There was festivity in the air.
It was a riot of colours. Red, the colour of love, was predominant. Melodious
strains of shehnai could be heard playing in the background. Flowers adorned
walls, doors and windows. It was a happy day. A day which would see two young
people being bound together in holy matrimony.
The
banquet hall was bathed in soft yellow light. Guests: relatives and friends of
the bride and groom were mingling. Weddings are after all times when all
relatives, near and dear, take time out from their busy, disparate schedules
and assemble together to bless the newlyweds. Topics for conversation were no
doubt many. There was a lot of ground to be covered, starting from the last
time they had met each other. Children banded together, delighted to have so
much company. Teenagers could be seen clicking selfies to go on their various
social networking profiles.
A stage
was set up at the front of the banquet hall. It was carpeted in red velvet and
rose petals. In the middle of the stage, a mandap decorated with colourful
flowers was set up. Holy fire burned in an iron vessel enclosure.
My eyes
followed my best friend as she walked the seven sacred steps around the fire
with the man who would be her husband. She was the most beautiful bride ever.
Resplendent in her elegant red silk sari, matching jewellery and flowers
adorning her hair. But her best adornment remained her genuine happiness, which
added a radiance to her face which I hadn't seen before. It made her look
ethereal, despite her tired eyes, the aftereffect of having had to be on her
feet for major part of the past few days, engrossed in the wedding
preparations.
I was
struck by a wave of nostalgia as I watched the look of quiet resolve on her
face, the determined straightness of her posture, the small, private smile on
her face. She was ready for this. Ready to leave behind her adolescence and
step into adulthood, ready to take on the responsibilities that would be heaped
on her by the society post marriage.
How had
time flown so quickly? It seemed like it was only yesterday when I met her for
the first time. We had both been twelve. I had been made to sit beside her in
class. After just one day at school spent in countless conversations with her,
I knew we would be best friends for life. We had so many fond memories
together.
The
marriage ceremony was complete. My friend was a married woman now. My eyes
started to well up. Melancholy swept over me as everyone stood up to sprinkle
rice and flowers on the newlyweds. A part of life as I knew it was over. Our
childhood was gone. We were on the precipice of adulthood. Would we lose each
other in the maze of responsibilities, keeping up appearances and fulfilling
expectations? The thought made me cringe. I realized I was not alone in feeling
miserable when my eyes fell on my friend's mother making a herculean effort not
to burst into tears. My heart went out to her.
It was
time to go up to the stage to wish the newlyweds. I quickly wiped my tears and
schooled my features. Wearing a smile which didn't quite reach my eyes, I
walked towards the stage. When I came to face my friend, her infectious
happiness broadened my smile automatically.
Despite my
best efforts, two traitorous tears managed to escape. My friend's eyes were wet
too. "Congratulations
girl! Don't be a stranger", I said in a shaky voice while hugging her
tightly.
"Never",
she replied with a wink. Her voice was steady. "You are stuck with me for
life." I managed a small laugh at that.
I turned
to her husband to shake his hand. "Don't you worry", he told me
solemnly. "I'm going to take good care of her."
"Thank
you", I said. I could see the mutual love and respect my friend and her
husband had for each other. Comforted that my friend was in good hands, I took
my leave.
I
felt my melancholy giving way to happiness for my friend. And this time, my
smile reached all way up to my eyes.
***
(Image created using www.canva.com)
(Image created using www.canva.com)
