“They literally rolled out the red carpet for this,” he
thought, standing behind a row of expectant relatives. It was 1:00 a.m. and the
soon-to-be bride and groom were preparing to leave. The car was now packed to
the roof with wedding gifts, leaving just enough space for a driver. The seven
members of the wedding party would have to take a two-door hatchback out to the
groom’s village. The front doors of the house opened and out came the bride and
groom, marching slowly down the carpet to a song of departure sung by the
wedding singer. The men’s eyes were dry; various aunts and older women cried.
He wondered if they were sad to see her go, or sad to lose the extra help in
the kitchen. She had been such a good kelin,
serving her family without complaint. Sometimes they took it out on her.
Sometimes with their voices, this time with tears.
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