Unpredictable Events

I and Durga gazed out the window at the groom and his family as they arrived in a white ambassador car. Our eyes scoured the crowd for the groom.

"Dho! (there!),” Durga pointed her finger at someone.

"Mappileya? (Is it groom?)" I asked her, glancing in the direction she pointed.

"Illai (no) his mother I think,” she replied with a grin.

"Kalutai! (donkey!) Who needs to see Akka’s mother-in-law, I want to see the doctor Mappilai," I said keenly.

"Then let’s watch from the door side, he will sit in front with his mother, right?" Durga responded by eating a laddoo (a sweet) off the tray that passed by, smiling with her mouth full of laddoo.

"You are not that much Kalutai after all," I happily patted her shoulder and headed to the front hall entrance. Everyone took a seat. They began conversing about family matters, something I am not interested in. My gaze was drawn to the person seated next to my Akka’s prospective mother-in-law. He is the one. He is the groom.

He’s a little older, but not like the elder people I know. He’s rather handsome. He stands taller and is dressed in a crisply pressed shirt and trousers. His beard and moustache are fading black and white, and his hair is combed backwards. He has a gentle and calm demeanour. His smile is also kind. As expected from a respected doctor, I want to be like him. I‘m thrilled to be meeting him, and he’ll soon become family. As Durga says, I may be the luckiest girl in the world. They called my sister out as I and Durga were observing them from inside, simply sticking our heads out like tortoises. As he peered inside the home, the groom noticed our heads and made a surprised expression with a tiny grin. Durga withdrew her head inside when she saw the groom’s smile, but I waved my hand to him. His grin widened slightly as he returned the wave. Suddenly, my Amma towed me back since I was blocking the path, and we proceeded to the hall with my Akka and others. I took a seat next to my Appa with Durga.

"Ma, what’s your name?" Groom’s mother asked my Akka.

"Suriya Sundarmani,” my Akka responded graciously. The entire interview process was tedious. Both families competed in glorifying the bride and groom. I glanced at the groom who was simply smiling at others. He had a tired expression as if he wants his mother to stop telling his heroic hospital stories. I want to laugh so badly at his expression at the same time I feel bad. Whenever our eyes met I smiled widely at him, and he returned that grin.

"Sundarmani, we like your girl and we like to proceed with this alliance, what do you say?" the groom’s mother inquired.

"We are also happy with this alliance, let’s proceed with it,” my parents, Akka, and others were all pleased, but I was the happiest of them all. Following that, they exchanged wedding agreements, and my family hosted them for a feast. The wedding was set for one week since the groom couldn’t take any longer leave.

"Dei, Where are you going?" Durga inquired as I dragged her through the halls. I was looking for the groom because I wanted to ask him a lot of questions. Finally, I spotted him outside with my Akka, chatting about something. We approached them.

"This is Sathya, my younger sister and Durga our neighbour and her best friend.” We were introduced to the groom by Akka. He gave us a warm grin. Amma’s voice halted me as I was going to question him about obtaining a doctor’s degree.

"Mappilai, Suriya... come inside and have food. Everyone is waiting for you,” that’s how I blew my chance. But that’s okay since he’ll be my brother-in-law and I’ll be able to chat with him a lot. We all sat down after they left our place and chatted about how kind and courteous the groom is. My Amma liked him better than my Akka. I didn’t notice any joy or enthusiasm on Akka’s face, her smile doesn’t have her usual energy; I think she was bashful.

Days have passed, and Akka’s wedding is in three days. I obtained my pre-degree college mark list and certificates and opted to take the admission tests for various medical institutions. My teacher assisted me in selecting reputable institutions. Madras Medical College was, of course, my top choice. I started preparing for college admission tests.

"Sathya, put your hand on my waist and another hand on my jaw, ok. When the song starts we will move in a circular direction. Remember you are a male King,” I and the children in our village are rehearsing a musical drama for our temple festival under the direction of Durga. It’s the day before Akka’s wedding. Because weddings are generally held at the bride’s home, Akka’s groom and his family are arriving a day before the wedding.

"Dei, don’t decorate clumsy, make sure everything is tight and clean,” my Appa is occupied with house decoration works.

"Suriya, show Athai (aunt) your ornaments and podavai,” My Amma and Akka are busy presenting aunties’ jewellery and wedding dresses. I‘m not sure why I’m feeling this way, but Akka doesn’t appear to be pleased. Maybe I'm overthinking things. She must be nervous; after all, it is her wedding.

............................................

Dhushyantha: Shy lotus, don’t worry about your elders! Your father understands the law, and he will find no wrong in what you’ve done. Besides, you wouldn’t be the first royal sage’s daughter to fall in love with a prince and subsequently earn her father’s approval.

Shakunthala: My Prince, please let me depart; I need to seek the advice of a friend.

Dhushyantha: Yes. I shall release you...

Shakuntala: When is it?

Dhushyantha: When will I, like a bee, lick the bud of your lovely lip and load my thirsting lips with nectar?

Dhushyantha raises Shakuntala’s face to kiss her, but she avoids him and begins dancing to the music.

……………………………

We performed our Shakuntala Musical Drama on the wooden stage in front of our temple. Everyone started cheering. My family, as well as Akka’s groom’s family, arrived for tomorrow’s wedding and admired our performance.

"My singakutti, you were amazing on the stage. I am proud of you,” Appa hugged me after our drama.

"Sathya, you are a very talented actress,” The doctor-groom praised me.

We explored the little shops opened for the festival. But my Akka was nowhere to find also my Amma.

"Appa where is Amma and Akka?" I asked my Appa

"Akka has to get ready early in the morning right, so they went back home. She needs to get some sleep,” he replied.

That night was sleepless. The moon shone brightly even though it was only half and stars accompanied him. Elders gathered outside the home and chatted about the good old days over tea and some, alcohol. Women gossiped in the kitchen. Inside the home, my cousins and I discussed new films and celebrities. My Akka went to bed early, or so everyone assumed.

All of us awoke in the morning to horrible news. My Appa lowered his head in shame for the first time, my Amma’s weeping resonated throughout the house, and people around us began talking to one another.

"This is absurd! Are they mocking us?”

“The bride eloped with another person.”

“What is the meaning of this?”

“Is the marriage cancelled then?”

“We came all the way here to have an alliance with such a dishonoured family". Elders from the groom’s family began humiliating us

My Akka ran away with someone, leaving behind an apology note. On Durga’s shoulders, I sobbed. I was devastated and enraged with my sister.

"What are you going to do, Sundarmani? You definitely heard the priest’s remark, my son will not find a wife if he does not marry before the age of 33. How are you going to deal with this? We believed you and came this far. You have betrayed us,” Groom’s mother blamed Appa for everything that occurred. My Appa remained silent. I could feel his heart breaking and tears welling up in his eyes. Why should I do that? I felt helpless.

"This is what you get when you don’t adequately raise your girls.”

"Such a Shameless act. What a bold girl and she calls herself a teacher.”

"This marriage is cancelled, I feel sorry for the groom.”

"What a disgraceful family"

Their words wounded our cores. Nothing could be used to defend it. We were vulnerable. Then, all of a sudden, one of the elders stepped forward.

"You people are unpredictable, and it is the bride’s fault. They are as startled as we are. This is not the time to blame each other. We need to find a solution. We still have time. Can’t we seek another option? It’s right in front of our eyes. Sundarmani has another daughter of marriageable age, correct?” He proposed loudly in front of everyone.

The entire house fell silent in stunned quiet. My body and voice went numb; I couldn’t move or talk. Those eyes are targeting me. I was as still as a doll. My body felt as if it had been shattered into bits, and my dreams departed. What is this?

- Litchart (Shakuntala quotes and explanations) (courtesy)

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