It was an event I could not miss and I had to be there.
Boarded Volvo, got down at Hebbal flyover( my sweet little phone helped with the directions – thanks to Sony xPeria and Google Maps ) and reached the marriage hall at around 5:30 PM. Since I was seated at the back and they were seated at the front, I was not sure whether I was attending the right marriage function. Because there was another marriage happening in Hall number 1.
Since pastor Johnson repeatedly mentioned the couple’s name, every 5 or 10 minutes, all my doubts/ concerns were answered and I was sure that I was at the right place.
I listened carefully to what pastor had to say, esp regarding the difference between marriage being not just a contract but a covenant. Contract being something which could be broken if either of the parties decided to move away from their commitments. Whereas covenant is a life long commitment. Example included the story about a girl who had told pastor that she had divorced her husband, because she wanted to concentrate on her career and that it seems she has told her husband that she is willing to marry him again, when her career settles down and if they are both free at that point of time.
After the event, both of them stepped outside and were ready for the photo sessions. Vijay ( Nandu’s brother ) was the first person I met. He had some difficult in recognizing me ( may be a 1 second delay or something ) but then the true shock came from Nandu’s mother who instantly recognized me and called me, by my name. She was so happy to see me. I mean, in that group of strangers, I was so happy to see at least one person who genuinely became so much happy seeing me.
Next stop was Nandu, shook hands with him and exchanged our standard protocol smile. Nandu introduced me to Malvika and she was very happy to see me, told me that she has heard a lot about me from Nandu.
After the photo session, the couple had to change and in the mean time got a chance to catch up with Sheekha. Although she did not recognize me with my face, as soon as I mentioned my name, she immediately recognized me. Since she had to go somewhere, we could not talk a lot.
After this I met up with Nandu’s mom. Man ! that was the highlight of the whole day ( other than of course Nandu’s wedding ) First it was a casual discussion then it moved to serious spiritual topics, ranging from the sound of Om and the true meaning of Karma. We might have spoken for less than 20 minutes, but the conversation will have a big effect on me for the years come.
Although I was a little bit ( tiny bit ) hesitant to leave office for so long, it was God’s grace that I decided to be there and get all these wonderful experience. All during the event, it was a mixture of emotions that went through my head. Several instances in our lives that we shared together, the milk shake at Vellayambalam bus stop, talk at Statue NIIT, the man who always inspired me to excel at what one does and the list just goes on. Wow ! what an emotional roll coaster to be at a important occasion of someone, you know for more than 10 years. Someone, who was with you ( Nandu’s sat right next to me, at college for all the 3 years ) during the time when a boy becomes a man, the person whom you are supposed to me. And I am sure, my most close friends, including Nandu had a big role to play to make, who I am.
God bless you my friend and may both of you find happiness in its true sense, in the institution of marriage.