Chapter 15: Ananda - My Indian Bride

On the third to last day of my partnership with Babette, we had already celebrated Ananda’s fourteenth birthday in a small setting. During the dance evening, Ananda had spoken, thanked everyone for the congratulations and the party, but wanted to go to the room early. Zarina and Lenya should accompany her.

For me it was not a special event. In addition, Babette expected my full attention in the evenings and at night. But when we returned from the casa early Monday morning, having celebrated, and given gifts to Olivia for her sixteenth birthday, Lenya and Zarina asked me for an urgent talk so that we wouldn’t make a mistake with Ananda, Zarina whispered to me.

Everyone’s mood for breakfast was relaxed and peaceful, only Lenya looked kind of worried. She watched me almost constantly, literally counting every bite into my mouth. When I had finished my tea, our math teacher asked to speak. “Guys today is going to be a beautiful day and tonight we’re celebrating Olivia’s birthday. Mathematics class starts a little later today. Michael, Mrs. Dr Liebknecht, can we have a quick chat?”

Ramona looked at me questioningly. I didn’t know what was going on either. Zarina followed us into my study. Lenya started: “Excuse me, but we don’t want to make a mistake. The girls are all urging Ananda to apply for mating, but our dear Indian girl doesn’t want to, but doesn’t dare to say so in front of everyone. And do you know why? She tearfully told Zarina and me on her birthday night. Their upbringing and their religion do not allow her to sleep with a man when they are not married.”

Zarina took over. “Ananda comes from Kerala in south-west India, has Hindu beliefs but was brought up in a very strict manner. Their denomination is almost like a sect. I would say, fanatical and unworldly. The girls in particular have to suffer. Just an example. Ananda wanted to take English lessons at school, but her parents forbade it by order of the Guru, the ruler of all the people in their village. All people were only allowed to speak and write the rare language Malayalam. In contrast to the usual life in Hinduism, her Guru lives close together with about thirty families on a mountain. He dominates the entire life of all people. For example, before a wedding, the bride must spend an extended period of time in the Guru’s chambers, where he will teach her the main teachings of the Kama Sutra and prepare her spiritually for her relationship. He calls life with a Guru ‘Satsang’, a kind of castle against all temptations and unfavourable forces of the material world. All obey unconditionally, otherwise they would become ‘unclean’ and die an ungodly death.”

I wanted to interrupt Zarina several times, it was almost unbelievable. However, both young women assured that they had spoken with Ananda for the last three evenings and also part of today. It would be so and our Indian woman still believed it and could not be dissuaded. Ramona brought in Ananda.

After a few words and a long silence, Ananda explained further. “Yes, our Guru is sent by God, like a god himself. Only he is in charge. I will follow his teachings for life.” How little has Ananda revealed himself to us so far? So far, she has lived in her own spiritual world.

As we continued to talk, we learned that all firstborn men in their community were sons of God. Presumably, the Guru would often have impregnated the girls while the bride was being prepared. That would be absolutely correct, that would be God’s will, said our Indian woman.

“Ananda, I understand that now. That means, quite simply, you stick to your rules. I like that. There’s no need to make a tragedy out of this, is there?” I looked at the three girls. Zarina and Lenya nodded encouragingly to Ananda, but she just stammered something unintelligible.

Lenya spoke up again. “No, it’s different. May I, Ananda?” She nodded in agreement. Well, Ananda really wants a child too, but she’s asking you to marry her beforehand, Michael.”

I was speechless with shock. Ramona groaned. “No, that’s not how we do it.”

“Yes, that’s possible.” Zarina chimed in. “A marriage is actually contracted among the Hindus for life, but the man always has the right to dismiss his wife from the marriage without much justification, to simply send her away. Ananda would accept that immediately after the successful partnership, and that would solve her problem at the same time.”

“This is crazy. It’s amazing what you came up with. Stop it now. I have to think about that. Lenya, start teaching as soon as possible. I’ll consult with Mrs. Liebknecht first.” Shaking my head, I watched the three ladies go by. How could they have come up with such an outlandish idea?

Zarina turned at the door. “Please Michael. Fahsai and I were so looking forward to your wedding.”

“Get off, you witches.” I called after them, laughing. That was a strange gang that we had raised there. But what mattered to them was the happiness of each individual, especially at this moment the well-being of Ananda, who mostly stood a little apart. Actually, I should praise my two advisors. Talking to their friend Ananda, they had managed to find out her needs, open up to the girl and perhaps find the only possible way to help her.

Ramona agreed immediately. “Michael, we’ll do that. It’s nothing more than a partnership, only with a lot of fanfare and a nice party. I’m looking forward to the chic bride and groom.” she sneered. Of course, she was right. Inwardly I was by now ready for this, but we had to discuss this thoroughly with Ananda to stick to her rules as much as possible.

After the class, we learned from Ananda how a wedding at her home would work. It would take three days. On the first day, the bride’s day, the wedding would be announced; the woman would be painted and decorated, and, like a bachelorette party, ended with a big party. The second day was devoted to the husband, everything would be subordinate to him, he would receive gifts, and his family and friends would only be there for him. On the third day the Guru consecrates the couple and takes them into the ‘Forest of Kindness’, their community, as a new tree.

I briefly summarized my opinion on what I had heard. “Ananda, we get it. I am willing to marry you, yes, I am honoured that you ask me to do so. Today is yours. You go to the hairdresser now, let Ramona do your make-up. Olivia’s birthday party today doubles as your pre-wedding party. Tomorrow everything will be as normal. We don’t see each other like in your rituals, especially since I’m busy in the ore processing and in the village. Later in the afternoon I am happy to receive gifts and advice from anyone who wishes. On Wednesday we end the lesson after the two hours of mathematics. Ramona and Alonso marry us. There will be a photo shooting and an hour of dancing after the feast. The bridal couple then will be carried to their love room in the Casa. Would that be okay, Ananda?”

“Yes, fine. That’s more than I could have imagined. I am very happy. I can tell my master very positively about it later. Unfortunately, we don’t have a Guru here.”

“No, Ananda. You’re going to marry the Guru from Paradiso, our Apunchik.” our doctor joked, but my bride-to-be couldn’t laugh at all.

Said and done. While everyone was preparing for the celebration, football was cancelled today, the bride was spoiled, bathed, and had her hair done. Mayari and Daja fetched hematite powder from the village, with which the women used to dye their wool reddish. It had been unearthed as a by-product of silver mining and was lying by the mountain road by the ton.

In India, brides were elaborately painted with henna, but hematite powder was also suitable. Emma from the village rushed to Ananda to help her with body painting. Priya sewed the only red maternity dress to fit the bride. The colour red played a big part in every Hindu wedding in Kerala, Ananda told us.

The wedding preparations dominated everything. Even the birthday girl, Olivia, helped, collecting red Cantuta flowers and decorating the antechamber for the ceremony. Priya told me that evening how upset Olivia was at the announcement of my wedding. The sixteen-year-old had been in bed with crying fits. Her friend Priya was fetched and had to explain the circumstances of the wedding to her. Then everything was fine again. However, our Vietnamese woman told me totally honestly: “I didn’t expect that. Olivia loves you more than me.” However, I quickly managed to soothe the damaged girl’s soul.

“Priya, this case isn’t about Olivia’s love for you. As you know, your girlfriend really wants a child from me. She must have thought that if I were married her wish would have gone up in smoke. Thank you, you gave her peace again.” We hugged each other very lovingly; I just didn’t want to give her a kiss on my first emotional wedding celebration.

Fahsai ran to me. “Sir, allow me to pick you up for your hair appointment. I understand you are getting married today.” She bowed deeply and offered me her arm. Then she snorted, couldn’t stop laughing. I didn’t find it all that ridiculous about getting my hair done when my wedding was taking place today, but I noticed how much everyone was concerned about it.

Sleek and ironed, freshly shaved, and dressed in a dark blue suit, I was led out of my study by several of our young ladies to a chair decorated with laurel branches. Indian Bollywood singing tumbled in the hall. Suddenly I was completely alone in the great hall. What now?

The double-leaf door to the forecourt was opened and our four ‘village girls’ led some of the villagers into the hall. Evidently few had been invited or were willing to accept the invitation. The guests sat down on the six chairs provided. Luisa banged our food gong several times, the Indian music stopped. An unknown song about the love of her life began. I found out later that it was recorded from Ramona’s tablet, was called ‘At Last’ and was impressively sung by the singer Etta James, who I didn’t know.

Luisa came to me. Did she take on the role of the groom’s mother? Apparently. As she grabbed my hands and pulled me towards her, a deafening noise began. The women from the village, Olivia and her mother, and our girls had practiced the guttural screams of the Inca women, as well as whistles and percussions. My bride Ananda was led down the wide staircase to the hall by Lenya and Zarina. My mouth probably stayed open. An absolute beauty smiled at me. Dressed completely in red, beautifully styled, in the full charm of her youth, Ananda strode towards me. Her two companions each gave me one of my bride’s hands, clasped our hands with each other and spoke the practiced words together: “In the name of her parents and her Guru, we present your bride, Mrs. Ananda Haidar Varma. May you honour her forever and beget many children with her.”

Somehow, I just managed to resist the temptation to kiss my bride. I was absolutely blown away. Alonso and Luisa stepped forward, obtained my consent to marry Mrs. Varma, announced our wedding for the following Wednesday, and invited all the residents of the valley to the celebration. A Hindi song, untranslatable, ‘Kuch-Kuch Ho Tai Hai’ played, which Priya had copied from a Bollywood film. Ananda gracefully danced in front of me, showing her charm, showing off the magic of her body to the full. I couldn’t get enough of the physical and sensual splendour the young woman offered me. Ananda gave me her hands and we swayed to the music. She whispered parts of the text to me as a translation. “You come closer, smile at me, don’t know what you dreamed. Now my heart is beating, makes me wake up, don’t know what you dreamed of. I don’t know how this love happened, don’t know why it started. What is thirst that is not quenched? What is the rush of this love? I don’t know how this love happened, but hey! it happened.”

Our eyes had strayed into each other; my thoughts played Jo-jo with me. Was this charm really meant for me for two weeks? I had never been so aware of the extraordinary beauty of Ananda. When I pulled her to me and wanted to kiss, the two companions separated us. It wasn’t time yet. “No kiss before marriage!” Zarina stepped between us. My bride was shown back to her room and re-dressed for dinner and the party.

I quickly changed while everyone prepared the table for the festive evening meal. The food was great. Our guests sat with us at our large banquet table. The seven pregnant girls had set their own table and were soon having the most fun. So, they were not upset at how privileged Ananda was by the so-called marriage in our partnership. When I joined them, the joking and laughing continued, mostly at my expense, but I was happy to join in the laughter.

The wonderful party is quickly told. I was forbidden to dance with the bride before marriage. All her friends danced with Ananda while I had enough time for the birthday girl Olivia and for Luisa and Ramona. Carmen didn’t show up at all, but Olivia told me Carmen’s sons got colds easily. Maybe yesterday’s paddling pool party was still too cold for the little ones, even though Babette had put several blankets under the plastic pool.

When I asked Olivia to say hello to Carmen, the girl, who will be sixteen today, hugged me. “Please, I want a wedding like that with you too, but forever and ever. Yes?” – “Good night, Olivia. Remember, you were going to apply to me for your son’s first birthday, not today and not how you thought you would.”

There is not much to tell about Tuesday, the second day of the festive wedding. I had to do several repair jobs and had lunch in the village near Djamila. When I returned to the palace, all the girls and women except my bride formed a trellis. Today was ‘groom’s day’. Laughing, I said to everyone, “Where are my presents? Today, I traditionally receive rich gifts.”

“Wait. That’s coming.” Kira exclaimed. After dinner, the bride was escorted to her room so my party could begin. It was an unforgettable evening. Ramona led through the program. My first gift was a love song from Esther,

‘It Must Have Been Love’ by Roxette. Then Mayari and Isabella performed an acrobatics exercise, to which Ramona only remarked. “Unfortunately, as a doctor, I had to ban the somersaults and flick-flacks. But look how the two pregnant women still control their bodies.” Luisa followed with an Inca love song and a subsequent kiss. Fahsai was almost naked with only one of the sexy black lingerie adorning her body, but her belly dancing was phenomenal. After kissing my cheeks, she waved to the stairs. Apparently, Ananda was secretly watching. Priya followed with a short video clip where she edited many pictures and short video sequences of me alone. The music was ‘Hakuna Matata’ from the movie ‘The Lion King’. The last six lines more or less all sang along.

It’s our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!
Hakuna Matata! Hakuna matata!
Hakuna Matata! Hakuna matata!
Hakuna Matata! Hakuna matata!
Hakuna Matata! Hakuna...

Ramona thanked Priya and called out, imitating the meerkat’s voice: “It means: ‘no worries’ for the rest of our days. Thanks, Michael, we don’t have any real problems, and when we do, you always know one solution. Hakuna Matata.”

A new group dance followed by Cara to the Abba song ‘Dancing queen’. It didn’t really fit together, Cara didn’t find the right dance steps, neither did the group, but I always liked the song. Of course, our kitchen fairy got a thank you kiss.

Ramona played a beautiful ballad on the saxophone. We admired her musicality, completely moved, until I realized it was an adaptation of ‘I can’t get no satisfaction’. She totally changed the beginning, but for the main verse we all danced together and bawled the chorus. Then Kira and Sula danced a wild break dance. Luckily, Sula didn’t lose a strand of hair this time.

After this a fanfare sounded. Isabella had practiced. Babette marched in to the wild tones, holding something heavy wrapped in banana leaves over her head. Zarina took over the microphone. “Michael. For your day of honour today, Babette came up with something special and worked on it for hours. Show our bridegroom your gift, or rather our gift, Babette.”

My assistant handed me a luminous Inca cross, the chakana. It was super heavy, intricately crafted from pure gold. It was polished to a high gloss, the side lengths, designed like steps, were totally even, a masterpiece. How had she managed that without proper tools?

I took it carefully and picked it up. “Thank you all, thank you, dear Babette. It goes in the middle of our table. As long as that lies there undisturbed, we’ll be fine. It should be our symbol for the unity of all people in the valley.”

Babette said proudly that it was almost six kilograms of pure gold and that she was very happy to make the present for this special day. This gift had incredible symbolic power for me. A quick count of the gold value came to more than 30,000 US dollars. I didn’t want to say that today as it had no business value in our valley in our isolation, but it was amazing. That’s how the Incas used their gold back then, creating wonderful works of art that the Spanish conquerors brutally appropriated and mostly melted down.

At the end everyone formed a circle around me and sang our anthem, the song of ‘Paradise in the Andes’. I took the opportunity to thank each participant with a kiss on the cheek. I let Babette show me her hands. I had noticed how she covered them with the banana leaves. As suspected, one blister after another, open wounds on the back of a hand. “You’re crazy, Babette. You must be in endless pain. Mrs. Liebknecht, Esther, quickly, your healing skills are in demand.”