Reception and His Fear

Varsha has acquainted herself with her new home and new family. It is now almost two weeks from the time of marriage.

One day at the breakfast table, Grandpa mentions that some people who are business partners and friends of Patel family are complaining about not able to attend the wedding of his grandson. So Grandpa says that he has decided to organize a marriage reception.

"What is the use? It is just a waste of time and money. With the time everyone will know." Akash said annoyingly. He does not wish to publicize his marriage with a peasant girl. Or he wishes to give it some time before this dumb girl learns a bit more about proper etiquette and manners.

Eldest uncle sneers "It is best to complete these things as soon as possible." Eldest uncle has observed the distance between Akash and Varsha and he feels that these type of events will help him separate them easily. Varsha might embarrass Akash and family with her uncouth behavior which will become a reason for widening the gap between them and ultimately their divorce. He is still discontent about not being able to use the marriage of Akash to build his partnership with that big enterprise.

Grandpa looked at everyone sternly and said "Don't think that I do not know what idiotic thoughts you all have been cooking up in that tiny brain of yours. I have seen the changes in this world for more than fifty years. So, just be prepared and go arrange for the reception on the next Sunday."

Ira whispered into the ears of Varsha "The domineering air of Emperor has again suppressed all the rebellious voices." They have named everyone at home as their role name after watching one of the historical movies. Grandpa is emperor and Grandma is Empress. Eldest uncle is Rash King and Youngest uncle is Lax King. Akash is the Crown Prince and other courtiers also have a different designation. This feels funny and also interesting to talk this way and it has almost become their habit.

"He hehe." Varsha and Ira giggled at the same time which brought the glare of Akash to them. Akash really can not understand how can this peasant girl be so relaxed and not care about anything.

And this is how the date of reception is decided. List to invite people is created and the job is given to Akash to send the email and call the people to invite them. Akash asked for this responsibility himself because he wishes especially wishes to avoid some people. His first love Arushi and her family is not included in the list which made him a bit of relief. The family of Arushi is a family of government employees and her father is a prominent officer in the tax department and he has acquaintance with almost all businessmen in Pune city.

Akash does not wish to be embarrassed or questioned by the friends or people who know about his first love. His first love is a failure and now he is married to a girl who is comparatively inferior to his first love. If this comparison is brought up by someone, it will be embarrassing and will definitely hurt his pride. He has to be cautious because even some members in his family are inclined to embarrass him. He does not know what his eldest uncle is planning but he is sure that his eldest uncle has his eyes on him.

All the arrangement is made for marriage reception and a good venue with an event hall and a beautiful garden outside the city is selected for this. Grandma and Grandpa do not wish to organize the event at their home and disturb their serene lifestyle by a crowd.

Finally, the Sunday, the day of marriage reception to be held came. Whole Patel family is in celebration mode. Everyone is in a rush to try their best to look presentable.

Akash wanted to wear a western dress but he could not because his peasant wife wore saree blouse and gold jewelry and did not change or did not even understand his hint because grandpa and grandma openly praised how beautiful she looked. Finally, Akash got defeated and he has to wear the traditional dress a designer cotton tunic with pajama.

Around 4 PM of designated Sunday, the whole family reached the reception venue and took their places. The newlywed couple sat at the special chairs side by side at the dais which can be approached through the stair. There is a set of stairs to climb on to the dais and another set to go down. Chairs are arranged for guests to sit and converse in the hall in front of the dais.

One uncle is taking care of the food arrangement outside in the garden and another is at the main gate of Venue to welcome and guide the guests toward the hall. Grandma, grandpa and other members are busy in random work and some are simply sitting in the hall or standing at the door of the hall to welcome guests inside.

Around 5 PM, people started coming and grandpa and grandma welcomed them warmly. Guests would also come on the dais one by one with their family members and congratulate the newlyweds and give the gift.

Varsha is feeling shy but she is thankful that Ira is standing beside her seat to take the gift and respond to people for anything other than 'Thank you'.

Whole time Varsha could only say 'Thank you' when congratulated and lower the head shyly when someone praised her dress or herself. All the talking went to Akash and he did it actively lest his peasant wife embarrassed him by talking more.

Many guests also took the pictures along with newlywed and Ira and other cousins helped them in taking pictures.

Many elders said "What a good girl. It seems simply like goddess has come down."

"Of course my sister-in-law is one of the best." That is how Ira would respond to such compliments. Of course, Varsha cannot respond to such compliments and Akash could never respond positively to these compliments due to his pride. How can he compliment the dumb village girl whom he was forced to marry?

The academic achievements of Akash have already been published in some newspapers and many guests know this. Some even sighed thinking that one of the most eligible bachelor is gone to a lucky girl of a village.

Young people who came with their family or those who are local friends or acquaintances of Akash said "A simple village girl. Cute and innocent looking."

Akash felt like his life is on the line when he saw an acquaintance who is also a friend of one of his college friend and most probably might know about his first love. The whole time when they came and congratulated them and gave the gift and went down the dais, Akash felt like a lifetime has passed. He sighed and relaxed because thankfully he did not have to face the embarrassing matter due to any questioning of his first love.

Akash did not know but he is anxious because he feels his failure in first love is embarrassing. He did not know that being embarrassed is totally different from being heartbroken. Unknown to Akash, his heart has already recovered but his pride is not allowing him to see it.