'I Will Be True'

1.

In my state of stupor, I admired my friend, who was readying his vehicle for the morning's journey to Bukit Mertajam where he would have to go through the usual protocols and tea ceremony before coming home again with the bride. He was fixing ribbons to the doors and trunk and after a while we started to heckle at him, mostly about how it wasn't his responsibility, and that since it was his night he should just lay back and let things be for the moment. He turned and smiled at us and we went on without him, although every once in a while someone would start shouting for him to return, and some of us would join in, never really forgetting about him or letting him go. He only got back to the rest of us upon completing his handiwork, tired and ultimately, satisfied.

2.

The wedding convoy honked too early, probably a neighbourhood or two away from the actual destination. We were all very amused by this.

3.

The bridegroom slipped a red packet under the door as soon as he was asked to, and this was immediately followed by everyone groaning; some slapping their palms to their foreheads almost in unison (because gaining access was supposed to be very hard; almost an ordeal and in some rare cases: torture, because of the many tasks that can be given to the bridegroom and his entourage to complete, with the gift of the red packet as the climax of the ritual).

And then unbelievably, the door clicked open.

[I was actually mentally prepared to ingest horribly concocted drinks for my friend's sake, and was (honestly speaking) a bit disappointed that all it took was less than five minutes.]

I nodded off a bit on the way back.