My wedding, my choice

One of my office colleagues, Rohini was going to get married. She was very excited for her wedding. Each day she would tell us about her shopping or wedding arrangement experiences. Hearing about her experiences, we always pumped up as well. However as the day of wedding got closer we saw a change of behaviour and demeanor for Rohini.

One evening Rohini give me a call, "have you decided what are you going to wear on my wedding day?"

" Not yet but I do have some outfits in my mind," I responded unaware of how the discussion is going to flow.

"Hurry up, don't sit and wait, wedding is only a month away," Rohini said casually.

It really hurt me when she said that. I had been really occupied with work and she was very well aware of it. I personally felt insulted when she called me that. It was downright rude. I tried to hold my composure while responding, "If you insist multitasker, let me tell you about it. I was thinking of wearing my mother is blue saree."

" Absolutely cannot wear that. You look too fair in that colour," this was a mean comment coming from Rohini.

I took a deep breath to calm myself, "I am fair, maybe you forgot that in your wedding preparation. Anyway the second option is a red dress," I replied.

"Absolutely you cannot wear red. Have you not watched any social media content which tells that red is forbidden in weddings. Have can you be so ignorant," Rohini almost shouted.

I was getting angrier with each minute of this conversation. I knew I have to shut the insults, "the social media content that you are referring to is for western weddings where red colour is forbidden. You are getting married in the Indian settings so don't think that red is forbidden. Besides if you don't want me to Red, I do have one more option. I have a deep purple saree that I was thinking wear," I was putting a lot of efforts in keeping my voice polite.

"Are you really my friend? Why do you have to make every effort to upstage me? Purple is a royal colour and it should belong only to the bride," Rohini accused me of unthinkable.

" Who comes up with these ridiculous rules? I have never heard of it before and I am pretty it does not exist. Besides I have no plans to a stage you. In my opinion nobody can upstate an Indian bride. She glows differently on her wedding day. You do not need to feel so insecure about yourself," as soon as I said that I knew I have been rude, but the repeated insults were completely unbearable. I was quiet because she was stressed about her wedding but that did not give her a free pass to go around insulting others.

" How dare you say that? I am not even one bit insecure. I am the bride and you are obliged to respect my wishes," Rohini was breathing heavily, she was fuming, and I could sense that from the phone.

" What do you wish me wear? Tell me that, " I replied with a calmer tone.

" Wear something simple. White dress or saree," Rohini suggested.

" Sure. Don't get angry with me on your wedding day calling me a "ghost" because of my pale skin and white outfit. Isn't that what you said to me when I was wearing a white dress on Independence Day? I am warning you right now," I was furious now and I knew very well how she would react.

" Yes you are right you definitely look like a ghost in white. Well thank you so much for this discussion because now you are uninvited from my wedding. I hope you are happy now," Rohini disconnected the call.

I was really angry but at the same time I felt relieved. I was glad that I was not going to be a part of a wedding where there was so much of interference from the bride. I was happy that I was uninvited because I did not have to meet with irrational demands of the bride. With that thought I kept my phone down and continued with my day.