Blog 6, N&N – Few trips post-wedding, 21stJuly-30thSept21

Jul 7, 2022
4 min read

Updated: Jul 11, 2022

Freshly back from their honeymoon trip at Devala, N&N had to rush for their flight to Delhi the next day. The plan was to rest a few hours at a hotel in Delhi and then drive down to the Indrapuram area in Ghaziabad district in UP, to Nitin’s parent’s house, which was hardly an hour’s drive. A nervous Namrata, about her first trip to in-laws; packed as much of ethnic Indian outfits and paid detailed attention to her get-up as a new bride.

Generally, Indian girls have fearful thoughts about their in-law’s place, how to adjust to new people, and not to make any mistakes.

Hence arises an Indian analogy- “Sasural Gendaa phool” means the husband's home is like a Marigold/gendaa flower, which is not one flower but many flowers in one. The various family members come together to form a complementary whole-The Sasural. This includes the husband's parents and siblings and many more extended family members. Though she had comfortably interacted with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law over the phone, meeting them for the first time has to be some different experience. Nitin’s sister “Anu” came down with her family to meet them.

The flight was pleasant, with Nitin by her side to comfort. The weather in Delhi was somewhat hot and humid as compared to Bangalore. Namrata barely slept that night out of excitement and she dressed in an exquisite Kantha-stitch saree early in the morning, ready to leave. Nitin was amused watching her eagerness for “Sasural” and they both embarked on the journey through the streets of Delhi in a self-driven zoom car. Nitin didn’t notify mom about their early arrival and hence once they reached home earlier, Anu opened the door with half-opened eyes while mom was still taking a bath. Anu welcomed the newlywed couple in the traditional way with a tika and aarti, with mom arranging the details beforehand. Namrata covered her head with a veil and entered the house Sheepishly while observing mom come out of the other room. She approached her daughter-in-law in a welcoming manner and then in a moment took out the veil saying “You don’t need to do all these here”. Then she lovingly hugged the nervous girl with motherly warmth. That was the moment, Namrata felt as if she has received multiple blessings with this marriage.

They all had hot Samosa and ghee Jalebi for breakfast while having a hearty conversation. Anu’s kids took hardly any time to get acquainted with their new aunt. All the women started planning for lunch and the shopping activity post that. Mom insisted that they must visit “Tanishq” to buy gold bangles for Namrata and she further invited a few extended family members to an intimate dinner at a close-by restaurant the next day. Namrata met her new family members, elders, and kids during the scrumptious north-Indian style dinner get-together the next day. She chose to wear an Odia Sambalpuri handloom saree to complete her traditional looks.

Everyone treated her with love and respect and she felt as if being part of the family forever. Her mom and mom’s elder sister, both ensured that the bride was comfortable in every possible way.

The three women got along really well, equally participating in all the activities. Namrata tried her best to cook a few dishes like Poha, and rice kheer in the short time that they stayed in the house. She secretly admired her mother for the ways she managed life and the house all by herself, being so silently affectionate and caring for everyone. The next few days, the couple properly planned and visited Namrata’s best friend “Priya”, her cousin brother’s family. At both places, Nitin was treated royally with vegetarian homely food that he craves. Both families were thrilled to meet Nitin and were satisfied with Namrata’s choice of life partner. They also visited Nitin’s best friends since college, maternal family friends et all. Overall, it was such an amazing trip, planned in short notice.

Nitin, like any other man, was relieved to see his wife accommodating well in her new house, and new family; so effortlessly.

After coming back to Bangalore, Nitin had to resume his usual domestic job travels; which extensively covered Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Chennai. Namrata joined along to Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, where they met a few of their family members and friends.

They watched a movie together in the theatre for the first time in Hyderabad and enjoyed Biryani. They were warmly invited by Nitin’s cousin sister’s family in Ahmedabad, where they had lunch and dinner on two occasions. Namrata’s uncle as well met them during Ahmedabad’s stay. They devoured Gujrati cuisine at the hotel breakfast.

They drove down to Chennai, where Namrata thoroughly enjoyed the stay at the “Westin” hotel. They visited Elliot beach during the early morning sunrise hours. The hotel became so much her favourite that, they travelled to Chennai 4-5 times in the next 6 months and Namrata joined Nitin every time.

Namrata travelled much more in these few months than she had travelled in her life so far. Nitin’s choice of hotels and restaurants ensured her relaxation.

It was such a special feeling with a special person. From an independent, practical, headstrong woman; she was slowly transforming into a bubbly, cheerful, and full-of-life girl. Probably you experience the best of life when you least expect it. The whole world was becoming hers in those moments and as if it was a new birth in the same life.

The first morning at Delhi,