Page 43 of Tiger's Voyage
I laughed. “I would be delighted to be escorted by such a handsome young man, but you’ll have to ask Dad.”
Mr. Kadam smiled. “Of course. As long as you bring her back before the lantern ceremony.”
As Kishan pulled me away, I asked, “So … where’s Ren?”
“He took off when we got here. Said he had to do something.”
“Oh.” I couldn’t help feeling slightly disappointed even though I was in perfectly good company.
“Come on. Let’s get something to eat,” he said.
We walked past stand after stand of delicious foods. Everything imaginable was being sold, even candy. One woman had an entire stand of candy roses. Many of the vendors were offering little tastes or appetizers like tapas. We chose treats from several places.
We had spicy peach chutney on crackers, samosas, and little cups ofbaigan bharta, which turned out to be eggplant charred over a flame, peeled, and mashed with yogurt and spices. There was also a variety of Chinese appetizers, egg rolls, wontons, and dim sum. I even found curried popcorn—but turned it down.
Kishan laughed as I wrinkled my nose. “How can you enjoy India when you hate curry? It’s like living in China and hating rice.”
“There are plenty of other foods and spices here that I like, just not curry.”
“Okay, but that leaves me with very few options left for feeding you.”
“It’s probably better that way. I don’t want to pop out of my dress.”
“Hmm,” Kishan looked at me and teased, “perhaps you need to eat more, then.”
Soon we ran into Mr. Kadam and Nilima. Ren, however, was still missing.
Nilima took my arm. “Let’s go to the lantern ceremony.”
“What do we have to do?”
“You’ll see,” Nilima said with a laugh. “Come on.”
A crowd of people had gathered by the bridge already. The local festival organizers stood on a raised platform and welcomed the crowd. Mr. Kadam translated.
“They bid us welcome and hope we enjoy the festivities. Now he’s talking about the great history of our town and of the accomplishments we’ve made this year. Ah!” Mr. Kadam clapped his hands. “Now it’s time for fathers with eligible daughters to come and pick a lantern. Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
Boxes of flower-shaped lanterns were opened and handed out to fathers with unmarried daughters. Mr. Kadam brought back two. He handed a pink one to Nilima and a white one to me.
“What do I do?”
“You describe the man you wish to marry,” Mr. Kadam explained.
Panicked, I sputtered, “Out loud?”
“No, on paper or in your mind, if you wish. Then each maiden takes a turn and places the lantern in the fire if she feels the man she seeks is near or on the water if she feels he is far away.”
I glanced up at Kishan, who winked at me meaningfully.
“Oh,” I swallowed thickly.
Nilima turned to me. “Are you ready, Miss Kelsey?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Because the announcer has just asked all single women to step forward.”
Nilima caught my arm, and we walked together to the front where all the girls were standing. At the ring of the bell, everyone lit their lanterns with tiny candles. When the bell rang again, the throng of giggling women moved forward and one by one made a choice in front of the cheering crowd.
