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What If Your Groom Changed Your First Name, Too?
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Names have been changed to protect identities. Not for the patriarchy.
It’s the early aughts. In our itchy zardozi dresses my sisters and I run up to the altar to watch our oldest cousin get married. As the groom gently places a garland of tea roses and Indian jasmine around his bride’s neck, the priest yells out three letters: D, A, P. We giggle, more nervous than amused. A few murmured suggestions from his parents and siblings, and the groom’s voice booms: “Pramela.”
All 750 of our family members start clapping and congratulating my cousin, Deepti by this name.
“Suni, why are they calling didi that? It’s not her name,” I nudge one of my sisters, confused.
“It is, now,” Suni laughs. “Don’t get attached to your name. That’ll be you when you’re married.”
I turn, observing the newly baptized Pramela. She looks happy; the name fits her like it was hers all along. Would it be so bad to have a different name, chosen by the person you trust to spend your whole life with?
