First of, I want to express how happy I am with India winning the match and the series yesterday in Australia.
One in the eye for the racist Australian media who insulted Indian cricket team so badly! It shocked me to see the amount of filth that was written by the media during this series. Shame on them!
I applaud the Indian cricketers who stayed calm and showed their metal. That should teach them kangaroos to not wake the tigers of India up!
Now that I'm done gloating, I'll continue with my post. 
I've got a limited time on the internet due to being in the cyber cafe.
From Saturday onwards, I won't have to be dependent on the cyber cafes. Finally I shall be connected from home! Bliss!
26-01-08A fun-filled afternoon
Next morning was the “haldi” application ceremony which must have been fun. I didn’t attend this ceremony.
It is conducted early in the morning where the guy is applied haldi *turmeric paste mixed with sandalwood powder and oils* so that his skin glows with radiance and attracts the bride.
I reached Nike’s house at around 11 to find him engrossed in the rituals of the thread ceremony. He sat, serious-faced with his parents, sister and all the relatives surrounding him.
I stood there for a while, looking for AJ but he was nowhere to be seen. Maybe he’d decided to stay put in the hotel where he had been put up as a guest. I remained standing, not knowing what to do.
I was asked by Nike’s aunts; two very charming ladies, to sit with them. They were a new acquaintance and I had great fun talking to them.
They encouraged me to speak in Kutchi when I told them that I’d lost my hold on the language. They also pointed out Nike’s uncles who were going to pick him up in some minutes.
It is quite a spectacle watching this part of the thread ceremony.
Nike has to beg for alms from the women of the family and pretend to go far away from home to study. He is to be stopped by his uncles from going away. He tries to run away but the uncles have to catch him and pick him up. He is then to be taken back home where he is loaded with gifts (read bribed) until he finally gives his consent to marry and settle down with the family. It was great fun watching the whole scene.
Watching Nike being picked up by his uncles, I couldn’t help smirking. What a strain it must have caused them to pick up Nike! (Nike is not one of those lean guys.) 
Once Nike consented to not running away (like he was going to!) , everyone was invited to go in for lunch (about time! I had started feeling hungry).
About the same time, I saw AJ come back. He had been showing the city to Nike’s friend who had just arrived that morning.
I stayed put where I was and observed. The guy under observation towered over AJ and wore sun glasses.
My first thought was, “this guy is from Punjab.” (Guys up north are normally tall and good looking. It is also said that Punjabis are total show-offs)
Second thought was- I’d seen him somewhere.
Normally I remember people I meet, even if it is a brief acquaintance but somehow I couldn’t place him.
Thinking I must have seen him in Nike’s office, I didn’t give it much thought then. *I did embarrass myself later though, by asking the same question at lunch.*
Nike came up to me with AJ and the other guy. He was introduced to me as another long standing friend, Ash.
Ash and Nike had been classmates at the University as well. We went in for lunch where Nike and Ash shared with us the memories of the hilarious times they’d had together. I nearly choked on my food with laughter.
It was then that I suddenly piped up with “Have we met before?” The moment I said it I wished I could call the words back.
I cringed at the expression on Nike’s face and I couldn’t even look at the other two! 
Oh help! (I do realise it is an old pick-up line but I meant it genuinely!) 
I felt like a fool when I tried to explain it to Nike that perhaps I’d seen Ash at one of the call centers while I’d been to the capital, for my consulting work. He declared it to be not probable since Ash hadn’t worked with any call centers. Oh well…I told them, forget it. 
Post lunch, I left the guys to catch up on each other.
I would be meeting them again the next morning. I was also about two friends who’d be arriving late that night.
I looked forward to meeting these girls the next day and enjoying myself at the wedding.
skip2468
I find the whole ceremony of getting married, no matter where you are, is soooo....errm magical! 
Thank you for your very interesting post. In comparison, I consider our wedding, church service and all, to be almost a non event - lol.