...............Anza’s wish to visit terracotta army in Xian province had to
be postponed as functions of Li’s wedding were started at its boom.
LI’S WEDDING
Attending a Chinese marriage ceremony in totally different culture was a great experience for her. Chen took her suggestions at every moment.
‘Now a days most brides chose white dress for their wedding but I went with traditional red skirt and blouse,’ she showed her bridal dress to Anza. Why don’t you wear your wedding dress on my wedding? It was beautiful. I have seen your wedding pictures, it was also red,’ Chen reminded at once.
‘No, not at all! It was too heavy. Its called lenga,’ Anza replied shilly-shally.
‘Though influenced by the western culture but most of our brides still can’t think of any other fusion other than red on their wedding day,’ Anza acquainted her. ‘I have brought another formal dress for your wedding.’
visit http://fusionstor-ies.blogspot.com
They went to market where Chen bought few pairs phoenix or dragon candles, joss sticks, lotus seeds, red dates, dragon imposed cushions and many Chinese tea sets.
‘These things will be used to perform the wedding rituals,’ Chen explained to Anza watching her shopping amazingly. Anza also bought few Chinese tea sets from there.
‘Did you left some for the remaining brides or bought all,’ Nofil asked her by looking at the bulk of tea sets, when he came to pick them with Li.
‘I thought I’ll gift these to all our relatives. These all cost very reasonable, so I got 13 sets. Have I bought too much?’ Anza responded innocently by looking at Nofil’s response.
‘No M’am, it’s your time now. Do whatever you like,’ Nofil bowed down and looked at Li.
‘See your future with my eyes,’ he smiled at Li.
‘I’m already looking at it,’ Li replied while putting lot of boxes in the car.
HAIR DRESSING CEREMONY
At last the day of hair dressing ceremony arrived.
‘It is held one night before the wedding day, it may be compared with your mehndi function but with totally different style,’ Chen told Anza.
‘According to famous Chinese saying; a person actually become adult after its wedding and this ceremony portrays this,’ Li told Nofil. Nofil was about to attend Li’s capping (jia Guan) ceremony at his side.
They dropped Anza and Chen at Chen’s house. The ceremony started late at night when Chen sat at front of window facing the full moon. Her mother started to comb her hairs and with every comb she was singing Chinese traditional verses full of prayers. Anza was given special importance at every occasion. She participated in all rituals. Anza was not able to comprehend their language but she could understand the plea of happy life for bride and groom by every one. The wedding day is always hectic; Nofil had an idea but this much running in one day, he didn’t imagine.
YOU CAN’T MEET THE BRIDE UNTIL…
They woke up early as Anza had to reach at parlor with Chen and Nofil accompanied the Li. At noon Li left with his friends to take his bride. Nofil was expecting the warm welcome, shower of petals at the guests, but he got stunt when a lot of young girls fenced them all. ‘You can’t meet the bride.’ They stopped the guests in the lobby. Nofil got amazed at the situation.
50 SIT UP, HOLDING YOUR EARS AND EAT THE CAKE LAYING ON THE FLOOR WITH YOUR MOUTHS
It was the tradition that groom and his friends had to pass some tests before going to bride. Yes, it was test time but with a lot of laughter’s and fun. They all were told to lie down and eat cake from the plates with mouth. Nofil hardly managed to prevent his expensive walima suit from stains. The cake was looking delicious with the signs of dragon and phoenix imprinted on it. As soon as he tried to eat that by its mouth, he felt a very unfamiliar taste of red bean paste and lotus seeds paste in it. He hardly ate some but Li and other boys were competing to finish the plates first. Finally it was all finished and Nofil stood up, cleaned his face and felt relax, when they all were said to hold their ears and do sit 50 sit ups.
‘Its looking that I’m on any army training,’ he thought while doing the sit ups.
The most focused person was the groom obviously in all mischievous, as soon as the Nofil observed that, he stood at side but Nofil dragged him again among them. There was fun and feast in the hotel lobby. A dragon was dancing all around. The girls had planned a variety of pranks for the groom and his friends. They asked many questions about the bride and obviously Li answered them wrong intentionally.
At last, after passing at last 7 obstacles Li gave red packets with money “Li Shi” to all girls as a tradition. After a joyous bargain, he was allowed to go forward at last. At Chen’s door he loudly announced his love for her when showing a pity; a girl opened a door from inside.
NO RAIN, BUT UMBRELLA IS MUST
Chen was looking so beautiful in ‘Qi Pao’, a red blouse with a long red skirt. Anza was also with her. Li took the Chen and came to wedding hall. After lunch they left for their home. Chen’s relatives scattered rice, red and green beans on her. A married girl put red umbrella at Chen’s head through out the way following the old Chinese custom. ‘A red umbrella keeps the bride hoard from evil spirits, rice and beans attract the attention of gold chick,’ one of the
Chen’s
friends told Anza.
TEA SERVING CEREMONY
At Li’s house tea serving ceremony was held. Li and Chen served tea to their parents and other elders of the family. Now Anza actually knew the significance of tea sets in Chinese markets. She obviously thought, it would be the last function of the day. Every one was taking tea and feeling relax after looking at the cheerful bride and groom. Nofil was thinking to leave for hotel.
‘We have to go to Chen’s parents home for tea serving ceremony and then we’ll have grand dinner, you’re not going anywhere till the last function. I participated in all of your functions from mehndi till your Walima,’ Li warned him.
‘Off course, I will. I just thought it’s done for today,’ Nofil explained him.
‘It might be but I and Chen have planned the whole day like this,’ Li looked at Chen and smiled.
‘The same ceremony was held again at chen’s house. Chen and Li were looking so excited to serve herbal tea to their elders in beautiful tea sets. It was night when they set off for hotel for a grand dinner.
A SEPARATE DINNER TABLE?
A separate table was reserved for Nofil and Anza at one side. They were served with chicken cooked with red oil, lobsters, roasted fish and desert buns with stuffed lotus seeds. Anza excitedly sat on the table after visiting the wedding hall.
‘I can’t eat anything now,’ suddenly Anza felt a strong feeling of nausea.
‘You were right, the idea of visiting the Chinese wedding cuisine was not very good. You just can’t imagine what type of food, I have seen there’ she continued and tried to take a sip of water.
‘What! I’m not feeling well and you are smiling,’ she put glass at one side.
‘No, I’m not laughing. I was just thinking about your condition. I mean it’s the cuisine, which is responsible for this situation or something fishy is going to happen,’ Nofil looked in her eyes.
‘Shut up, Nofil. There is nothing like that. Its too early and I’m all right now,’ Anza got blushed.
Anza left Chen in her room with other friends, which was lit with dragon and phoenix candles.
BACK TO LIFE
‘How much we enjoyed in China. Every thing was fabulous. Especially the terracotta soldiers, horses and armor were amazing. The wedding ceremony was splendid. Look how pretty I’m looking in here’ Anza pointed towards one of her picture on Li’s wedding day. ‘It’s been 8 months, but its looking like yesterday.’ She continued.
Really, Anza you don’t get bored of looking at these pictures again and again,’ Nofil sat besides her.
‘Li has applied for an upcoming project at Gawadar. I hope soon he’ll be here with Chen,’ Nofil told her.
‘Really, we would definitely have a great time together,’ Anza replied excitedly.
Anza’s NEXT MISSION
‘Boss, he has called me after a long time,’ she sat straight after looking at her beeping mobile.
‘How are you young lady? Don’t you think, it’s enough break now,’ he asked pleasantly.
‘I’m fine, thanks but…,’
‘Good to hear, I’m deploying you at DunyaPur, a city near Bahawalpur. You have to report there as soon as possible. We have some intelligence reports that innocent kids are being trapped to turn into a suicide attackers over there. We need your deliberate services over there to get rid of those miscreants,’ he cut her up and told her about her next mission.
‘But sir, my condition does not…’ she looked at herself and then towards Nofil, when brig. Bakhtiar again cut her up.
‘Don’t worry, you just have to look for the intelligence reporting and you’ll be provided very good care. Cornel Nofil is also being transferred to Bahawalpur. He’ll be with you as well.’ It was evident that brig. Bakhtiar knew the situation, leaving Anza no choice.
‘Yes, he talked to me first but I left it on your choice. I’ll be with you in any case,’ Nofil told her, as she put off the mobile.
‘I want to serve my country. I promise I’ll be come out as soon as I will feel that my profession is overwhelming my personal responsibilities,’ she put her decision after thinking for a while.
RETURN OF A SHAH SAHIB’S DAUGHTER
The court yard of the tomb was full with the men, women and children from all around. Most of them were so poor. They came there in hope to cure there irresistible illness, which actually needed a doctor along with prayers. Obviously they felt it cheap and less time consuming to visit any pious man rather than to stopover at any government hospital or dispensary. Some came there with their financial and emotional problems to collect some good wishes from here.
‘Government has provided good schools and medical facilities all over here. Apart from illiteracy and poverty, it is just a matter of believe and lifestyle, otherwise these people spent a reasonable time and money on these places. You don’t need to go anywhere. Every type of people would come to you in any case,’ she retained her information from her briefing.
‘Thanks to god that at last, the daughter of shah sahib came back to the tomb. The family was shifted abroad long ago. I have also heard that we‘re going to have an heir soon for this place,’ one woman told to other.
‘You’re right. She has strong spiritual powers like her elders. My son got well by her prayers. Now I have brought him and his siblings here for salaam and for dam. Everything will leave here. The real life is life hereafter. We should only seek for it,’ another woman pointed towards one of her son, among her six children and gave a long speech.
After the distribution of free lunch among the people, at last she came out at the backyard. All women came forward to kiss her hand. Men also stood up from backside of curtain.
‘Your family had a lot of services for this area and it has strong influence over here. We would be more than privileged if you show a sign of inclination towards us in upcoming elections. We’ll also take care of your interests,’ one of the local MPA was also present there.
‘Accept a little present for the services of this place and just pray for us,’ he placed an envelope in front of her from behind a curtain.
‘I’ll think over it but other parties are also pleading for our consent. I would have to see for this, which is going to see our interests well,’ Anza showed some reluctance, wrapped her long white dupatta and closed her eyes for the prayer.
‘Dear Allah, I pray for the sovereignty and safety of this country till this world lasts. I pray for the wisdom and eyes, which helps me to judge and recognize the enemies of my land. I pray for that power and courage which helps me to swipe out all evil thoughts and agents from here. I pray you for the loyal, determined and faithful generations ahead in my land. Ameen
She put aside that envelop and called for the next visitor.
LI’S WEDDING
Attending a Chinese marriage ceremony in totally different culture was a great experience for her. Chen took her suggestions at every moment.
‘Now a days most brides chose white dress for their wedding but I went with traditional red skirt and blouse,’ she showed her bridal dress to Anza. Why don’t you wear your wedding dress on my wedding? It was beautiful. I have seen your wedding pictures, it was also red,’ Chen reminded at once.
‘No, not at all! It was too heavy. Its called lenga,’ Anza replied shilly-shally.
‘Though influenced by the western culture but most of our brides still can’t think of any other fusion other than red on their wedding day,’ Anza acquainted her. ‘I have brought another formal dress for your wedding.’
visit http://fusionstor-ies.blogspot.com
They went to market where Chen bought few pairs phoenix or dragon candles, joss sticks, lotus seeds, red dates, dragon imposed cushions and many Chinese tea sets.
‘These things will be used to perform the wedding rituals,’ Chen explained to Anza watching her shopping amazingly. Anza also bought few Chinese tea sets from there.
‘Did you left some for the remaining brides or bought all,’ Nofil asked her by looking at the bulk of tea sets, when he came to pick them with Li.
‘I thought I’ll gift these to all our relatives. These all cost very reasonable, so I got 13 sets. Have I bought too much?’ Anza responded innocently by looking at Nofil’s response.
‘No M’am, it’s your time now. Do whatever you like,’ Nofil bowed down and looked at Li.
‘See your future with my eyes,’ he smiled at Li.
‘I’m already looking at it,’ Li replied while putting lot of boxes in the car.
HAIR DRESSING CEREMONY
At last the day of hair dressing ceremony arrived.
‘It is held one night before the wedding day, it may be compared with your mehndi function but with totally different style,’ Chen told Anza.
‘According to famous Chinese saying; a person actually become adult after its wedding and this ceremony portrays this,’ Li told Nofil. Nofil was about to attend Li’s capping (jia Guan) ceremony at his side.
They dropped Anza and Chen at Chen’s house. The ceremony started late at night when Chen sat at front of window facing the full moon. Her mother started to comb her hairs and with every comb she was singing Chinese traditional verses full of prayers. Anza was given special importance at every occasion. She participated in all rituals. Anza was not able to comprehend their language but she could understand the plea of happy life for bride and groom by every one. The wedding day is always hectic; Nofil had an idea but this much running in one day, he didn’t imagine.
 |
| Chinese tea serving ceremony |
YOU CAN’T MEET THE BRIDE UNTIL…
They woke up early as Anza had to reach at parlor with Chen and Nofil accompanied the Li. At noon Li left with his friends to take his bride. Nofil was expecting the warm welcome, shower of petals at the guests, but he got stunt when a lot of young girls fenced them all. ‘You can’t meet the bride.’ They stopped the guests in the lobby. Nofil got amazed at the situation.
50 SIT UP, HOLDING YOUR EARS AND EAT THE CAKE LAYING ON THE FLOOR WITH YOUR MOUTHS
It was the tradition that groom and his friends had to pass some tests before going to bride. Yes, it was test time but with a lot of laughter’s and fun. They all were told to lie down and eat cake from the plates with mouth. Nofil hardly managed to prevent his expensive walima suit from stains. The cake was looking delicious with the signs of dragon and phoenix imprinted on it. As soon as he tried to eat that by its mouth, he felt a very unfamiliar taste of red bean paste and lotus seeds paste in it. He hardly ate some but Li and other boys were competing to finish the plates first. Finally it was all finished and Nofil stood up, cleaned his face and felt relax, when they all were said to hold their ears and do sit 50 sit ups.
‘Its looking that I’m on any army training,’ he thought while doing the sit ups.
The most focused person was the groom obviously in all mischievous, as soon as the Nofil observed that, he stood at side but Nofil dragged him again among them. There was fun and feast in the hotel lobby. A dragon was dancing all around. The girls had planned a variety of pranks for the groom and his friends. They asked many questions about the bride and obviously Li answered them wrong intentionally.
At last, after passing at last 7 obstacles Li gave red packets with money “Li Shi” to all girls as a tradition. After a joyous bargain, he was allowed to go forward at last. At Chen’s door he loudly announced his love for her when showing a pity; a girl opened a door from inside.
NO RAIN, BUT UMBRELLA IS MUST
Chen was looking so beautiful in ‘Qi Pao’, a red blouse with a long red skirt. Anza was also with her. Li took the Chen and came to wedding hall. After lunch they left for their home. Chen’s relatives scattered rice, red and green beans on her. A married girl put red umbrella at Chen’s head through out the way following the old Chinese custom. ‘A red umbrella keeps the bride hoard from evil spirits, rice and beans attract the attention of gold chick,’ one of the
TEA SERVING CEREMONY
At Li’s house tea serving ceremony was held. Li and Chen served tea to their parents and other elders of the family. Now Anza actually knew the significance of tea sets in Chinese markets. She obviously thought, it would be the last function of the day. Every one was taking tea and feeling relax after looking at the cheerful bride and groom. Nofil was thinking to leave for hotel.
‘We have to go to Chen’s parents home for tea serving ceremony and then we’ll have grand dinner, you’re not going anywhere till the last function. I participated in all of your functions from mehndi till your Walima,’ Li warned him.
‘Off course, I will. I just thought it’s done for today,’ Nofil explained him.
‘It might be but I and Chen have planned the whole day like this,’ Li looked at Chen and smiled.
‘The same ceremony was held again at chen’s house. Chen and Li were looking so excited to serve herbal tea to their elders in beautiful tea sets. It was night when they set off for hotel for a grand dinner.
A SEPARATE DINNER TABLE?
A separate table was reserved for Nofil and Anza at one side. They were served with chicken cooked with red oil, lobsters, roasted fish and desert buns with stuffed lotus seeds. Anza excitedly sat on the table after visiting the wedding hall.
‘I can’t eat anything now,’ suddenly Anza felt a strong feeling of nausea.
‘You were right, the idea of visiting the Chinese wedding cuisine was not very good. You just can’t imagine what type of food, I have seen there’ she continued and tried to take a sip of water.
‘What! I’m not feeling well and you are smiling,’ she put glass at one side.
‘No, I’m not laughing. I was just thinking about your condition. I mean it’s the cuisine, which is responsible for this situation or something fishy is going to happen,’ Nofil looked in her eyes.
‘Shut up, Nofil. There is nothing like that. Its too early and I’m all right now,’ Anza got blushed.
Anza left Chen in her room with other friends, which was lit with dragon and phoenix candles.
BACK TO LIFE
‘How much we enjoyed in China. Every thing was fabulous. Especially the terracotta soldiers, horses and armor were amazing. The wedding ceremony was splendid. Look how pretty I’m looking in here’ Anza pointed towards one of her picture on Li’s wedding day. ‘It’s been 8 months, but its looking like yesterday.’ She continued.
Really, Anza you don’t get bored of looking at these pictures again and again,’ Nofil sat besides her.
‘Li has applied for an upcoming project at Gawadar. I hope soon he’ll be here with Chen,’ Nofil told her.
‘Really, we would definitely have a great time together,’ Anza replied excitedly.
Anza’s NEXT MISSION
‘Boss, he has called me after a long time,’ she sat straight after looking at her beeping mobile.
‘How are you young lady? Don’t you think, it’s enough break now,’ he asked pleasantly.
‘I’m fine, thanks but…,’
‘Good to hear, I’m deploying you at DunyaPur, a city near Bahawalpur. You have to report there as soon as possible. We have some intelligence reports that innocent kids are being trapped to turn into a suicide attackers over there. We need your deliberate services over there to get rid of those miscreants,’ he cut her up and told her about her next mission.
‘But sir, my condition does not…’ she looked at herself and then towards Nofil, when brig. Bakhtiar again cut her up.
‘Don’t worry, you just have to look for the intelligence reporting and you’ll be provided very good care. Cornel Nofil is also being transferred to Bahawalpur. He’ll be with you as well.’ It was evident that brig. Bakhtiar knew the situation, leaving Anza no choice.
‘Yes, he talked to me first but I left it on your choice. I’ll be with you in any case,’ Nofil told her, as she put off the mobile.
‘I want to serve my country. I promise I’ll be come out as soon as I will feel that my profession is overwhelming my personal responsibilities,’ she put her decision after thinking for a while.
RETURN OF A SHAH SAHIB’S DAUGHTER
The court yard of the tomb was full with the men, women and children from all around. Most of them were so poor. They came there in hope to cure there irresistible illness, which actually needed a doctor along with prayers. Obviously they felt it cheap and less time consuming to visit any pious man rather than to stopover at any government hospital or dispensary. Some came there with their financial and emotional problems to collect some good wishes from here.
‘Government has provided good schools and medical facilities all over here. Apart from illiteracy and poverty, it is just a matter of believe and lifestyle, otherwise these people spent a reasonable time and money on these places. You don’t need to go anywhere. Every type of people would come to you in any case,’ she retained her information from her briefing.
‘Thanks to god that at last, the daughter of shah sahib came back to the tomb. The family was shifted abroad long ago. I have also heard that we‘re going to have an heir soon for this place,’ one woman told to other.
‘You’re right. She has strong spiritual powers like her elders. My son got well by her prayers. Now I have brought him and his siblings here for salaam and for dam. Everything will leave here. The real life is life hereafter. We should only seek for it,’ another woman pointed towards one of her son, among her six children and gave a long speech.
After the distribution of free lunch among the people, at last she came out at the backyard. All women came forward to kiss her hand. Men also stood up from backside of curtain.
‘Your family had a lot of services for this area and it has strong influence over here. We would be more than privileged if you show a sign of inclination towards us in upcoming elections. We’ll also take care of your interests,’ one of the local MPA was also present there.
‘Accept a little present for the services of this place and just pray for us,’ he placed an envelope in front of her from behind a curtain.
‘I’ll think over it but other parties are also pleading for our consent. I would have to see for this, which is going to see our interests well,’ Anza showed some reluctance, wrapped her long white dupatta and closed her eyes for the prayer.
‘Dear Allah, I pray for the sovereignty and safety of this country till this world lasts. I pray for the wisdom and eyes, which helps me to judge and recognize the enemies of my land. I pray for that power and courage which helps me to swipe out all evil thoughts and agents from here. I pray you for the loyal, determined and faithful generations ahead in my land. Ameen
She put aside that envelop and called for the next visitor.
Disclaimer:
the names and persons in this novel are completely fictional. Any resemblance
with someone living or dead will be just a coincidence.
THE END
VISIT