The generator failed. There was a total blackout accompanied by screams from women and children. Even though there were little sources of light like the incense fire made by the priests, it took some time for everyone to recover from the pitch black darkness. As usual, people started cursing the Electricity board but those who knew about the generator started bad mouthing the wedding arranger.
“Stay where you are and do not panic” men from the security called out. “Do not move, we will get the flash lights in a minute”. The security men were in full alert and some could be seen running for the flash lights. For a moment it felt like being in the Titanic just before it sunk. People were not so patient. They started running around looking for their children and spouses and dashed against each other.
But even before the first flash light could light up, the generator started roaring again and the lights came up. ‘Hurray’ the children screamed. The Zaveri?s heaved a sigh of relief.
It was the last wedding in their house hold and they wanted neither odds, nor the Gods to spoil it. They had spent a good part of their fortune on this wedding, and a power failure was the last thing they expected to come in the way.
As everyone was ushered into their seats, the priests started chanting again and within minutes everything was back to normal and in full zeal. As Meghna hurried to her seat, she tried to control her shawl which was trying to go every direction it wanted.
“Damn this shawl” she muttered and wrapped it tightly around her body. She stopped a waiter, picked a glass of juice and settled in her seat. She didn?t know if that was the same seat she sat before, but she could see only a few of her friends around. And like earlier, she could only see the people around the holy fire and not the couple.
As per tradition, Sheetal?s elder sister and her Mama (mother?s brother) were called forward to do the Kanyadaan. They must have been standing there for quite a long time waiting for something when suddenly there was a lull in the prayer. People started moving to and fro between the dressing room and the holy fire. There was a kind of commotion at the dressing room. For a onlooker it looked like a part of the ceremony, but it wasn?t. There was worry clearly written on the Zaveri faces. The security men also started running around and querying the guests. People started talking to each other in hushed voices. Something had gone wrong!
Meghna rose up. There was a certain determination in her move. She caught hold of one of her friends. “What?s the problem ?” Meghna asked.
“The Neeldhara is missing” she replied.
Meghna didn?t ask more. ‘A jewel with a name. Must be an expensive one’ she thought.
To be continued…
Author: Remy DSouza- Kuwait