Trip 2 Day 1 first half

There were more butterflies in my stomach this time then last. My flight landed in the wee hours of the morning, it was late by 3 or so hours.
As I came out I saw D, calm and quite in the first row. "P...." he called me by my nickname (dak nam in bengali :))
I didn't see dad or mom with him. He took the trolley from me, no hug no kiss, just a smile.
"How are you handsome?" I enquired.
He mumbled something, and added Dad is here, I took a step back, Dad was there so I went and hugged him.
D and I were sitting in the back. He had discretely enclosed my hand in his. And a certain look with it conveyed that he had missed me as much as I had missed him. We talked about trivial things like the weather.

Got home mom was waiting...with breakfast prep in full swing. My mom's way of expressing her love. My sister called and said she had to restrain herself for not coming because she wanted to give D and me some alone time! But she came within 2 hours, just as I had finished bathing and eating.

D didn't get an opportunity to talk(?) to me in private...after some effort on his part (mom, sister and nephew in other room) he held me close and told me how much he missed me and how his attempts to receive me at the airport all by himself had failed :)). He just managed a quick peck when my 5 year old could be heard headding to our room...

I had the time of my life...and coming back was as difficult if not more then last time.

In retrospect

Its almost 2 months since I came back from India...and I got plenty of time to think and count my blessings.

I live here, I love it here...but it does get a bit lonely, had it not been for the two wonderful people I live with, it would be so difficult.

When I went to India my parents always had someone or the other over. When I gave my consent for the wedding, within 10 days people gathered from around the world (ok just north america and europa) and some from other states in India to be with me! Everyone pitched in to have everything ready within 10 days....I didn't lift a finger and everything got done...I realised that I am not alone in the world...a feeling that I often felt here...

I am not saying, I regret being here...far from it...but I do realise that I am missing out on a few things by being here...but then again Kisi ko mukumal jahan nahi milta kisi ko zameen kisi ko aasma nahi milta

Gauri Pooja with a difference!

In some parts of India there is a wedding ritual in which the bride brings the groom to her family shrine and shows gauri the groom she is responsible for bringing in the brides life...we don't have that ritual in my family but when I had read it long time ago (Anthropology course!) I found it very fasinating...so when I got married I wanted to show my husband to durga ma...the one to whom I always pray...so we went to Vaishnu Devi...

I couldn't have walked 14 KM, that too steep at most places...without D. Perhaps mata rani knew that I couldn't have climbed on my own (what with age (ok and weight!) catching up! )...that she sent D to help me! But I did go there on foot...with his help of course...

When we talked for the first time, I had asked him if he was religious and he said an honest "No" but for our honeymoon he took me to Vaishnu Devi because he knew it would mean soooo much to me...He mentioned that the most radiant he has ever seen me was in the bhavan after more then 8 hours of walking....

Day 1

My didi, jiju and dad had come to recieve me at the airport. I was meeting my sister after 7 years!!! She came running to me and hugged me. Jiju waved, I said namaste to him and hugged dad.
Reached home around 12.30 AM. Mom and nephews were up waiting. Nephews were bit shy in the begining but we got friendly soon enough!!! Mom was happy that I was finally where she wanted me!
Didi and family left for their place. It was just dad, mom and me. It was over 2 years since we were together. And over 7 years since I was under my fathers roof...the sense of comfort and security cant be put in words. I slept at around 3.30 got up at 6.30 to the sound of India :)
Got a call from my sister that D. had called her and wanted to know if we should meet today or tomarrow. I called him and said today is good. I wanted it to get over asap. I had talked to him for over 9 months and it was about time that we met in person. We had seen each other in pics, in video clippings but its different in person.
My mom and dad had a talk with me in which they told me that they really like him a lot. And that they would be happy if we liked each other.
I went back to sleep. He was to come in the evening. My mom woke me up an hour before he was to come and asked me to get dressed. I had a bath, shapooed/conditioned my hair, wore indian cloths, wore some face powder and lipstick and contact lens. My sister called urging me to look good, my mom insisted that i should look presentable but I stood my ground. This is how I usually am so this is how he should see me.
He came around 15 minutes late. My mom opened the door. I could over hear them my mom offered him water. And called out to me. I said a quick prayer to Durga ma and went to the living room. I said hi, he said hi vi (my nick name). I don't know if he even looked at me he immediatly took out flowers (red roses...I always wanted those) and sweets. He didn't seem to look at me may be because my scorpio gaze was too much for him. I stared at him trying to see what he actually thought of me. My mom was in the kitchen...we were alone in the living room. "So, what do you think?" I startled him ;) He said, "You look much more beautiful in person then in pictures and video clippings." He paused and then asked what about you? (Meaning do you like me?) I said yes. (He looked much better in person then in pictures too-- advise to the rest of you never judge a person by photo alone) As if on cue my mom brought refreshments (I have a feeling she was tuned in). I finished my drink and went in my mom asked him, and he said its yes from her too!
He called out for me and I joined them in the living room again. This time I had a cardigan and shawl wrapped around me (Delhi is cold!!! teeth chattering cold!)
His mom called on his cell phone, he talked to her in a language I don't understand but I could see that he was happy. His mom talked to me. She asked if I liked her son...(how could I not he is TDH personified). I saw affection in his eyes, they twinkled brighter then the polar star!

That night I couldn't sleep until 4 am. I knew I had just met my husband. The man that I would spend the rest of my life with....

***After the wedding he told me that he missed his metro stop because he was mesmerized with me that I was so much more prettier in person ---- I like to believe he was being honest and not just being nice ;)***

Count down!

Less then a month left for me to fly home!
My suitcase is packed and ready to go (already) I must say I am very excited. I have gone shopping every single day for the last month. Got my newphews a PSP and video games, books, toys, cloths (I have yet to get them chocolates!) Since one of them has never met me and the other was a baby they don't remember me so I have to make a good impression ;)

But I think I have bought the most amount of things for myself! not-my-type sleepwear (whats wrong with me?) and other fancy shmancy stuff (really what is wrong with me?) and Tons of cosmetics. There is more then necessary red in my wordrobe...

And I have such huge plans to see the Taj mahal, go to Vaishnu Devi, explore Delhi, eat yummy food. I can't wait! I am surprised at my own enthu :) so little time so much to do!