Chapter 26
T he wedding happened in great style. The stage was set in the traditional Tamil style with golden pillars decorated with rows and rows of jasmine. Bouquets of exotic flowers were placed all around the stage. Beautiful painted pots with coconuts on top, plates of fruits, nuts, betel leaves, sweets, dresses, and other gifts were placed around on the stage. The backdrop was decorated with red and white roses. The letters A and R were painted in a large, golden stylish font.
Samay’s parents filled in for Rachanna’s parents, giving her away. Anirudh’s parents glowed with pride as they greeted all their relatives with great enthusiasm. After the wedding, people lined up to congratulate the newly married couple, hand them their gifts and have a photo taken.
It was way after lunch when the celebration was finally over. The newly married couple stepped down from the stage to take blessings from Swarna who was unable to go up the stage. They sat with her as most of the crowd had already dispersed.
“Had lunch, Grandma?” Anirudh asked.
“I did. It was really good. Why don’t you go and have yours now?” Swarna asked.
“Soon,” replied Anirudh, clearly exhausted from the long day.
Swarna turned to Rachanna and said in mock anger, “I told you to be friendly with him. Not marry him!”
Rachanna flushed.
Anirudh smiled. “Grandma, I will tell you something shocking. You might not believe it…”
“Yeah?” Swarna asked, leaning forward.
“I am in love with this woman.”
“Very funny,” replied Swarna, glaring at him. “I thought you will marry someone and then have a family. I am not so sure that I like you marrying a family…though I certainly love Rachanna and Asmee…”
“I will tell you another shocking secret,” said Anirudh, whispering.
“Enough! I don’t want to know any more of your ‘secrets’.”
“No, no. You will like this one.”
Swarna glared at him for a few moments. Then, she said, “Okay, what is it?”
“Actually, I met Rachanna some ten years ago. We had a one-night stand. Asmee is actually mine.”
“Ha-ha. Very funny,” mocked Swarna. “You and your absurd stories! Where do you come up with all this?”
“What? You don’t believe me?” Anirudh asked, feigning dismay. “Ask Rachanna. She will tell you.”
Swarna turned to Rachanna, almost daring her to lie to her like her grandson had. Rachanna looked awkward and then finally nodded. “It’s the truth. Asmee is his daughter.”
Swarna was shocked. For many moments, she stared at Rachanna and then at Anirudh. Then, back at Rachanna. “I cannot believe it!”
“You should,” started Anirudh.
Swarna continued to stare at Rachanna, ignoring her grandson. “I cannot believe he changed you so fast! You were such a nice girl, always helping me. Now that you are with this guy, you are lying to my face! I can’t believe it! I don’t know what else he will make you do.”
Rachanna and Anirudh couldn’t help but laugh.
“Well, you both seem to be happy. So fine. I will give you my blessing,” said Swarna a bit grudgingly.
Anirudh shook his head. “Nah! Nah! We need your wholehearted blessing. We cannot take this! Rejected. Rejected!”
“Well, that’s all you get at the moment,” replied Swarna.
“Okay, Granny. If you are not going to do that, I am going to lift you and carry you up to the stage and tell everyone about your half-hearted blessing. Let’s see you give your half-hearted blessing then.”
“Don’t you dare touch me! Aaah!” She screamed when Anirudh put his hands behind her legs in an attempt to lift her. “Don’t do that! Okay, okay, I will give you my wholehearted blessing, alright?”
Anirudh retreated. With a hand on her heart, she straightened up. Then, she laughed. “Idiot! Why would I give you both a half-hearted blessing? I can see how good you both are for each other. I am only angry that it came as a surprise to me. Me! Who started the whole thing?”
“Aah! So that is the issue,” replied Anirudh, nodding his head in understanding.
“Yes. But it’s okay. As long as you both are happy. Wish you both a very, very happy married life. Have another kid. Give Asmee someone to play with.”
“Thank you! Asmee already has a lot of people to play with. It’s going to be only Asmee.”
“Fine. Your decision. When do you young people ever listen to us old ones?”
“Ummm,” said Anirudh, thinking deeply. Then, he cocked his head to one side and said, “Never.”
“Exactly!” She said as she playfully hit him on his arm.
At that moment, a shrill cry rang through the wedding hall. Anirudh turned and saw that Asmee, who was running through the hall, had fallen down. She was crying pitifully. Rachanna and Anirudh ran towards her. Asmee stood up slowly, holding her elbow as tears flowed down her cheeks in abundance.
As soon as she looked up and saw her parents, she stopped crying. Her face brightened up, in fact. But it was only for a fraction of a second. She made a sad face and began crying more profusely before she ran towards Anirudh and hugged him tight.
Rachanna stood, shocked. She watched as Anirudh comforted Asmee and rubbed her elbow. He brushed the tears away and kissed her cheeks. Satisfied on getting the necessary attention, Asmee stopped crying and ran away to play with her friends.
Anirudh looked at Rachanna. There was a brightness on his face that she had never seen before. Contentment shone in his eyes. And she knew why.
Asmee had picked him over Rachanna!