# 18
Just got a shouting from my mom for not taking bath and getting ready. ”Do you realise, your hair will take time to dry? It’s already half pass nine and they will come anytime.” said my mom in a stern voice. Without arguing, I went to take shower. There is a knock at my bathroom door and my mausi (mom’s sister) informs me that ‘they’ are here. Quick, she said!

I rubbed my hair vigoursouly with dry towel after my bath, so that they dry fast. Without any help, I quickly draped the saree which my mother left for me at the corner of the bed. (I knew how to drape saree since my college days.) Quickly some kajal in eyes, natural colour lipstick (remember those orange colour one) and a small bindi . Phew, I am ready.

I went down the steps with my mausi in the hotel we where we were staying. There was a long passage and then the glass door, before I could reach the cafe. I started walking fast, as I am already late. Mausi said politely, ‘slowly, with gentle step and some grace.’
Smile!, she said. I laughed! She pressed my palm.
We finally reached the glass door and someone opened it for us. There was a long table and few known faces and many unknown faces were sitting there. All eyes were on me. I was not nervous, but some wierd feeling was there.
My brother, escorted me to the chair which was just opposite to Milind. I took a glance of him with a smile and there the magic was already happening. There were bells ringing which only we both could here.
I heard someone say that she is a replica of her dad and look alike her brother. I smiled in my own. 🙂 So, am I Handsome? 😀

Everybody, spoke to everybody. I was quite and answered only when asked. I was hungry and there was food on the table. I stuffed one big pakoda in my mouth after dipping it in chuntney and then ketchup. My papa and mummy, both looked at me in the rhythm. Papa smiled and mummy smirked. Bhai quickly passed me one napkin and a plate. I looked around to check who saw me. But I guess, nobody else saw me doing this.
In few hours, I was driving with Milind to the jeweller shop to buy me an engagement ring.
This is that lucky saree of my mother which I wore 20 years back, then. She gave it to me few years after my marriage as this is one of mine and Milind’s favourite saree. It’s tussar and had a diffrent pink same fabric blouse then. I have out grown that blouse, over the years. Got a simple one stitched now.
This old saree tied me to new city, new house, new relations, new friends,new culture. Undoubtedly, it’s precious!