Moving from 4 to 5- The big fat Indian wedding

The emotions that run through my heart at this point in time are high, penning down what I feel is a rather difficult ask.The emotions that we faced as a family were tough for reasons known to all, 'ladki ki shaadi hai' The feelings ran from the joy of having a wedding in the family to actually parting ways with the person I can't imagine my life without. For me specially, having known the love they shared. This is the story and the beauty of the union of two souls, an addition to the family through the words of a person who has seen their love grow, supported them through ever phase and been a spectator to 'The big fat Indian wedding'.

The journey of 'MY' sister's wedding began with the meeting of the families. And then on began the preparations of the kashmiri punjabi wedding ceremonies. The highs and lows of gearing up for the big day was a journey worth a mention. The thought of separating and seeing the person you love the most start another life was scaring in the start. It left me lost in my world just to imagine. But it brought to me smile every single time I told myself that this is for the better and my sister's face made me convince myself. We continued with more vigor and joy. The doubts of preparations in another city altogether always prevailed. It was like entering and exploring a new world in itself.

With all the anxiety and anticipation, we made our way to the city of temples, with the hope of seeing our loved one tie the knot with her love. All we wished for was her happiness. It gave us the strength to fight the battle of orthodox ideologies of an inter-caste marriage to actually implementing a heavy duty task of wedding in an alien city. Little did I know that a whole new world of fun, emotions, learning and magic awaited me with open arms. The packing of the luggage, moving out of the house at 6 a.m., dancing in the train to prove the punjabi magic, unlimited fun at every ceremony to performing the spiritual and holy rituals, every single moment is an experience in itself.

As my sister sat there that evening,with mehendi clad palms and the beautiful chudda that decorated her forearm. The kashmiri hair do, she looked like the most beautiful bride I had ever seen. It brought tears to my eyes as she stood there with the glitter in the eyes and the glaring smile awaiting her 'Dulha' to take her away. The walk down the stairs to the man of her life; it felt like the final walk I had with my sister as 'Ms. Bhatia'. My emotions at their epitome of conflict. The over whelming smile of being by her side as she takes the final step to the tears of she leaving my side to enter a new world. I still feel the glimpses of the day run through my heart.

I feel a different person after I am back. I found meaning in every walk during this journey of the wedding. I found life in every single smile I saw on my family member's faces. I discovered myself in the emotions of every single phase that we experienced and I found responsibility in every single step I took during the wedding.

It has been a journey which had a blend of sentiments and a divergence of thoughts. The glee of an addition to the family or the grief of the vidaai. The emotions bottled up in the face of celebrations. The tears surfacing the joy of 'kanya daan'. It was a big fat punjabi kashmiri wedding leaving us all in the midst of thoughts and the world of rich culture. A destination wedding like my sister always wanted. It was a perfect way to commemorate the beginning of a new life with the blessings and love of the near and dear ones equally pressed with the touch of rituals and traditions it required to be complete.

Ending my conflict, I decide that it was not about parting ways with my sister, but instead adding a new person and family to my circle of loved ones. The tears dry up, as decide to continue to be my sister's strength and not her weakness. My emotions now more firm as I decide that I love her so much that if being away is natures call and it makes her happy, I will always wish for her to be happy.

My saga of the big fat Indian wedding ends here with a hope of a new beginning and wishes to the newly wed. More and more love, joy, happiness and good wishes for a healthy and wealthy life ahead. Because didi you still are my jaaaaaaan.... and will always be. Your smile means my world. God Bless you both!

A TIME TO REMEMBER….

What is it that has the power to bring together 1.2 billion people? What has the power t shut down the entire country without having to be told to do so? What is it that brings an everlasting smile and befriends even strangers and makes friends turn enemies?  It’s the power of sports. It’s the charm of the game; it’s the spirit of the nation that spreads across the length and breadth of this country. It’s the biased love that the people shower to glorify players to being living God’s! As its 2 years down, the day when the entire nation was left speechless and motionless when captain cool lifted the world cup. When Wankhede stadium was on fire with the blaze of victory.

What gets me to think and actually pen it down is where do we stand 2 years later, after witnessing the golden page of Indian cricket and what is it that we look back to and what is the road ahead.

2011 world cup was much more than a mere tournament. It was about revenge, joy and pride, it was way beyond individual personalities. It was not about ‘a man playing his last world cup’ or ‘someone playing his 1^st’. It wasn’t about ‘a cancer-struck man of the series’.  It wasn’t about ‘the midas man winning’. It was about a 15 man squad dripped in blue representing a nation a billion painted in tricolor waiting to prove to the world. Leaving an imprint on the world. It was about ‘Supremacy’. It was ‘World Domination’

The prestigious cup had eluded this cricket crazy country for 28 years! The stage was set, the nation was charged. It was now or never! The memories of a day which makes every person related skip a beat and emotionally stunned to sit and wonder and what it was! The journey from being favorites to ‘World Champions’.

Where are we from then to now? Having painted our faces and danced to joy to fighting over petty internal issues. From being the ‘nawab’ to being dropped. From playing the last world cup in style to struggling to clear the ropes. From being the hero to a sympathy struck cancer survivor. From the man with the midas touch to questions on captaincy…..  From being a ‘team’ that enjoyed each other’s success to being individualistic. All said and done. Are we still the same? Do we still have the vigor, energy and enthusiasm to capture the world?

Today as I sit wearing my cricket rocks tee reliving the moments of yesteryears and wonder at what it takes to be world champions, it leaves me with a smile. My heart wants to ignore all the negatives. And I remember of how mad the country looked. The beauty of the golden era of Indian cricket leaves me spellbound yet again. The charm still alive. The glory still shinning. The memories still etched. The tears of joy still felt.

I began today as a confused writer. The chronicles running wild in my heart itching me to write. But confused of what is left to be said. Questioning my love for the sport, ‘was it really that special?’ ‘Is it worth a mention 2 years later?’ ‘Look at us now! Does it even matter?’ But yes my fellow cricket fanatics. ‘2^nd April 2011’ is a date engraved in gold and reminiscences of which will never elude our hearts. A journey worth a mention every single time. Events which will always make you look over the negatives. A time which will leave you with tears.

As I look back and smile, am mobbed with pictures running in my head. I look at myself and think of what this sport has given me, what it has made me and where it will take me. Being an ardent lover and strongest critic. The emotions that run through my blood force the energy to grab the pen. And I wonder am I the same person? This isn’t how I feel! I kept telling myself NO!

But as I conclude, I feel relieved and light, re-exploring myself.  Firm as rock, happy to be an unsaid part. Proud to have witnessed it, and glad to have been able to share it. Feel proud cricket lovers, because whatever people say, whatever comes your way, whatever the situation, once a cricket-lover always one.

Enjoy and congratulations as we complete 2 years of being crowned ‘world champions’…..

A TIME…..WORTH REMEMBERING…..