Match Made in Wedding | Rajvardhan Hangargekar ✓

Hasi ya nami?

I walked down the stairs, cautious with each step. It feels so good to be back on my feet. So good that it's 7.02 am in the morning yet I have the motivation to go downstairs and drink some milk. What I certainly had not expected was to see the kitchen lights on. So many early birds in this house! I peek inside to find Akka and Amma chatting seriously. Akka notices me first, with her face lighting up with a smile.

"Good morning Devi! How's the foot?"

"Totally healed, Akka. Doesn't hurt even a little bit."

"That's so great to hear!"

"Hah. Trust me it's even better to say that after two days of lying around motionless. Anyways, what are you and Amma cooking in the morning haan? Wait, I know it!! Amma, you were giving her some, marital life tipssss naaa..." Whistling, I take my chance at being cheeky. And Amma gives my shoulder a playful hit.

"Ya ya, some pro tips that are so secretive that we had to hide in the kitchen at 7 o'clock in the morning."

My mother has got some sass, I tell you.

My eyes fall on the stove, they're brewing some tea. You would think that the to-be bride and her mother would want to get some rest before the festivities and ceremonies begin but no, routine toh routine hota hai na.

As Amma leaned down to open a drawer, Akka stops her, gesturing that she'll get it for her. It's such a beautiful Akka thing to do that it makes my heart ache. I'm going to miss you Akka. Before any more moisture can gather in my eyes, I quickly ask,

"What about Rutu? Is he up?"

"Yes, up and on the terrace."

"The terrace?" I ask. She shrugs.

Okaayyyyy ab toh dekhna padega.

*******

As I ascend the stairs, a visual becomes clearer with each step and I have to stop myself from bursting into laughter.

Rutu, Sai and Faf are doing pushups, while Jad is busy doing squats. Even Sam is doing some stretching. And there's Raj too, doing some lunges. God, these fitness freaks. I stand at the entrance but do not go in, keen to observe them without interruption.

Instead of words, several looks are exchanged. They keep nodding at each other with such sober and focused faces that I lose it. Perhaps it is the separation anxiety that finally finds expression through laughter, and its arrival is so strong that I can't stop laughing. They all look at me surprised. I want to explain myself and try speaking through the laughter but I can't form a single coherent word.

"S-s-oahh-r-ry"

"I-t-aaah-ss-ouch-"

"I-aa-i-ohahh-am"

When I gain some air and lose some tickling sensations, Jad starts laughing. and trust me, that is the worst catalyst you can ask when you're recovering from a laughter fit. I clutch my stomach as I start laughing again. The next victim is Sai who's falling over Rutu and that is enough for everyone present to crack up.

We turn into a huddle of maniacs as we recover. I let my tears slide. Let the pain be hidden behind the excuse of laughter.

"You guys are crazy." I finally say.

"Only for you." Rutu replies while smothering me with a hug.

I swear I wouldn't have lost my Akka to anyone else.

*******

In the evening I find Sai and Faf, sneaking into my room.

"Devi, I'm really nervous about our performance, I know that we have like a week more but it'll pass in a blink." Faf says with a concerned face.

I had been sending videos of the choreography to him and he had been sending videos of his dance. And trust me when I say this, Faf Du plessis can pull a dance on an Indian song.

"Yeah same, Devi. I want to lip sync so I've been learning the lyrics but if I lip sync, I keep forgetting the steps, but I think if we practice the dance everyday, we'll be fine."

Ever since I had heard Akka say that she'd want someone to perform on that song during her wedding, (which was about 8 years ago) I knew that I would surprise her with it. But in these years, I had always pictured myself and two half hearted cousins dancing to it.

The last couple of years changed that. I knew that the two people Akka was closest to in the team were Sai and Faf. Without a thought I approached them soon after Rutu proposed Akka. And they agreed without hesitation!! Side note, they're going to wear mundu dhotis for the dance!!! Akka is going to be so surprised!

"I agree! Now that my leg is healed we can begin with it right away."

"Uh-oh. Not happening. We're not letting you strain it today. Right Sai?"

"Yep. Your sister will kill us if she finds out that we made you dance the day you got up from bed. Today we're beginning with the basics, Faf you wanted to ask her something, right."

"Yeah. Could you translate the song for me? I think I'm okay with the steps but I don't know what to do with the expressions. What are they actually singing?"

Oh damn. That's the most fun part.

"It's a playful song where they're teasing her for getting married...."

And that's how I find myself giggling in the company of two big brothers.