I Do

Just 5 minutes before the biggest moment of his life, Vijay David realized 3 things.

1. You cannot swear in a church.
2. You cannot swear for sure when you are standing in front of the altar and the priest is standing in front of you....and when you happen to be the Bridegroom.
3. Last but not the least.....he was developing cold feet and was not sure if he wanted to get married now.

To pass these 5 minutes before the bride Vinola Jesudas's arrival, we will switch now to a little flashback mode. Vijay had met Vinola in a flight to an international Business conference. Not exactly by the quotes book, but at least their love was surely decided in heaven. They were seated next to each other in the flight and what started as a banter and time killing talk turned out to be an exhilarating experience. At the end of the conversation they exchanged their hotel room numbers. By the end of the 3 days conference he knew the name of her niece and how many cousins she had and she knew what was the name of the boy who punched and broke his wisdom tooth in 3rd standard.

They traveled together on their way back (courtesy the Gujrati Uncle who understood their need to spend time together and hence switched seats) and when they walked back they had exchanged phone numbers. After a month of courtship, formally Vijay asked her out for dinner and informally popped the inevitable question to spend the rest of her life with him. An intelligent girl that she was, Vinola had seen this coming and so didn't quite give him the Ms. World Like Oh-My-God-I-Have-Won-it expression, but gently smiled and expressed her willingness to be with him. Vijay couldn't have asked for more. They informed their respective parents about the whole issue and since luckily the ghosts of caste and religion were rested, they had the blessings of their loving-but-conservative parents.

Now you are wondering why on earth was Vijay worried. Two reasons - RESPONSIBILITY and COMMITMENT. A single child of his parents, Vijay had been a kind of spoilt brat and had things working up his way as he had wanted them to. For every errands of his life, he had someone to take care of it be it his mother or father or someone who loved him. So being responsible for anything was something that he had just learnt only on professional front and not in his personal life. A visit to his cousin Lawrence's house had in a way opened a can of worms when he saw him run from pillar to post to run his family and take care of his just born kid. Vijay was not sure if he had the patience to be adjustable and adopt a give-and-take policy in life, so he made some excuses and left his cousin's place as soon as possible. Everything appeared fine in love, but at this moment, he was developing cold feet and raised questions to himself if he could stay committed to one women for his whole life.

With question marks looming over his head, Vijay was trembling. His tongue had parched and there were beads of sweat on his forehead. It was when the bride arrived that two things happened almost simultaneously. Vijay turned back and saw Lawrence happily sitting with his kid. The kid and Lawrence smiled and waved at him. It was a smile of satisfaction, happiness and content. One question answered. He saw Vinola walk towards him with her father and smile at him. He now knew what he had to say when the right time arrived.



The priest began the wedding with his customary talk "We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. Into this holy union Vijay Issac David and Vinola Sunderrajan Jesudas now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now; or else forever hold your peace."

Just when no one seemed to talk Vijay said "I have something to say."

There was a silence followed by gasps in the hall. Vinola looked at him as if she was looking at him for the first time. She wondered what reason was Vijay going to give at his point.

"Five minutes ago I suddenly had this strange feeling in my head. I was not sure if I could do this whole marriage act. I have always been a self centered person and have forgotten about all those who cared about me. I had forgotten Vinola's Birthday and forgot to wish her. I had forgotten that she liked Butterscotch ice cream more than Pistachio Sunday. I forgot that she likes Rahul Dravid more than Sachin Tendulkar. I forgot that she likes Blue better than black."

"But I haven't forgotten that she gifted me a beautiful White shirt remembering that of all shirts I had, I didn't have one in white. I haven't forgotten that she sponsored a days meal to the kids at orphanage for my Birthday. I haven't forgotten how much she respects her parents as well as mine. I cannot forget how much she loves me, more than anyone else on earth."

"Lastly as I stand before the Lord almighty and I look into her small beautiful eyes, I will remember forever in life that how lucky I am to say these words to the woman whom I love and who loves me more in return and to be blessed in marital bliss with her forever in my life.....till death do us apart."

Tears trickled down Vinola's eyes and she hugged and kissed him.

It was then that the priest remembered something important. Wasn't he supposed to say "And you may now Kiss the Bride" first?

P.S: For my Blogger friends Ambi and Ms C, college friends Pradeep and Priya who say their I DO in this month of May. Lets wish them a very happy, prosperous and beautiful wedding life.
P.S1: I loved the trailor posted :D.