Sweet Challenges

I always had a fascination for gowns, lehenga, sharara. When I used to read Jane Austen novels, I would imagine all the female characters in the flowing gowns and would drool at my own imagination. I have seen sharara in very few old Hindi movies like Mere Mehaboob.

Apart from lehenga, I don't think the other two are in fashion any more. The trends might have changed but some of these costumes have been priceless and very feminine. For whatever reasons, I did not get an opportunity to wear lehenga at my brother's or my own wedding. When I figured out that most of my friends and cousins except one have got married, I realised that my opportunities to wear the pretty outfit are dwindling.

I had only one cousin at that time to get married and I knew that I would be attending his wedding, whenever it was decided and wherever it was held. So, I thought I should have my lehenga ready just in case, he announces unexpectedly.

In my last visit to India, my major agenda was to get a lehenga. My mom who was aware of my fascination had already done homework and found out the shop which sold nice (non-wedding) lehengas. I bought 2 beautiful dresses - one in baby pink and other in purple with matching jewelley.

So, I was all set for my cousin to announce his wedding plans. And I was hoping it would be soon so that I could get the chance to flaunt my dress. As luck would have it, we did not have to wait for long and within six months, my cousin got engaged and his wedding was to be held in few months time in Houston, Texas.

We booked our tickets and I started packing our bags. During all these excitement, we realised that I was expecting. My wise cousin asked me to check up with the doctor whether I could travel. Well, travel I would, my bags had been packed even before the bride and the groom started their shopping and I knew exactly what to wear on each occassion. I still checked up with my doc and assured her that I would be fine. So, all was well. We had to leave the following day. I opened up the box to keep cosmetics and brushes and last minute stuff. I saw the pretty lehenga and was beaming at the thought that I would be wearing it soon. I took out the dress to try it out, only to realise that I had outgrown my outfit. And the phase of life I was in, I could not even reduce my weight. Ahh. Life's sweet challenges.