The Marriage - Part 4

An Unpleasant Twist in the Tale

The military band was dressed in its finest as it drummed a marching tune as if on a military parade on Republic Day Celebrations. As the 25 member band marched ahead of the three bus convoy that comprised the groom’s wedding party, everyone was surprised.

“Which moron selects a military marching tune to his marriage?” Soukhya remarked a bit loudly.

“Hush! Someone might take offence.” An elderly lady tried to shut her up.

“Who can hear in this drum beats anyway?” Soukhya said shaking her head and shutting up. It was a strange situation. The wedding party had chosen military transport buses for ferrying the guests. The guests got down first. Each one of them was dressed in standard military dress uniform. Some of them had a grand display of twinkling constellation of medals on their dress uniforms. It was as if they were attending some military parade and not a wedding.

Everyone could guess how the groom would be if the dress of the guests was an indication. The groom stepped down from the bus. He was 10 feet, broad shouldered, had a perfectly sculpted body, and was dressed in the finest dress uniform ever made. He had rows upon rows of medals on his chest that could make a General boil with jealousy.

The bride’s welcome party wondered what this 30 year old man had done to earn such a bouquet of shining gold and silver. As he stepped forward once the band struck twice and a crier announced “Major Bharadwaj, Vayu Regiment, Army Group Satadhru, Koundinya Province, Prince of Sushasana Province, heir to the throne of Ragasudha Island, presents himself for his wedding!”

As he spoke another six military transport vehicles entered the compound and special commando troops spilled from them like ants from an anthill. They swept the area quickly taking up positions all over the campus.

“Is he the right one?” Anjana whispered to Raji who nodded yes nervously. Everyone was suddenly tense as they had no idea what was happening. It looked like an invasion force rather than a marriage party.

The groom marched smartly to the waiting ladies and saluted smartly. “Major Bharadwaj reporting for the sacrifice of my bachelorhood, Sriman! Devi!” he spoke as if he was reporting to his superior officer. “Please accept my humble request for the hand of your daughter, oh venerable couple!” the welcome party was too shocked to respond. Anjana recovered first and nudged Raji who looked at her father who was gazing open-mouthed at his future son-in-law.

He pulled himself together and spoke nervously. “I accept your request Major. Please accept our hospitality.” There was no tremor in his voice indicating his nervousness. Raji went to the handsome, young, godlike human and welcomed him with a mangala harathi. She placed a tika on his forehead and said. “Welcome, Bavagaru (brother-in-law)! Welcome to our humble abode.”

“I accept your invitation. Captain Sudheer!” a young man of 25 marched to him and saluted sharply. “Article 26, Rule 7!”

“Sir. Yes, Sir!”

The faces of everyone in the bride’s party paled except that of Anjana who had no idea what it was. “What is Article 26, Rule 7?” she blurted out loudly.

“It is a law brought in by the new Government that gives the groom power to choose an entertainer from the bride’s side. He can choose any female from the bride’s family, relatives, friends, colleagues, teachers, their daughters, neighbours, their daughters etc. If the chosen entertainer fails to entertain the groom, then all the girls in the age group of that entertainer will have to participate in the wedding totally naked. They are given clothes only when the ceremonies are over and the marriage has been consummated.” Raji said with a shaking voice.

“Please, son. I request that this rule be overlooked and not invoked.” The bride’s father folded his hands trembling.

“Would you disgrace me by denying my right that is granted by law?” he asked in a tone that brooked no opposition. “I intend to fully use this article for the sake of my friends who will be otherwise bored to death.”

The bride’s father seemed to age a hundred years in those few moments. His face was full of pain and anxiety. His voice shook as he asked the question everyone dreaded the most. “Who do you choose as your entertainer?”

“The girl who welcomed me.” There was a stunned silence as the bride’s father stumbled in shock. His wife ran to support him. Raji’s face turned beet red in embarrassment and then it turned deathly pale with dread and fear.

Anjana’s face was full of anger. “Who the hell do you think you are? Women are not dolls to do whatever you wish. We can bury you if we decide to. Woman is Adi Parashakthi – the source of all power and all this creation.” She turned to the other ladies who were looking at her as if she were a ghost. “Why isn’t anyone protesting? Why should you accept this nonsense? Lalli deserves a much better husband than this creepy pervert!”

The young man looked furious. “Article 32, Rule 12!” he said with barely controlled fury in his voice. The bride’s father seemed ready to have a heart attack with the groom’s words.

“What the hell is Article 32, Rule12? Whatever the heck it is I don’t care! Let’s end this nonsense!” she was surprised to see Raji hold her hand. She was pale, trembling, but her grip was firm and painfully tight, which surprised Anjana even more.

“The groom can choose a second entertainer who has to perform every task that is given to her and is treated practically like a slave. You will go back to your country but we have to live here. Please don’t make things hard for us.” She pleaded with tears in her eyes that melted Anjana’s anger instantly.

Raji spoke in a shaking but firm voice. “Who do you choose as your second entertainer my lord?”

“Your fiery friend from a foreign nation!” he remarked with an evil grin on his face indicating Anjana.