The damn Air Conditioner

For the last three months I was busier than even a bee; making elaborate preparations and grand arrangements for wedding my youngest daughter “Radha” which was scheduled on 15^th of July 2013 at Evershine Banquets.     

Finally the D day dawned; eagerly and anxiously, I along with my family headed to the hall to welcome the honourable guests. All the preparations at the hall seemed to be up to the mark and I was certain that my expectant guests will have a hearty experience to take as a souvenir back home.

Fate however had something else to offer me.

The guests started pouring in and soon the hall was gleaming with smiles and laughs. Morning breakfast began and I was quite happy looking at people relishing Kanjivaram Idlis and slurping tea. Within sometime I found service to be a bit sluggish and I immediately called Sangram, the Manager on the floor to pay heed to it. The Manager, utmost courteous; informed me that previous night a party went on till 4 in the morning and hence the glitch; and said within 15 minutes situation will be under control and it certainly was. However half an hour later, some guests came to me complaining that water in the ladies toilet was scarcely available. On informing, the manager took the required steps and in the meanwhile the morning Mandap Muhrat ceremony began. An hour later however the AC cooling became less and I was informed that the mechanics are looking into it.  I was now getting worried as I was sensing an impending crisis. The Air Conditioners completely stopped functioning by 11 o clock and I could see my guests charm and enthusiasm fading. I was constantly being assured by the Manager that within hr or so ACs will be fine. There was no doubt that Manager and his entire team were earnestly working to put things in place; yet four hours; 11 to 3 o clock passed but nothing seemed to be working out.  The time of arrival of Barat had come and my worry was seen all over my face. Irritated and annoyed by now, I called the Manager to take stock of things. Very ashamed and helpless, he confronted that the compressor of the main AC plant which was in the basement had failed due to rain water and was immediately beyond repair. He further said that he has ordered some 20 ACs and some air coolers from Churchgate and they shall be installed by the time pheras start. This was catastrophic. In city like Mumbai, where mercury levels rarely drop, some 20 ACs in gathering of 600 plus would hardly make some difference. More so the Air coolers would make air more humid. I knew this mishap was beyond much control of the Management and I cursed my stars for it. There however should be some disaster management in place......

With a very heavy heart, I informed the zealous groom and his not so demanding father about the entire situation.  I was surprised and pleased both at the same time by the graceful manner in which they accepted the situation. Never before I was so proud of my daughter’s choice. With the same fervour; the Barat proceeded towards the hall.

The entire Management was put to the task of installing ACs. They tried their best to pacify the gathering and give their best service. Politeness and regret was seen in their behaviour.

My guests were sweating and getting exhausted. I could see them wearily using handkerchiefs and papers to fan themselves. My own Shervani was hurting me.  All the beautiful ladies were upset as their makeup was falling apart. No one was interested in watching the pheras as Agni was making things worse. Instead they preferred to be in the huge corridors where AC tall units were installed. Alas! My image, My reputation of being a “Generous Host, Lavish Host” was getting diluted. The thing that did upset me the most were the sorrowful eyes of my daughter, the beautiful bride; that were saying “ My lifetime function is ruined Dad”. 

I Just wished I could do something......

With the pheras, the marriage rituals got over. While the couple proceeded to the temple, the crowd proceeded to the food court.

The food table looked very sumptuous and appetizing. Soups, chaats, mughlai, southindian, continental, Chinese, Italian, desserts and icecreams all were included in the buffet; to make wedding extravagant and splendid. People however could not relish the scrumptious food as increased heat and humidity were taking a toll on them.  Here the couple returned from the temple and instead of standing on the stage just preferred to be floating and take a few pics. By 9.30 or so the crowd started dispersing and the much awaited wedding was about to get over. With tears in my eyes, I bid my daughter farewell and did her “Vidaai”.

I came back to the hall to windup and settle accounts with the Manager. The owner of the Banquet came personally to meet me and told me “In no means we can undo the loss that we have brought to your dreams, expectations, image and status. Please tell me how we can compensate you in cash for it.” This candid admission of mistake and the attitude to compensate took me; was a turn up for the books.I negotiated a 25% discount on the entire bill; indeed every cloud has a silver lining.