A wedding to remember

I am one of the luckier ones. I have always been blessed to have atleast one utterly amazing person in my life as I have traversed down its strange lanes. In college though, I seriously lucked out. Entered four enchanting girls, who in the two years there, shared each day, each hour, each meal, each laughter- making all the soul searching, the turning of our worlds upside down- somehow bearable and even fun!

One of them, P, got married this weekend.
And so it was that after five years, from four different cities, there we were- back together.

In all groups, each member plays a unique role, adding their bit of colour to create that special cornucopia of friendship. P was always the most beautiful, innocent, sweet member of ours. She found joy in little moments, smiled shyly at the world, always tucked a dream in her heart, usually preferred the backstage but never failed to be full of enthusiasm for trying new things. While the rest of us constantly walked the thin line between activism and cynicism- she remained mostly untouched, only momentarily beset by clouds of doubt. She believed in good things with a certainty that always ensured clear skies and she has remained thus. This in no manner implies that she hasn't seen her share of the rough. Yet purity of belief has always managed to pull her through, somehow unscathed and together, surprising us in many occasions with a staunchness and courage unforeseen.

At the wedding, as we saw her looking every bit the mesmerisingly lovely bride and the most gracious host, my friend S smiled and said she was reminded of Byron's 'She walks in beauty' and I couldn't help think how true it rung for P... all of it.

I know that the past few months have been very difficult on her. Somehow even a symbolic parting from parents can be a very rough deal for most Indian girls. As cliché as it sounds, we're a bunch of girls who have had the luck of having liberal parents who have always listened, supported and encouraged us in every possible way. I knew she was in the contested turmoil of beginning a new life with her fiancé, simultaneously leave behind the cocooned life of her family. Yet on the day of her wedding, she was radiant, calm and collected. No signs of the past doubts showed on her face.

“She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies”.

As through two days of ceremonies, four of us friends meandered quietly behind her, watching her negotiate the several guests, ceremonies, her new family- she smiled graciously, was the most lovely host, always managing to slip us a special smile...

“One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place”.

Especially in that one hour, when at the gurudwara, the solemn ceremony of the typing of knots took place, her head bowed, the space around her filled with the soaring voice of bhaijis wishing them well in their chosen future....

“And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent”!

Being with P through her wedding, especially witnessing it with a set of my closest friends, has been one of the most special, most moving moments of my life. With all our collective love and best wishes for the most amazing life ahead P!!