Gettin' Hitched!

What a coincidence! Two of my best pals are (finally) getting married (something so final about marriage, no?). These gals have been a big part of my life at different stages.

Kamal and I spent some super fun five years together during our carefree childhood days. Between age 5 to 10, we played in the sun, in the shade, in the pool, on the grassy maidan, on the shuttle court, fought over the same guy that we both had a crush on for all those years (this would make a whole other post), had slumber parties and sleepovers at each other's houses...sigh...it was a magical childhood indeed.

Mona and I spent less time together in comparison, but as twenty-somethings we bonded over projects, assignments, student strikes against lousy lecturers, group study sessions, gossip about our fellow classmates, boyfriends, and food. Oh, we just loved to yak and yak. Still do!

The interesting thing is that these two gal pals o'mine are in whole other countries. Kamal has been in the wild wild west for such a long time, it's a wonder she didn't marry a cowboy and set up a ranch in the middle of nowhere. Mona has been a globe trotter for some years now, shuttling between cities, countries, even continents.

When I met Kamal 17 years after our last meeting, it was simply awesome (for want of a better word--this one fits best somehow). The venue was thousands of miles away from the roads less traveled by yours truly, but pretty close to where she was (Austin, TX). She simply drove over when I called to say "Houston, (that was as far as I could get), we have a problem!" We spent a coupla days together getting re-acquainted. That took about 5 minutes. :-)

Haven't met Mona since we last said goodbye, but sure hope it doesn't take 17 years!

And now, Kamal and Mona are getting married. No, not to each other. Hope some dhakkans reading this were not under THAT impression! Although that might have made this scorching summer juicier for some!

So, they are beginning a new chapter in their lives. (A whole new book if you ask me).

Kamal's wedding will be a wonderfully happy occassion with her family and some friends around. I sincerely hope Mona's is the same. Mona is marrying into a different religion (now this step would entail beginning a whole new library even!), so there's all the typical Bollywood style drama--a mandatory part of such (circus?) events. The only probable drama at Kamal's wedding could be the confusion over names. When the priest calls out the groom's name, I just hope her brother doesn't step up to the altar. It would turn into the Bold & the Beautiful. You see, Kamal's betrothed and her elder brother are namesakes. :-)

I'm so excited sitting here so far away from either of them. They can probably hear me yelling (for the bouquet).

Mera number kab aayega? :-)