22 Marriage Rites - I (1/2)

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.