And I had big plans to make for the rest of the year.
In my living room, Ganesha lay at Zora’s feet. He’d healed fine last year, but he never had the same pep in his step. He loved walking. However, when it came to running, he went slower and with a little limp.
“Jade, I’m so exhausted.” Zora held a sleeping Arya in her arms. “Do you mind taking her now?”
“Why would you even ask?” Excitement hit me. “You know I love holding my goddaughter.”
She handed the sweet baby girl over to me and then gestured to the huge engagement ring on my finger. “Well, she’s your niece now.”
“Soon-to-be niece.”
“As far as I’m concerned, Kamal and you are already married.”
“With all this wedding planning, it doesn’t seem like it.” I gazed at the huge stack of books on my coffee table and then returned all my attention to Arya. “I would rather not plan this massive event and just hold Arya all day.”
“Good. We can trade this year.” Zora laughed and sipped her tea. “You get up in the middle of the night and attach that greedy little one to your breasts like you’re a cow, and I’ll spend all of Kamal’s money planning a breathtaking three-day event.”
“Or,” Karen walked into the room with a bottle of wine. “We can just have Kamal and Jade fly off to Las Vegas and do a quick—”
“No.” Zora frowned. “My mother would have a heart attack if they eloped. Kamal is her firstborn. Plus, I didn’t give her a traditional wedding.”
Karen rolled her eyes. “That’s not Jade’s fault. Jade isn’t even Indian. I’m sure that’s some sort of violation.”
“It’s not.” Zora scowled and returned her view to me. “It will be fine, Jade. I’ll help you with everything.”
“Shit.” Karen jumped up and headed off to the kitchen. “I forgot the glasses.”
Zora shook her head. “Why is she here again?”
“Because Karen will be in the wedding too and she is also my best friend. I had to invite her to the betrothal ceremony tonight. Behave, Zora.”
She sighed. “But, I’m the number one best friend?”
“Wow. Are we really doing this?” I smoothed down the soft curl near Arya’s forehead. “I’m ignoring you to look at my niece. She is so precious.”
“Because she looks like her mother?”
I giggled. “Yes. Because she looks like her mother.”
“Are you ready for the party tonight?”
I let out a long breath. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
The betrothal ceremony would be our official engagement party. My parents and aunts flew in yesterday to attend. Ross made me an amazing dress. The ceremony involved the exchange of trays with fruits, flowers, sweets, clothes, and other gifts by each of our families.
Tonight, we would also decide on an official wedding date. According to Hindu scriptures, a wedding could never be held on a Saturday and the time was particularly important. A Hindi priest would be a part of the ceremony to help us determine a proper date and time. Somehow he would use our dates of birth as well as calculate the position of planets and stars to reflect the best union for us.
“Okay.” Zora grabbed a book. “How much did you read?”
“All three damn books.”
She pointed to the corner of the table. “What about these two over here?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I have the NY Times photoshoot for my Masked Sculpture Series coming up. I had to prepare for that. It’s a big deal.”
“Your wedding is a big deal.”
“Yes, but the photoshoot is announcing my art showing at the Metropolitan Museum which. . .is terrifying and awesome all at the same time. I had to focus on that.”
Zora rolled her eyes. “Jade, you also have to—”
“It’s the NY Times, Zora. Relax.”
“I know, but—”
“Would you just help me put this together and stop giving me homework?”
“Fine.” She grinned. “I just don’t want you to be taken by surprise on those days or overwhelmed by any of it.”
“I’ll have all books read by the wedding.”
At least, I hope I will.
When it came to traditional Indian weddings, there were multiple customs that were practiced during the three days of laughter, music, food, and dance. In India, marriage was not just a two-soul affair. It was the marriage of two families. Therefore, the Hindu wedding followed extensive rituals.
First, we would hold a puja at each of our parents’ homes. It was a worship ritual performed in the morning full of prayer and devotion. Kamal’s family would pray to Lord Ganesha. My family would offer our prayers to the deity Goddess Lakshmi. My mother wasn’t pleased with this part but voiced no major complaints. Therefore, we would also have her people from her church there. Her pastor would then do a short sermon.
Next came the haldi—a traditional cleansing ceremony. I’d heard Kamal’s mother also call this nallunge. I was still trying to figure out what were the differences in the names. Either way, during this ceremony a paste of turmeric, rose water, sandalwood, and milk would be applied on Kamal and me. Next, we would take a purifying bath. The entire ceremony was to be conducted by five or seven married women. Zora would be a part of the group. They would then present trays with betel nut leaf, betel nut, kumkum, manjal, bangles, and a saree on a tray. All the items represented a happily married woman and would be given with the hope that I would have a fulfilling life with my new husband.