This is not Going to be the last time

 

Rajesh was watching TV, while his mom, Rupa was talking to her friends. She is a tailor. Rajesh just completed his studies and was searching for a job. Everyday he heard them talking about sarees and jewellery.
As usual he was listening to then, not intentionally. He was just hearing then while he was watching TV. After they felt, he was thinking deeply
Rajesh, what are you thinking? Asked Rupa
It's nothing. I just wanted to try a saree a once, said Rajesh
What!! , said Rupa with surprise
Rajesh realised what he had said.
Nothing mom, Rajesh said trying to stop the conversation.
But his mom didn't leave it there.
Common don't worry, say it, asked Rupa
I always hear ladies saying, saree it difficult to handle but it's the most beautiful clothe, so I just wanted to try a saree once and wanted experience it once, said Rajesh
Rupa was looking at him with a surprising look on her face.
Rajesh thought, he spoke too much, so he got up to leave. But Rupa caught his hand and asked him to sit.
If you want to wear a saree. I will help you. Your birthday is in 10 days. So you are going to wear a saree on your birthday, said Rupa
Rajesh doesn't know what to say. He said he wanted to try a saree once but he didn't imagine himself in a saree.
Rupa notice the fear or nervousness in his eyes.
Don't worry Rajesh, I will buy you a new saree and all the necessary accessories, said Rupa
Accessories? Asked Rajesh
Yeah, for starters, you need a wig. Then new bangles and few other stuff, said Rupa
I don't want to wear accessories, said Rajesh
If you wear a saree, you should wear suitable accessories too. Without them you can complete the look, said Rupa
Now Rajesh was getting scared. It is going out of control. He wanted to back out but his mom kept on insisting him to try it once. Finally he agreed.
Next day, he was watching TV in the evening
Rajesh, I already booked the professionals for a bridal make over, said Rupa
What!!! , shouted Rajesh
I don't want, bridal make over and I don't want anyone to see me on a saree except you, said Rajesh
He was angry. Rupa sat beside him
Listen to me once, in future you will be a groom. Now you have opportunity to be a bride once. You don't have to worry about the professionals. They wouldn't say anything to you, they just do their work, said Rupa
Rajesh wasn't sure but he agreed to his mom.
As day passed his mom's excitement grow.
She took his measurements and stitched a blouse for him. She was happy, when her bangles fits him too.
The day before his birthday, in the evening he was just using his mobile. His mom entered the room.
Rajesh, be decent, beautician is here to apply mehindi to your hands and legs, said Rupa
What! I don't want mehindi, said Rajesh
Don't start this again. A bride without mehindi!! , said Rupa
He was in a short and t-shirt. His shaved his body in the morning as per his mom's request.
He sat silently. Then few women entered his room. He was feeling very shy but they didn't say anything. Within no time, they were applying mehindi. He was kept on looking at the designs, while his mom was recording him.
When they finished it. Mehindi was applied till his forearm. And his legs were filled with mehindi. He sat silently allowing it your dry.
In the night, Rupa fed him. She took care of him. Rajesh felt difference in his mom's behaviour.
Next day he was woken up by his mom in the early morning. He didn't like to get up early in the morning though. After the bath, when he came out. He saw a group of ladies waiting for him. His mom left him there. He doesn't know what to say. He just did everything they asked him to. First they glued breast forms to his chest. After the they helped him to wear a bra. He was feeling really shy.
Then they helped him to wear the blouse and petticoat. The blouse fitted him perfectly. Then he was asked to sit before the dressing table.
Slowly they started to apply make up and his hair. It was all new to him. He didn't resist anything. After they did all the make up. They draped the saree neatly, perfectly.
Again he was asked to sit on the chair. He wanted to look at his hair. Its heavy and he can say it's long too.
They started to put jewellery. His long ago pierced ears were fixed with heavy jhumkas, then a magaltika. Anklets to his legs. A necklace around his neck.
He just kept in looking in the mirror. Once they are done. They left the room silently.
Rajesh got up and looked himself in the mirror, his hair is till his hips and it's filled with flowers top to bottom. And the jhumkas swung, whenever his head moved. The bangles to his hands were making noise.
Just then his mom entered the room. She was waiting to see him. She was surprised by his beauty. She hugged and there were tears in her eyes too.
My daughter is a bride today, said Rupa
Rajesh was feeling really shy. She walked him out of the room and fed him breakfast.
When they sat on the couch, Rupa was looking at him with a smile.
Mom, why are you smiling now? Asked Rajesh
It's a day dream that I would escort you and help you sit beside a handsome groom. Then I will lift your beautiful braid and the groom tied the mangalsutra around your neck, said Rupa
Radha was feeling really shy
Mom, don't tease me, said Rajesh
The entire day Rupa didn't leave Rajesh. She was with him, taking care of him.
In the night, Rupa helped Rajesh to removed the jewelry.
So, how do you feel about the saree now? Asked Rupa
It was heavy and I think it's worth it. It was beautiful, said Rajesh
Mom, can I remove the saree too, asked Rajesh
Rupa thought something and burst into laughing.
Mom, why are you laughing now? Asked Rajesh
If it was your real marriage. Your husband would help you to remove the saree, said Rupa
Rajesh laughed and ran to his room.
Rupa saw the smile on his face. They both knew, it's not the last time, Rajesh be in a saree 

A