Marriages are made in heaven - part I

The smell of flowers along with the Vedic chant reminded me of the time. The children were running in and around with their cute laughter. Elder ones were busy with the betel leaf and sharing stories of their good old times. Time had finally arrived, for me to get tied into marriage knots.

No one in my family had ever thought that I might get married so soon. But, as the proposal came up that too from the parents of a handsome, decent guy with a good job from a well known family of same caste, my family had no other option than to say yes to them…What more can they expect for their daughter!

Now, I am standing in front of the mirror. My hair tied into plaits with full of flowers losing my hair’s identity to that of a lily creeper. The Beautician worked on to make sure that the gold ornaments which I wore covered up the sari such that no one can even make a wild guess on its color. And not to say about my new mask made up of thick layer make-up put on….!!
Sudden flash of light came in.

Someone called out “Just give us some space…..We need to get a coverage on bridal dressing”.

“Beti ….Bring in a shyness in your look ….Think of your…!!"

“Yeah …that’s perfect….But just make it a little more to your left, chin a little up…now to the camera.”

And the director of this so called marriage movie started asking me to pose in front of the camera. With the postures so funny, so weird!!

Finally, I was asked to walk down to the stage by taking one step at a time, so that they can have a good coverage.

As I was about to take my first step, someone yelled out.

“Stop!!”

The beautician came running towards me. One strand of hair had come out. She gave some touch ups.

“Dear …make sure that no more strands come out… Also make sure that you walk slowly, indeed very slowly dear.”

While taking the flight of stairs leading to the well-decorated stage, I saw the caterers in their white shirt and black bows standing on the right side with an eagerness to serve all the dishes which were ready by this time. It seemed as though, they might serve even before the marriage takes place..

Towards, the left stood the orchestra people, playing shaadi songs.I just looked around. But, where are they?? The most needed ones….my family members!! Each one was busy with duties to look after the guests, orchestra, caterers etc. They have done their duty too perfectly by not giving a chance to anyone to say anything wrong about my marriage. But their negligence towards me on this special day disappointed me.

Is this what I had dreamt of? My marriage – the one I had dreamt so much of. Now going in accordance with the so called beauticians, camera man, light boys, Caterers, orchestras…..!! Can't it take place with just the close ones together under their blessings without any extravagance??

My cousin called out. “They reached… !!”

The orchestra people started to play their band…. And the music came out…. “Doli sajaake rekhna…mehndi “. Perfect one for the current situation!

I was asked to sit in one decorated chair opposite to the stage. Wait till the initial rituals are over.

I got a glimpse of him climbing onto the stage reminding me of the first time we met. Total strangers, who were supposed to lead their life together, not knowing what to speak, what to say… But the elder ones had already decided. As he comes from a good respectable, well to-do family, with a good job… he has all the qualities to be my better half. Music changed to " Vaada rehaa….pyar se…".

An inner voice told me is this the qualities which I should be rather looking for?? Can't they see that most important qualities are not those socio-economic factors which can even fade out in one's lifetime!! Who will hear my voice?? I feared that no one has heard it, as voice of girls shouldn't be heard outside, that's what we are taught in our lifetime!! To lead our lives taking other's decision on top of our own decision.

I kept on waiting… the song has now changed to…. “Yeh Betiyan To Babul Ki Raniya Hai …”. One of the sad songs depicting the feeling of bride’s family when she leaves her maiden home, her family!! She has to leave behind everything she had been used to, so as to begin a new life in a new place with new people.. Might be this is what our lives are meant to be!!