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It was in one of those days that Maji's wedding was fixed. Usually, I didn't like to attend wedding functions. My mother would talk and laugh loudly, attracting all other's attention. I would watch her surprisingly and with discomfort. I could hear the relatives praise her for her kindness and generosity. It was unbearable for me. Maji had very easily accommodated to the existing social system. Though she failed in Std X, she joined a parallel college and was able to succeed in the SSLC examination. Then, she got admission in SSV College, Airapuram, near Perumbavoor, I think. She opted IIIrd group for Pre degree ie. the main subjects were History, Politics and Economics. Actually, as a singer, she wanted to learn music in R L V College of Music and Fine Arts, Tripunithura, Ernakulam district, affiliated to M. G. University, Kottayam. But, uncle Yacob didn't give her permission. Her father told her that she could select the course which her brother had studied. Once she sadly revealed me this fact. I think her brother Benny also studied in the same college. But I don't know whether they passed the examination or not. However, they didn't proceed their education after Pre degree. Maji was very smart and many young persons were attracted towards her. By that time, she had completed eighteen years old. So, uncle Yacob decided to marry her off to another family.
On the day before marriage, after noontime, I, my brother, and sister went to Maji's house. Her mother, aunt Leela has six brothers and three sisters. The house was full of elders as well as children. I was shocked and couldn't tolerate such a situation. In the evening, my father and mother came. The Vicar of the Church also came, there was a prayer and a small feast. During that time, I heard that aunt Leela's brothers were dipsomaniacs. I could hear those persons inviting my father to join with them. I was disturbed in it and I stood near my father , staring at him. But I don't remember whether my father joined with them or not. In Kerala, this practice is considered as terrible sin. We usually drink wellwater (in those days ). Then, there was enough of coffee & tea. During summer, there was sambharam ( made with buttermilk, green chilli, ginger piece, curry leaves and some salt ). At night, we returned to our house. My paternal aunt's family also returned to my house because of the lack of space in Maji's house, I think.
The next day morning, everyone was preparing to go to Maji's house and then to the Church for the wedding function. But I felt that I couldn't face those crowd in their house. I shouted that I wouldn't come to the marriage function. I loudly declared that the marriage was at an early age, uncle Yacob & aunt Leela were responsible for that, but I couldn't accept such a marriage. I spoke at the top of my voice. No one reacted to my words, even my mother. Everyone went to uncle's home in a hurry.
I don't remember when I saw Maji's husband, Jenson. In the evening or the next day morning, I went to uncle Yacob's house because my mother & father were scolding me all the time. When I entered the house, all the relatives had gone. I don't remember uncle's and aunt's reaction. Maji said to her husband, "she is shy, that's why she didn't come to the marriage". He talked to me two or three sentences. I think I was served with some food. After that, I escaped from there, ran through the ridges of the paddyfields with excitement and reached home.
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