Savage

Chapter 41: Cold Water

Sage

Sometime in November...

I watched as Ronnie's cousin, Adhira, moved the ink over my palm, revealing a beautiful floral pattern. I was fascinated by the process. Adhira talked about her own wedding ceremony while she created the patterns on my arms. I smiled as she recounted the events and the grand gestures that followed each process up to the actual day of the wedding. She came directly from India. I couldn't recall which area, but her accent was thick and full of life. She smiled a lot, like the majority of Ronnie's family, and was happy to be present at her cousin's nuptials.

We were all gathered at the Hyatt Place. Close friends and as many family members as Ronnie's mom and dad could house, presented themselves to shower the happy couple with as many lavish gifts and blessings as they could. It was a sight to behold. My best friend is about to be married and a mother. Gathered in her room, the penthouse suite, nothing less for Ronnie, only her female relatives and close friends could join her. She was by the window with her mother, and two of her other cousins, Kashvi and Tanvi - twins, were creating intricate floral motifs, with the henna paste on their hands and feet. The decorative artwork took some time to complete for all of us, but the love and warmth in the room melted my heart. Ronnie had explained this aspect of her culture to me when we were children, about the mehndi ceremony and how important it was prior to the nuptials. It shared the same day as the sangeet, which would take place later on in the evening. I watched Ronnie as the sun's rays danced across her beautiful sun-kissed face, exposing her brown flawless skin and smile. She was sharing a moment with her mother, tracing a pattern in her palm, I am guessing to point out where her cousin had hidden Javed's name in the patterns. They nodded and laughed, as she tried not to smudge the henna paste, before handing her arm back to her cousin.

In these precious moments, I had forgotten about my own woes that ensued in my love life. And just like that Roman crept his way back into my thoughts, taking my smile with him. I looked away from Ronnie and her mother in their happy moments to search for my own mother, in an attempt to banish him from my mind. It was not the time nor the place to be thinking so heavily. When my eyes found my mom she was chatting it up with a few of the aunties, waiting for their henna artwork to dry. Soraya couldn't make it because she had classes to attend. It was almost the end of the term and she needed to study before exams.

Everyone was in hearty conversations on the couch when I smelt the nicest fragrance engulf the room. It was one of Ronnie's many aunties that opened one of the windows in the room, I inhaled deeply, and my nostrils were filled with the sweetest scents of florals and spices. It had a delicious tinge. I knew it was because of women spraying exotic aromas all over their bodies, in the room for good energy to pass through. I exhaled feeling lightheaded but relaxed.

The events leading up to Ronnie and Javed's nuptials tomorrow ran rather smoothly. Everyone was excited to see the couple join the two families together. I knew that it was decided that the couple would have a traditional Indian wedding, even though Javed and his family were Pakistani. Apparently, the Indians had more fun with their wedding, even though the cultures were not far off from each other. I liked that they could agree so easily on almost everything, without all the family drama that normally took place during wedding proceedings.

Ronnie's sister-in-law, Saliha gifted her with something called a Golat Alkhair. This gift consisted of many things, and some of the scents that were in the air were because of the perfumes and beauty products in the package. Ronnie whispered to me earlier that day that Saliha had told her that traditionally it is the groom's female relatives that do this in the Sudanese culture. She loved her gifts, the two were like sisters which warmed Rohit and their mother's hearts. Even though Saliha had her hands full with the youngest girl, the eldest two managed to escape their mother's watchful eyes and darted across the room in playful cheer. I watched everyone around me as the room hummed in a familial calmness. Chattering and laughter filled every corner, while my phone lit up every second with missed calls from Roman. He did not let up trying to contact me after everything that happened. I refused to speak with him, but I was forced to switch my phone on silent in an attempt to not ruin these wonderful family moments.