Chapter 8: The House That Danced
January 1980 – December 1981
Lucknow, India
Bharat's Age: 4–6 Years
Just as the echo of dholaks from Pooja Bua's wedding faded, new wedding cards arrived — this time for Arjun Chacha. One celebration flowed into another like colors blending during Holi, and the Singh household pulsed with life, songs, and the scent of cardamom and marigold once again.
🌼 Pooja Bua's Wedding – Love and Letting Go
Pooja's wedding had been the first major event that Bharat remembered with vivid clarity. The haldi ceremony took place in the central courtyard. Bharat had followed his bua around like a tiny shadow, refusing to let go of her hand. During the ritual, he dipped his fingers in turmeric and stamped little yellow prints on her dupatta.
"Yeh kya kiya tumne!" (What did you do!), someone exclaimed.
Bharat grinned. "It's my blessing!"
Everyone laughed. Even Pooja, teary-eyed, pulled him into a hug. On the day of her bidaai, Bharat tugged at her sari and asked, "Will you still be my Bua after going?"
She kissed his forehead. "Always, beta. Even when you're big and forget this moment, I won't forget you."
That night, Bharat placed her pen — one she had once used to teach him Hindi alphabets — under his pillow.
🎉 Arjun Chacha's Wedding – The Boy Who Danced
As preparations for Arjun Chacha's wedding began, Bharat was no longer sad — he was excited. The entire house turned into a buzzing beehive of activity. Drums echoed through Aminabad's narrow lanes, and colored lights were strung from balcony to balcony.
Bharat was no longer the toddler in the corner — he was the "dulha ka bhatija" (groom's nephew), and he took this role very seriously.
During the haldi, Bharat sneaked up behind Arjun and smacked a giant yellow handprint on his white kurta. Arjun laughed and chased him around the courtyard while Dadi shouted, "Yeh toh pura ladaku ban gaya hai!" (He's turning into a complete prankster!)
During the mehendi, Bharat dipped his fingers in the green paste and stamped them on a cousin's notebook, proudly declaring, "I'm making nature drawings!"
On the wedding day, as the baraat formed, Bharat begged to ride the ghodi with Arjun.
"But I'll fall!" Arjun protested, adjusting his sehra.
"No! I'll hold your waist!" Bharat yelled, already halfway on the stirrup.
And so, he climbed on the horse — dressed in a tiny sherwani, a fake sword hanging from his belt, waving like a miniature warrior-prince. The air was thick with the scent of marigolds, diesel fumes from the generator, and the beat of the dhol thumping in his little chest. Fairy lights blinked like fireflies, and relatives danced like they hadn't in years.
📸 The Family Photo
Before the wedding, the entire Singh family gathered in the courtyard for a photo.
Dadaji wore his crisp cream kurta and Nehru jacket. Dadi chose her green silk saree — the same one from her own wedding. Arjun stood proudly in his groom's attire, while Kavita, soon to be his bride, wore a stunning red lehenga. Bharat stood in front, arms folded like a leader.
In that one click, time stood still.
Bharat whispered, "Sab mere ho gaye ab" (Now they're all mine), as if capturing the moment in his heart.
🏠 New Members and Mischief
After the wedding, Kavita Chachi came to stay. She wore mogra flowers in her braid and had bangles that jingled when she moved. Bharat liked the sound. He teased her mercilessly.
"Kavita Chachi, will you make halwa like Pooja Bua?"
"No, I'll make it better," she said.
"I'll be the judge of that!" Bharat replied, hand on his hip.
Meanwhile, Nirmala Chachi, Raghav's new bride, had arrived earlier in the year. She was quieter, more reserved — but gentle. She told Bharat bedtime stories in a soft, song-like voice that made him dream of forests and flying tigers.
Bharat had questions for everyone.
"Chachi, why do you wear this red dot?"
"Because I'm married," she replied.
"What if I wear it?" he teased, and placed a bindu on his forehead with ketchup.
"Natkhat ho tum!" she laughed. (You're so naughty!)
🌙 Cousins and Midnight Mischief
After the weddings, all the cousins stayed up late in the rooms filled with quilts and laughter. One night, they built a fort under the dining table with pillows and bedsheets. Bharat was the king; a cousin was the cook, another the guard.
Then, Raghav Chacha crept under the table with a blanket over his head and growled like a ghost. The kids screamed, running in all directions, their laughter echoing through the house.
🎨 Festival After Festival
Soon after, festivals filled the calendar. Holi saw the family drenched in pink and blue powders. Bharat chased his uncle with a pichkari shouting, "You're not safe in uniform!"
During Janmashtami, he dressed as little Krishna, with a flute, peacock feather, and all. "I want to steal makhan," he announced, climbing onto a stool. "But Maa only keeps karela in the fridge!"
And during Diwali, he helped line the verandah with diyas. When one diya flickered out, he whispered, "I'll keep you safe, little light," and relit it.
🧠 Childlike Wisdom
Despite all the fun, Bharat had his moments of quiet reflection. He once sat on the terrace and whispered, "Weddings make houses louder… but also emptier when people leave."
Another day, while sitting on Dadaji's lap, he asked, "When I grow up, will I still love everyone this much?"
Dadaji smiled. "If you do, beta, this house will never grow old."