The Beginning

The stars were scattered all over the sky and cool breeze blew. The freshly mown grass was lush green and had a sweet earthy scent. The huge widespread lawn looked like heaven. The trees, tables, chairs and decorative poles glittered and shone in bright lights wrapped around them. The rest of the lawn was decked up in silver and golden mesh fabric casually strewn around in a pattern. A fresh flowery scent lingered all over. In the centre of the lawn was an artificial stage, lit in colourful twinkling lights, with beautifully sculptured pillars and a sparkling drape all over.

People moved about in the lawn around the magnificent stage. Men dressed in suits and tux talked about business and stock market. Women dressed in expensive saris and jewellery gossiped about everything under the sun. Small kids looking like the miniature version of their parents played in every possible free space available. Teenagers and youngsters, who did not fit in either of the groups, loitered around. Young girls, dressed in neck plunging salwar suits (which the parents did not object as long as their eligible daughter was noticed), moved around eligible male bachelors, batting their mascara covered eyelashes.

As the clock ticked ahead, her heartbeat paced. Dressed in red and gold lehenga she sat in front of the mirror. She wasn’t fond of gold, but as a tradition wore gold bangles, neckpiece and earrings. Her face blushed pink and the beautiful almond eyes lined with black liner looked at her own reflection. She realized that she wasn’t getting ready for a regular occasion, but was preparing for a new life. Fear and nervousness filled her mind and she looked around the empty room. She stood up and her payal clinked. She walked to the window and opened it with her mehndi coloured hands. Her fearful eyes glanced around the lawn and agoraphobia gripped her hard.

Someone glided inside the room and held her hand, prepared to take her outside. In a trance like state she went along. Her bare feet touched the carpet and she looked down. She worried she might fall and get embarrassed in front of the crowd. She became conscious of every piece of clothing and jewellery on her body. May be I should run away, she thought. She looked up and searched for the face she needed to see.

And there it was, at the end of the aisle, assuringly smiling at her. The familiar comforting smile spread warmth in her body and she felt her feet touching the ground with steadiness and moving ahead. She realized, she was walking out of a protected shell, away from her identity of 25 years towards an unexplored life. Doubts, fears and worries floated in her mind.

Once again she looked up at that familiar face. And the sight was enough to wash away all the doubts, fears and worries. She knew, she trusted, she understood and she had faith in the one who waited for her. With fuelled grace and urgency she walked towards the one. And she smiled, after many hours of tense, she smiled and her eyes twinkled with happiness.

And she walked ahead smiling happily.