The giant Pendal at Bandra school ground looked like the set of a block buster Hindi movie. The Zaveri?s had obviously hired the best wedding arranger. Tonnes of flickering lights draped the Pendal and moving laser lights lit up the night sky. There was carpet as long as you wanted to walk and the scent of exotic flowers hung in the air. A huge generator churned out electricity in the distance.
The priest could be heard chanting the mantras as he was preparing for the Saptapadi. As Meghna entered the Pandal in a white Salwar Khameez with red colored shawl, many eyes turned at her. She was looking extremely beautiful. And she was alone. That was enough for the men around there to stop in their tracks. She was immediately greeted by her friends who escorted her to a seat in the corner.
The first thing that happened to Meghna in that pendal that evening, was that her resolve to steal slowly melted down. She had made the mistake of dressing up well and everyone was watching her. Secondly, there were video cameras. Dozens of them. She had read numerous times in the news papers about people being caught by video cameras while stealing at weddings. Cameras were a menace for even the best of the thieves. Added to this was another obstacle. There were security guards everywhere. The Zaveri?s had invited politicians and movie stars, so presence of a good security cordon was too obvious.
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..And now looking at the risk involved, she completely withdrew from even thinking about it…
Meghna had a nagging feeling from the morning, that stealing at the zaveri?s was not a good idea after all. And now looking at the risk involved, she completely withdrew from even thinking about it. She would relax and enjoy Sheetal?s wedding, just like all other guests. There was no hesitation about her decision. She knew her limits and she knew the risks. This was no place for any mis-adventure.
She saw Sheetal and her bridegroom sitting infront of a small fire. The hindu marriage rite ‘Saptapadi’ was now underway. The fragrance of exotic incense filled the air as chanting of the Mantra?s got louder. Guests and relatives flocked around the couple.
Meghna rose up and walked towards the couple to have a closer look. It was a rather noisy wedding for Meghna, who was used to the Mangalorean ?sit and watch? style of weddings. People came and went. They talked loudly and some ate. Some danced near the stage where a Pujabi band was doing the ?Bhalle bhalle?.
As she could not have a clear look of the couple, she started walking around, looking at the other arrangements. There was a big supply of fresh flowers to be given to the women as they left. She passed by the food counters. The waiters were ready, behind loads and loads of sweets and other delicacies. She reached the ladies dressing room and peeped inside. There were lot of ladies there in lavish looking apparel busy chatting with each other. What drew her attention was a set of tables were lot of things were arranged neatly. There were Sari?s and dress materials of all types. Next to them were several silver plates with boxes of ornaments . As per the Zaveri tradition, just before Kanyadaan they would bejewel their brides in the most elegant and priceless jewellery. The jewel boxes were kept there for display and the women of the Zaveri household were around, keeping an eye on everything.
When Meghna saw the jewel boxes, she wanted to turn away. But she stopped as a second thought struck her. ‘What is the problem in having a look and appreciating the beauty of all these good things’ she thought. She smiled at some of the ladies around her and moved towards the boxes. She watched. There were small boxes of different colors and shapes. The boxes looked so elegant, they told the worth of their contents. And there was a box in the corner that looked faded out. It was so faded, one could hardly make out it was blue, but its shape was so attractive. It was shaped like a diamond. A jewel box unlike one Meghna had ever seen. She moved closer and held her eyes close to the box. She does not know how long she had been looking at it that way. She was like a insect mesmerized by the lamp.
And suddenly, disaster struck !
To be continued ??.
Author: Remy DSouza- Kuwait
