11– Wedding bells

Arjun

Loud drums pounced the air, accompanied by cheering and singing all the way to the wedding venue. If I had gotten at least 4 hours of sleep last night, all of this going on wouldn't have seemed like a commotion. But right now, I had a major headache, and I was feeling weak. Dean had woken me up so early this morning, passing me Dad's call. We then met up with Dad and shopped for everything we needed and made the arrangements that we did not know we needed to make until this morning. Everything felt so rushed and stressful. I felt like someone out of my own body, just being dragged everywhere and being told what to do and where to stand.

As I rode the white horse to the wedding hall, the others followed, walking beside me. It was scorching hot, and I felt like a fish hung to dry up here. When we arrived, I got off the horse and dad and my other uncles prompted me to walk in front of the group. I was to lead when I had no clue what was going on. It was like attending someone else's exotic wedding. Everyone was more excited than me. My uncles, aunts and cousins whom I last saw about 10 years ago where all there, happy. Let me not forget the little strangers, my apparent nieces and nephews. I just didn’t understand how my one cousin who was apparently 28 already had 4 kids!

When we entered the hall, some random guy ran to me and began trying to pull my shoe off.

“What the—” I struggled with him.

“No, Arjun. Let him.” My uncles and aunts started telling me.

“It's part of the ceremony.” Dad informed me.

I stopped struggling and watched in confusion as the guy took off my shoe and ran away.

I had so many questions, but I didn't have the energy, so I let it be.

Someone nudged me suddenly. I turned to look. It was one of my aunts smiling back at me. “Smile.” She gestured.

I raised my eyebrows in exasperation, but I didn't say anything.

“Arjun.” Dad leaned close and whispered. “Remember your promise.”

He was right, we made a deal, and if I wanted him to keep his side of it - which I really did - then I had to look like I called for this wedding.

As the bride's family approached us, I gave my biggest smile. Acting. When I do business meetings I act. I laugh at client's jokes when they're not even funny, I show them warmth and priority, this was not any different. Her family and ours exchanged greetings and a few gifts.

“This is Preetah's father.” Dad gestured after he greeted the man in a wheelchair. “Mr Arora.”

Dad had said that I would have to touch Preetah's father's feet, but he had none. I bantered about whether or not it was appropriate to touch his stumps. I looked over at dad, hoping for some guidance. Should I touch his stumps or the floor, where his legs would have been?

Dad prompted me forward to greet him.

“Namaste, father.” I got on my knees, bowed my head and then placed my hands on his stumps.

I held my breath, was I doing the correct thing, or was this taboo?

To my surprise, Mr Arora touched my shoulder, permitting me to get up.

They led me to where I was supposed to stand and wait for my bride. A few minutes later, she came through the doors, her veil over her face. She wore a red dress with gold decor. She walked really slowly towards me, her family members behind her. This looked better than a white wedding dress. She stood out, surpassing the other women by far, the chandeliers and the hall's decorations had nothing on her. She was the centre of attention.

I turned to her when she reached me, looking at her veil, wondering how she looked like under it. Would she be as beautiful as the photo or was it just camera quality?

As the prayers went on, all I thought about was the woman next to me. Did she know that it was me? If she knew, why was she agreeing to it? All I did was avoid and ignore her in school, why would she want to marry me? Perhaps she was in it for the money, I don't know.

It was time to do the Milni ceremony. We faced each other to exchange the garlands. Although her head stayed bowed, I could see that she was shorter than me.

I took the garland and put it around her neck. I did it slowly so that I had more time facing her. Trying to figure her out.

It was her turn to put the garland around my neck. I looked down at her, but not bowing my head to make it easier for her to put it around my neck. Although her dress was covering her feet, I could see that she went on her tip toes. Still, she couldn't get it around my neck.

“Psss!” Someone hissed at me. I looked up and saw a very familiar face. Preetah's friend from high school. I couldn't remember her name.

Who would have thought that they would stay friends after all these years?

She mouthed and gestured for me to lower my head so that Preetah could manage.

I bent for Preetah and she finally put the garland over my head. When I looked over and caught dad's eyes, he was shaking his head at me.

We now had to walk around the fire. I walked in front, and she followed closely and silently behind me. For the first time since this wedding started, I didn't feel like a stranger attending someone else's wedding. I don't know whether it was the fire or having her follow so closely behind me, but I felt some energy take over me, some sense of calmness and control. Although she was behind me, she felt closer to me than she had felt while we were standing almost shoulder to shoulder.

After the 7th round around the fire, it was time to unveil my bride. We turned to face each other, and I went for her veil with an actual smile. I genuinely felt good.

I unveiled her slowly - I knew her face, but at the same time, I didn't know what to expect.

After I pulled the veil over her head, I looked down at her, but she looked away when our eyes met. She kept her eyes to the ground and looked nervous. Her face was made up and she looked beautiful. Her eyebrows were as thick as I remember them, and her lips... If I could, I would touch them.

They brought me the vermilion to apply to her head. I smiled as I applied it. Everyone cheered. As if she sensed my smile, she too smiled and I watched her dimples indent her cheeks.

When I saw her in her uniform, smiling at me, my smile began to fade. I heard the sound of the harsh whips. I darted at where I had seen dad standing. He was smiling at me.

I turned away from her and faced forward suddenly, trying to block out the memories before the others had a chance to cloud my thoughts.

★★★

Preetah

After the wedding, it was time to say goodbye to our families.

I was not one for tears. I had cried so much in the past that I had run out of tears. I thought I wouldn't cry, until I approached Roshni. I felt emotional and hurt that I was going to leave her behind. Roshni was more than a best friend; she became the sister I never had. My personal diary.

“You're going to smudge your makeup.” She smiled sadly as she dried my tears. She too was crying. “I am happy for you, my friend. Go live the best years of your life. Finally.”

I hugged her tightly. “I'm going to miss you, Roshni.”

“I know. I'll miss you too.” She told me, breaking the hug too soon than I was ready to. “There's phones, I'll buy data and video call you.”

“Don't worry, once Preetah gets settled, she'll send you an invite and you can come visit her.” Mr Korana told her.

My cousins and aunt came to hug me and bid goodbye to me.

I felt someone take my hand. It was Arjun.

“Our flight to China leaves at 10am tomorrow morning.” He told me. He had neatly shaven hair and beard. He looked manly, handsome, and bold, compared to the Arjun from school who looked shy, quiet and cute.

This beautiful man was now my husband!

It's amazing how feelings I thought I left behind 10 years ago could just be rekindled all over again like it never left. This burning love I felt for Arjun was more than the crush I had on him as a teenager. I understand these feelings now and I am sure of what I want out of these feelings – to be with Arjun.

“China?” I asked, avoiding his eyes as he looked straight into mine.

“I booked us a two-night stay at a really good hotel there.”

“Honeymoon.” The white man on his side of the family told me. “I'm Dean by the way. Your husband's best friend. I'm the brains behind his business.”

“Oh please.” Arjun answered. “Don't listen to him. He is a clown.”

I smiled at them. Dean must be to Arjun what Roshni is to me.

“If he gives you trouble, call me. At any time of day and I’ll come put him back in line.” He proceeded. “You hear me?”

I nodded.

“Oh please.” Arjun gave him a little shove.

***

Everything still felt like a dream, and I dreaded that I would wake up and realise that none of it was real. Arjun was such a gentleman; he opened the car door for me and helped me in, and when we arrived, he got out first and came to the other side to open the door and help me out. He held my hand our whole ride to his hotel room, causing butterflies in my stomach. None of us said anything to each other. I just often caught him looking at me. Whenever I did, I quickly looked away.

When we got there, he took my bag of clothes out of the trunk of Mr Korana's car and carried it up for me.

“Is this supposed to be a suitcase?” He asked me.

I nodded shortly.

He grimaced and didn't respond. He unlocked the room and allowed me to enter first. I looked around with my eyes at how beautiful, clean, and spacious the room was. The air inside the room was much cooler than the air outside, which was hot and humid.

“It's past 8 right now.” He said casually, placing my bag on the ground next to the grand bed.

I didn't respond. My heart started beating fast. This would be my first night with Arjun, so obviously we would have to consummate the wedding! I had never slept with anyone before.

“I'm gonna go take a shower.” He said, giving me his back while he locked the room door.

When he stepped into the bathroom, I quickly dug in my bag for my cell phone and sat down next to the bag when I found it. My fingers were trembling and clumsy as I started typing Roshni a message.

“Are you sitting on the floor?” Arjun stepped out suddenly. I almost shrieked. He was half-naked, just a towel covering his lower body.

My anxiety spiked. I stared at the ground, to avoid meeting his eyes.

“What are you doing?” He asked me.

I couldn't answer. Not just because I didn't know what to say but because I was too nervous.

I almost had a heart attack when he started walking up to me. He squatted down to my level.

“Look at me.” He said.

I blinked fast, holding my breath.

He touched my chin and raised my head. My head was raised but I couldn't look him in the eye for two seconds without looking away.

He then let go of my chin and stood up. “Get up.”

I placed the phone in my bag and got up.

When he stepped closer to me, I shook my head, asking for mercy.

“Why are you so nervous?”

When I didn't answer, he continued. “Are you a virgin?”

I knew it was valuable for a woman to not have sex outside of marriage but still, I couldn't answer him. Get it together Preetah! You're a teacher.

He smirked and then nodded in approval. “Interesting.”

“I know you've never been with a man before, but I need you to talk. You're too mute. I don't like boring people.” He told me. “You hear?”

I gulped and then spoke. “Yes.”

“Good. We're gonna take a shower together.” He said. “So, get undressed and come.”

My eyes almost popped out of its sockets.

“Do you want me to help you with your dress?” He offered.

I shook my head. “It's fine.”

“Cool.” He turned and walked away. He was well toned and muscular. Very attractive. “I'm waiting. Don't take forever.”

I did take forever. He had to call my name from the bathroom.

“I'm coming.” I answered.

I struggled getting out of my wedding dress, and then after that I struggled with deciding on how much I had to wear to join him. I was too shy to walk in with just my bra and panty so I grabbed a towel on the bed and wrapped it around me.

When I got in, he looked into my soul with his eyes. He did not take his eyes off of me. He took off my towel, undid my bra and pulled my panty down my legs and off.

Roshni and I had often spoken about sex, she said that it was no big deal and that I was not missing out on anything, but yeah, without Arjun even touching me, the mere fact of us being so close to each other while we were both naked, sent electrical currents through every inch of my body.

He touched my lips with his thumb.

“I like your lips.”

I did not expect that at all. Those were things we thought, not said to people.

“Relax...” He said. “Okay?”

I nodded. How was I to relax in a situation as this?

He then leaned in and began kissing me. As my eyes closed, my knees felt weak. Arjun's mouth tasted sweet, and his hands sliding from my waist and up my back made me float...