I woke up about two hours later, my head resting gently on Nanjan's lap. I sat up and he smiled lovingly at me. I returned his smile. "I can't believe I fell asleep at my own wedding," I said guiltily.
"No worries," he said, " You had such a long plane trip. It's too bad you were delayed a day coming here when your first flight was delayed and you missed your connecting flight. We almost delayed the wedding a day but the food had already been half-prepared."
"I feel good," I said, "I slept well in the hotel yesterday. I just needed a slight catnap."
Nanjan nodded. I looked around. Almost everyone was gone, including his brothers. "It's time we should leave," he said. I suddenly felt anxious. I wondered what would come next. He saw my anxiety and put his hand on mine. "It's okay Trina. It's just going to be you and I tonight."
"Not your brothers?" I asked, wondering.
"No. Not tonight. I'm the oldest so I have the right to have you for myself for one night."
I felt relieved, "I admit the thought of being married to all of you slightly terrifies me. I had only intended to be married to you Nanjan. Your mother sent my family a picture of you and you were so handsome and I felt a connection. When I came here and your mother pleaded with me to marry you all I wasn't sure I wanted to but I agreed and now here we are."
Nanjan sighed, "I know you came here thinking you'd only marry me. The truth of it is I wish it was true. When I saw you I wanted you to myself. But its not like that here. Trina, I need you to know that. If not for you my brothers could likely become old men without the joys of a woman. My parents asked me to let my brothers into our marriage and I relented. It is what I hope they would do for me if I was in their spot. However, as the eldest I will take my right to have you for this first night. So just for tonight Trina, forget about my brothers and cherish this night with me. Please."
I smiled, "I will do that Nanjan."
"Come then," he said and held out his hand.
I took his hand as we began to walk, " Where are we going? Back to your house?"
He grinned, "No. I have something planned for us. Just come and I'll show you. But first-" He lifted me to him then and we shared a long passionate kiss. When our lips finally parted and he put me gently down, my head was spinning and my heart was beating so fast I couldn't think. We walked down the street and out of the village, down a narrow country road, the moonlight lighting our way. A short time later we left the road to go down a path through some bush until we arrived at a beach of a small lake. There on the beach was a large tent. Nanjan lit a lantern that was sitting in front of the tent and we went inside. In the tent was a woven mattress and cushions. We sat on the mattress and gazed at each other, our eyes locked upon one another.
I was worried then, suddenly aware that this would not be my first time. My mother had told me to pretend it was but now I knew I could not. I just couldn't go through with the lie. I suddenly jumped up and quickly went out of the tent, hot tears falling down my cheeks.
It took Nanjan a few moments but he finally emerged from the tent, "Trina, what's wrong? Is it that you're afraid? If you are, it will be okay. I know your first time is scary but--"
At those words,I let out a sob, "No Nanjan. It's not that. I...its not my first."
I expected him to be angry but he wasn't. "It's alright Trina. Come. Come back inside. We can talk." He took my hand and led me back into the tent and we sat, "Now tell me about it. It's okay. I want the truth."