Never thought the day would come. Yet it arrived. "Nanny", as I adoringly call my best friend for the last seven years, is getting married.
Funnily enough, she is the third member of our 'GANG', who is getting married this year, all of whom I had the hounour of wishing them "MAY YOU GET MARIED THIS YEAR"
on the NEW YEAR 2005.
Having played the cupid between her and her to-be-husband, I had no choice but to be present at her wedding. As promised, the day for my journey to Mussorie to attend her wedding ceremony beckoned...
At 6000 feet above sea level the hill-station of Mussorie presents a far more diferent climate then elsewhere. To say the least, my sweat shirt was no good there, despite the fact that it was April-end and May was just a few hours away.
"Alone? Looking out for some accomodation?" a query came even before I got the chance to get down from the bus. My answer to the question was, "Where can I get a cup of tea?"
The hot "hill tea" reminded "Eney Kabokleigi cha" but the "tann" was missing.
In a small place like Mussorie it seemed almost everybody knew each other and the very "chai vendor" showed me where exactly the wedding was taking place--right in front of the bus stand where I was sipping tea--once I told him the purpose of my visit.
Job made easy, but still I had to show my face at my friend's place...
"You are lucky, otherwise she's about to curse you," my friend's sister yelled as soon as I opened their gate.
"What kind of curse?" I turned to my friend.
"That, May you also get married," pat came the reply.
"Thank God I made in time."
As evening approached it was time to get ready for the BIG day for my friend.
Far from the serious rituals of a Manipuri marriage ceremnony, the "Pahari Brahmin" wedding was a lively and fun-filled affair. Yet, amidst the chill of the night, at the back of the mind the gracious Manipuri Bride's 'Poloi', the impeccable white kokyet of the groom seemed to be far more better...
With almost all of the friends tying the knot one after another and fast becoming the LAST MAN STANDING, there's a question slowly being asked
...Luhonglagadaraney?.....
* Pengba (Aruuba Eshingee) , a pseudonym , writes regularly to e-pao.net
The writer can be reached at [email protected]
This article was webcasted on 07th May 2005
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