Marriage Rites - I

Akash is sitting in his designated place in pavilion and resting place. His friend Kripa is also sitting nearby and eating some snacks provided as welcome. Akash is resting while inclined on the support on his back and keeping his eyes closed.

Music and firework have been going on for almost one hour and everyone is feeling hunger already. Kripa said grudgingly "Oh... I am dying of hunger after dancing so much for my friend's marriage. Please, someone, arrange dinner for me. I also have to take photos and videos for my friend later."

Akash felt annoyed and opened his eyes and rebuked "Don't show off. Sit down and stop making a scene."

"We are the boy's side and if we do not make a scene how will marriage be interesting" Kripa yelled and everyone around them laughed. Even grandfather who is keeping an eye on Akash could not help but laugh on this friend of his grandson.

Finally, dinner is ready by 9 PM and everyone is called at the pavilion which is specially created to cook food at one side and seats are arranged in remaining most of the area. All the guests and people from boy's side are invited and seated to eat. Even people invited from the village and nearby villages also joined for dinner.

There are the dried and fried type of wheat bread, plain rice, and vegetable rice along with three types of curry and two types of lentil dishes. There is also sweet rice pudding with a lot of milk and dry fruits along with two other sweet dishes. Everyone enjoyed the food and praised the cooks. Many guests praised the host for a good arrangement.

"What a tasty food? My soul has satiated. People remember marriage for only two things music and food. Girl side has proved themselves." One person said after dinner just after he burped startling everyone near him.

Another person of the same village laughed and said "We have really not eaten such great food from many years. Now we have seen this marriage, I don't think any other marriage will attract much. I really enjoyed the food. Now I am going home to sleep and will come back in the morning to taste the breakfast. Ha ha ha."

Many people are praising the food and Akash thought annoyingly "Someone's life is changing and these dumb people are saying if food is good everything is good."

After dinner, everyone went back to pavilion and arrangement for sleeping is made. Marriage ceremony and rituals will start at an auspicious time which is at 4 AM in the morning.

At early morning by 3:30 AM when most of the people were still sleeping, Akash is awakened. Kripa also woke up murmuring because he is the personal photographer of Akash. Other family members and important guest also woke up and everyone is called in inner courtyard for the marriage ceremony. Jewelry brought by the boy's family for the bride is sent inside in advance so that the bride can get ready by wearing them as well.

Akash and Kripa walked together. His sister Ira is also with him holding his hand like a naughty girl and giggling about how happy she is going to be in a few days when she will have her sister-in-law to accompany. Grandpa, his uncle, and cousins followed him with other guests. Grandpa of Varsha along with few helpers led the group to the inner courtyard. Kripa turned on his camera from the moment they entered the bride's house.

Akash removed his footwear at one side and is seated into the canopy prepared into the middle of the courtyard after washing his feet. There is an empty seat beside him for the bride to sit. In front, there is a place to install the god's statue to venerate and other objects of worship. Another side of the veneration objects the seat of the priest is made. All other people are seated surrounding the canopy. One side of the courtyard is for gents and another side is for ladies.

Ladies are singing the songs in the folk language of the village and its words are very abusive toward the groom. Songs mean that groom is such a low class and does not even compare to the dust under the feet of the bride and suddenly he became so lucky. Words are also there which mean that the groom is no match for the bride and everyone hopes that he will not make her unhappy due to jealousy. Song also mentions that groom is very bad looking and mannerless and hopefully he will learn something from the girl in the future.

Akash looked around and felt embarrassed on such type of songs. He saw people talking among themselves not paying attention and also few people are laughing on the song and muttered "These peasants really need to learn manners. Such type of language calls for a harassment lawsuit. Oh God! Let it be over soon."

Suddenly Kripa laughed from behind and Akash turned startled and found him recording and it seems he heard what Akash murmured. Kripa is still recording the things and he was a bit away to record what is happening around and just came back. There are other photographers arranged by boy and girl families but Kripa is preparing his own personal recording.

Kripa burst out laughing while aiming his camera on the face of Akash and said "Ha ha ha. I liked that part about harassment lawsuit. That was really funny." Then he said calmly "You see, I talked with a person and asked the reason for these songs and they told me because you are going to take away the beloved girl of their family. So, they are showing their bitterness and discontent toward you through these songs. But I really admire this. If we understand the meaning and heart of the people of girl's family, these songs really feel justifiable."

Akash fell silent and thought "I hope they could just break the marriage and spare me this abuse."

After some time there is a sound from the women side and Akash turned his head to see and found that the bride is being brought toward the canopy. Few ladies are supporting the bride and bring her forward.

Varsha is wearing red Saree and is also wearing jewelry in nose, ears, neck, wrist, waist, and ankles. Anklets are making soft chimes. She is moving ahead while lowering her head while lapel on her head gives her the look of a shy and gentle girl.

Kripa squatted beside Akash and whispered "Friend! Let me tell you that this girl is better looking than many city girls. Look at her, she looks like some gentle goddess. I really wish that you both work things out and be happy." and he stood and moved toward girl to record.

Akash looked toward the girl and met her eyes and she smiled and lowered her head shyly. Akash felt like he got caught in some bad act. For a moment he also felt like she looked good.

Akash reprimanded himself for acting like some frivolous person. "Even if she looks good due to cosmetics and jewelry, but behind it all, she is still the same uneducated and dumb village girl." Her smile which startled him a few moments ago suddenly made him extremely annoyed.