321 I am not testing you (2/2)

”Thank you aunt.”

”Ok.Now take these flower baskets.You two have to shower flowers on Zinu along with other four girls waiting outside.”Alicia told Dolly and Buli.

”Ok mom.”Dolly replied and both of them accepted the flower basket from her.

Alicia handed Zinu a fan .

”Zinu.You have to keep this this fan with you whole the time.When the function will be over,you have to hand over it to mother.It is a ritual.Be careful,don't keep the fan anywhere else.Either you or John have to hold it in your hand during all the time today.It will blow away every bad luck on your way.”Alicia said.

”Ok. Mom.I will take care of it.”Zinu replied in a low voice.

Although Zinu as well as John Smith did not believe in all these things, but both of them decided to go with the traditions.So they were following every instructions given by the elders.

”Actually it is believed that the bride and groom should not meet each other before the marriage,so if they had to meet for any function,they had to keep the fan with them ,so that the bad luck would not come their way.I don't know the reason behind it,but as we are following the customs,we should follow it accurately. ”Alicia explained.

”Ok mother.I understood.I will follow each and every customs.”Zinu said with a smile.

”Ok.Now let us go.”Alicia said and opened the door for her.

Four girls were waiting for them.Both Buli and Dolly joined them .As Zinu reached the door,they started showering the flowers on her.They escorted Zinu to the party hall,where all other relatives were already had taken their seats.The anchor welcomed her with a warm speech.Everyone shocked to see her .

”Oh.The bride is so beautiful!My sister is so lucky to get her as her grandson -in -law.”One of them said.

”Yes .She is a real beauty. That is the main reason that a person like John chose her.I showed him a lot of photographs of beautiful women.He never had a look on them.Now I understood why.He had a great taste in the women.”another woman said.

”She is the mother of two.Who will tell it?”

Alicia smiled to hear their discussion. She took Zinu towards the seats kept there in rows.Zinu looked around for John Smith, but she could not see him. Alicia reached near the front row with her and let her sit on her assigned place. The groom's seat was yet vacant.

”Sit here comfortably. We are sitting over there with other relatives. John will be here very soon.If you need anything ,please let us know.Don't make yourself too tired. You can leave anytime ,if you feel sick .I will manage it .” Alicia said with a smile .

”Ok.Mother .Don't worry. I will be fine.”Zinu replied with a smile. Alicia smiled back at her and left the place. Zinu looked at the entrance. There was no sign of John Smith.

'Why is he being so late? Should not he arrive here earlier? Is he not eager to meet me?'Zinu thought and pouted her lips.

Buli and Dolly went to their assigned seats. They were seating in same row, but the adjacent seat were yet to be filled. The anchor announced the arrival of the Groom .Everyone looked at the entrance. John Smith entered the party hall with his friends.He was in traditional suit holding a bunch of red roses.As he entered the anchor welcomed him warmly.

He forwarded slowly towards Zinu with a smile on his lips and handed the flowers to her . She accepted the flowers and looked away .Both of them sat down .

”Are you fine?”John Smith asked with a smile.

”Don't ask me .I hate you.”Zinu said with an angry voice.

”Hey.Are you angry at me? Don't be angry .We are at the focus now .Please smile.”John Smith said with a mischievous smile.

”No.I will not .”Zinu replied.

”Hey I have to spent my whole time to arrange this function for you,otherwise I would not be able to meet you today also.Please don't be angry at me. I missed you.I want to hug you.But I can not.Look everyone is staring at us now.”John Smith said with a sigh.

”What do you mean by arranging the function?”

”It is a custom that the bride and groom can not meet each other until the day of the marriage.Only exception is the family functions. I arranged this function only to meet you.Otherwise no one would have allow us to meet each other.I have done this only for you. Please forgive me Zinu.This time I have hurt you a lot.Zinu I...I could not explain all these to you.I felt ashamed of myself.I know that I should have talk to you earlier.” John Smith said in a sad voice.