Kuch Meetha Ho Jaaye

Sherwaanis to order,

Sarees with border,

Decorative flowers,

Countless hours,

Tureens of food,

An amazing mood,

A bride to convince,

The groom, a prince

To give and to take

The sweets and the cake

A DJ and a band

So you can obviously understand

That this confusion ke baad hi

Hoti hai Great Indian Shaadi

 Angad gets engaged to Avantika

This stylishly fonted poster right at the entrance of the gaudily decorated venue confirmed that I had reached the right place. I honestly still had to understand how I had landed myself in my current situation. My mother’s - best friend’s- daughter’s - neighbour’s - dance teacher’s - uncle’s - son was getting engaged and my mother considered this to be one of the most crucial events of her life. Since she was not going to be able to attend this engagement because of another engagement, I had been emotionally blackmailed into attending it on her behalf. All I knew was that I was from the groom’s side, and I had taken the trouble to check his picture on Facebook before I graced this occasion. The rest I had left to fate.

The reception was in full swing as I entered the lawn. A deafening orchestra had everyone on their feet, overdressed women were overeating, this place had more flowers than a garden did, men were binging on the starters, absolutely anybody and everybody was wearing designer ensembles, diamonds were being shown off on every pretty wrist, gossips were being exchanged, rumours were being created, future weddings were being planned and I was becoming desperately BORED.

As a finishing touch to my level of discomfort, my clumsily worn saree seemed to be becoming loose and I was feverishly hoping it would not give way. I decided to sit down for a while and analyse over how pathetically this evening was going to take shape. I was lazily searching the lawns for the groom and at last, I saw him.

It was some time before I could take my eyes off him. He was much more handsome than his Facebook profile picture suggested. He was a young man, probably twenty-six. Towering at 6’’2, he had a fair complexion, black hair which I could tell was deliberately messed up, a very strong jawline adorned with a faint dimple and an extremely mischievous smile. His intoxicating eyes were dancing in the lights of the lanterns and despite the fact that he was getting engaged, he had a bevy of girls around him.

I decided to record my attendance and congratulate the groom. I waited till he was less occupied and then moved forward. He greeted me with a smile slightly broader than the one he had had moments ago.

“I hope you are enjoying yourself”, he said politely.

“I am, thank you very much”, I lied as politely and continued, “Angad, I’m Sarita Sharma’s daughter, she couldn’t attend the engagement today because of a prior commitment, but she sends you her heartiest congratulations.”

Angad looked slightly surprised, undoubtedly at my stupid introduction, but replied charmingly a moment later, “And may I know what Mrs. Sharma’s daughter’s name is?”

Blushing slightly, I replied, “Avantika…..same as the bride.”

“Then you have my special attention for the entire evening.”

“Oh I would not like to deprive the bride of that privilege.”

“She would love to meet you.”

I smiled uncomfortably. The truth was that I had still not been able to figure out who the bride was, since every woman in the room was dressed as if it were her own engagement. He seemed to comprehend my dilemma and laughed. 

Sheepishly, I remarked,

“I’m sorry, but I can’t figure out who your princess is.”

“Well let me give you a hint then…..she is the prettiest girl in the room.”

“You are very much in love, aren’t you?”

“It’s a severe case of love at first sight.”

“How gallant of you.”

“By the way, I must complain that you are very rude.”

“Why?”

“Because I was never invited to your engagement ceremony.”

“That’s a nice way of enquiring whether I’m married.”

“So is the reply to my enquiry positive or negative?”

“How does that matter?”

“Well! Because it’s never too late!!”

I was aghast!! The man was actually flirting with me!! On his engagement day and at the venue!! I had never in my wildest dreams imagined how to handle this and was just about gathering my wits when we were joined by a woman who I instinctively knew had to be his bride. I could hardly see what she looked like since her face was hidden by a fat cake of makeup and she was studded with diamonds from head to toe. Angad formally introduced me and I put on my best fake smile in greeting.

“This is Mrs. Sharma’s daughter, and coincidentally her name is Avantika too.”

“Pleasure to meet you”, she replied graciously.

I decided to return this noble gesture and told her, “I’m sure many people have already told you, but you are looking stunning.”

My namesake laughed and replied, “As a matter of fact, everyone except him has complimented me today” she said putting her arm around Angad’s and looking at him with mock anger.

“Do I have to tell you how beautiful you are? Can’t you see it in my eyes?” he told her disarmingly.

She replied tartly, “I would only be able to look into your eyes darling, if you could take them off Avantika.”

I suddenly felt extremely embarrassed, but Angad didn’t seem to mind at all. On the contrary, he smiled impishly at his bride who started laughing and continued,

“So…..is she a prettier Avantika?” she asked teasingly.

“Do I have the permission to say yes?” he asked her engagingly.

My face was scarlet by now. I was shocked at this man’s tactlessness but it only seemed to increase his bride’s good humour.

My suspicions were now confirmed… I was in a madhouse and this couple was crazy. I was about excuse myself when the bride looked at me fondly and said, “This is the first time he has been so smitten by anyone.”

I stared at her in disbelief. I couldn’t understand how she could be so ecstatic about the fact that her fiancee` was flirting so outrageously with someone else and that too at their engagement. I was just about to give them both one of my showdowns when there was some commotion at the other end of the lawn followed by excited squeals.

I turned around to see a man dressed in a heavy sherwaani enter the lawn. He too was towering at 6’’2, had black hair, a fair complexion and a strong jawline. The same dimple was peeping near the corner of his mischievous smile. Only his eyes were not as intoxicating.

I couldn’t stop my jaw from dropping  when I saw him. Avantika turned to me and said politely, “I must take your leave now, my groom has come” and hurried towards the heart of the crowd. I turned towards the man standing beside me who had already burst into peels of laughter. The situation suddenly seemed so absurdly funny that I started laughing too.

“So may I know what is Angad’s twin brother’s name?” I asked him through my laughter.

“I’m so sorry, but I believe in dramatic introductions” he said charmingly, and continued, “It’s Agastya.”

“I must say you lie beautifully.”

Agastya looked at me, his eyes dancing, and replied softly, “I never lied when I said it was love at first sight.”

Producing a slightly squashed Cadbury from the pocket of his sherwaani, he offered it to me and said,

“Toh? Shubh kaam karne se pehele kuch meetha ho jaaye?”