The Wedding Tamasha by Sudha Nair

Author:Sudha Nair [Nair, Sudha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kalari Publishing
Published: 2017-10-01T22:00:00+00:00

***

Shweta’s father hadn’t spoken to her since the night before and now Neha was upset with her over the movie. So when Lekha called her on the intercom, asking her to come to the mehendi early, she’d already lost the excitement to go.

‘You can finish with your mehendi early and save yourself from waiting in the lines later,’ Lekha said.

What Lekha said made sense. Who liked lines anyway?

But when she burned a hole while ironing the dress she was about to wear for the mehendi that evening, it was the last straw. She gave up and slumped on the bed, her head buried in her hands.

Someone knocked at her door, and she hoped it was Neha, but it was her mother. ‘Aren’t you ready yet?’

She burst into tears.

‘What happened?’

‘Why does everything have to go wrong with me?’ Shweta cried.

Her mother came in and saw the dress laid out on the bed. Right on the beautifully patterned yoke in soft crepe was a gaping hole. ‘Oh!’ she exclaimed. ‘What have you done now?’

‘How could I not have been careful?’ Shweta cried. ‘Now what am I going to wear to the party?’

Her mother shook her head and sighed. ‘Why don’t you go out and buy a new one? Anyway, what else can you do?’

Shweta pouted. ‘How can I go now and who will go with me?’ She doubted that Neha would agree to come. And Lekha had told her that Simbu had taken Max along for some shopping for the wedding.

Keertana checked her watch. ‘It’s only five. Call Neha. She’ll go with you.’

‘You know Neha, Ma. She won’t be free now and she also has to get Ria ready. Why don’t you come with me? Please?’ She tugged at her hand and swinging the door open, said, ‘Go quickly, tell Papa and let’s leave.’

Her mother shook her head firmly. ‘Not me, Shweta. I have to stay with Papa. I’ll take you downstairs and call a cab to take you. Just be quick. You’ll have to do this alone.’

Shweta let her mother accompany her downstairs. Maybe she’d change her mind at the last minute if the cab driver looked ‘dangerous’ (her mother’s words for a shady looking driver).

But just as they were passing the reception, they spotted Niru exit from the banquet hall.

‘What are you doing here?’ Keertana asked him.

‘I just came by to drop some things for the party.’ He eyed Shweta with a confused look. ‘And where are you off to?’ he said, as though he knew she was headed outside.

‘She needs a new dress for the party. The one we brought along is ruined,’ Keertana explained.

‘That’s pretty last minute,’ he said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. ‘Need help?’

Why was he being all nice and helpful suddenly? ‘No, I don’t think so. I’m sure you’re very busy with the party this evening.’

‘It’s no problem at all,’ Niru said. ‘I’d be happy to help.’

Shweta almost refused him again but Keertana spoke before she could say anything. ‘So kind of you, Niru.

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