Accepting Reality

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Weddings aren’t really my cup of tea or in this case Chai!

             After walking away from that Butt Face, I managed to mingle with people, dance a little, and was able to enjoy myself quite a bit. This is the only wedding that didn’t make me become bored out of my mind. Sorry if you find that offensive, but if you have been to as many weddings as I have, they all turn into a blur, but I did happen to bump into my only family in the country,  my oldest brother, sister in law and cute nephew Aditya.

            Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against my nephew or sister in law for that matter. It’s just that, it’s my brother I don’t want to see. You see, him and I kind of don’t get along with each other. We always disagree and argue and he’s always been my parent’s darling son. He always has a serious expression on his face whenever I see him. I manage to get out of the situation quick. Thank gosh, but with my family it’s never quick enough. On a bright note I managed to catch up with Farah, the captain of the dance team, also one of my closest buds as well.

           The Mehendi and Holud Ceremony have started, Sunni’s parents went first to be there, then one by one, there rest of the family members applied Holud to her body. Tara and I went at the same time. Then all the guests did the same. When we were all done with the ceremony, it was time for the Henna, as well as some entertainment to be played while the henna artists applied Sunni her bridal Henna.

Then, Sunni’s phone started to ring. She picks up with her other hand, that’s not occupied with henna.

“Hello? Yes this is her…What?  What do you mean they cancelled? This is my wedding ritual what are we supposed to do without entertainment? Just sit here and count rice?” She screams into the phone.

By now everyone has stopped what they were doing and started to stare at Sunni. Sunni angrily snaps her phone shut.

For a few minutes no one dares says anything. Then everyone turns their staring to me, saying that I should be the one to speak first. I glare at them; they remained unfazed so I gave in.

“Sun? Sweetie? What’s wrong?” I ask worriedly and slightly terrified. Sunni finally looks up,her eyes blinked with tears.  “…Cancelled….No entertainment….assholes...ruins….wedding “Sunni mumbled a few words but I heard and understood her 100% clear.  

“It’s okay Sunni; we’re all having a great time with or without the entertainment.” I say trying to comfort her.  “But what’s a wedding without some dancing and entertainment? We’re Desi, it’s an unspoken rule.” She says calming down.

“I have an idea!” says a voice I really don’t want to hear. “What is it?” Sunni said, looking at the person that just spoke. “Aashni is a great dancer so she can supply some entertainment.” he says pointing at me.

OH HELL NO. OH HELL TO THE NO.  HOW THE HELL DOES HE KNOW THIS? WAIT. SUNNI PROBABLY TOLD HIM. THEY ARE RELATED. DAMN. DAMN. DAMN IT.

“Um, I have no idea what you are talking about! I think you may have the wrong girl!” I say trying to hint to him that this is a taboo subject, especially with my demon spawn of a brother around! “I don’t think so.” he says smirking at me. I take a glance at Sunni, she looks so sad and yet a little hopeful. This is my best friend; she has always been there for me through everything.  It’s the least I owe her for always putting up with me even in the dark times. I’ll do it.

I clear my throat and say the words I know will change a lot of things, “I’ll do it.”

Sunni looks at me with surprise and whispers to me, “Ash, you know you don’t have to do this, I’ll love you regardless, and it’s not a big deal.” That just makes me strengthen my decision. She’s so good to me. What did I do to deserve her? 

“It’s fine Sunni, really! I want to do this; this is for you after all.” I say as I nod to Farah to going ahead with this.

The song I’m dancing to is a remix of Chamak Challo and Marjanni. I stand there on stage; just frozen, not believing I’m going do this.  The song starts playing, my heart beat thumping erratically, palms sweating. Here goes nothing. I look to Farah mouthing the countdown. 

3…..

2…..

1…..

I let myself go.

I’m in my happy place. I’m free! I feel exhilarated. Dancing always was a release for me. It made me feel….so much.  So many emotions started attacking me all at once, adrenaline pumping in my veins. I let myself go with the beat. Why did I ever stop this? This feeling is incredible. It’s out of the world. Doing what I do best in front of an audience…after so many years. I can feel the music through my veins. After a couple long years, I’m in the moment. I’m in my moment, and I don’t want to stop anytime soon. But all good things must come to an end. Just as I hear the ending lyrics to the song, I slowed down my movements, Farah following along to my movements. The song ends. And so does my moment, my moment to shine.

I gulp and finally look up.  Everybody is so quiet and then someone claps and soon enough the audience is all clapping. A smile finally breaks out on my face, scanning the crowd I spot Sunni with tears in her eyes but nerveless smiling so wide at me. I also spot Tara smiling at me, looking quite proud. I look back at Farah giving me thumbs up. I smile widely at her.  I then spot butt face, the maker of this situation, smirking at me amused while crossing his arms flexing his, and might I add, delicious muscular arms. I smile at him, clearly surprising him while he looks shocked that I even smiled at him!

 I then spot a familiar looking little family and my smile drops from my face, my heart stops. My sister-in-law Sahia is smiling at me clapping for me. My nephew Adi is also clapping and grinning his adorable toothless grin at me. Then there is my oldest brother, Virat, who is giving me an unreadable expression, which I am not used to at all.   He gives me one last glance and then turns around and walks out, Sahia looks at me apologetically as she and Adi disappear from my sight, trailing behind my brother.

I sigh. Looks like nothing is going as planned today. I get off the stage tired of it all. I just need to get out of here.  I just need to be alone. My brother’s face keeps replying in my mind, over and over again.

Before I even realize it I’m being crushed in a hug.

“Oh Ash! You were so great and graceful out there! You looked like you were back in your zone. Thank you so much! You don’t know how much that means to me!” Sunni exclaims. I just nod and hug her back just as tightly. When we pull back I make up an excuse to go outside to get some fresh air.  Sunni, being so caught up in everything, didn’t notice the expression on my face and lets me off. Thank gosh, I need to get out. And FAST.  I can’t answer any questions. I need to be ALONE.  I practically ran out of there. Just saying, my gym teacher would be proud.