One Indian Marriage, two different views !- A short story
I walked into my cousin’s house on a Sunday morning, with a lot of enthusiasm, a light heart and a wide smile on my face. She was getting married and not just to anyone, but to my best friend! The entire house was scrubbed clean and a few flower decorations had already been put up. I could spot a couple of new furniture pieces in the living room and the dining area. The entire house looked colorful and bright, which widened the smile on my face. I then entered my cousin’s room to see my aunt, uncle, my cousin and her brother sitting on her beautifully made up bed. I immediately noticed the worried expressions on their faces. What could possibly be wrong? My cousin looked up at my face and smiled. How much I love her, a person I took inspiration from, as I was growing up. She got up to give me her usual bear hug. Although, this time I definitely felt some difference. The hug was weak and for a shorter time. I could feel the anxiety rolling off of her. I asked her what the issue was? She hesitated which made me look at my aunt questioningly. My uncle walked out of the room and my aunt began to explain. The wedding expenses were already a heavy burden on the family. There was going to be a wedding ceremony followed by a reception the same evening and the expenses for this was borne by my cousin’s family.
All the life savings my uncle had was used up for this, from booking a moderate yet charming wedding hall, the decorations for the hall and hiring a local music band, to a catering service which was to provide delicious and sufficient food for the guests. Apart from his savings, my uncle had also mortgaged the house to cover the expenses. Both my cousins had worked extra shifts to contribute, no matter how small it seemed. My aunt had reduced her monthly budget for groceries and the house, just to save up some money for her daughter’s wedding. Apparently, this wasn’t sufficient! The groom’s family had very subtly requested for some extra cash, a car for the groom and a few other things. I was completely appalled by my aunt’s words. I knew my best friend and expressed my confidence in him that he wouldn’t have indulged in such solicitations. My cousin spoke up with a single tear rolling down her cheek. She told me that it wasn’t him, but his family who had politely asked her parents. My mind began to clutter with varied thoughts. No matter how polite the request had been made, is this an action that is to be accepted?
That very evening, I visited my best friend at his house. A space that I was quite familiar with, radiated joy and happiness, as it should. His parents had the same wide smile, I had on my face that morning. I was greeted with a plate of sweets and savouries, and warm hugs. My friend’s mother couldn’t stop talking about the wedding events, the preparations, and the celebrations that were to follow. I was asked, more likely demanded by the rights of being his best friend, to be a part of every small or big event that was to take place. I could feel a slight smile on my lips, though not a full-hearted one. I looked for signs of stress or worry among them and failed to find any. The house and the people were a typical illustration of a happy family with an upcoming marriage ceremony. I enquired about the wedding preparations and offered my help. His mother refused, insisting that I was to sit back and enjoy the celebrations. I then spoke to my friend, privately of course, regarding the expenses. He, ignorant of his parents’ requests to the bride’s family, told me that his side of the expenses was comfortably covered by his father with a surplus for any additional necessities. I left his house with mixed emotions in my heart.
What a contrasting picture the day had sketched for me. The house of the bride was painted grey and the house of the groom, so radiant and colourful. This day, I witnessed two disturbingly different views of the same Indian wedding. The exuberance that should have filled the bride’s house was replaced with stress and worry, while the groom’s kin couldn’t possibly be filled with greater joy! This did not feel right. Why is it that a bride and her family should carry a burden on their shoulders, while the groom’s family indulge in all the merriment without any obligations?
This day, I decided to take whatever steps necessary to reduce this burden on the bride’s family. I pledged to aid any bride and her family, who could not cope with the responsibilities and expenses that a marriage called for. I also decided to work towards terminating the tendencies of asking for or exchanging ‘dowry’ between two families.
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