I happened to meet one of my juniors from hostel yesterday at a Bar-be-q.

She was accompanied by her family. It was a chance coincidence that the moment I entered the place my eyes went in the direction of the glitter.

And there she was! Newly wed! You don’t ask! You just know! (If you know what I mean.)

She was wearing a heavy saree (heavier than her own weight), glittery gold jewelry (the only piece of jewelry I remember her wearing was her gold chain which was surprisingly not there anymore), red lipstick and what not. Only a newly wed girl can adorn such a look other than Bappi da on regular days.

The moment she flashed her smile I could not stop but wonder the reason behind her tight smile. Isn’t she supposed to be happy? May be the lipstick isn’t letting her lips curve properly?

I had always seen this little girl jumping around in the hostel corridors with her ever radiant smile and chuckles. I could not stop asking her, “What happened?”

She gave a sly smile. “Marriage. Marriage happened di.”

I was literally taken aback by her answer. She had grown 20 years in age suddenly.

Being an outspoken and change-the-society-naari-shakti type of girl, I instantly turned to her oh-so-modern-family. I call them so because I noticed a healthy aunty wearing a skirt or some sort of a dress.

Well they should have a logical explanation for this girl.

“Namastey. Sorry for asking, but may I kindly know the reason why is she clad in such a heavy saree on a Saturday night at a place where people come to chill and relax?”

Looking at the same aunty I further added, “we don’t even need to look anywhere else.”

The family was obviously flabbergasted. Naturally because of a stranger intruding in what seemed like a warm family dinner and without doubt the question wasn’t what they would have ever expected.

Not even trying to hide their wonderment, her bhua-in-law (which I got to know later) answered with a dismal look that obviously said how-can-you-ask-such-a-question-with-an-obvious-answer.

“Because she is a newly wed.”

Ok! Fair enough I thought. Does that answer it all? I could not keep my tongue shut despite knowing that I am about to make a mess.

“Who do you have to show this to? Don’t you people already know she is a newly wed?”

They were stunned. “What?”

I knew from their “what” that I should have gone about minding my own dinner. But that’s not what life taught us, isn’t it?

“Oh I am sorry,” I laughed at my own silliness as soon as I realized what I just said, “of course you know she is a newly wed. You just informed me that.

Oh, so you want to show it to the relatives? Neighbors? But didn’t they already come in the big fat wedding to bless the couple? I mean they are the reasons why people usually throw such lavish weddings.”

“Oh by the way I saw the pictures on Facebook. Amazing decoration.

Just like a fairy tale wedding. Loved it totally.” I said turning towards my junior who stood there definitely enjoying the conversation, but a little skeptical whether to show it on her face or not.

This was almost infuriating for them. “Excuse me?” Some aunty said. (They always have to be right and when they see someone pointing at them, they do not like it. And her words said the same.)

But do you think that stopped me from blabbering this ultra-modern-out-of-the-society-no-sanskaari-vichaar?

Ha….You wish!

“Oh, forgive me, you are reminding her that she is married now? Now I get it. Shea… I am so foolish.

Forgive me aunty.”

That somehow didn’t lighten the mood.

But why? I understood their feelings now. I was with them totally. A girl need to be reminded every moment that she is married else she goes about screwing random college junkies.

I was about to say my goodbye just when my eyes settled on my junior’s husband, who I recognized from her FB posts.

“Oh but wait a second, doesn’t he needs to be reminded that he is recently married? I mean isn’t he supposed to wear a sherwaani or saafa or something other than jeans and a casual t-shirt knowing that even he is also a newly wed?”

“Are you totally insane? A newly wed girl is supposed to wear all this. This is a sign of happy marriage and also a good shagun.”

Wow! That solves it all!

I was so happy. I had to thank them for such an amazing simple solution.

“Thank you aunty. You have given a great solution to me. There is this friend of mine who is facing problems in her marriage and may go ahead for divorce.

But well, not anymore. All because of you. I will suggest her to dress properly in red saree or something with heavy gold jewelry. After all it is a good shagun.

I am sure her husband will be more understanding then.

I am so sorry, I never knew that a couple’s compatibility lies in the attire and presentation of the girl. This is such an eye opener. Thank you so very much. I will always be grateful.”

This probably was their threshold because next I knew my friends were pulling me to my table and ordering me a dessert first.

I love desserts. They tell you how heavenly delicious the world is!

 

— Image credit: Life of a techie