It
was 4.30 am as Soli leaned over the balcony and looked down at the early
morning traffic below his house. He heard the BEST bus conductor ringing the
bell signaling the driver to skip the empty bus stop at Nair Hospital. Across
the road he saw three boys washing taxis and suddenly he remembered his days
when he would do the same. Tears welled up in his eyes and he felt a lump in his
throat. Just then Jeroo joined him holding two mugs of tea. She followed his
gaze and understood why he had tears in his eyes. Wiping them she said gently “ You have worked hard when your family needed
you most, God Bless you dikra (son), we love you. Now you are starting your
married life. Something I always wanted. God found Shireen , my sweet princess
for you. She is very un- demanding and kind, you both will be happy with each
other..”. Buster pushed the French window with his nose first , then his paw as
he opened it to join them. He could feel the palpable happiness of his family
today as he snuggled Soli’s leg urging to be petted. As always, Soli obliged.
Gustad
joined them on the balcony as everyone hugged a ‘goodmorning.’ “So Soli weds
Shireen today, said Gustad raising his tea mug toasting the occasion. “Had a
good sleep?”he asked his family lovingly. “We have a hectic day ahead , lunch
is also at the baug and the families from Surat, Navsari, Udwada and Ahmedabad
will be joining us, so Jeroo dear just tell us when to move.”
The
sky lit up in an amber shade , then white and finally blue. The Gustad’s
readied themselves to be in God’s presence one more time. Jeroo darted in
quickly and came out tying a knot under her chin of the mathubanu ( head scarf)
,as she handed her husband and son two caps to cover their heads. Finally there
was a bright flash of yellow and dark amber light and they saw Behram Yazad and
God, together after a long time. The Gustads’ thanked The Almighty and His Ace
Angel for coming to bless them on this red letter day in their lives. Both were
smiling benignly at the trio as God spoke “ You all have been through thick and
thin together we have come to bless you and just one small bit of advice…Gustad
and Jeroo , your son will be a married man tonight. Please understand he will
have his own share of responsibilities to HIS wife and family. Leave him to
relish his married life going forward. And Jeroo, we have seen you demonstrate
your love for Shireen. May you always continue doing so”. Behram Yazad looked
dapper, dressed as he was in a silk shirt and flat front trousers. He was
handsome to the core and his angelic face was always aglow with Gods’ grace.
The Gustads’ bowed to them as they vanished into the blue sky that had begun to
be visible as dawn faded gently into daylight.
After
the wedding ceremony was over, Gustad and Jeroo, alongwith Shireen’s parents
accompanied the young couple to the Banaji Atashbehram ( fire temple) just around the
corner on Thakurdwar road. The Dagli and Fenta ( traditional wear) that Soli,
his father-in-law and Gustad wore made them look distinguished. And the three
ladies, the bride, her mother and Jeroo made for a pretty picture too. They
bowed their heads in reverence to the holy AtashPadshah Sahib (Holy Fire) and
sought His blessings.
Back
at the venue, Gustad and Jeroo made sure his cab drivers and their families
were the first to have dinner. All of them had been with Gustad for more than a
decade. The oldest one was Munshi bhai, who was the first driver to join him
when he bought his second cab. That was
20 years ago. He spoke ‘bawaese’ better than most bawas even though his
mother tongue was Urdu. There was Alibhai, then Maheshbhai and a host of other
parsis who turned the wheels of “Gustad Auto Services”. As they rose after
polishing off the dessert they hugged Soli and Gustad numerous times and went
on to bless the young couple. That is when Gustad and Jeroo gave them all a
gold coin of 10 gms each. Munshibhai and most others had tears of joy in their
eyes at this generosity.
Soli
introduced Roxanne Bamboat to his parents, who were so keen to meet “the tiny
taster”. “I’m a huge fan of yours dear Roxanne and I just love your blogs, also
your effort Comida is sooo interesting. Let’s meet for a heart to heart chat
sometime soon, Soli told me you were studying in college together as also
Parinaz Billimoria, that girl who writes from her soul, you girls do your
parents proud I must say”, gushed Jeroo as she gave a peck on her cheek. Parinaz
was the next guest on stage to wish her friends on their wedding. She knew both
Shireen and Soli. Of course, how could Jeroo miss out giving her a hug and a
peck too?
All
the guests enjoyed the Gustads’ hospitality, it was genuine and unadulterated.
Shireen was beaming as the effervescent bride as her
parents and sister stood by her side and posed for pictures.
After
the ‘chanto-pani’( booze and soft drinks) guests were moving to the dining
tables in turns. Tannaz Godiwalla was supervising every detail so all the
Gustads’ were required to do, was the handshake and ‘jumjoji’ (please eat well)
routine.
It
was time for the last ‘paanth’ ( round of food) usually when the ‘ghernao’ (the
hosts and their close family members) sit for dinner. Soli had gone thrice
already to check on Buster, who was moving around obediently backstage. Tannaz,
had ensured he had his fill. Some of the guests and their children had been
petting him on and off. So much affection was more than Buster expected, but he
enjoyed himself and loved every moment of it.
It
was past mid-night as they wound up at the baug. After the hugs and kisses
Gustad and Shireen’s dad drove the newly weds to The Taj @ Apollo Bunder where
they were to spend the first three days of married life. Then they would be off
to Switzerland and some European countries, that Gustad had insisted Shireen
and Sohrab decide for themselves.
Just
as they retired to bed Jeroo and Gustad uttered “Tamara lakh lakh sugrana, Prabhu”(
thank you for everything God) as they bowed and touched the ground , and a few
miles away so did their son and his bride.
And
thus started a new chapter in ALL their lives.
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