Another knock came.
“Damn it, Kamal.” Zora stomped over to the door and opened it. “Oh. Come in, everyone. Thank you for arriving.”
My glamour crew entered, carrying metal suitcases and garment bags.
Ross followed them inside. He wore a fitted designer tuxedo with a red and gold bowtie. He came over to me and kissed my cheek. “Today is the day.”
“It is.”
“Nervous?”
“Hells yes.”
“Well, at least you’ll be looking insanely breathtaking.”
“Thanks again for your design.”
Ross half-bowed. “It was a pleasure.”
After I took a quick shower, the crew began, doting on me like a princess. My queasiness left. I ate a few pieces of toast and fruit, knowing today would be full of elaborate dishes of food.
I’m really going to marry Kamal today.Chapter 23
KamalA Wedding to Remember
The sun set.
In the mirror, I gazed at my lavish white and gold turban. It was a single piece of cloth decorated with gold brocade and zari border. Beautiful metal pendants were sewn onto it.
Tyler watched my cousins put on my turban. “Why are you wearing that again?”
“Brides have their veils. Grooms have their headgear.”
“I wish I had one for my wedding.” Tyler frowned. “Maybe, I’ll wear one to the signing of my divorce.”
“It would be odd.”
“Deborah is already planning a divorce party. I might as well have some fun too.” Tyler pouted. “I can’t believe she left me, man.”
“She caught you with one of your side chicks. It couldn’t be helped.”
“My advice to you. . .only have one side chick.”
My cousin Prateek frowned. “Or no side chicks.”
“Or none.” Tyler nodded. “Yeah. Maybe don’t have any at all.”
I laughed. “Thank you for the advice.”
“There.” Prateek finished. “You look like a proper king.”
According to original Indian tradition, the entire ensemble of the groom should resemble a king. And Indian kings considered their crowns and turbans as symbols of pride and stature.
“Did you wear something like this?” Tyler asked my cousin.
“No. Kamal’s mother is from the south. Their very grandiose.”
I grinned.
“I’m from his father’s side. The northernmost tip of India. Jammu Kashmir.” Prateek placed his hand on his chest. “There, we have a cold climate. My attire was made of wool. I had a silver mulamentho. It’s similar to the bride’s and went from my head to my neck on both sides of my face.”
I drank in my mirror refection. Allowing my turban to be the focal point, I kept the rest of my ensemble in neutral ivory. I patted down my sherwani—a long coat-like garment remarkably similar to the British long coat. However, this had been crafted in elegant silk and embroidered in off-white beads.
“Your father would have been so proud.” Prateek gave me a warm smile. “And your bride is a beautiful and compassionate woman. You have done well for yourself, cousin.”
“I think so.”
Tyler poured me a glass of champagne and handed it my way. “Congratulations, man. You’re going to be happy.”
“No, thank you.” I waved the glass away. “I’m too nervous. I may drink more than necessary.”
Tyler winked and set the glass down. “Don’t worry. I’ve got your back like you had mine at my wedding.”
A loud knock sounded. “Kamal, the elephant is here.”
“Yes. Everything is on time.” Tyler punched the air. “I’m stoked for this. I can’t believe you pushed for that elephant.”
“One must indulge in small fantasies.” I moved the curtain and spotted the beautiful animal. “I’m only getting married once, so I wanted to do it all.”
Many didn’t see an elephant walking down a public street every day. Therefore, crowds of people stood on the sidewalk, gawking, and taking pictures. Red finery draped the big captivating animal. A band stood by, along with professional dancers, draped in red and gold.
The baraat was the groom’s wedding procession, and mine would be the best one of this year.
Tyler handed me a gold sword. “It’s time to do the do, man.”
“Here we go.” I left the hotel suite, walked down the hallway, and stopped in front of the elevator. When the doors slid open, Tyler and Prateek climbed on with me.
Tyler glanced my way. “How the hell did you get the elephant? I thought you were having problems.”
“It was a lot. Some places in California have ordinances that forbid the performance of any wild and exotic animals for public use. Various cities have separate ordinances and different wording regarding wild animals and performances. I spent a month searching for the one that worked for our plans.”
“So, this area is okay with it?”
“Yes, but there were a lot of instructions dealing with food and accommodations. And Jade wanted to make sure that the company was a good one and treated the elephants properly. No abuse or anything like that.”
We made it to the hotel lobby and headed to the front.
“We also didn’t want to have me riding the elephant for too long and far.” I pointed to the back of the hotel. “Therefore, the elephant will only take me over there and that’s it.”