9– The calm before

10h09

Preetah

The atmosphere buzzed with laughter, chatter and warmth as the mehndi artist carefully applied the henna to my hands. My cousins and aunts were all around me, talking, making jokes, and often teasing me about becoming married. Although they had all disappeared when father had started falling ill, it was good to have all of them here today. It felt good having so many people that all just wanted to see me happy. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was part of a big happy family again.

“Preetah, we heard females in the USA all work and forsake their duties as wives, please don't become like them.” Aisha, my youngest cousin said. She was the most talkative of her siblings, taking after aunt. She was also the most beautiful. She was short and chubby, with long curly hair that fell past her bum. She had a sharp nose and wore a nose ring.

“My brother did not raise our Preetah like that, don't worry” Aunt told her. Our big family was all from aunt’s side, I was the only child of her younger brother. She had 5 children and 6 grandkids. I admired her big family, and I too wanted the same when I finally got married. My wish has always been to have 6 children plus an adopted one. That wish was not so far-fetched anymore as the first step – marriage – was about to be accomplished.

“Our Preetah knows that her first duty is her husband, and her mother and father-in-law.” Aunt added

“Mr Korana said that Arjun's mother passed away.” I told them. He hadn’t disclosed how or when she passed away, he just mentioned that it was just him, Arjun and his daughter.

“Less work for you then, my friend.” Roshni commented. She was sitting next to me on the floor. “As long as Arjun and Mr Korana are happy, your job is done.”

“And sister.” Aisha added.

“She doesn't have to serve his sister.” Nalini, aunt's third born daughter replied. Nalini was my age but already had 3 children. Contrary to Aisha, Nalini was skinny and tall, looking more like uncle.

“And why are you still calling him 'Mr Korana', don't embarrass us, Preetah.” She laughed.

“I mean babuji.” I corrected myself.

“Your best friend is getting married, Roshni,” Aisha began. “When are you getting—”

Roshni sucked her teeth. “When are you getting married?”

“I am 16.” Aisha stated.

“Then mind your little 16-year-old business.” Roshni shot back immediately. “Aren't you supposed to be at school or something? It's Thursday afternoon.”

Nalini, Sanchita, the henna lady, and me laughed for a while.

“I was just asking. Why are you so defensive?” Aisha asked her.

“Why are you asking me that?” Roshni continued. “Just because Preetah is getting married, that doesn't mean that I have to now too—”

“Well, your biological clock is—”

“Aisha!” Sanchita and I called in unison.

“That’s too far.” I scolded her. “Roshni is not your age mate.”

“This child wants me to take away her phone.” Aunt threw her a menacing look.

“Sorry...” She responded, looking at the ground. She genuinely looked sorry.

“Sorry to who?” I asked her.

“Sorry, Roshni.”

Roshni shook her head. “These kids of today...”

“Sister Preetah,” Nalini's firstborn, Diya walked into the room. She had two ponytails, hanging on each side of her head. “Mr Korana is asking for you.”

Roshni and I exchanged looks. She had called in sick at work and had told her boss that she needed three days off, today, tomorrow, and Friday. She had said that nothing in the world would make her miss my wedding and its preparations.

“Mr Korana is here?” Roshni asked, looking around at the others for clarity.

“What's he doing here?” Aunt asked, looking at the small clock on my dresser. “Don't tell me they're early.”

“Seven hours early?” I asked, my heart skipping a beat. I felt nervous suddenly.

“Your hands are trembling.” The henna artist told me.

“No way.” Roshni said, “The party is only starting at 8. No one comes seven hours early.”

Aisha giggled. “Maybe they used American time.”

“Such an idiot…” Sanchita responded to her sister.

“No, wait.” Aisha had a wide smile across her face, “If they were using American time then they are late. We are nine hours ahead of New York.”

“Aisha, will you grow up?” Roshni scolded. “Preetah is already nervous.”

“He said that he wants to talk to you.” Diya, seven years old, told me.

“Like now?” I asked her.

“Yes.” She responded.

“Oh!” Aunt looked displeased. “So, he lives in the US, but he grew up in India, did his father call his wife out during her henna ceremony?”

“Do you think something is wrong?” I turned to Roshni for closure.

She shook her head quickly, wiping away her own worried look. She then placed a hand under my chin. “Don't think about things going wrong. Nothing is wrong.” She raised both her eyebrows at me. “Let's help you up.”

“Careful, don't mess up the painting.” The mehndi artist warned us.

“Cover your head.” Aunt told me as I got up.

Roshni fixed my dupatta and then stepped out with me into the living room.

The living room was being decorated by the boys from our area. Arjun's father had suggested that we host the engagement party at a hotel, but father was against it. He didn't like the idea of the Korana's paying for my dress, refusing dowry and paying for the hotel. Although Mr Korana had told us that his reason for refusing dowry was because it was not a must and was now actually illegal, father felt that he had refused because he felt that we were poor and couldn't afford to give them anything.

“Can we have some privacy for Mr Arora, Preetah and myself to talk?” Mr Korana, still standing, told the boys.

“I'll wait in your room.” Roshni gave me a warm supportive smile and then went away. Roshni had grown into a calm ladylike figure. She was no longer wild like she had been while we were still in school. She was now more responsible and modest. The whole transformation happened after the situation with Mr Jandra - our then English teacher - now the principal of Dhoop Ki Or High School...

Upon hearing Mr Korana's request, the boys left what they were busy with, one by one, and stepped out of our house.

I was a little scared, Arjun's flight would have been arriving in India around this time, was he okay?

“Mr Arora, Preetah, I am afraid I have some really bad news...” Mr Korana's face looked concerning.

My heart was beating fast.

“Unfortunately, this engagement party will not be happening.” He told us.

Father and I exchanged looks. I could hear my heart ringing in my ears. My legs felt weak suddenly. I needed a seat. I took a step back and sat on the couch, being careful not to ruin my half-painted hands.

Why couldn't my engagement take place? Did Mr Korana change his mind about me? Perhaps he had realized that I just wasn't good enough for his son. Although I had all these questions, I found myself asking something that concerned me more.

“Is Arjun okay?”

“Arjun's flight is stuck at layover. Word is, there is a technical issue, and they will only be able to get to India tomorrow.” He explained. “But to answer your question, he is fine. He is just stressed about cancelling the engagement party.”

I didn't understand how planes worked, I had never been on one nor ever imagined myself ever having to get on one.

“So, he can only get here tomorrow?” Father wanted clarity. “What time, tomorrow?”

“Uh...” Mr Korana looked unsure himself. “Late afternoon perhaps.”

Dad looked thoughtful. I could see a frown across his face, he was not all too happy about this.

After a few seconds of silence, Mr Korana spoke again. This was the first time I was seeing him so unsure and somewhat... nervous.

“Mr Korana, seeing that Arjun may only get to India late Thursday, and their wedding is Friday at 6pm, why don't we just cancel the other pre-wedding ceremonies and let them just do the marriage ceremony—”

“What?” Father was shocked. “What kind of way of thinking is that, Mr Korana?”

“I am just suggesting, Mr Arora, seeing that it's a long flight from America to India and the groom will come back very tired—”

“Then perhaps we must just postpone the wedding.” Father looked fed up.

I gasped at his suggestion. I felt like crying. Why was all of this happening.

“Postponing is a bad idea because Friday is an auspicious day.”

“How can you say that they should not do the pre-wedding rituals?” Father asked him. “Did you skip the Ganesh Puja, Haldi ceremony and engagement ceremony when you wedded Arjun's mother?”

Arjun's father looked displeased about father's question, but he did not respond. Why would father mention Arjun's mother, knowing very well that she was no more. This was bad, and if someone didn't intervene, it could become even worse.

“Father, if we think about it, the most important ritual for us to do is just the Ganesh Puja and the Mendhi ceremony.” I spoke. “The mehndi ceremony does not require Arjun to be present and the Ganesh Puja, we have it before the wedding.”

“All the pre-wedding rituals are important, Preetah. Don't be hasty.” Father told me. “Your mother would have loved to see you partake in all your pre-wedding ceremonies.”

“Father, at the moment we have a situation on our hands. I am just trying to—”

“I said, do not be hasty, Preetah.” Father sounded impatient. “I have always told you; hasty decisions often do not lead to good outcomes. Besides, where did you get permission to speak where your father and future father-in-law are speaking?”

Oh my goodness, I definitely just made it worse.

“But she is right, Rohan.” Aunt appeared at the doorframe. “Those two are the most important ceremonies, the others are not a must. Without those ceremonies, their marriage would still be valid.”

“Are you really saying that, Swatiji?” Father asked.

“You spoke about Aarya, now, we both know what she would have wanted. Preetah is 27, she would have loved to see her get married and would not have tried to postpone such an auspicious thing as marriage for her only child.”

Bringing up my age was a little offensive on aunt’s part but at least it made father look like he was reconsidering. We all waited for him to have the final say.

After much thinking, he responded. “My Aarya wouldn't have wanted us to postpone, you're right there.”

I wanted to smile but I had to be sure that his next words would also agree with my late mother.

“Continue with the Mehndi ceremony.” He told us.

I beamed! I couldn't contain the happiness I now felt. I caught Arjun's father looking at me with a warm smile. I lowered my head.

“May this brightness and joy you carry with you, shine on Arjun and make him as radiant as you.” He told me.

“Thank you, babuji.” I responded, genuinely feeling grateful that I had such a good-hearted man as my father-in-law. Like Roshni had said, good things take time indeed.

★★★

Arjun

“It’s almost 4am here and I can’t sleep. My mind is troubled, Arjun. I have left you countless messages and missed calls. It has come to this now… if you wish that I never ask you of anything ever again, I will never, but just this one thing. Come to India, marry this girl and be at your best behaviour throughout the wedding. That is all Arjun. That is all.”

That was dad's voice message to me. I had just finished with work. The building was quiet and dark, with just my office light on. I often stayed to work this late close to month end and beginning of new months.

I had picked up my files and was in the elevator down to the parking when my phone chimed. I relistened to the message until I got into the driver's side of my car, trying to understand its every implication. If dad meant this very serious words that he had just sent me - that he'd let me live my life after going through with the wedding - then I was more than willing to marry this woman. In fact, I would go through with whatever ceremony they wanted me to do. As long as Dad kept his word, so I called him back.

“Arjun, how many calls and messages did I send?” He asked as soon as he picked up. “Why are you doing this?”

“Did you mean your message about doing this one last thing?” I asked him. “That if I marry this girl, you'll stop bothering me?”

Father took a second too long to answer, as if he hadn't realised the gravity of his message. “Yes, Arjun. If that's your wish, then yes. I had to make up an excuse for you not being here for the engagement party. I told the family that you're stuck at layover and will be getting here tomorrow evening, latest. Please, don't embarrass me.”

“Then I am going to marry her.” I stated. “I am going to do every single ceremony you want me to do-”

Father laughed joyously. “You don't know how happy you have made your father.”

“Just keep your word.”

“Like I said, if it is your wish for your father to never ask anything of you ever again, then you have my word.”

I darted at the time on my watch. 18h06.

“Alright. See you.” I hung up.

I went online and booked a one-way flight for three.

I then texted both Artha and Dean the same message: pack some clothes, our flight to Varanasi leaves in 2 hours.