The Chaiwallah's got a Chaiwali

It has been the longest pause on Cutting the Chai since I first began blogging almost five years back. In fact if you look at the archives, February 2010 will be the only month that has gone postless since May 2005. And there were some pretty important reasons behind my absence here (though I had been tweeting a little). I got married.

Yes, the Chaiwallah has finally got a Chaiwali (though she prefers that, at home, I make the tea).

Its been a crazy last few months, juggling between work and arrangements for the wedding, now we are somewhat settling in into the new scheme of things. After a small ceremony here in Delhi (actually Noida) we went to Shillong (my home town) and then back to Delhi and then to Indore (her home town) and didn't even have enough leaves left to plan a honeymoon (I'll have to pay for that).

The wedding went off fine and with family and friends around, it was the best time of our lives (yet). Only I goofed up missing out on inviting some friends (my mother ensured that all relatives were). Apologies buddies.

To make things simpler we opted for a marriage according to Arya Samaj rituals but that didn't spare me the ignominy (that Bengali bridegrooms have to suffer) of wearing the tupur, courtesy my sis-in-law (No, I'm not going to post those pictures, atleast not here).

I was also live tweeting from my marriage ceremony. Here's what my Twitter feed read that night:

About to tie the knot in some time from now.
12:10 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Wedding photographers can be real pests, but then that's their job.
12:11 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Olive Garden in Noida Sector 52 is a nice place indeed.
12:13 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

@thecomicproject Oh yes!
12:17 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

@akgoyal She will, if she realises what I'm doing.
12:20 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Damn feeling sleepy already.
12:21 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

The dulha always ends up hungry... for food.
12:23 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

And kids have the most fun at weddings.
12:25 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Distant relatives getting the day's update over the phone.
12:26 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Cousins think that we are SMSing each other, while I'm just twittering.
12:27 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Now my neice's daiper needs to be changed.
12:32 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Everyone in splits over a funny ringtone.
12:32 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Round of jokes to keep everyone awake.
12:35 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

From suit changed to dhoti kurta and bhabi insisting that I wear the tupur (the joker-like cap)
12:38 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Waiting for the bride... girls just can't be on time even for their own wedding.
1:20 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

The problem of being the groom is that you can't slip inside the quilt.
1:23 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

@Thecomicproject I waited for 8 years for this day... so impatience does creep in. Minutes become longer.
1:25 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Even the bored panditji is giving Bhagwat Gita sermons to the photographer and the videographer.
1:26 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

And kids will cry and one will copy the other leading to a wail fest.
1:28 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Coffee!
1:29 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Finally the bride is here. Shouldn't be tweeting during the ceremony.
1:32 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Just married!
3:22 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

The combination of Vedic shlokas and snores was pure spiritual sloth.
3:50 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Now for the bidai and the accompanying tears.
3:51 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Intense discussion on about my brother's ability to sleep with his eyes and mouth open.
3:53 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Now I can even think of venturing into the wedding planning business.
3:58 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

Also got to update my Facebook profile...okay that can wait for a few hours more.
4:00 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

The Chaiwallah's now got a Chaiwalli.
4:02 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

The day after. Everyone's still blissfully asleep.
9:42 AM Feb 5th via mobile web

And here's me tweeting away:



Me with the generation next:



The Chaiwallah with the Chaiwali at Shillong View Point, close to Shillong Peak - the highest point in Meghalaya.



Chaiwallahs can be warriors to. In a traditional Khasi attire (they gave me a wodden sword, so that I don't cause too much damage in my excitement).



But being married shouldn't change my blogging habits (atleast I would like to think so).

On a personal end life's changed and now expecting that to happen in the professional sphere too. Will keep posted.

The title of the post is inspired from a congratulations tweet from Dhiraj Ramakrishnan (@stupendousman78)

"congratulations on the chaiwaali may be you need to start planning for the chotus"

The Chotus (or the Chotis) will have to wait, a little.