Share it:

It was a long wait. Time was dragging itself. Minutes seemed liked hours. Simi was at the airport with Ajav’s parents. In a week they were getting married and Simi was so excited about the whole thing. Her eyes were searching Ajav and he was nowhere to be seen. Simi was fed up of looking at the passengers that were getting out of the plane. They had arrived after the plane had landed and Simi was not sure whether Ajav was still on the plane or was already out. 

Whom you looking for, Simi heard someone whispering into her ears. Simi jumped and grabbed Ajav and she burst into tears. Ajav held her tightly and kissed her gently on the forehead. I love you he said and I missed you heaps. Simi couldn’t say anything for sometime. She was crying with joy and she made Ajav’s mum cry with her. Mum, Ajav said to his mum, this girl drives me nuts. When I was in New Zealand she used to cry saying she misses me and now that I am here she is again crying. Seems like that apart from eating and sleeping her hobby now is crying. Simi finally managed to smile and Ajav held her hands tightly. He meet his parents and they all walked out of the airport. You have lost weight; Ajav said walking out of the airport. Because I have been missing you too much, Simi said and since you were not here no one fed me.

 It seemed that Simi had arrived at Ajav’s place in just 5 minutes when actually the drive takes over an hour from the airport to his place. Time now seemed to fly for Simi and Ajav. After dinner Ajav took Simi back to her place. While he drove he held onto her hand tightly. I missed you heaps, Ajav told Simi. Hope these few days go by quickly or I will go mad he continued. He than stopped the car and pulled Simi to himself and kissed her passionately. I love you, he said just too much. Simi started crying again. They both were in so much love and they couldn’t wait to be together forever. 

Once at Simi’s home Ajav got out and met everyone. Everyone seemed so happy and excited for them. Simi’s brother-in-law came out and said to them that they not supposed to meet till the wedding day and that made everyone laugh. Ajav hanged around for a while and then he went back home. He didn’t want to go but he had to, as it will be on the wedding day that they will be seeing each other now. 

Next day was Wednesday and the wedding ritual started. Simi’s family went to Ajav’s place with coconut and sweets. Only the males were allowed to attend the function and all the ladies ended up at Simi’s house. Simi had the henna done. It was taking for ages for the lady to complete the henna. Simi had asked her to decorate her arms and hands and her legs and foot. After about five hours all the men were back home and the henna was still going on. It was pretty late at night. The henna finished around 1 am and Simi had a very uncomfortable night sleeping with the sticky henna on.

Thursday morning Simi had her shower and washed the henna. By the time she came out of the bathroom a large number of family members were present and they couldn’t stop admiring the henna which was like a brilliant art work and it turned out black, which Simi really wanted. Her sisters and sister-in-laws rubbed oil on Simi’s body, for purification purposes, avoiding the henna portion. The day seemed to pass quickly.

On the other hand Ajav was having a terrible day. He had bit of fever and he was missing Simi heaps. He couldn’t believe that the wedding was two days away and being in the same town he was not allowed to see Simi. He called Simi few times but she was busy, firstly with the henna and now with the oil.

During the night some ladies came and sang wedding songs, which Simi hated. Her mum and few other ladies went out of the road with the singing ladies and performed some ritual on the road. It was a believe that after the ritual on the road the groom would be able to come to the brides place without any difficulties. The night passed away singing, dancing followed by a huge vegetarian feast.

Friday was another busy day and more people were expected. So the cooking started in the morning. Firstly lunch was prepared for everyone who came to help prepare dinner and then the dinner preparation started. Simi’s uncle was there and he was a great cook so her mum was relaxed, but still there were so many things to be done.

Since the wedding was from a temple hall everything for Saturday was needed to be packed and the list checked over and over again. The temple hall was not far from Simi’s home but her mum was getting everything in order so that no one was running back and from the hall getting things. Around midday a priest came to perform pre-wedding ritual on Simi. After the prayer the priest advised that she was too be rubbed with turmeric powder mixed with oil 5 times, which was a big relieve for Simi as she didn’t want her henna to be spoiled.

Night came and there were people everywhere. Simi’s parents were busy meeting and greeting people and putting the gifts away. Simi wore a yellow and silver sari sent over from Ajav’s side on Wednesday night. She was covered with turmeric and oil and she glowed as all brides to be should. The dance, songs and feast lasted for ages. It was early Saturday morning when few people left.

Meanwhile, the same was happening at Ajav’s place but since Ajav was not feeling too well things were minimised. He too needed to have turmeric rubbed with oil but he was not into it. He had it done for 2 times and he went off to bed. He had band at his place and people danced into early hours just like Simi’s place.

Saturday morning Sunny, Ajav’s brother, came with his van and took everything to the hall as the cooking was to be done at the hall. He came in to say hello to Simi. He kissed her and told it was from Ajav and that he misses her heaps and that he had fever and their Friday night was bit spoilt as Ajav was taken to the doctors. Simi was shocked to know that he was not well and after Sunny left she went and called Ajav. He seemed down and his voice was changed.

Ajav kept complaining to Simi that she didn’t take any of his calls and that she made him sick, which made Simi upset. She apologised and told him that in next 12 hours they would be together forever and that she would take care of him. Simi was cursing herself for the rest of the day for not taking his calls and making him sick.

Meanwhile everything was packed and taken to the hall. Simi was left alone at home to rest as it would be a long night for her. She felt sorry for her parents, brothers, sisters and their husbands and wife’s. They were all at the hall preparing for the afternoon while she was expected to sleep. Around mid-day Simi called to check on Ajav again. His mum told her that he was sleeping and he had high fever and she didn’t want to disturb him.

Simi closed the main gate and the front door and soon she was fast asleep. Her mum who had just returned from the hall awakened her. She told Simi that they had heaps of help at the hall and everything turned out perfectly. Since Simi had hired help with the stage decoration her mum said that everything looked very pretty and everyone commented how good the stage looked. The stage or the “mandap” was where the actual wedding rituals would be performed.

Around 4 Simi had her shower and was dressed up. The lady who did her henna was there again to help her dress up and she had heaps of experiences getting brides ready for the actual wedding. Around six o’clock Simi was all ready to leave for the hall. Just as she was walking out of the door the phone rang. It was Ajav’s mum who advised that Ajav with the wedding procession had just left home. So everyone rushed to the hall.

Simi got off at the back door and went into a small room allocated for the after wedding ritual. Since the hall was only 20 minutes from Ajav’s place they too arrived on time. Soon there was car horns and music on the road and everyone rushed out to see the groom. Simi was in the room. Her friends walked into the room, as everyone was moving out to see the procession.

Simi turned around to greet them and she came face to face with Shun. The smile on her face disappeared seeing Shun in the room. Though he was present there with other friends Ajav would still be very upset about him seeing Simi as a bride before he did. Shun always talked about how Simi would look as a bride and he planned so many things for their wedding and now that Simi was marrying someone else an seeing him there got all those memories back to her and Shun. Quick words were exchanged between Simi and her other friends, while she tried her best not to talk to Shun and make Ajav upset about the whole situation.

But Shun was there to talk to her and he moved closed to Simi and commented how beautiful she looked and that he always thought she would look like that dressed as a bride. He said that he was sorry for the break up and said that he still loved her and asked if she had any feeling for him. Simi was lost for words and she just wanted to slap him back when Ajav’s cousins entered the room.

They all quickly gathered around her and they all started talking at once. Simi ignored Shun and soon he moved out of the room. But the girls did notice that Simi had turned pale and they all asked if she was ok. Simi told them that she was upset about Ajav as he had not being feeling well. They reassured her that he would be fine as soon as she walked into the hall.

Soon Simi’s brother’s came to take her to the hall. As soon as she walked out she looked up and she saw Ajav smiling at her. Simi looked at him and smiled. Simi and Ajav couldn’t believe that ten weeks earlier they were complete strangers and now they were getting married and they will be spending their lives together. Simi couldn’t stop staring at Ajav. He looked dashing and she was so much in love with him.

After garlanding each other they sat down for the main rituals. There was so much to be done and it just dragged on. Simi and Ajav exchanged few words with each other during the ceremony. After some prayers and exchanging of vows they got up and walked five rounds around the “mandap” the stage. Every step they took, holding each other’s hands, they took vows of being faithful to each other. Ajav’s hands were burning, as his fever was really high. After five round they sat down but Simi took the left hand side seat as she now was his wife and that’s how things went.

Once they were seated a elegant cloth was placed over them for privacy and Ajav tied the “ mangal sutra” a gold and black beaded chain around Simi’s neck and placed some vermilion powder which is red on her forehead and little bit on her hair just above the forehead. Those were essential for all married women in Hindu society.

Soon everything came to and end followed by speeches and blessings. Simi and Ajav walked back into the room at the back off the hall. There Simi’s sister in law performed some other ritual of feeding them with sweets and drinks. Ajav soon left and Simi was to stay in the room and get prepared to leave. Ajav went out and had dinner while Simi’s sister in law, as in Hindu custom, got her dinner. Ajav sat with his family in the “mandap” and had dinner. Before he started to eat Simi’s family gave everyone sitting some money. After dinner another small ritual was performed. Well it is a small ceremony where Simi’s dad and Ajav’s dad sat on a table and greeted each other and both gave each other something sweet to eat. The ritual is called “shistachar” which is performed where both parties ask for forgiveness for things that might have gone wrong in the wedding or if things were not performed according to the groom’s side. It’s a very meaningful ritual, which puts everyone into tears.

After a while Ajav entered the room to take Simi to his place, but as good luck Simi’s sisters block the way and take some money off him and they also return his shoes, which they steal as soon as he walks to the stage. As soon as Ajav walked in he found Simi crying and so was her mum and brothers. Ajav found that very depressing and assures everyone that he will keep her happy and that he won’t bully her when he takes her to New Zealand in two weeks. This made everyone laugh and soon they all walked out, hugging and kissing family and friends, as they walked out to the car.

Twenty minutes later Simi arrived with Ajav at his place. His mum was patiently waiting for them to get out of the car. Once out of the car she took a brass plate that had some water in it and burning camphor. She turned the brass plate around them seven rounds. This was done to keep them away from “bad eyed people”. Simi being so pretty and charming and Ajav tall dark and handsome everyone had been talking about them at the wedding so it was a good thing for them so that they don’t get sick.

Well Ajav was already sick and by the time he got to his place he just wanted to rest. They were taken to Ajav’s room where both were given sweets and juice to drink. It was nearly mid night and very one were very tired. But Ajav’s cousins who were present for the wedding from overseas wanted to dance and party and they forced Ajav to join them. He did go downstairs while Ajav’s mum helped Simi to change.

Being an Indian bride was a tough thing to do. Simi had been covered from head to toe and was also loaded with heaps of jewellery and she just wanted to get rid of them and jump into her favourite green shorts and her torn t-shirt but that was not possible. She washed her face and changed into a simple sari. Ajav came to check on her and he was amazed to see how beautiful she looked even without the brides clothes on. He took her downstairs and they sat and watched everyone dance. Ajav was just too sick to dance and Simi was too shy to dance and she hardly knew how to dance.

Soon Ajav’s mum came downstairs and asked them to stop the noise and to sleep as they all had to wake up early the next day for a small prayer and Simi had to go back to her place. Ajav and Simi walked back to their room. It was their first night and Simi could hardly say anything to Ajav. Ajav told her not to worry as he too wanted to sleep and while talking they fell asleep.

Around 6 in the morning Ajav’s mum came to wake them for the prayer. She gave Simi a new sari, which she was to wear for the prayer. After getting dressed they attended the prayer and went a river nearby for ritual purposes. By the time everything finished Simi’s family were there to take her back. Simi went to the room to get her stuff and Ajav joined her. Simi hugged him and was so pleased that he was finally feeling better. In all these rituals they had to do Simi had hardly paid any attention to Ajav and she was feeling guilty for not being there for him when he needed her.

After some tea with snacks Simi left for her place. She was to only go for a while as Ajav and his family would come back again for lunch and bring her back, forever, and there was a reception party that night. It seemed like Simi had been away for ages though it wasn’t even 24 hours that she had been away from her place. Everyone gathered and talked. Her mum, sisters and sister in laws were busy preparing lunch. Simi quickly changed into her favourite clothes, the green shorts and a torn t-shirt, and fell asleep. Around 2 in the afternoon Ajav arrived with his family to take her back. Ajav walked into her room and woke her up. Simi told him to go away and that she wanted to sleep some more and asked if he could come some other day to collect her. He laughed and smacked her lovingly and told her to hurry up and get dressed.

When he left Simi had her shower changed into another outfit and went out to meet everyone. By that time everyone was eating and Ajav was waiting for her so that he could eat with her. Simi could hardly eat, as she was upset about leaving her house and family.

With lot of crying and difficulty Simi left her home and went with Ajav. She cried the whole way to his place and when his mum saw her she burst into tears. She loved Simi like her own daughter and seeing her crying reminded her when she first left her home to be with Ajav’s dad.

Simi and Ajav went upstairs to put away her belongings while others prepared food for the reception. Once left alone Ajav held Simi and told her to stop crying as he loved her heaps and would take care of her that she soon will forget her family. He also advised her that she could either study or work in New Zealand if she didn’t want to stay home. For Simi that was fine but she couldn’t stop crying, as she had never been away from her family.

Ajav was getting upset seeing his newly wedded wife so depressed and upset. He asked his cousins to keep Simi busy and give her company. They took Simi downstairs where the evening ceremony would be held. There Simi helped them with decoration and Ajav too joined them and soon everyone was laughing and smiling. Around 5.30 in the afternoon Simi was asked to go upstairs and get dressed. She wore a beautiful orange custom and she just glowed in it. Ajav was so proud of her lovely wife. He kept assuring her that once in New Zealand she would be fine or even better.

The reception went fine. There was cake and drinks and a huge feast. Everyone had such a good time. Simi was extremely happy to see her family and they all had a wonderful time together. The party finished around early Monday morning and everyone was too tired. Simi went to shower and she went to bed. She was so tired that she didn’t even know till next morning that she slept with Ajav. Ajav was feeling much better and when Simi was getting up to shower and change he said for her to sleep in, as no one would be getting up early. He pulled her back to bed held onto her tightly and they both went back to sleep.

Simi was awakened by the noise downstairs and she woke Ajav. They brushed showered changed and went down to see what all the excitement was about. When they went downstairs everything was cleared and the place looked wonderful. They all had breakfast and Ajav took his cousins to city. Simi was too tired to go out and she didn’t want to go anywhere with the sari on and the heena. She hated the way people stared at newly weds.

While Ajav had been out Simi helped her mother in law to clean up the house. Ajav’s mum was shocked to learn that Simi did things so quickly and that she was a clean freak. It was not till late afternoon that Ajav returned. As soon as he entered the house he went looking for Simi. He kept apologising to her for spending the whole day with his family and leaving her alone. You don’t have to feel sorry for that, said Simi. I had a great time with your mum helping her arrange the house and things look back into their place and I feel so relaxed, continued Simi. Just than Sunny walked I and handed an envelope to them. Open it he said, it’s your wedding gift from mum, papa and me. Upon opening Ajav found that they had done a booking for their honeymoon at a resort. Simi looked at Ajav, her eyes saying it all that she didn’t want to go but Ajav didn’t want to upset his family so they planned to go the very next day.

After dinner everyone went to bed early. Everyone was too tired to have another late night. Back in Ajav’s bedroom he was having a great time teasing and bullying Simi, as she was so ticklish. I was longing to hold you and sleep with you but mind you my relationship with you is not based on sex, Ajav said. So take as much time as you need to know me and than we can have a married life together which I want to last forever.

Keyword: The Wedding

Report this story | Add to Favorites | Send to Friends | Author's Profile

No Comments posted

Comments (1)

Posted by shirin 2008-03-20 07:02:01 .... nice,but it's more like an introducton for indians wedding custom,but well written,it didn't make me bored... + Report this comment

Post a comment

Post a comment