My 1990's Arranged Marriage

4

The next morning mum woke me up early so I could help her get breakfast ready before everyone else was up and dressed. I worked faster than normal from my natural high of knowing I was going to see Kamal again without having to make an excuse or try and find him at the wedding house. I was smiling at the thought of another fun day and an even better evening. And it wasn't just me. Mum seemed really happy as well. She was generally a easy going lady but today she was more than relaxed than normal considering we had visitors in the house and had at least 8 outfits to iron for us both.

Before we knew it breakfast was well on way to be completed when aunty came downstairs asking if we needed any help. Mum said all was sorted and she could help herself to tea and food and we could then plan the rest of the day and be ready for 5pm to go back to the wedding house for the 1st of the big festivities.

By 11am, apart from Karan and Kamal, who were still asleep, everyone had had breakfast. The parents were in the lounge with further cups of tea, catching up by looking at dads old phone albums from India. Kamals dad was in so many of the pictures with dad. It really was great to see dad in his element and just having a good time.  He worked so hard and although money wise I always though we were comfortable I knew we were not one of the families who was classed as well off. I knew Kamal's family was classed as 'better' even though we were the same caste and our dad's were friends. I could tell from the way our families were talking that back home in the Punjab Kamal's family was more modern and had more up to date facilities.

Eventually the boys came down for breakfast. I was ironing in the back room when they did and mum said I should carry on and she would sort them out. I was disappointed until Kamal asked if I would mind ironing his shirt for the evening and stayed and talked until it was done. It was just the both of us and although I felt nervous as I have never been alone with any male other than family, the conversation flowed about the latest music and we hoped there was a decent DJ at the party who played the latest bhangra songs. It was the quickest 10 minutes as I ironed really slowly and I know Kamal would have stayed longer to talk if Karan had not called him.

I had the biggest smile on my face for the rest of the day. The ironing was done in a daze and mum said it was the fastest I had ironed. I smiled at her not knowing what to say to her. Before we knew it, it was time to get ready for the party and I took extra care with my hair and eyeliner. My bun was extra secure and I used one of mums favourite Avon perfumes. I had never taken so much care in my appearance.

I could not wait to tell Jo! If I had the house to myself I would have phoned her and updated her on all my fun but the house was full and it was not worth the risk of someone overhearing. I had to try and remember everything so when I saw her again I would not miss a thing. I wrote in my diary sometimes and I needed some time alone later to write in it so I could tell her EVERYTHING. At that time this was such an important thing for me. I had no idea if it was going anywhere or even if I would see Kamal again but in that moment it was so important to me. It was my first look into the world of love and crushes and my hormones were having fun. And although I was so young, I was from a generation that was mature for their age due to the responsibilities thrust upon them and life lessons advised of from the time they could speak. I knew I would be getting married to someone of my parents choice and they would also decide when that would be. If a female was still single at 22 it was looked down upon. In my young head if my parents chose someone for me why could it not be be someone like Kamal who I had also chosen for myself. I could talk to mum about most things but I didn't know how to approach this topic. After the weekend was over I would ask mums opinion on Kamal's family. For now I was determined to enjoy the next 3 days as much as much as I could.

We all walked to the wedding house together. The tent in the garden was to be transformed for the party. Dad said it wasn't worth taking the cars as he and uncle would be drinking and the weather was mild with no rain forecast. Even if there was rain later I didn't care. All I knew was that I was going to a party with a boy I really liked and I could talk to him and laugh with him and no one would make comments as he was my dad's friends son who was staying at my house with his family. I was aware of all these little things without even thinking about it. All these little things were implanted in my subconscious and I behaved and reacted accordingly. But tonight old ladies gossiping was not on the agenda. Not even about Kamal looking me up and down as we reached our destination and gave me a nod of approval.