Page 49 of A Kiss in Kashmir

“Yes, amore, we’re all set. Stop worrying, my wonderful wife. Everything is ready.” Emilio squeezed her hand.

“It is not customary in this part of the world to make wedding toasts, and this is my first ever,” Suraj said. “I hope I do okay. Alina, forgive any mistakes.” He smiled brightly. “My brother Vikram would have loved being here today. I can only imagine how much love he would have showered on his daughter. I am not him, but I want to tell you, Alina, how much we all love you. Maulana Rumi used to speak of half-loves and as a young man, I never quite understood that concept. I think he meant that human love always left a longing in us, and that it was the role of the Divine to make that half-love whole and complete. Today, as I see my lovely niece married to this amazing young man, I feel the presence of the Divine blessing their love to be whole, right here on earth, right now. On behalf of my brother Vikram and my entire family, we offer our blessings to the newlyweds. My prayer for you is that your love will reverberate not only across this lifetime, but across all your coming lifetimes.”

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

Alina blew kisses at Suraj, thanking him for his wonderful words. Then her relieved eyes found Wajid, who smiled and gave her a thumbs-up.

That was Alina’s cue. She turned to her mother, whispering that she needed to go to the bathroom. “Can you come with me?”

The speeches stopped and during the couple of minutes while Alina was in the bathroom, Emilio joked about knowing he would always have to wait for her, even on their wedding day. Everyone laughed.

Suraj came back to the mic. “And now, everyone, if we could have your attention for a moment.” He turned to Wajid, who was ready and waiting. The room became quiet, then suddenly all the lights went off, plunging the room into darkness.

Rami, who was handling the lights, directed a single spotlight toward Alina and Sharmila as they walked back into the salon.

Sharmila was confused. “Alina, what’s going on?”

“Ma, this is exactly what should be happening,” Alina said, praying this would work. Emilio, Suraj, and Wajid appeared by their side, holding a stunning canopy made of flowers. Alina kissed Sharmila on her forehead, then took a hold of the fourth corner of the canopy, the four of them lifting it high above Sharmila’s head.

Sharmila now stood in the middle of the salon, surrounded by friends and family, with a canopy of fragrant flowers above her and the priest standing in front of her, microphone in hand.

“Alina, what’s going on?” This type of canopy was for the bride before her wedding. It should have been for Alina.

Then she saw him.

George took the mic from the priest. “Hello, everyone. My name is George.”

A chorus ofWe know!s answered him, and several people began clapping.

Sharmila turned to Alina. “What is happening?”

“Listen to him, Ma. For once, just listen to the man.”

“Sharmila,” George said. “My soul wasn’t looking for another dancing partner, but then I met you. The past five months have been the hardest in my life as I tried to make peace with the fact I would never see you again. I tried to reason with myself—that I had loved and lost and that was to be my destiny. But, all I know is that I missed you. I am sorry. Will you ever forgive me?”

Sharmila felt her eyes well with tears.

George went on. “You made me want to live again, to laugh again, and you taught me to love again. And yes, kids, even at my age, love can still happen at first sight.”

He put the mic down.

Sharmila watched George coming towards her. She had missed him—so much. Why hadn’t she let herself admit that? Why had she forced herself to keep pretending? It was useless. Right now, in this moment, it took everything she had not to run and hug him and kiss him as he approached. But she stood perfectly still as he continued.

“My dear Sharmila, I love you and trust our love. There is nothing in the world that I want more than to spend my life with you. Will you, my darling, do me the honor of a lifetime and marry me?” George was on one knee in front of her, holding up a single gold band.

Over the cheering of the entire wedding party, Sharmila could hear the familiar sound of her daughter crying. She could feel her own tears streaming down her face.

George beamed as he continued. “Do you remember the blessing we received about our knees staying flexible? I love you, my sweet Sharmila, but my knees… that blessing is still to come.”

Sharmila laughed and held out her hand. George placed the ring on her finger, then stood up, pulled her close and kissed her forehead. He bent over and whispered in her ear, “I am so sorry.”

She pulled back. She looked him in the eye and said, “I am sorry too.”

He addressed the crowd again. “One thing I have learned is that the most precious thing we have is time. And I will honor the Indian tradition of chat magni pat vivaah today.” Everyone clapped and cheered again at his reference to an old saying ofget engaged quickly and married quicker.

As though on cue, the canopy was placed to the side and Wajid handed up wedding garlands for both Sharmila and George.

“Ma,” Alina said, “only a fool would not be able to see the love you have in your eyes for George. And I see the love that he has for you. It is my life’s honor and privilege to give you away in marriage to a man I know loves you deeply.”

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