Small Story 742.

 

Small Story 742

Life Is Beautiful – 87

The next morning, Ali came to Ram’s guest house and picked him up for the wedding ceremony at Vasanthi’s place.

Ram reached the venue, where around 30 guests had gathered. Two priests were also present to conduct the wedding ceremony. The guests included colleagues from the Channel office, a few family friends, and friends from the Consulate.

After breakfast, everyone assembled in the hall and took their respective seats. Ram and Vasanthi then went inside to change into their traditional Indian wedding attire.

Ram looked elegant in his traditional wedding attire, wearing a beautiful garland. Vasanthi looked equally graceful in a beautiful orange-coloured saree, also adorned with a garland. The couple looked extremely happy and radiant.

The wedding ceremony began with the chanting of traditional wedding mantras. The sacred rituals continued for nearly an hour. Finally, Ram tied the mangalyam around Vasanthi’s neck, completing the sacred marriage ceremony.

Everyone warmly blessed the newly married couple and wished them a long, happy, healthy, and prosperous life together.

The entire wedding ceremony was also recorded on video. When their friends in Mysore watched the video, they showered Ram and Vasanthi with heartfelt wishes and compliments, describing them as a wonderful and perfectly matched couple.

By then, Sulaiman arrived and warmly congratulated Ram. He said, “I am extremely happy that my new CEO has reunited with his old friend here in the UAE. Your reunion has made me very happy.”

Sulaiman then announced a surprise gift for the newly married couple. He said that he had learned that Ram had already been invited to the United States even before his reunion with Vasanthi. Therefore, as a special gesture, he would arrange a round-trip air ticket for Mrs. Vasanthi Ram so that she could accompany Ram to the United States for the forthcoming programme, where Ram would address the gathering on his favourite subjects—blogging and publication.

Ram was delighted by Sulaiman’s generous gesture and sincerely thanked him for his thoughtful gift.

Atkinson was also extremely happy with Sulaiman’s words. He said that Ram was truly an outstanding and deserving person, and that the recognition and appreciation he was receiving were well deserved.

The Consulate friends also congratulated the newly married couple. They said that although they had come to attend the wedding of two people who had reunited after many years, it felt as though they were witnessing the marriage of a newly formed young couple because of the happiness, affection, and warmth they shared.

Anusha Madam’s lawyer friend then assured her, “Within two days, I will ensure that Mrs. Vasanthi Ram’s name is properly endorsed in her passport through the Indian Consulate, in preparation for her forthcoming journey to the United States.”

Ram was extremely delighted and thanked everyone for making their wedding such a grand and memorable occasion in the friendly country of the United Arab Emirates.

Anusha Madam then thanked all the guests for their presence and announced, “We still have two hours before lunch. My friend’s musical party will now entertain us with some evergreen old Hindi and Kannada songs.”

Within ten minutes, the musical programme began. The entire gathering thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Many guests especially appreciated the melodious old Hindi and Kannada songs, which brought back wonderful memories of their younger days.

After the programme, everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch arranged by Venus Caterers. At the end, every guest received a sweet gift box containing an apple as a token of love and appreciation.

Before leaving, Vasanthi and Ram respectfully bowed before Anusha Madam and received her blessings.

Kaadhambari then approached Vasanthi and lovingly received her blessings. With deep emotion, she addressed Vasanthi as her “Mummy” and Ram as her “Dad,” accepting them wholeheartedly as her parents.

It was a deeply touching moment for everyone present.

The reunion that had begun after 26 long years had now blossomed into a beautiful new chapter in the lives of Ram and Vasanthi, bringing two families and many dear friends even closer together.

To be continued…

K. Ragavan

23-9-26