I just returned from my close friend's wedding and I am writing this before I lose "it" :). Today was the reception, tomorrow being the actual wedding. It was a typical south-indian style reception with the bride and groom being star "performers" on the stage, a long queue to the side of the stage waiting to greet and gift the couple and those who have finished greeting and eating (hogging ? :) ) sitting in the audience.
As we were waiting for our turn, it was fun to study so many homo sapiens sapiens species under one roof. After an intense observation for about 10 mins, I came up with a profound theory: People attend weddings for 2 reasons, apart from blessing the newly weds (that being the 3rd) : "Food" and "Gossip" :). I could probably have another post justifying my conclusion. However this one is dedicated to the fact that marriage is an occasion where every one seems to be busy (pretend to be that even if they actually are not).
It is real fun to watch kids under the age of 2 brawling their heads off to get someone to pay attention to them. A naughty 5 yr old boy snatching the duppatta of a quite 3rd old girl (who starts to whine), throwing it on a grandpa sitting 10 yards away and running away before his act can be reprimanded. A 6 year old wandering on the stage, to show off a new balloon that his uncle just bought him, getting in the way of all the wedding snaps, only to be shooed away by the camera man. A 8 year old girl, busily running around in her shining new designer dress, trying to feel important in making sure her aunt's instructions are carried out in order.
A 10 year old girl sulking in a corner because she was not allowed to wear her mom's gold ear rings. A 11 yr old boy furious at having been scolded in front of all for playfully spilling some water on his grand pa's dress. A shy 12 yr old trying hard to hide her crush on the bridegroom. A 13 yr old feeling shy/self-conscious with so many people around and clumsily pretending to be an adult. A bored 15 yr old chewing bubble gum, with a look that says "Mom, I think this is the biggest mistake of my life. There cant be anything more boring. If only there were some good looking guys around ! sigh ! oh no !! not that stupid cousin of mine again. I will kill him if he tries to pull some stunt with me". A gang of just-attained-adulthood guys and gals conversing in "code" language that elders around cant understand.
A bunch of giggling 21 year olds, checking out guys and deciding who they would like to marry and how they could propose without making it obvious. Stray 25 yr olds enviously eyeing their happily married 22 year old cousins, feeling like old maidens. The newly married 26 year olds discussing their mother-in-laws tactics in extracting work. The 30 yr olds discussing kids, the 40 yrs old discussing savings, the 50 yr olds discussing retirement, the 60 yr olds discussing post-retirement-syndromes, 70 yr olds giving advice to any one who would listen, the 80 yr olds looking after their grand children, the 90 yr olds in bed.. Phew !! Well I am not sure what a 100 yr old would do. :)
Well, thats that. Marriage does keep every one on their toes :).
PS: Maiden aunts (whatever the age) have one and only one occupation - match fixing :). Rest in my next...
