Chapter Forty-Two

Through the eyes of a jie mei

Monday, November 10, 2008, 10:41 AM

Seen, Heard, Felt and Deeply Touched

Woke up at an ungodly hour to get ready.
Washed up, got dressed, made up, packed my bags, and i was ready to set off!
It was only 530am.
And the rain was coming down in buckets full.
Hands full of stuff, fumbling with my belongings and the umbrealla, there was no way i could get into the car unscathe.
Swung by Evon's place to pick her up and we were on our way to Kelly's place.

Arrived at approximately 6am.
The bride was getting her hair and make-up done.
The rest of the sisters were already there.
We got down to work quickly.
Evon did the make-up, the rest helped to prepare for the games and i briefed everyone on the games.
Laughter and endless chatter filled the entire living room as we decided on how much to ask for from the goom.
We set our sights on $188 but we were planning to start our offer at $888
Couldn't help popping into the room now and then to check on the bride.
She looked beautiful.
As it neared 7am, the excitement started to build up.
The groom and his brothers were arriving.
15 minutes later,we heard the insistent honking from below.
The groom was here to claim his bride.
"Alright girls, time to get into positions"

The metal grill had been padlocked, the wooden door shut tightly.
There was no way we're letting them in without a fat angpow.
We heard their footsteps out in the corridor and then came the knocking.
"Look at the sign pasted on the door!" We said.
Patiently, we stared at the slot under the door.
No angpow came.
So we opened a small slit and haggled with them.
They handed over the first one.
Only $22?!
Way too little.
We bargained and traded and bargained while the matchmaker kept reminding us that we were running out of time.
Finally, they handed us this big and fat ang pow and we thought this was it.
The sisters excitedly tore open the red packet only to find another red packet inside.
Layers after layers we peeled open and... we saw it!
A folded 100 dollar bill!
The girls squealed in delight.
We opened the note, only to find the words SPECIMEN printed across the note.
Damn. We got tricked!
And we laughed at our own silliness.
There was no time to waste any further, so we started with the games.
We handed the groom a cup of vinegar and told him it represented one of the four aspects of marriage. Sour.
They were told to finish it and his brothers helped.
Concentrated sugar syrup mixed with coke followed to represent sweet.
They almost died from sweetness.
Bitter and spicy (we gave them chilli sweets) followed.
Next, the groom had to get blessings from 3 strangers within 10 minutes.
And again, they finished the task.
Due to the lack of time, we decided we would let them in for one more angpow.
They gave us a cheque without hesistation.
But we doubted its credibility.

We let them in after they eventually handed us the real ang pow.
But that wasn't all from us.
We had more in store.
"List out 10 qualities you love about your wife while doing push-ups. You mut say it loud enough for Kelly to hear from the room'' We told the groom.
He sportingly did it.
His wife breaking out in giggles all that while.
The second last task: Marriage contract.
Read, pledged, signed and sealed with a kiss.
The only thing left now was to sing her a love song.
He did it.
Right outside her door.
My heart melted. Hers must have too.

He opened the door.
His wife seated right there in front of him.
Looking radiant and getting all excited.
He went down on one knee, presenting the bouquet to her.
The veil was lifted and the groom kissed his bride.
Can it get any sweeter.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=61545&id=587940517
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=61557&id=587940517

It was almost 830am when the bridal party arrived at the groom's place.
Food was served while the couple got ready for the tea ceremony.
Photographer was busy snapping pictures of the bride and groom in their marital room.
Every picture spilling with affections.
A floor bed, striking bedspread, matching curtains, Mickey & Minnie shaped sushions, everything oozed couplehood.
I love the wedding photo of them.
It's more than just a wedding portrait.
It's a reminder of their commitment to each other everyday.

Time to take off the veil after the tea ceremony.
A groom's job to do.
Ended it off with a kiss for perfection.
Words really don't do justice to the atmosphere then.
Helped the bride to change out into her tea dress.
Laden with jewellery, the sisters had a tough job removing them all.
Dressed and ready, we were on the go again.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=61558&id=587940517

Back to the bride's place we headed.
For another round of tea serving.
The couple had mian xian with eggs.
Symbolises eternal bliss.
Feeding each other as they ate, they were beaming from ear to ear.
How could anyone blame them.
It was afterall, their day.

Thought i could get some rest before the dinner.
But no, i had a important task at hand.
Got to do up the morning express montage for the dinner that night.
I almost died.
Thought i took a blank disc instead, the photos couldn't load, the photos were truncated, my com kept hanging.
Only managed to start doing at 4pm
Had to pick Evon up at 5.
And i hadn't even dressed.
I started to panic.

Was late in picking Evon up.
Reached the hotel at 6pm cause we got lost.
In a total frenzy.
Needed to make up, needed to convert the video, needed to finish my montage.
My com wouldn't cooperate, neither would the connection.
People milling around me.
The cacophany almost drowned me.
As 7pm neared, they started to file out.
I felt that i could breathe again.
Finally got everything done by 8pm.

Was all quiet in the bridal suite.
Just the 3 of us.
Evon, Charlene, Kelly.
The bride was fidgety.
She's cute.
Kept going to the toilet cause she was nervous.
Wished her all the best and i left.

She stood anxiously in front of the closed door.
Her husband on the other end.
The doors opened.
The music played.
And the bride walked down the aisle.
Midway she stopped.
Flowers in hand, the groom came to fetch his bride.
He knelt before her, presenting the flowers.
And now they walked down the aisle hand in hand.
Was a touching moment.
I felt for her.

Rest of the night went smoothly.
Food was acceptable.
Montage was good.
I was relieved.
The only thing that marred the night was he who sat beside me.
He really spooks me.
And i have nothing to say to him.
Doing it only cause i love the bride.
And the worst have yet to come.

It was time to end the night.
I stood chatting at the entrance with the sisters.
And he stood behind me.
I tried to ignore.
But boy was he persistent.
"Why wouldn't he go?!" I thought.
Frustrated, i turned and said please go, i'll be late.
Why is he so obstinate, i don't know.
He said he'd wait. I said no.
I'd just ignore i decided.
Maybe he got it. He said goodbye and left.
I couldn't be any happier.

The remaining 4 sisters went up to the suite.
Bridal bouquet had yet to be thrown.
Behind her we all stood.
"Don't hit my head please" I cautioned as she threw the bouquet.
I covered my head and ducked as fast as i could.
At that very instant, i got hit.
Everyone burst one laughing as i rolled onto the ground.
"No... please. I don't want it", I pleaded with them.
But they wouldn't hear of it.
It was mine once it hit me and it really does come true.
Ok. I'm dead.
We sat around chatting just for awhile more and that was it.
Hugs and good nights exchanged,
We left the newly married couple to their own.
It was their night...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=61569&id=587940517
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=61578&id=587940517

Through the eyes of a jie mei

Monday, November 10, 2008, 10:41 AM