Once Upon a University Campus

Man And Wife

The football field sized carpeted outdoor wedding venue overshot the bride's most generous expectation.. Valet parking, courtesy coaches for those that could not walk all the way to the seating area, the ginormous white mandap with gold and maroon fresh flower accents, the media corral on one side and seating arrangements on other three sides, the sheer scale and perfection of the whole exercise stunned not just the bride but everyone who got a chance to see it. While the bride's entourage found themselves in a cottage at the edge of the venue, the groom's entourage was comfortable in the farmhouse nearby. Having had a glimpse of the wedding venue, there was pin drop silence, the one that follows overwhelmingness. It was only when the bride was ushered into her designated room that Sumo was finally able to react.

"Akka.. what was that?" Clearly Sumo had not been expecting such a grand show.

"Yeah. Why did they stick the solar panels every inch of the way?" Saahil added as he left Annika's bag on the dressing table. The bag contained nothing but a pair of comfortable footwear and clothes. Just in case..

"Solar Panels?" Sumo asked, bewildered. Clearly Sumo and Saahil were talking about apples and oranges.

"Yeah. The thing that was glittering, the little squares with thin blue borders that were everywhere. It was on the coaches, sofa, floor marking, mandap everything. Looks like the whole lighting arrangement will be handled by the solar cells. They are very efficient. They actually could get it done, tiny little rascals." Saahil was love stuck with those solar panels.

Sumo looked at Annika cluelessly. Annika helplessly smiled and the two older sister's watched as Saahil went on explaining the math on why he thinks the panels could light the whole venue.

"Shivaay has found a product evangelist in a brother-in-law" Annika remarked once Saahil finished up.

Sumo finally put the two and two together.

"Ah! Shivaay bhaiyya's new product. "

"Of course. And it is a brilliant product promotion strategy. Several hundred people will attend the wedding and everyone will notice the panel somewhere or the other. Got to give SSO credit. He is brilliant." Saahil continued his love struck monologue.

Shivaay's company was having a good impact on Saahil.

"As brilliant as Elon Musk?" Annika teased Saahil. After all, Saahil's idea of an ideal match for Annika was Elon Musk.

"Hard to say, But not bad. Elon is still my first choice." Saahil gushed.

Annika ran her fingers in Saahil's hair and Saahil was caught unguarded.

"Didi.. stop ruining my hair." He whined futilely trying to duck and get away from Annika.

"It's ok Elon Musk fanboy." Annika grabbed him by his arm and gave him a squeezy hug.He did not come across as a sack of bones anymore. Home cooked food was working its magic on him. Moments later Sumo leaped and joined them in the hug the three stood there for a moment before hitting the sack. They were staring at a long sleepless night in front of them.

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"Congratulations." Annika whispered as she stood in front of Shivaay for the Jaimala ceremony. The staging area for the ceremony was several meters away from the main mandap. She had walked a rose petal strewn path from the cottage to the staging area. Saahil, Sumo, Sunny and Bunny had carried a small portable floral canopy, symbolising the wish of the bride's family that she always walked the path of flowers, under the shade and cool comfort of a floral canopy. The groom had just arrived with his entourage formally riding a convertible Rolls Royce. Mrs Phatak had received the groom cordially with a formal aarti and tika. Shivaay, like a devoted son, bent down to touch her feet seeking her blessings.