unhoney kya kya diya hai, so I can at least thank them and return in equal measure during the wedding. Ek ek karkey mere samnein kholo.”

Punjabi weddings are an eye-opener for us simple Puneri Maharashtrians. We don’t give and take so many gifts even in a wedding, let alone in an engagement ceremony.

When all the stuff was revealed, I sat there awed and in shock. Whatever I had mentioned casually to Nimmi, during our chats over the last year, was remembered and reflected in the chosen gifts.

Like my telling her that Shantanu loves eating satrum fatrum stuff, like chips and nachos, or that I use tinned coconut milk in Appams and chicken stew, or my mentioning that when I go to Calcutta next time I am going to buy a Baluchar sadi.

It was mind boggling, but I was quite beginning to enjoy the perks of being mother-in-law-in-waiting to a Punjabi gal..!!

And of course I got ribbed nicely by all the relatives.

“Next time, just casually mention ki mere pass hirey ki chudiyan nahi hai, or say that Ajji ko sirf silk pehenney ki aadat hai, or Vandu maushi loves Pecans and Brazil nuts, or Priya mami loves the colour pink or Chimni freaks out on chocolates” each one was suggesting their own choice of gifts!

I, of course, sat in the heap of gifts and flowers wondering how to return all this, and how much un-necessary expense both families were going to undertake.

Next installment in this saga coming up folks, as soon as I have some time to type it..!!

Tags: engagement, shantanu, gifts

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saxenaatul16teeno8 said:
hi sanjana ji,
duniya me har kisi ko gift milne par khushi hoti hai.but bahut kam log hai jo gift de kar khush hote hai,aap un khushnaseeb logo mein se hain jinhe aise relative mile hai,
chhote-chhote gifts hamari-aapki jindagi mein ek nayi khushiya bhar dete hai,aap jaise bhi kam hi log hai jo apni khushiyoan ko dosto mein share karte hai,Punjab ke baare jitna kahe utna hi kam hai,mehmannawaji, zindadili, sharing-nature and khushmijaji to waha ke logo ke khoon mein hai............................
Aap jaise log jo kuchh demand nahi karte,agar india me ho jaaye to kya kahna....i atul aap dono family ke es jajbe ko salute karta hoo. thanks...atul

November 07, '08

ri242 said:
Hi Gowri
Congratulations! Happiness multiplies when you share it with others. So here is another well wisher who wish your son and his fiancee a very happy and long married life together! :)
Your DIL sure has a dashing and vibrant mother in law to reckon with. ..I guess she is lucky too have a fun MIL like u.

October 30, '08

khushidey said:
lovelyyyy...sorry for the late wish Gauri..
"May Their Wedded Life Be One Sweet Song Of 'Joy', 'Peace' & 'Contentment!!!

October 28, '08

Pinkylala said:
Gowri,sona pe suhaaga,Ladki bhi lee aur mal bhi samettah.

October 04, '08

Novacaine said:
I know about Marathi and Punjabi weddings. I'm half Punjabi and my sis is married to a Marathi. There is such a stark difference!! One common thing is the yummy khana :D

I think if I ever get married and have a song (shudder shudder), I'd be glad to give him away to the bahu... then I can chill out and go for bike rides

October 03, '08

notjustart said:

This is super no doubt but honestly, I loved the earlier parts re... Unme bohot saare twists the, iss liye shayad...I like twists in the tale, you know that na...hehe! Wow! So many gifts just for the engagement? Whoooooooosh! If you need some storing place, please tell me. I would be too happy to help you out you know! Hehe!

October 03, '08

albela58CAP said:
are you happy ?

October 02, '08

magsvir2000 said:
CONGRATS you got much more than what you bargain for my dear friend

[i should tell my son to look for a punjabi girl

]maybe they have a hidden agenda which they will expose at the wedding like asking you to do bhangra punjabi style on the stage and singing if your son can do it why not you[note take liquid medicine and you would not remember anything afterwards]and such helpful eager next time relatives you have ,grinnn super family ,the more the merryier,and such fun you are having and do not worry about the punjabis ,they are a happy lot of people especially after taking lot of liquid refreshments ha ha ha GO FOR IT LADY HAVE FUN

October 02, '08

shortytall said:
well when ur close pals are mostly punjabis (partly)this had to happen

October 01, '08

4everfriendzone said:
well written!! u got lot of patience to type it out!! it was a beautiful and fascinating read.. keep it up

October 01, '08

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