Something about Nothing

Before I encounter this question once again let me answer it, “Married life is great…” Thank you very much for not asking this question again… Now that I have this weight of my heart, it is time to recount a bit on the life as it was over the past two months.

Left for home on 15th Feb, met Bhai after a long long time, felt amazing. The guests had already started congregating, so that did deter me from spending time with the family, but that helped me steal some time with the soon-to-be better half (I was not supposed to meet her before marriage, but when did I do what I was supposed to do?). Anyway, spent a hectic week doing absolutely nothing, and on 22nd we moved the base to the Wedding Place. That day the function list read - Chunri and Garba. Chunri - Sagai in Gujarati tradition - was still ok, I just had to sit and smile at all people greeting me. What followed was straight out of a horror movie for me, and comedy movie for all others - I had to dance during the Garba function; that too for straight 3-4 hours. I tried to spend the evening as gracefully as I could, and you do not have to be a wizard to conclude that I failed abysmally. On the other hand, the better-half can teach Madhuri Dixit a few moves, so you can understand my plight.

The last night that I was to spend as a bachelor was devoted to Poker and Sweep. Adi, Abhinav, PJ, Parry, Vidit - thanks a lot guys for making it to my marriage, and Parry thanks for teaching me Poker and Sweep, again!

An early morning was needed for the first ceremony of the day - Mandap Muhurt. Haldi ceremony followed it, a hurried bath later I was all ready for the Baraat. Now this is the bad thing about Baraat - I had no idea what was going on there - only later on when I was seeing all photographs and videos did I realize what was happening, all the time I was sitting comfortably in the car.  Towards the end of the Baraat, I was allowed a glimpse of the dancing from the worst possible spot - the center-stage. Once we reached the venue the better-half was ready to welcome me with garlands in hand. I was ready for a 3-4 hour long marriage (generally that is how long the Gujarati marriages last - at least the ones that I have attended), but the Punditji who was conducting the marriage was awesome! He finished all the functions in almost one and a half hours. During the Pheras there is a custom - whoever sits first on the chair more number of times after Punditji completes his Shlokas would rule the roost. Shockingly it was I who won! I was scoffed at for thinking and claiming that this would hold true for the rest of my life, and unsurprisingly in a subsequent similar “competition” the better-half won hands-down - which laid down the guidelines for the married life I am spending these days (since the better-half is reading this over my shoulder, I have to write that she treats me nicely )

The marriage was short, but unluckily I could not say the same about the Wedding Reception. We were standing on stage for more then 3 hours, and throughout we were greeting guests, smiling, posing for the cameras, saying bye to the guests, and immediately turning to greet the next set of guests. And hats off to my Dad, almost 1500 people came on stage and Dad knew the name of each and every one. He introduced me to everybody, and I can claim to not remembering even a single name One of the guests came on stage and said, “You must remember me by now”, as usual shamelessly I reply “Oh yes”, the uncle asks again, “Who am I?”, quick thinking (or thinking on my feet would be more apt, as I was on my feet the whole time) saved the day - I glanced at the envelope he gave me, read the name, and carried on the conversation A tiring 3 hours later, we stepped down and for the first time we were able to enjoy food that was served at our own Wedding Reception.