I typically avoid attending weddings because most of the people I know are now my clients, and I steer clear of family weddings to avoid being the subject of mockery or being asked for free astrological consultations. However, I recently had to attend a wedding because the person who invited me never knew I was an astrologer.
The wedding was grand, with great food, but there was some confusion. The invitation mentioned that his son was getting married, but on the stage, there were three different couples in wedding attire. His two sons and one daughter stood there with their respective brides and groom. I knew both his sons were above the legal marriage age of 21 for men in India, but I also knew his daughter wasn’t 18 yet, which is the legal age for marriage for women in India.
I slyly approached the father and asked him, “Bhai, shaadi kiska hai?” (Whose wedding is it?) He replied, “Sabka, hamare me aisa hi hota hai.” (Everyone’s, this is the norm in our culture). I didn’t have any more questions.
My wife was already panicking. “So, should we give the money (gift) thrice we brought for the wedding?” she asked. I said, “No, you eat once and gift once.” She instantly let out a sigh of relief.
The muhurta (auspicious time) for tying the marriage knot was approaching, and everyone made way for a special guest who was likely there to bless the holy thread (mangal sutra) by handing it over to the grooms. I had seen this man a few times in my locality and knew from some acquaintances that he was a local thug, or ‘Gunda’. Local businessmen often try to maintain good relationships with local thugs and policemen to avoid potential problems with their customers or clients.
I immediately turned to my wife and asked, “why the fuck are they asking a gunda/thug to grace such an important ceremony?!” “You please mind your business,” she replied gulping down a piece of rasmalai.
Six months later, my wife bumped into the local businessman and asked him, “So, how are your daughters-in-law doing?” He replied sadly, “The girl didn’t like my son, and she left him in the very first month.”