The Moonchild – Part 9

When Bidai arrived, Mohandas, his father, Lakshmi, and Kalyani were emotional and teary-eyed. So was Samiksha. Every memory from childhood till date flashed in front of their eyes. Mohandas joined his hands in front of Karan and his family with a request in his eyes to accept Samiksha wholeheartedly. Karan at once caught his hands and assured him of the same. Undoubtedly, Samiksha was the most beautiful bride in Durgapur. All the guests, friends, and family could not take their eyes off her.

Hemant Sen spoke politely to Mohandas, “Be sure, Samiksha will be properly taken care of. She is the Putrabadhu of the Sen family now. Relax. You all are welcome to come to Kolkata whenever you wish to meet her. We will be more than delighted to spend time with you.”

An emotional Mohandas embraced Hemant for his kind words.

Mithila also consoled Lakshmi, “I can understand your feelings. You have been more than a mother to Samiksha. I promise to love her the same way as you do. Don’t worry about her. My Karan is a gem. He won’t allow even a tear to shed from her eyes.” Karan smiled at these words, and Samiksha’s heart was full of joy.

“My Samiksha is very sensitive. She cares for everyone beyond her capacity. She forgets herself in this process. Seeing someone cry makes her sad. She tries her best to bring a smile to the lips of everyone around. Please take good care of her.” A sobbing Lakshmi told Mithila.

Samiksha spoke slowly, “Chacha, Chachi, Kalyani, please take care of the terrace and all the plants there. Please take care of yourselves. Charu’s son is in his final year. Give him whatever help is needed.”

Hemant and the others were surprised at this talk. Samiksha’s grandfather spoke, “Charu is our maid. Samiksha used to teach her son. This is my Samiksha, caring for others before herself. She is not at all practical for today’s world. She feels all good should happen to everyone. If she finds a stranger also sad, she feels his pain. Please accept her with her childlike mind and pure, big heart.” Karan smiled proudly at Samiksha. Lowering her eyes, she blushed like a cherry, even with so many people around. She suddenly spoke, “One last thing, my Bandhu will miss me. Tell him I will miss him too.”

Anurag made the atmosphere light.

“This is an important announcement.” Everyone turned their heads towards him. “Don’t worry, Samiksha. Your Bandhu is visible from our terrace, too.” His statement left everyone there in splits. It also helped to lighten the emotional atmosphere. “Karan has transformed the terrace . . .”
“Um, let some things remain a mystery,” Sumitra said, exchanging a quick glance with Karan. Samiksha noticed this and was pretty excited to see this mystery unfold.

Kalyani stepped beside Karan and smiled. “Samiksha is soft-hearted. She melts at the sorrows of even strangers. Please take care of my sister Jamaibabu.” Joining her hands, she looked at Karan. He immediately touched hers, “My dear Shali ji, Samiksha is with me now. Don’t worry. Troubles have to face me before reaching her.” Kalyani smiled with tears in her eyes, “Dhanyabad Jamiababau.”

Finally,

The moment arrived, and Samiksha hugged her family for the last time before getting into the car. Karan helped her get in and, before joining her, assured her family again that she would be well looked after in Kolkata.

Mohandas couldn’t control his tears at the sound of the car’s engine starting. Lakshmi consoled him, and they all stood there till the car was out of sight. Samiksha also waved her hand to her family. Karan was with her in his car. Others were in different ones. Samiksha waved her hand till they were out of her sight. Karan gave her his handkerchief once the vehicle left the main road lane. She took it and wiped her tears. Slowly, she rested her head on his shoulder. Karan was delighted by her gesture. The proximity she showed melted his heart.

“Are you okay?

I know how much you are missing them all. Whenever you want, we can come here. Alright?”
“Hmm.” Samiksha nodded without lifting her head up. They both embarked on this new journey with faith, understanding, and love as their driving force. Soon, they reached the airport and boarded their flight. Samiksha eagerly looked out of the window, which caught Karan’s eye. “You know something? We shall see your Bandhu from a closer view tonight.”

“Really. Is it so?” Samiksha’s face lit with excitement at once.

“Hmm. I fell in love with your very naive nature. So pure, without inhibitions.” Karan’s remark left Samiksha blushing like a tomato. From behind, Sumitra slowly asked, “Sami ja, if Karan is teasing you a lot, I can exchange seats with him now. Shall I come?” Samiksha caught Karan’s hand at once. “No.” Her loud answer made Sumitra and Karan burst into laughter. They covered their mouths, noticing people around them.

Samiksha hid her face behind Karan’s shoulder in embarrassment.

Sumitra moved her hand lovingly on her head. “You are in the most correct place, my dear one. Good night, both of you.” As it was night, many passengers slept while a few watched a movie on the screen in their front view. After some time, Karan noticed a glimpse of the moon and called Samiksha excitedly. He looked down at her, resting on his shoulder. But his lips smiled, as Samiksha was already in dreamland. After all, the day was hectic. The emotional moments also drained all of them. Especially Samiksha. He carefully shifted himself in his seat so that she was comfortable.

They reached Kolkata. Samiksha’s face displayed a mixture of emotions: the sorrow of parting from her dear family, the joy of arriving at her in-laws’ city, and above all, the pleasure of stepping into a new chapter of her life with her husband and first love, Karan.

As soon as they reached home, Samiksha looked eagerly at her new home.

The house was decorated with flower torans for the ongoing function. The watchman opened the gates and saluted the new family member. She politely greeted him back by joining her hands in respect. The car made its way to the entrance of the house. Hemant Sen and others arrived a few minutes later. Close relatives came along with them for post-marriage ceremonies. Friends from Kolkata decided to join them later. The Sen house was charged with zeal to welcome the new bride. Especially Mithila, who rushed in with Sumitra and the other ladies to welcome Samiksha for the Bou Boron ritual.

Samiksha entered her new home with dreams in her eyes and joy in her heart. Everyone in the home welcomed the new couple. Sumitra took Samiksha to her room.

“This is your room, madam.” She softly whispered in her ears as others were around them. Samiksha smiled at her and entered the room. The ladies giggled, making Samiksha nervous. One of them spoke in fun. “Aja Kaal Ratri (Today is Kaal Ratri). You can meet your groom tomorrow only.” Samiksha did not understand. Sumitra clarified, “Today Kaal Ratri ritual will be followed she says. From tomorrow onwards, you and Karan can stay in this room.” Samiksha turned red-faced and looked at Sumitra, embarrassed. She giggled and told the ladies, “Now come on. My Sami ja has to rest. Let us go down.” She gestured all the ladies to go down. “I will be back in a minute or so. You sit down first.” She made Samiksha sit comfortably, offering her water.

Sumitra left the room.

Samiksha kept the glass down on the bedside table. She looked around the room, her own room. Her and Karan’s room was on the 1st floor of the house. Certainly, she was missing her uncle, aunt and all at home. But she felt a certain familiarity with her in-laws’ home. It relaxed her overwhelmed mind.

Samiksha was eager to see every inch of her room. She wore another saree after freshening herself. She noticed long, beautiful blue curtains swirling along with the wind. Excited to see what was behind them, she slid them slowly at the sides and noticed a door behind. She unlocked the latch and opened the doors. What she saw stunned her, leaving her speechless.

Stay tuned for Part 10/-