Page 188 of Glass Jawed
I nod as I take it all in.
“And that—” she gestures to golden umbrella-shaped trinkets tied to thechoodawith string, “—iskaleere. Basically our version of the bouquet toss. But more intense.”
I frown. “So she throws them at someone?”
“Buddhu,” she groans. “No. She bangs her wrists together above every unmarried girl in the family. If a kaleera breaks and falls on your head—you’re next.” (Buddhu = Idiot.)
My heart slams. I’m already halfway to lunging toward Ishika and yanking thosekaleereloose. But no. Let fate decide.
The ceremony starts.
A cousin goes first.
My inner chant begins:Not yet, not yet, not yet.
Then it’s her turn.
My Rohi.
She glances at me—just for a beat. Expression unreadable. Then bows her head in front of Ishika.
“Ooooh, the suspense!” Kash’s commentary finds my ear but I ignore it. Because I’m now sitting up straighter.
I don’t even blink.
Break. Break. Break away!
And then—
A tiny golden string falls from thekaleereand lands right on Rohi’s head.
She gasps. Then giggles—her voice echoing through the main hall.
And I? I melt, right in front of everyone.
My eyes lock with Kiki Aunty’s—she’s already laughing, looking straight at me.
And then Rohi turns. Glowing. Her smile so blinding it guts me. I grin at her and then wink.
She’s next. And I’ll bedamnedif I’m not her groom.
??????
The whole day’s been a blur.
Between hauling things around, assembling the flower canopy with a bunch of uncles, and then trying to manage the damnbaraat, I’m surprised I haven’t passed out.
The groom’s family literally exited the farmhouse, circled the entire property once, and then entered it again—singing,dancing, playing drums like it was some kind of joyful protest march.
Now, for context—I could’ve walked that entire perimeter in fifteen minutes flat. Thebaraattook two hours.Two.
If it were me, getting married to Rohi? Yeah. I’d have my baraat inside in less than two minutes. Zero theatrics. Straight to the vows.
But...traditions.
Now we’re all gathered at themandap.Joota churaiis done. And I’ve barely seen Rohi all day.
She’d been getting ready with Kash and Ishika—the full glam squad: makeup, dress fittings, manicures, bangles, hair, more bangles. It’s been a marathon prep.
