hand into my underwear. I wondered if a groom can sue his father-in-law for
molestation.
‘Please, let me try first,’ I said. Of course, out of nervousness I couldn’t focus. The
veshti kept slipping and I stood there in my Mickey Mouse underwear, almost in
tears.
‘Allow me, it will take only a minute,’ Ananya’s father said gently, like a doctor
convincing a kid for an injection.
I closed my eyes. This is the absolute last, last humiliation I will go through to get the
love of my life, I thought. A few hours more and this will be over. Uncle’s hand
came close for comfort as he tried to ensure a snug fit. Some say this ceremony
is designed to ensure that the groom has his equipment in place. Well, he surely
did a good job finding out.
‘Are we done?’ I said as uncle adjusted the final pleats.
I saw myself in the mirror. My first topless meeting with the world was about to
take place. Little Mickey Mouses were grinning through my Translucent veshti.
OK, it is only for a little while more, I told myself.
‘See, now all your wedding pictures will have Mickey Mouse,’ uncle said,
confirming that my humiliation would continue for the rest of my life.
‘Do you want to change your underwear? You can wear mine. Should we
exchange? He asked.
I looked at him, wondering if he actually said what he just said. ‘Let’s go. I
have to get married.’
We came outside and my cousins burst into laughter when they saw me.
‘Mickey Mouse,’ my five-year-old cousin screamed, ensuring that all guests
would now freely spot it.
Ananya sat in a gorgeous nine-yard dark silk sari. She wore diamond and gold
necklaces. She looked like an accessible goddess.
‘What’s with the underwear?’ she whispered to me.
nora
(Nora)
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