A Summer to Remember II
Part 2
Another 5 summers passed by, 5 more places Ava and I visited. Till now, we kept our word.
Ava and I went to the same college for our Bachelor's degree and wanted to pursue Masters along with our internship. But for this summer, something I have longed for arrived, Ava's wedding.
Three days from tomorrow is her wedding. All her relatives have arrived before the dusk itself. Among her lovely families and cousins, she is the one loved by all. Her friends did come, but I didn't know Ava had so many. I knew Ava's family for a long time, and it is no surprise they treat me like their family.
We had to book hotel rooms for the guests arriving, thus a nearby fine hotel was chosen for them. It's a tradition among the females to show off the wedding ornaments, dresses and expenses, so mine and Ava's mother were kind of occupied by that; one can't deny.
Ava was with all her cousins, family and friends enjoying her Bachelor's party. It was all about singing, dancing, drinking and playing. A bar station was arranged, a wine booth was prepared, Disk Jockey, DJ party with the big disco ball was organized.
Ava wasn't a big drinker, but today I saw her having tequila shots, wines including, white wine, rose wine, red wine, champagne and even beer. I wasn't a drinker so the only thought I was having was to get out of here. Water was sprayed around and Ava passed out while dancing in the water.
Ava getting married to Rahul, someone we met and befriended with.
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Rahul, son of Lord Buddha, a tall fair civil engineer lived in our next city, just an hour bus ride away. I liked him a lot better than her older guy, Kunal. Rahul had black eyes and he was the eldest of his siblings, loved by his family, friends and now by us.
I met Rahul last summer when Ava and I were in Chennai for our trip. Rahul was on a trip with his friend like we did. Rahul was speaking Malayalam in a restaurant sitting next to us when Ava gave her that weird look to them. Then there happened me. I just talked to them like I have known them for years. And just by a conversation with him, I knew he would be one of the nicest people I am ever gonna meet.
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The auditorium was huge and the decorations for tomorrow's event were splendid. I could smell the roses as I entered. All the chairs, covered with pink and blue satin clothes, the stage was big and the decorations were marvellous. That was the moment when I realised, the wedding was a huge deal.
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I woke up early in the morning thinking how today was Ava's engagement day. As I got up, I saw how I was in Ava's room with two of her other cousins. Ava was sleeping on the floor, I am sure she fell during her sleep as she wasn't sleeping with any mat or bed.
I woke Ava up and she had no idea that it was her engagement day. When I asked her what was the last thing she remembered, she told me she was going to her Bachelorette party. Duh!
Within an hour Ava and I got freshened up. I was wearing a violet lehenga and her brooch. She was wearing a green, silk, saree. She wore a simple gold and diamond necklace, beautiful earrings, a single bangle on either hand and her hair was all braided nicely. She put on light makeup and looked like a princess.
We reached the auditorium in a red Swift Dzire car. We got out, and the Cameraman was taking pictures and recording videos of Ava. As we walked towards the auditorium, I saw Ava's and Rahul's initials personalised beautifully in a stand and kept at a noticeable distance. Rahul was already on his seat on a sitting wooden plank. After sometime Ava led by her parents sat on the plank opposite to Rahul. Rahul was in a chartreuse coloured shirt and a dhoti with the same colour border. Certain traditions were performed including a gold chain was worn on Ava by her mother. As a part of the engagement ritual, they were asked if they were willing for the marriage, and they agreed with that creepy smile of theirs. The to-be-married couples exchanged their rings. The rings had each other's name engraved. A cake was cut and sweets were delivered personally to everyone by Ava.
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We were walking along the shore of Marina Beach when we again met with Rahul and his companion Solomon Picous Edwin (Edwy), peaceful divine friend. We talked and then soon became friends. Rahul mentioned that he is an NRI citizen and came this time to meet and spend time with his childhood friend which happened to be Edwy. He also said that he and Edwy haven't got together for the last 15 years when Rahul and his family moved to the UK.
All of us had a peaceful time and left for our hotel for the night. Call it fate, Rahul and Edwy were in the same hotel as us.
Ava was unusually quiet, especially whenever Rahul walked in. At first, my dumb mind thought she felt disturbed but it wasn't until midnight, she woke me up to tell me that she is in love with Rahul. Unlike last time, I liked the idea of Rahul and Ava as a couple.
In the morning itself, Rahul was showing his love symptoms around Ava just like Ava did. Before the evening, Rahul and Ava confessed and were a couple.
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Soon he talked to me about the wedding. He told me he was scared yet excited about the wedding. I just sat and listened to him. He told me how Ava is excited about this wedding but sad because she will be leaving her best friend for a long time. I didn't know what he was talking about but then he told me that Ava got admission into Oxford for her masters and got a perfect part-time job for her course. He asked me to stay as they would leave for the honeymoon in Miami and won't return to their hometown for the next 3 years.
I didn't know how to respond to him, but I knew I was happy for my Ava. I went back to the hall with Rahul and started seeing everything in a positive vibe.
We played games, talked, laughed and sang the glorious evening, and went home and this time I had a good sleep.
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We were woken at 4 in the morning, for the pooja and rituals. We showered and the front yard was cleansed with cow dung and turmeric water. Morning till 9:30 was occupied with rituals and later food was served. Ava was kept awake by spraying water on her face whenever she fell asleep during the pooja.
A feast was served during the afternoon and a Haldi event was started during the late afternoon on the same day.
All of us were in yellow clothing and I noticed that Ava had not worn her brooch. This reminded me about Tuhi's wedding ceremonies a few years back. Ava was seated on a stool and haldi was drawn around her face, hands and legs. Ava was smiling and laughing during the ceremony. After that, cold turmeric water was poured over her head followed by cold water; now I knew why she didn't wear the brooch. Ava was still laughing but shivering. I walked with Ava to her room for her bath. I knew I had to be happy for Ava but my eyes were shedding tears and my heart was still heavy.
The engaged couples were given sweets and the elder's blessings. I love how Rahul looks at Ava and his eyes tell her how much he loves her. At night Rahul, his family and guests left. It was a beautiful full moon night, and for about an hour, we switched off all the lights and got on the terrace to watch the moon shining so bright.
I was having a pleasant sleep when Ava woke me up in the middle of the night. I wasn't happy as she hadn't slept till now. Ava was now having some second thoughts about the wedding, masters degree and her new life with a new family and a new person who wasn't me anymore.
We went to the terrace under the moonlight and it took me a long time to console her for the path she took. Somehow, I was happy for her, the burden in my heart was lifted by talking to her and now I knew more than her that I was excited to see her get married.
I felt it was the right time to give her the wedding present that I earlier tried to give her. I excused and went to her room and got my suitcase and took out the present and soon returned to the terrace where Ava was anxiously waiting. It was a small gift, but I gave her the present and she opened it.
By looking at her face, I knew she loved the gift and she also had goosebumps on her face. The gift was our photos over the last 6 times we went on our summer trips including the photo we posed at BBBs, HK and a candid photo with all four of us, Ava, Rahul, Edwy and I, when we met at Chennai. Ava hugged me and wept. I didn't want her to leave, but change is a process.
Ava asked me how she got these photos as one of the conditions to go for the trip was not to take any phone or any camera for which I didn't reply. Not knowing is part of the fun.
We went back to sleep.
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Everyone got up at 4 in the morning, and Ava has already showered and sat for her makeover. This time, Ava hadn't done her makeup when I woke and she gave me her crooked smile as my morning gift. I got up and showered and wore a coral-coloured saree embroidered with white stones. I wore a simple single stone diamond necklace, matching earrings and a tikka. It was a custom for girls to wear tikka although not everyone wears it. I had two vajra bangles on either hand.
Every woman is a princess at her wedding, but Ava was stunning like a Queen. She wore a beautiful red saree with a golden blouse and her brooch. She wore about 5 gold necklaces that extended from the neckline to her stomach; it was a custom for Hindus to wear many necklaces during her wedding. Wearing the necklaces nearly hid her brooch. She wore a huge gold jhumka, earrings, and a matching tikka. Her arms were covered with gold bangles, nearly a dozen I guess. To be honest, I don't like such garnishing on the bride. It must be difficult for Ava to walk to the stage and stay there till they have lunch and later proceed for the photoshoot especially with the amount of Jasmine flowers. She wore a golden Udiyanam, waist chain, armbands on both upper arms and an anklet.
Ava got the elder's blessing and we locked the house and moved to the auditorium. The auditorium was filled with guests. It was very crowded and among them I noticed a familiar face smiling at me, Edwy.
We were taken to the Bride's room for god knows what. She wore a necklace gifted by the groom's family and am pretty sure Ava must have felt some difficulty with all the ornaments.
Meanwhile, the entire auditorium was given juices to sustain their energy.
Along with Ava, a few of the girls, including myself, went to the stage where Rahul was stunning in his dark red shirt and white dhoti. Ava was seated next to Rahul and the pooja and rituals began. Within the next 15 mins, they were married by the priest. Ring, varnamala, flower garlands, haath-phool, handflower, were exchanged and that marked a successful wedding.
As in every Indian marriage, most of the time of the wedding day was spent on photos with guests and handing over the gifts to newly married couples. In the meantime, Ava whispered to me how she is tired of carrying all the ornaments that she wants to throw them away, but it was too late for that. Yet, this newly wedded couple was happy and merrily enjoying the day. To be honest, I am happier for them.
After the photo session, the couple had their great feast. I too waited till Ava and Rahul had something to eat.
They both had to go for their individual and couple photoshoot and by 2 in the afternoon, something I was afraid of was happening. Ava has to leave her home, family and get settled in her new home. The couple got the elderly blessings and bid everyone goodbye crying and hugging. I didn't know why, but Ava didn't hug me.
I drove the couples to the airport along with Edwy in his car. During the ride, we did our old catch-ups, laughing and feeling until it was heavy for every one of us to bear. During that moment I realised how we still didn't have each other's phone number, just to get in touch with; but let it be that way.
I had to grab all my courage and told Ava that I was going to the University of Melbourne, Australia, to pursue my masters and won't return for the next 6 years.
It was a major shock for Ava, but she held her tears and gave a hug. I know how much it must have hurt her but what I didn't know was how heavily Edwy was hurt, but some things are better to remain unsaid. Edwy told us that he would be leaving for Chennai as soon as we board our plane. Ava and I bid each other goodbye. It felt crazy how three of us were going in three different directions, but held by heart.
I held my passport and my ticket, and hugged everyone, before leaving.
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Ava gave me that one last look and just smiled. All our sweet and bitter memories flashed in my mind. My heart never felt so heavy. It wasn't the end of the world nor was our friendship broken but it was something I can't put into words.
Never knew I'll be saying a long goodbye to the person I kept so close to me.
Bye Ava, until the next time.
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Well, hope it wasn't too cringe-y?
But, feel free to give feedback.
Thank you for reading and love you guys.
