The Man at the Window – The Wedding – 9


As I walk into Poppy’s house, I see a little girl sitting on the bed with the cat on her lap. She was enthusiastically petting the cat that seemed eager to get away. I walked past her to my seat near the window. She smiled at me and as if it was waiting for that moment of distraction - the cat hopped off and ran. The girl ran behind it, determined to be affectionate. Just then, Poppy came over with my cup of tea. He sat in his chair and said “That’s my granddaughter”, he said and was literally glowing with joy as he said that. I nodded and smiled. From the corner of my eyes I could see the cat was still being chased around the house.

It was July when Poppy had proposed and before he knew it, it was November and he was back in Calcutta. It was a busy time for Poppy as he was giving interviews and planning his wedding. They had decided on a December wedding, adding on to the festivities of Christmas and New Year. In the first week of December, Poppy received a letter. It was from the same school that had rejected his admission as a student, many years ago. Poppy had got a job as a teacher there. His happiness knew no bounds. It was a different kind of victory for him. He not only realized his dream, he was appointed by the same school that had refused him education. Sweet revenge I would think.  He had to report to work on January 4, 1978, once the school vacations were over. Now Poppy was fully occupied with the wedding preparations, even though the only part he really had was following Mary’s instructions. He smiled as he said, “She was very organized”. He reached out to the box and took out a small envelope, a little bigger than my palm. It was his wedding card. It was a small white card with silver writing and on the envelope was the picture of a horse and carriage with a bride and groom. It was a simple little card inviting their loved ones to join them in their celebration of a “forever love”. Before the wedding, Poppy and Mary went to Madras to visit Poppy’s father, who had taken ill while going to meet his sister there. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t make it to the wedding. Poppy was disappointed but his father wouldn’t let him postpone. 

Mary woke up that beautiful day in December, bright and smiling, it was her birthday and the day she would get the best gift ever - the man she loved. It was their wedding day too. Mary rushed home from the beauty parlour she had gone to get her hair set. She had to be ready and at the Church by 4:00 p.m. Poppy checked on the church and reception hall to ensure everything was complete. Then he rushed home to get ready. He was missing his old man on this special day. It was an emotional day for Poppy’s mother. He was her youngest after all. Dressed in his dark grey suit and contrasting pink buttonhole, Poppy stood tall and handsome. Both the families had gathered at the church. The church and reception hall was beautifully decorated in pink and white flowers. They waited for the bride and her entourage to arrive.

The Church bell rang and the whole congregation stood up. The choir played “Here comes the Bride”. Everyone was all smiles and Poppy was blushing. He turned and looked at the door. There stood Mary. She looked immaculate in that beautiful flowing white gown and veil. Her hair set in beautiful curls, she walked down the aisle with her father, holding her bouquet of beautiful pink carnations. She smiled and looked down, almost shy to look up at him. Poppy stared at her in awe. He never thought she could look any more beautiful than she already was. She joined him at the altar and the pastor began the wedding ceremony. He spoke of love, endurance, patience and the gift of loving each other every day no matter what. As they got ready to take their vows, Poppy picked up the veil and looked at Mary. Her face was radiant with happiness. “Oh! That beautiful smile”, he said. She looked at him as she said her vows, “till death do us apart”, those big eyes full of promise and meaning. Poppy couldn’t wait to take his vows and put that ring on her finger. He was the happiest man there ever was. He had found his soul mate. After the service, everyone gathered at the Y.M.C.A hall where the reception was to be held. It was a haven of flowers and lights. Simple, yet beautiful. The Bride and Groom went for their traditional drive around the city in a horse drawn carriage, “which was cheaper than a car, in those days”, said Poppy. They arrived at the hall to cheers and claps from all gathered there. There were people and gifts and drinks and food, but most of all there was love and happiness in the air. It was a beautiful day of love and promise. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the bride and groom danced to the song” Islands in the stream” by Dolly Parton. In the midst of all the chaos of life, they had found their peace in each other… now and forever.

The cat had been caught and was being fed. It was time for me to go home.

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