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“Theydon’t see music as something to be proud of,”Ireplied flatly.
“Yourfamily hates music?”
Thequestion was phrased so callously thatIstarted laughing. “No, they don’t hate music,”Ispoke after the laughter subsided. “Theyjust don’t think it’s practical as a career choice.”
“Butit is practical.You’reearning a professional income at twenty-one.”
OnlybecauseJordangot my foot in the door,Idisputed internally, giving him a tight smile.Guiltof sorts took hold, andIcouldn’t meet his eyes.IfIwasn’t born into a wealthy family, received the best education money could buy, and had rich friends to further my career,Iwouldn’t be successful.
Afterlistening toAxel, it was clear the world deserved to know him, not me.Anyonewith an ear for music could tell that this man had the instinct to produce and compose and could probably do my job in his sleep.Yet, hereIwas, shy of making six figures, and here he was, climbing his way out of a hellhole.Hepersevered despite never being given a chance or having one person who believed enough to bet on him.
Myheart sank becauseAxelstill had a long way to go.Therags to richesphrase was true because allIhad done to be successful was be born in privilege.Itwas an utter disgrace.
Sensingmy melancholy,Axel’seyes tried to dissect me.Iconcentrated on the fire, unable to shake the hollowness spreading inside my chest.Hefollowed my gaze.
Hespoke suddenly, most likely to pull me out of my thoughts. “Therewas a fire incorporated into today’s ceremony.Isthat a part ofHinduWeddingceremonies?”Axelasked.
Unpreparedto meet his gaze,Istared into the bonfire and said absentmindedly, “Yup.Doyou recall the stage where the ceremony took place?”
Henodded.
“It’scalled a mandap.It’sthe wedding altar forHindiceremonies.”
“Therewas a square box in the middle with open fire,” he commented.
Inodded. “Fireis integrated intoHinduwedding ceremonies for numerous reasons.Oneof them is to signify the sacred occasion of marriage.”
“Theymust not have seen my parents’ marriage if they think marriages are sacred.”Hescoffed.
Ismiled. “Shutup.Ithink weddings are romantic.”
“Ofcourse you do,” he said dryly.
“Youdon’t think so?”
Hesaid nothing.
“Well, the wedding today was very romantic.”
Heraised an eyebrow. “Yeah.Nothingsays romance like open flames in an enclosed space.”
Itsked. “Theonly reason you didn’t think it was romantic was because you didn’t understand the ritual.I’llexplain it to you.”Igrabbed his hands and pulled him to stand before he could object. “DuringaHinduceremony, you takePherasin front of everyone.”
“Pheras?”
“Doyou remember when the couple from today walked around the fire?”
Henodded.
“Firesare significant atHindiwedding ceremonies.Thebride and groom walk around the fire seven times.Eachtime they circle the fire, it represents a different vow, aka aPhera.Bythe seventh time they walk around the fire, their union is sealed, and they are declared one for not only this lifetime but seven lifetimes.”
“Onecircle for each lifetime?”
“Isn’tthat something?Whybe with the love of your life once if you could do it seven times over?ManyHindusbelieve in reincarnation, and each time the bride and groom walk around the fire, they commit another lifetime to the other.”
Noneof my friends outside the community asked me about my religion.Axelwas the first to ask and was hell-bent on learning everything about me.Hewatched me unequivocally asIexcitedly explained the various steps of the ceremony and what everything meant.
Irambled about fire and weddings for minutes before realizing that a guy like him probably didn’t find this sexy.Igroaned internally, then jumped at the sound of a sudden loud boom.
