As Ruth walked up the aisle on the arm of her father, there was a mysterious smile on her face, as though she was not wholly there. This marriage was her mother’s idea. In fact, everything that happened in her life was orchestrated by her mother, the well known socialite Sarah Jacob.

“Only the best for my daughter,” she had said, and the wedding planner had done her proud.

The church was illuminated like a fairy castle. The colour scheme was in white and gold. Clusters of white and yellow roses hung from specially erected arches, their mild fragrance wafting through the pews. Little coloured bulbs blinked wickedly in a tantalizing chiaroscuro.

            Ruth felt weighed down by the long dress of lace and satin.

“Mother, why waste such a packet on a dress that I’ll only wear once? Can’t I dress in a sari instead? These long white gloves make my skin feel itchy. The tiara looks so pompous, and the train weighs a ton,” she argued.

“Listen Ruth, I don’t want any last minute tantrums. I’ve gone through all this trouble to make you look like a dream. You ought to be grateful,” said her mother.

“But Mother, this is so pretentious. We’re Indians. So why do we have to ape these stupid foreign customs? I’m sure I’ll look gorgeous in a beautiful Benares sari and a neat hairdo. I hate all these fripperies.”

“No more arguments. You’ll ruin your makeup with worry lines. Here, let me touch up your cheeks again.”

Ruth wished she could lash out and push her mother away. But years of conditioning had taught her that she could never win. A quiet acquiescence was the only way, if she didn’t want a war on her hands.

            Now as Ruth daintily walked up the aisle she thought, “Soon I’ll be out of her clutches. I will not let her stretch her tentacles towards my marital home. I’ll be free …..free after twenty four long years of suppression and curtailment of freedom. I will be free at last.”

She looked through her veil at the man beside her. He seemed so sad.

“Dear, dear Dad,” she thought, “What misery he must have suffered at her hands all these years. I know he would have left her a long time ago, if I had not been there. In a way, my marriage will give him the liberty to cut loose. She could luxuriate in her wealth, and enjoy the company of her social circle. Perhaps she might even find a gigolo whom she could bully and keep on a leash.”

Then she chided herself.

“This is not like you Ruth. …..Such bitter thoughts on your wedding day!”

            The organist began to play. Rich sounds of music filled the church.

“Here comes the bride…..All dressed in white.”

Ruth smiled at the people she recognised in the pews. The church was packed to capacity. No one would dare turn down an invitation from the high and mighty Sarah Jacob.

She spied her own group of friends in a corner. They all stood up to have a good look at her gorgeous outfit. She waved her gloved hand at them imitating the gesture of the late Lady Diana.

            They had reached as far as the altar. But Donald the bridegroom was not yet there. Traditionally, the groom should have arrived     much earlier than the bride. Her father made her sit on the seat reserved for the couple. Sarah Jacob came dashing up to them.

“How unmannerly!” she whispered, “He should have been here to welcome his bride. I’ll have something to say to him after the ceremony.”

She rushed back to the entrance to await the arrival of the groom.

            The people in the pews were getting restive.

“What has happened to the groom?” they asked each other.

“Has he developed cold feet?” one old lady asked.

“He might have panicked after meeting Sarah,” said another, “He probably thinks that Ruth might turn out to be like her mother.”

“I believe this is strictly an arranged marriage by the mothers of the groom and the bride. People say that the bridegroom’s mother Mrs. Kurien is just as bossy and possessive as Sarah.”

            Almost an hour later, the priest sent for the parents of the couple.

“Where is the groom?” he asked. “This doesn’t bode well for the marriage. Besides, I have another function to attend and must leave soon.”

“Give us a few more minutes,” begged Sarah, and dashed back to the main entrance. What a let down! She was seized with a panic attack and began to hyperventilate.

“Good God!” she cried, “I can’t become the laughing stock of the community. Do something.

Bring the bridegroom here soon.”

            As if in answer to her prayer, a black Mercedes pulled up. A young man in a black tuxedo stepped out. He certainly looked very handsome.

Sarah wanted to scream “Get lost. Who are you?”

But the man signaled her to be quiet.

“No hysterics unless you want to create a scene. I’m stepping in to save your face. You’re lucky to find a substitute like me.”

            He brushed her aside and walked confidently into the church, in spite of his slight limp. Ruth was sitting there looking nervously down at her hands. He could see from the corner of his eye that the groom’s parents were in shock. The lady clung on to her husband’s arm to keep from falling. The new groom turned to them and gave them a reassuring smile.

            The Pastor wasted no more time and began the ceremony. He had never met the groom before, as the family belonged to another church. Oblivious of the switch in bridegrooms he asked, “Do you take this woman for your wedded wife……..till Death do you part?”

“I do,” said the groom quite audibly.

Ruth had no hesitation in making the same vows.

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” said the Pastor, after they had exchanged rings.

Ruth looked into her new husband David’s face and smiled. David returned her smile, triumph beaming in his eyes.

            As they walked out of the church, the crowd pelted them with confetti and wished them many happy years together. Some said they made a handsome pair.

A car was waiting outside to take them to the venue of the reception. It was to be a lavish affair on the lawns of Windsor Manor. The Elite of Bangalore would grace the occasion. The merry making began even before the couple could arrive on the scene. But they never turned up. Instead they drove to the airport to take off on their honeymoon.

“Congratulations!” said Donald the original groom as he rushed up to his brother and embraced him. “Thank you for everything. Now meet my wife Nabila. She flew in from Bombay today. Tonight, after the ruckus dies down, I’ll take her home and introduce her to Mum and Dad. They’ll just have to accept her, won’t they?”

Nabila gave Ruth a hug, and handed over two tickets to Mauritius.

“This is our wedding gift to you. I hope you’ll not be disappointed with your substitute.”

Ruth laughed heartily. “Oh! So Donald hasn’t told you our story? We’ve been in love for the last three years. But there was strong opposition from both sides – what with David into racing cars, and a veteran of many accidents, and I refusing to toe the academic line, and settling for work among the mentally handicapped! Besides, I’m such a plain Jane compared to this Casanova.”

“Bravo you two!” said Donald beaming happily, “In the end, Love is all that matters.”

“We’re indebted to both of you too. Thank you for making it possible.”

Ruth blew them a kiss as she hurried to the rest room to change into her usual attire.