Page 73 of Not Your Basic Love Story

Miranda appeared beside me, and I took a moment to introduce everyone.

“Don’t worry,” Miranda said. “I’m not drinking and will make sure she won’t be, either.”

“Perhaps we can all meet for brunch tomorrow?” I suggested, then immediately regretted it, remembering my plans for tomorrow involved being very hungover.

“That sounds like a tremendous idea!” Jag said. Shawan smiled and nodded.

We said our goodbyes and headed into the building where we’d rented a three-bedroom condo on the top floor. Between Priya and Angelina being best buddies and Miranda and Nicole being best buddies, I was starting to feel like the odd woman out at my own bachelorette party.

As soon as we got in, Angelina was cracking a bottle of champagne and pouring a glass for everyone except Miranda.

“Hey, Priya’s not old enough to drink,” Miranda said, filling her glass with sparkling cider.

Angelina rolled her eyes. “Relax. It’s one glass of champagne. Let the girl have some fun, will ya?”

Priya grinned and clinked glasses with Angelina.

“Actually,” Priya announced, “I have something important for us to do. Give me a minute to set up.”

We watched with slight confusion as Priya gathered a laptop and some cords from her bag and began plugging it all in to the TV. A few moments later, a PowerPoint presentation was visible, and she was motioning for us all to take a seat. Angelina topped up all of our glasses, including Priya’s.

Standing out in front of us like she was introducing the newest iPhone, Priya squared her shoulders, cleared her throat, and began. “Seeing as you all are ridiculously white, there are some things you need to know about Sikh weddings. Allow me to educate you.” She clicked through the slides. “Before the wedding even happens, there are some traditions that will take place. There’s the Sikh holy book, called the Guru Granth Sahib, and it has to be read from front to back with no breaks.”

“Wait,” I said, interrupting already. “I have to read this giant book?”

Priya laughed. “Hell no! First of all, it’s not in English. Secondly, you don’t even have to be in the room. Our family will make a donation to the temple, and the priests take turns reading it. You and Dev can pop in and out. He’ll probably take a few turns. Don’t worry about it.”

I sighed with relief.

“Then, you present Dev with shagan. It’s just like, gifts that are traditionally given.” She pointed at some of the images on screen. “Saffron paste, a coconut broken in half, almonds, sugar, and some dried fruits.”

This was all very technical. Miranda leaned in and whispered, “What the hell is saffron paste?”

Should I be taking notes? I raised my hand. “Will this presentation be available afterwards?”

“Yes. I can email it to you all.”

Nicole looked bored. “Not to me, thanks.”

I glared at Nicole. Priya looked a little uncertain, so I gave her a smile.

Priya continued. “A few days before the wedding, usually the groom goes by the bride’s house to drop off the wedding dresses and what-not, but you’ll be getting ready at our house, so no need to worry about that.”

“When does the henna happen?” Miranda asked.

“A day or two before the wedding. It’s my next slide.” She clicked. “It’s called the mehndi ceremony,and all of the important female relatives and friends are invited to join, and you’ll all give gifts to the bride. Wear as much colour and jewelry as you can. It’s like, really fun.”

“We all get henna?” Angelina asked.

“Yes.”

“Sweet.”

Priya continued. “There’s one other ceremony called choora.These red and white bangles are like a big fat ‘just married’ sign, and they symbolize fertility and stuff. Your uncle will put those on for you.”

I interrupted. “I haven’t seen my uncle since I was a kid, and I don’t expect to see him at the wedding. He lives in Nova Scotia.”

Priya thought for a moment. “Your brother, then.”

---