Adorned in a sherwani and turban for the evening, I initially found the attire manageable. However, my patience was tested when I was escorted to a horse-drawn chariot, lavishly decorated with lights, marking the beginning of a grand procession. My friends and relatives led the way, their spirits high as they danced to vibrant Bollywood wedding songs, their enthusiasm unflagging as we neared the venue entrance. Stepping onto the stage for our reception, the event felt more draining than joyous. Encircled by guests clamouring for photos with Dolly and me, I felt reduced to a mere spectacle, akin to a performer in a circus.

Beside me, Dolly appeared just as drained, her usually radiant smile dimmed under the heavy burden of her luxurious garments and jewellery, which seemed to weigh as much as she did. The reception lingered on until the night's end, and as the final guests trickled out, I momentarily surrendered to sleep's embrace, only to be awakened by Radha Di for dinner. With the wedding rituals slated to commence at 2 am, my yearning for sleep was brushed aside. I was bound by tradition to don another ceremonial outfit, bracing myself for the rituals ahead. Those precious 30 minutes of rest were all I had to recharge.

I marvelled at the sheer endurance demanded by the rites of marriage, pondering how some brave these rituals more than once. The night felt like an endless vigil, testing my stamina far beyond a mere celebration. Yet, the arrival of dawn, heralded by Pandit Ji's declaration that the wedding rites were concluded, elicited a profound sigh of relief from us all.

Dolly, though without a family of her own, found joy and playful conspiracy with her college friends and Yogesh, her foster family's son. Their spirited participation in the traditional shoe-hiding ritual infused a much-needed lightness into the proceedings. In a gesture of gratitude for their playful spirits, I presented her friends with cash and gifted Yogesh a sleek smartwatch, a small token to commemorate these lighter moments.

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With the ceremony now behind us, I was gently pulled away for a brief interlude of rest alongside friends and colleagues, all the while acutely aware of the further rituals that awaited our return.

Overwhelmed by fatigue, I collapsed onto the bed, still dressed in my wedding finery, while Sharad, equally drained, found rest beside me. Our friends, scattered around the room, succumbed to their own exhaustion, a testament to the week's relentless whirlwind.

As the new day dawned, around 9 am, Anjali Bhabhi and my mother, Aarti, entered, their arrival gently nudging us back to the day's responsibilities. 'Wake up, everyone. Breakfast is ready, and we'll soon need to check out,' announced Anjali, her voice slicing through the remnants of slumber.

Attempting to untangle myself from Sharad's unintended embrace, my mother's playful rebuke echoed, 'Sharad, let my son be. It's time you turned to your wife for affection. The bachelor life is now a chapter of the past.'

Her jest, infused with affection, sparked a ripple of chuckles, softly dispelling the last vestiges of sleep and grounding us back in the moment.

Sharad, channelling the playfulness of a schoolboy, implored my mother for a mere 'five more minutes' before drawing me into yet another enveloping bear hug. With a gentle effort, I disentangled myself from his embrace and sought refuge in the washroom to rejuvenate.

Breakfast awaited us on the terrace, transforming the space into a haven of camaraderie. There, amidst shared laughter and a feast that promised to sate our hunger, Sharad, his eyes twinkling with mischief, handed me a box. My eyebrow arched in silent query, eliciting a chorus from our assembly, "A united gift from us all." Their collective lean, voices mingling with suppressed laughter, heralded their playful taunt, "Wishing you all the best for your inaugural night, Mr. Virgin." Their unified laughter cascaded around us, my cheeks warming with a mix of embarrassment and affection. In the whirl of teasing, the stark realisation hit me—my first night as a husband loomed large. A fleeting desire to escape surged through me, leaving me adrift amidst the laughter and the looming expectations of the night ahead.