Manish weds Sumedha

 “Only if my boss becomes compassionate enough to relieve me on time, can I relish the sinful dinner of my hostel mess”  Mess food is rarely palatable but Kirti Gupta was done with her odd working hours. Priyadarshini Working Women’s Hostel , Shahdara, was where Kirti shared a room with Simran from Chandigarh and Aparna from Jaipur.

“You must revolt Kirti. The mess is not going to remain open for you all night. Your boss should understand this. What are you earning for if you don’t  get to relish the watery dal and the bland, half cooked vegetable preparations and….” Simran wanted to cite some more examples when Kirti interrupted..

“ Listen, its 11 pm already. I am very hungry, stop before I hunt you down girl. Think of a plan.. food.. food .. Get me some please….pleaseeeeeeee..”  Poor Kirti had slogged all day long at her workplace. Aparna couldn’t  be a mute spectator any longer…

“Okay girls… I have a plan. There is a wedding taking place in the neighbouring ground. Lets go there and get some food…buhahahaha” It was a great idea but Kirti objected.

“ But we are not invited.. That’s not right. What if we get caught..  ?”

“Oh come on Kirti. Our wardrobe boasts of some very interesting and expensive collections. We will merge with the crowd easily. Lets get ready and you better move your butt now.. quick..” Simran, the ‘punjaban’ was an expert at attending weddings with or without an invitation. Confidence comes with experience, after all !

“ Yess ! I am so excited. Finally I get to wear this expensive ‘Anarkali suit’ that I purchased at a 50 per cent discount last week..” Aparna’s taste buds weren’t as excited, the idea of flaunting her new suit was more enticing.

“Okay.. I am never doing this again. God ! Please forgive me. I am not the sinner, my boss is !” Kirti finally gave in, since they didn’t have a choice.

Charlie’s angels  couldn’t be missed in their colourful, bright attires as they catwalked to the wedding venue. 

“Manish weds Sumedha” indicated the board at the entrance. But the girls were neither interested in Manish nor Sumedha. They walked towards the buffet and without a moments pause, started helping themselves with all the delicacies. Their plates were flooded but they wanted a little bit of everything, Kirti just couldn’t thank her stars enough.

“Okay… I think I am done… Hahaha..” Simran and Aparna were happy to see Kirti smiling.

“But.. what about the dessert ? Its already 12..”

“The ‘baraat’ hasn’t arrived as yet. So we are not going to get the dessert till the groom is here..” Simran knew it all but Kirti wasn’t too pleased with this fact.

“No, but I am not leaving without having the dessert. Come on , Manish is wedding Sumedha.. We need to have something sweet… “ The lass wasn’t scared anymore but Aparna and Simran were visibly stumped !

“Listen, we are done now.. We don’t know how long is this Manish idiot going to take ?” Aparna’s office cabbie arrived outside the hostel every morning sharp at 7am and she was now, worried.

“No.. I am going to have ‘Moong dal ka halwa’..not leaving before that… No No No No No..” Kirti was a stubborn two year old disguised as a 25 year old woman.

The other two girls had no other option but to wait for their beloved ‘Manish and party’ to arrive. They were as anxiously awaiting his sight  as Sumedha and family. Finally, the baraat arrived at 1am and the girls took a sigh of relief. After having the dessert to their hearts content, they decided to make a move.

Aparna and Simran had almost reached the exit gate when they found Kirti missing. They looked behind to find her speaking to the obese ground manager.

“ Sir, I must congratulate you.. Excellent DDA ground, I would also like to get married here..” Kirti was lying through her teeth.

“Thank you, sure… When is your wedding Madam ?” The ground manager was excited to see a pretty young girl entertaining him.

“Oh.. ummmm it is ummm later next year…”

“Wow ! Congratulations madam…”

“Thanks.. Ummm by the way, is there a wedding here, tomorrow as well ??”