85. THE WEDDING PART 2

I feel like my body is unrestricted. I am free once again. I haven't felt this good for a long time. I want to do this once again.

" I caught you. ", I say as I shoot the ball at a girl.

" Oh no! ", the girl pouts.

I am playing with these children for an hour now but I haven't felt this good since I was ten. Man, it's thrilling.

" Ok, who is next? ", I shout and run after another kid. This goes on for a while until there is only one little girl left who is wearing a white skirt and blue shirt. She is the fastest kid and now I am going to catch her no matter what. I run after the kid but she is so fast even in the skirt. Watch until I catch you, kid and I caught her.

" Out, you are out! ", I shout.

" Yeah, I am. ", she sighs.

" Ok now next game. ", I say.

" Oh, I know we should play house, house. ", a girl.

" No, we will play musical chairs. ", I say.

" But we don't have any chairs. ", the other girl.

" Don't worry about it. ", I say and leave to collect plastic chairs near the tree where I saw extra chairs stacked up. Ok, now I just have to be careful and not let anyone see me.

I run towards the tree and carry five chairs. All others have to bring the rest of the chairs I run towards the main garden where the kids are waiting for me but unfortunately, they are not there anymore. Where are they?

They deserted me. How can they do this to me?

Okay, I don't care. So what if they left? It is their loss. I am perfectly fine. But still, how can they do this to me?

" Oh, you are the one who is bringing chairs. Bring it upstairs. ", a man said.

" Ok. ", I didn't know what else to say.

Man, there are too many stairs in this house. I am already tired.

" Here it is. ", the man who I now noticed was following me from behind.

" Put it over there. ", the man pointed toward the corner of the tent.

What does he take me for? His servant. I want to sit down right now. No, I have to sit down or I am going to pass out. My legs are throbbing in pain. Perhaps I overdid it. I wonder how these children play so much. I sound like an old man.

----++++------++++----

It's already evening. I wonder what these people are talking about so earnestly. Oh, they have constructed a temporary stage-like structure in the front of the hall.

" Ok, guys. The bride will be here in a minute. So be quiet for now .", a woman says.

It is like she is a class teacher.

After a while, the bride arrives wearing a blue blouse and white skirt. Surely, she looks pretty but she is tired. I feel bad for her. These useless functions in our culture need to be eradicated.

Then my mother comes with some ladies and a bowl full of henna in her hand. God, I hate that thing. It has an awful smell.

After a while, she starts putting that henna in her palm and then place some silver coins in it.

" Ok now as usual. All young girls can come forward and try to snatch these silver coins from her hand and whoever is successful that girl can have these silver coins. "

And then all start howling.

Wait, I forgot about this function.

My mom gestured for me to come onto the stage via hands. What the hell is wrong with her? She doesn't want me to be a part of this nonsense, does she?

I mouthed 'No' but she again gestures for me to come on the stage. Ok, my Mom has seriously lost it. I again say no but she comes and drags me with her. All people start to clap.

And now I am in front of the bride who is smiling at me.

" You are Myra. My God, you have grown up. Do you remember me ?", She asks with hopeful eyes.

Oh no, I hate this.

" No, sorry, I don't remember. ", I say.

" It is okay. My name is Sonam. I would have hugged you if I didn't have henna on my hands.", she says.

" Ok, now Myra. Your time starts now. Go on and try to snatch silver coins. ", Mom.

Looks like I don't have a choice. These are four silver coins. Two on her right and two on her left.

" Ok, Myra rules are simple. You have to snatch coins from her and if you succeed you will have fifteen minutes. ", Mom.

" And the time starts now. ", some lady.

And then she closes her fists and smiles showing her pretty dimples. And I don't understand why people say that she is not beautiful; she looks stunning.

I try to open one fist but fail then the other one but I fail once again. She is laughing. Okay, let me see. I know what to do. I will just stall time. I am sure her fist will loosen up after a while. Okay yeah, I think it is working. Here I go.

I try to open her right hand by pulling her fingers from the sides but my hands are dirty because of henna. Then after a while, they open.

I think I won.

" Congratulations, my dear daughter. ", Mom.

" But I haven't opened another fist yet .", I say.

" You already got two silver coins. Give opportunity to other girls as well. ", She says.

" Alright ", I say and return to the seat where I sat before.

The silver coin is small compared to usual coins but it's shining despite the henna smeared on its surface.

----++++------+++++------++++-------

After another girl of ten to fourteen years won. Other two coins our dinner was served. The dinner has various delicacies. It has mutton dishes, jeera rice as well as chicken.

Man, I feel good. I get up and walk up to my mom.

" Mom let us go home. ", I say.

" No, we are not going home. We are staying here. ", Mom.

" Staying where? ", I ask.

" We have our villa in this village. We will stay there along with other guests. ", Mom.

" Okay. ", I say.

As always I have no idea about my family's property.