Did I hate weddings?

"How did you feel when you went to your friends' wedding as a single?"

"Huh?"

"Did you feel jealous or envious or...?"

"Nooo... Hahaha, why should I feel jealous or envious???"

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The way I remember it, I loved going to weddings.
I'm sure Zarin could testify to this. We'd attended so many kenduri's together.
I guess I just enjoyed sharing the happiness of others during the 'big day'.
Back then I could not afford buying expensive gifts, but I believed that being in presence in itself is almost like a present to the couple.

Anyway, weddings make great "mini reunions" - to catch up with others you otherwise don't get to see often.
Other people's wedding receptions could be a good place to start making observations in planning one's own kenduri. You know - stuff like, "make sure there is food for guests who arrive after 4 p.m. even if lauk kenduri is already finished", or "no sound to come blasting from the stereo during azan", or simply "flowergirls should change into 'normal' clothes as soon as the perarakan is over"

No, I don't hate weddings even when I was single and have reached that certain age when nosy people keep pesking "so, when is your turn?"
(The couple should know that they mean a lot to me if I could anticipate those unwanted questions and still drive a long way or even took a flight just to attend their wedding.)
When I attended a wedding as a single, I don't remember feeling jealous or envious of the bride.
I only wished (to no avail) that I would not be asked "so, when are you going to get married?" by others so often.

Anyway, I also remember my automatic answer being "cuti sekolah" or if asked further, "cuti sekolah bulan 12".
I supposed I must have said that more than 40 times because you know what?
I did get married during school holiday in December.
(The automatic answer to the dreaded question could have been a prayer of sort, after all)
So there.