Attending At Twenty-Four

XXV. Diwali IV

So, we didn't nap when we went home. We made out. For a very long time. There were some clothes discarded but it was established that there would be no sex before marriage. So we just made out and touched boobs. Hers were so soft. Anyway.

We had to be back at the restaurant an hour before our family arrives to greet them and such. I got dressed first. Mom got an gorgeous dark green dress embroidered with gold thread. I did my hair into a half up half down hairdo and I put my favourite gold nose ring in. The shoes are gold heels and I'm not looking forward to spending the rest of the afternoon in them but it is what it is.

Ruth wanted me to help her get dressed. She had a matching dark green Kurta with gold embroidery. The collar goes up to her neck and then her pants are dark green too. She looked so handsome in it. I just wanted to stand there and look at her the whole day. I smooth out the crinkles on her body and for shoes, Mom chose black dress boots. The fit pulled together quite nicely.

"What are you wearing to the festival?" I ask.

"Oh, a white Kurta with gold embroidery."

"My dress is white with gold embroidery." I chuckle.

"I hope everyone knows that your mother chose this." Ruth says.

"It's fine, we look cute."

"We do." she gave me a slow kiss that I never wanted to end. Even though we have been kissing for hours already, "We should probably go." she mumbled against my mouth.

"Yeah, let's go then."

We walk out to her car, hand in hand. She even opens my door for me, and giving me a little, "Happy Diwali." and a kiss before she closed it.

She's so handsome with the Kurta. I'm excited to see what she'll wear on our wedding day. I bet she'll look amazing no matter what.

We get back to the restaurant, greeted by my mother, who had gotten changed here, in a beautiful red dress. She makes a fuss over Ruth and I, telling us how beautiful we look. She gets us set up at a table. Everything has already been set up, now we just wait for Phoebe, her friends, Dad and Isaac to comeback so then we can open the doors for our family. I haven't stopped looking at Ruth. She looks so happy and at home.

"You okay?" she asks me.

"Yeah. I just love how the Kurta looks on you." I reply as I lean my chin on my hand.

"Elbows!" Mom scolded. I put my arm down and apologise to Mom. Ruth reached up and played with my hair gently.

"I love you." I confess

"I love you, too."

"We're back!" Phoebe announces as she and her friends walking through the door. Obviously Jane stares directly at us.

"You're back." Mom repeats, "Take your seats. Remember them."

Mom's got assigned tables for everyone. My parents, Ruth and I sit at one table, Phoebe, her friends and one of my cousins at another. So on and so forth. Mom has a system and everything works for her.

My grandparents are the firsts to arrive. I greet them, telling Ruth to stay at the table while I say hello. Mom wants me to make a big announcement about it.

So we wait for everyone else to arrive over the next hour. I greet everyone as Ruth sits on our table. She looks nervous. I mean, she is meeting my whole family.

"Are you okay to the announcement?" Mom asks between greeting my Aunts and cousins.

"Yeah, I should be fine." I nod.

"She looks so terrified." Mom chuckles.

"She doesn't want to mess things up. She really wants to get this right." I tell Mom.

"She's so lovely. I'm so glad you're marrying her and not some stuck-up person who thinks they know everything."

"Thanks, Mom." I smile at her, "I'm excited to see what you have planned for the wedding."

"You should be." Mom smirked.

Once everyone had greeted everyone and sat down, I stood up to 'host', as Mom calls it. I'm barely hosting, just greeting everyone.

"Happy Diwali!" is the first thing I say to grab everyone's attention, "Before we eat, I just wanted to say a few things. It's lovely to see you all and it's great to have the family in one room. The next thing I wanted to say was that I have an announcement," I motion to Ruth to stand up and she does like an obedient dog. I hug her into my side as I continue, "This is my fiancé, her name is Ruth. We've loved each other for fourteen years," I look up and smile at her, "And we're hoping to get married as soon as possible. She's a doctor, just like me," I know this will impress my family, hence why I mentioned it, "And she's been helping me so much in my education at the hospital. She even helped us make some of the food for today, and she decorated this place and helped us with the Rangolis. I'm excited to have her as a part of the family and I hope you are too. Enjoy the feast and happy Diwali!"

They clapped and wished me a happy Diwali back. Table by table, everyone got there food as it was like a buffet type thing. I'm ravenous so I hope there will be plenty of food left.

"Was that okay?" I ask my Mom.

"You got a bit rambly but it was fine." Mom replied. I nodded as our table got up to get food. People were speaking to Ruth, left, right and centre. They all told her how tall and handsome she was. I know. They were very welcoming to her. It made me so happy. This was going well, a part from Jane giving Ruth dirty looks like she hated her guts. Phoebe tries her best to take her attention away from us but Jane persists.