“That’s nice.”
“Good karma too.”
When we arrived, I stood close to the band and elephant. All of my family crowded us, dancing and singing.
“Oh, son!” My mother hit my shoulders. “Dance, Kamal! It’s a happy day!”
My hands shook. “I will.”
“Now. Stop being nervous.”
“Okay.” Letting out a long breath, I raised my hands in the air and shook my hips.
Everyone laughed and joined me. The dancers twisted and twirled my way. My uncles began to sing several folk songs that I hadn’t heard since my youth.
And then fireworks went off.
With my hands in the air, I paused in shock. “Mother?”
She shrugged. “I wanted a big show.”
“Fireworks are too much.”
“Which is why I didn’t tell you I was getting them.”
Thankfully, the elephant wasn’t stressed from the crackling and boom of coloring zooming into the night sky.
My heart pumped with excitement. My nervousness left. I sang with them, happy for this day, delighted about this amazing wedding my lovely fiancé and sister had planned.
My mother checked the time and singled for my uncles to help me onto the elephant. It took several minutes, but I got on with ease.
Soon I rode the elephant to the tent.
I can’t wait to see Jade. I bet she looks gorgeous.
Our wedding ceremony would take place outside under a huge tent behind the luxury hotel. Flowers outlined the path. The elephant took his time, moving forward. The band, dancers, and my family followed, singing and prancing as they walked forward.
Loud and in a jolly mood, we made it to the tent.
Following tradition, Jade’s male family members stood in front of the entrance and blocked the way. It was over thirty of them. A few wore stern expressions on their faces.
My mother pointed and took pictures. “Oh, you’re doing such a good job! Yes. Just like this!”
Why did I agree to this? We should have just gone to Las Vegas.
I slowly lowered from the elephant, took off my shoes, and stepped forward.
The men kept their stance, blocking the entrance.
Not one held a smile.
I smirked at Jade’s uncles and cousins. “Can I please get through?”
They remained.
My mother clapped. “Yes. You must earn it, Kamal. This is so much fun.”
I sighed and tried to push through a few. Together, they gently backed me up.
My mother snapped some pictures. “Bribe them, darling!”
I dug into my pockets and offered each a dollar. A few shook their heads. Some took it and left. Still, many remained. I raised my bribe to ten dollars each. They shook their head.
Groaning, I pulled out the stack of hundreds.
“She’s worth it, darling!” My mother screamed in glee.
The men took the bills and left.
Finally, I’m closer to my bride.
Jade’s female cousins hurried and stole my shoes. I grumbled but kept my annoyance to myself. It was all a part of tradition. Usually, the bride's sisters or cousins pocketed the groom's shoes. Later, the groom would have to pay them to get the shoes back because he was supposed to leave the tent with the same shoes he came in.
Why is there so much terrorizing of the groom? It’s insane.
My mother laughed. “Oh, this is so much fun.”
Yeah. This is simply great. I haven’t slept or kissed my fiancé in days.
At this moment surrounded by over two hundred people, I only yearned to be naked and alone with Jade.
The band ended their playing and remained outside. I walked down the aisle, climbed the stage, and waited for my beautiful new bride. On the stage, flowers outlined the square. A tiny table held a blazing fire on top of it.
Jade and I decided to blend Indian and Western wedding traditions at our ceremony. Therefore, her father would walk her down the aisle.
A pianist sat by the stage. Someone signaled for her to play.
Here she comes.
My nerves went on edge.
I impatiently stared at the entrance.
Where are you, my love?
Soon, my dream bride arrived.
Damn. Is she really all mine?
Dressed in glittering gold and bright red, Jade looked captivating. Her family accompanied her under a phoolon ki chaadar—meaning a blanket of flowers. It looked more like a massive umbrella with flowers hanging all over.
Slowly, her father walked her down the aisle to the heart-touching piano’s melody.
Come to me, Jade. You’re so amazing. I’m going to spend the rest of my life making you smile.
When Jade and her father arrived, I had to force myself to remain on the stage. He helped her up and half-bowed to me. “Take care of her, Kamal.”
“I will, sir. I promise.”
Tears glazed over his eyes. He left and sat with his wife on the stage across from my mother.
We didn’t want our ceremony to be as long as many traditional ones. Therefore, we cut a few things out to keep the time down.
I picked up a garland from the table next to us. Jade did the same. Next, we were supposed to place the decorative wreaths of red and white flowers around each other’s neck. However, even with this part, there was some gameplay to it. Whoever put the garland on first would have the upper hand of the marriage. At the moment, it was time to place them on, I didn’t move.