Surangi, The Child Bride

Part 62

"I promised myself that I am going to have a good time, and I don't really care about how you make me feel!" Surangi defiantly scolded the butterflies in her stomach. She almost envied Rohini and Dinkar who walked through the hallowed Taj Mahal hotel lobby nonchalantly, as if they were frequent visitors there. Rohini, who was dressed in a royal blue silk saree, had her arm around Dinkar's, who was dressed in a dark suit just like Madhav.

Surangi fidgeted with the strands of the drawstring purse in her hands. Madhav sensed Surangi's unease and smiled at her encouragingly. 

"We're in this together, so make sure to enjoy yourself. By the way, you look gorgeous tonight!" He whispered to her and she blushed in response. She remembered their childhood days when, while walking to the school she could barely keep up with him, as she tripped while fumbled while following in the wake of his long strides. Today he insisted on keeping pace with her. The little boy and girl from Konkan had really come a long way!

Vidya had done a meticulous job in helping Surangi dress for the occasion. The heirloom embroidered Parsi saree had been pinned neatly to allow the fabric to grace Surangi's youthful frame yet give her the freedom to glide along effortlessly. Her hair was swept into a simple bun and a single strand of lustrous pearls caressed her neck. 

The understated look highlighted the richly embroidered gara and she invited a number of curious glances from among the other guests at the event. She was not a familiar face although she walked alongside the young doctor whom many recognised as he was associated with the Parsi charitable trust that provided free medical assistance to the needy.

The opulent grandeur of the hotel's interiors – the verandas, the central stairway, the rich furnishings created an ambience that attracted Indian as well as European aristocrats. To some famous and powerful Indians like Sarojini Naidu it was almost a second home.

It was hardly surprising that the hotel had hosted banquets during the state visits of the Prince of Wales and Princess Mary in November 1905, and again on their second visit in December 1911 – this time as King George V and Queen Mary. This was followed by another one for Edward, Prince of Wales in November 1921, their eldest born and heir apparent. Needless to say the hotel had also been the chosen venue for the celebratory banquet hosted on the occasion of King George V' s silver jubilee year.

"Did you know that when this hotel opened in 1903 it was the finest hotel in the East and fifty ruling princes checked in at once? One even brought a pet tiger with him." Dinkar grinned to see the look on the women's faces. With Dinkar they could never be sure, he was such a prankster!

"Are you sure it was a tiger? It may have been a hunting dog, such as a Rampur Greyhound instead! Those are quite a favourite with the Maharajas! " Rohini suggested.

"Do you not trust me, Your Ladyship?" Dinkar faked a look of indignation.

"I try very hard to, but knowing how much you enjoy pulling my leg, I can never be sure. Surangi, do you remember how he had conned me once, trying to pass off an ordinary chicken as a rare bird?" All of them laughed to recall the summer when Dinkar and Rohini had first met.

They went through the table plan displayed on a board outside the Grand Ballroom to locate their seats. Inside the ballroom they could see large wooden tables covered with pristine white linen and set with brilliant silverware. The liveried staff helped them find their seats.

"Why Mitra, you are as pretty as a picture!" The handsome young man who complimented Surangi was Ebrahim Mirza, Surangi's classmate. Surangi introduced him to Madhav, Dinkar and Rohini while he, in turn, introduced their other university mates.