Two days to go and everything is delayed due to the ceremonies associated with grandma’s death.  Still life has to go on. And my sister’s does go on full speed during the wedding time as I am the chauffeur! Narrowly escaping being bleached and tested positive for mehndi marks on my palm, I happily sit on the computer at my desk on Mehndi day.

Remember, the Mehndi artist did a double take when I was offered (as a sacrifice) for the hand test, but I was summoned unceremoniously every now and then for things as simple as a glass of water to actually providing things needed by the artist. Lemon water, sugar, cloth, pillows, finding misplaced objects., She was highly impressed and she had the audacity to tell my sister how efficient a brother I was. She should thank her lucky stars that she didn’t consider me joining her as her third assistant to earn a living.

After the group of chatty women left, it was my turn to moisten the hands and legs of the bride – to -be with the lemon + sugar mixture. Where is my mother you would ask. Well, she awaited her turn next with her hands displayed, as if she were in dismay looking at my shoddy work. I had my revenge when due to lack of time the artist had to leave without ‘decorating’ my mother’s feet, and since I had two free hands obviously again I had to step in to the rescue. Since it was feet, not much attention was paid by both ladies to what atrocity I had committed there. Let bygones be bygones shhh..

Pre-wedding ceremony, involves the bride’s brother to be all over the place. Worse still if the wedding hall consists of a building with three floors.  On the day of the actual wedding the condition multiplies. How difficult it is to be god, to be omnipresent!

Attending to guests is another thing. Trying to recognize  someone whom you don’t remember is a tricky situation. Worse still is if they know you well. Well I am a master of that situation now. You got to give them the feeling that you know them too well to be telling their names to them! And when you are about to be caught, just remind them to have food or meet the couple. Simple!

Food and sleep were totally unrequired for both brother and sister for those days, for completely different reasons. Throw in some running around and a three-storeyed building and you have the perfect way to lose three kilos!