Chapter-1 The wedding event

When I woke up, the house already smelled like a festival- a mix of incense and delicious pudding. My mother was running around in her cotton Dress. I sat on the bed blinking, trying to remember why everyone was suddenly so loud.

Then it hit me. Aunt Kaira’s wedding. Dad’s sister.

Which meant: loud songs, shiny clothes, and me being forced to smile at people who all said the same thing- "Oh my god, you’ve grown so much!"

I hadn’t grown that much. I was still in grade three, my socks still had holes, and my braid always came loose halfway through the day. But today, Mom said I had to Look proper That meant proper braid because my hair easily gets stuck together like bushes and a dress- definitely not white. Otherwise, it might turn yellow or brown at the end of the ceremony.

The courtyard was full of relatives that I didn’t know but apparently knew me since I was this small, which they kept showing with their fingers.

Uncle Ray pinched my cheeks so hard, I thought my face would stay squished forever.

"Our little princess! Ready to dance?".

"I only dance when I get paid" I said, which made Dad cough into his hand to hide his laugh.

But then my cousin Rhea- 2 years older and already acting like she knew everything about life, grabbed my hand.

"Come on, let’s go see the decorations before all the boring people start talking".

The decorations were something else. Strings of jasmine everywhere, fairy lights trying to shine even though the sun was still bright, and a big stage covered in beautiful cloth where my aunt would sit later, looking like a movie heroine.

Rhea whispered, "You know, she’s marrying a guy from Foreign. He’s rich. They say he even has a car with a TV inside".

I gasped like that was the wildest thing I’d ever heard.

"A car and a TV? What if they watch cartoons while driving?"

She shrugged. "Adults are weird. They probably watch the news."

Later, when everyone started lining up for lunch, I found Dad near the restroom area. He was talking to someone- his cousin, I think. They were laughing, but his eyes looked tired in a way I hadn’t seen before.

I tugged at his sleeve.

"Dada, can I wear sneakers under my Dress? It’s too long anyway."

He chuckled. "If your mother sees that, she’ll start a second wedding just to scold you properly."

I smiled, but something in me paused. He was smiling differently. I didn’t understand it then, but I think he was remembering his sister as the little girl who used to steal his mangoes, not as the bride sitting inside with her Beautiful bridal dress.

When the groom’s car arrived, all the chaos broke loose.

People started welcoming them and started dancing in happiness, even the uncles who couldn’t find rhythm tried, kids running between feet and aunties adjusting their make in restroom while pretending they were too shy to dance.

Rhea and I joined too, mostly hopping up and down because we didn’t know the steps. One of the uncles gave us two coins each for Good energy. We ran to the corner shop and bought orange candy.

While chewing mine, I saw Aunt Kaira peeking through the window from inside the house. She was smiling, but her hands were shaking as she fixed her bracelet.

I waved at her. She waved back, eyes shiny.

For a moment, everything felt quiet- even with music pounding outside.

The wedding itself went on forever. People kept blessing, clapping, shouting instructions, and fanning themselves with invitation cards. I sat next to my neighbouring grandma, who was complaining that the rice wasn’t cooked properly but still managed to eat two plates.

Halfway through the ceremony, I got bored and slipped away. The jasmine lights were glowing now, the evening air was sticky and warm. Fireflies blinked near the trees, and I could still hear laughter behind me.

Then I saw Dad again- standing near the gate, talking softly to someone on the phone. His voice cracked once, just a little.

I didn’t call out to him. I just stood there, watching the man who always seemed strong suddenly look like a small boy saying goodbye to his sister.

When the bride and groom finally left, everyone threw flowers and cried. I didn’t cry, but something twisted inside me- like when you finish your favorite chocolate and realize there’s no more left.

I suddenly started running behind them, reaching the window of my aunt's wedding car. They slowed down the speed and I asked her "Aunty, why are you crying? And where are you going? When will you come back..?"

Kaira Aunty replied in a cracked and sore voice.

"It's Nothing. My eyes were sore from all activities today. Don't worry- ruru, I will come to visit again after 2-3 days. So, go back home, ok..?".

After that she turned away- silent and covered her face with hands. I stand still outside the window watching the car gaining its speed reaching away from my view.

Suddenly, I realized- my eyes had water in them without any reason. Tears. That's when I knew about the emotion called- Separation.

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