84. THE WEDDING
" Do I have to go? ", I ask my mom.
" Yes. Your father will also come tomorrow on the main day. Besides, a wedding lasts for ten days we are only attending the last two functions . ", she says.
Oh, I hate this. I want to die. Please kill me.
" Your dress is ready. Wear it and come down. ", Mom.
It is new pants and a sweater. Thank God.
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IN THE CAR :
" Mom, Peeranj is a village, right? ", I ask.
"Yeah, it is. It is a beautiful village. You know Sumeena was very cute when she was young. I loved her a lot. She used to follow me everywhere. One day she even cried when I had to go to school. ", she says.
" Mom I know that you were very close with this woman but I don't know her so it is awkward for me when you keep saying these things to me ...", I say.
" You know once I was injured due to falling and she cried for me. She was only like four at that time. ", Mom.
Seems like she didn't hear me.
" And now she is all grown and ready to get married. Some day you will also get married. It is only a matter of time now.", Mom.
" Mom, I am not getting married. ", I say.
" You are still young right now. Your mind will change when someone special will come into your life. ", Mom.
" Mom no one special will come and I don't need anyone. ", I say.
" No dear we all need someone to spend our lives with. We, humans, are social beings and we need to live in family and society.", Mom.
" Even if I don't get married. I will still live in society.", I reasoned.
" Don't worry we will see.", Mom.
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Although internet connectivity is kinda slow here I think the environment is very refreshing. I feel so good here. There are green trees, mountains, and kind people around here I feel good.
The wedding is held at the bride's house. It is a decent house garden and small garden. Wait why am I examining the house?
" Oh, I am going to meet the bride in her room. If you want you can come with me. ", Mom.
" No, thanks. I am good. ", I say.
" Ok, then you can look around I guess. ", Mom as she leaves me all alone.
Ok then let us look around. There are many people here. Children are playing games or fighting. Mostly fighting.
" I told you to be a prince. You are not a princess. I am a princess. ", a girl.
" I also want to be a princess. Why am I a prince? ", another girl with a boy cut.
" Well your hair is not long like her. ", some other girl.
" Yeah, you have to be a prince. ", all girls.
Wow, children are so mean. That is why I don't like them.
" Forget it. I am not going to play. ", the girl with the boy cut leaves while crying.
Then all children look at me with a vicious smile Oh no, I better get going or else I am going to be in trouble.
" Hey. Are you here to play with us ?", the girl in a red frock.
" Please play with us.", all girls.
Let us not reply and get away from here.
" Where are going? You have to play with us. "
And now all the little girls have surrounded me like I am some kind of prisoner. You know I want to push them. I can but I am afraid that they are gonna get hurt.
" Play with us! Play with us! " all girls shouted.
Man, it is like a bunch of rats have surrounded me so that they can bite me to death.
" Ok, but we will play hide and seek. " I say.
" Ok. Yes! She is going to play with us. ", all children.
" Let us toss. " a girl.
" No need I will seek. You all will hide. ", I say, and they all leave to hide.
Ok, now I can easily run away. Let us go inside the house. Oh my God, it's more crowded in here.
" If you are a guest then wait for the bride in the hall. The ceremony is going to start soon. " a man.
" Where is the hall ?", I ask.
" It's on the last floor," he says and I try to do the same but because it is all crowded I am people pushing each other before going upstairs.
Finally, I am in the hall.
Man, it's also crowded but not that much. The hall is pretty big than I anticipated. There are so many chairs but all are occupied. Oh, two chairs are empty over there. Let us go to sit right in the corner.
Ok, now what I should I do? Oh let us just take out my phone and watch reels like all people here.
" Man, they didn't even book the Dj. ", someone.
" I heard that groom looks handsome. " a woman.
" Then why is he marrying the bride? She is neither beautiful nor rich. ", some other lady.
" Maybe it is because of the arranged marriage. ", another woman.
Ok, let us block this gossip. And focus on our reels.
" Did you notice the bride's uncle is not here. ", some woman.
" Of course, he is not because he is in the hospital. "another woman.
" What? And they are still having this marriage ceremony ..."_
Ok, I will just listen to songs or watch while wearing Air Pods.
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AFTER A WHILE :
Ok, I have watched the movie and I am also hungry. Where is the food?
" Food will be served after a while. ", someone.
They served vanilla ice -cream. Thank God. Something is better than nothing. God, I am so hungry. Where is my mom? I can't see her anywhere. I should call her. No, forget it.
AFTER TWO HOURS:
For two hours, I am sitting in the same place because my mother dragged me here into this strange place. At least they served food one hour ago. This chair is not even that comfortable. Man, I am going to call my mother.
" We found her. ", a bunch of girls from before as they gather around me.
" Now you have to play with us. ", the girl in the red frock.
" Yeah, you lied and Mom says lying is a bad thing .", some other girl.
" Let us go.", the little girls as they grab my arms and dragged me outside as all the other people are just snickering at my demise.
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" Now we are all going to play catch and throw. ", a girl.
" What is that? ", I ask.
" One person will chase others while throwing the ball. Whoever is hit by the ball will be out and all others will continue to play. ", a girl explains.
Do I have to do this? Do I have to go through this torture ?