Storymania - Wedding Bells by Inchara

Wedding Bells
Inchara

Raksha looked candidly at her reflection in the mirror.
She thought, “Hmm… Iam not that bad, whitish complexion, small eyes, full lips, flawless skin…hmm... Iam average looking or let me be more moderate with myself, Iam quite beautiful indeed”.
Raksha had quite a fan following during her college days. She felt quite happy about the same.
So she wondered, “Then why should mummy always crib about my way of dressing and my appearance, Iam sure I will find a good match at the appropriate time”. Raksha’s parents were quite worried that she was still a single at the age of 26yrs whereas few of her cousins younger to her were already married.
Almost everyone popped the same question to them, “So when is your daughter’s marriage”.
They had seen many proposals for her but nothing seemed to fit the bill. Sometimes the groom’s side would refuse and sometimes they. By now Raksha was also quite fed up of decking and posing before the eligible grooms or their folks like a showpiece. It had been almost 2yrs since the hunt began. Raksha belonged to orthodox family hence inter-caste marriage was out of question. She was well educated and was working for a reputed software firm. She had her own ideologies and would often end up in an argument with her mother Renu, who most of the time felt that Raksha should mellow down and move with the norms of the society.

As Raksha was preparing to go to the office she heard her mother call from the kitchen, “I hope you are dressed in a good attire and left your hair open, do you remember I told you last week that a groom’s family might come to see you in the office.”
“But ma, everyday I cant go to office clad as if Iam going to some function”, exclaimed Raksha irritatingly.
Renu came out of the kitchen and went towards the drawing room where Mr. Mohan, Raksha’s father was reading the newspaper.
“Only you can manage this girl, anytime I bring up the topic of marriage, she flares up. At this rate you will remain single throughout.”
“That is better than this nuisance”, retorted Raksha in a huff.
Her father looked up from the newspaper and said, “Look dear this is something which we cant avoid. The groom’s family has to look at you before they could proceed and it is the same with us, even we have to also see the guy before proceeding further. So what is there to get angry about it? Just pay a little more attention to your appearance today than the usual”.
Raksha knew that once her father also joined her mother then she could not beat them in the squabble. So she merely nodded and left the place.

While driving to her office, million combating thoughts rose in her mind. She was annoyed in general at everyone and everything.
She felt, “Why can’t the guy just come and see me in my natural self. Why should I deck up like a doll before his family, satisfy them and then move towards the next step….it is all so ridiculous, the girls have not much say in this..it’s the men’s world..i just hate this system”.
Immersed in her thoughts Raksha was about to hit an autorickshaw. Suddenly she came to the present as she heard the auto driver scream at her.

In the office she could hardly concentrate on her work. The office boy informed her that she had a visitor. She felt anxious and found herself badmouthing the people whom she was to meet. As she reached the reception she saw a couple, the lady dressed in an orange salwar suit, fair and slim, the gentleman dressed casually. She felt the man looked a little older to be that lady’s husband. After mutual introductions Raksha came to know that the lady was groom’s sister. Within few minutes they took leave of her.
Raksha sat there and pondered, “That lady seemed quite sophisticated and obviously was not too impressed by me since they hardly asked any questions other than where I did my studies and how am I finding my work.”
She was aware that the groom was working abroad and her mother had told her several times that the groom’s family was looking out for a pretty and smart bride who could match the NRI groom in all aspects. But unfortunately Raksha had dressed a bit traditionally on that particular day and she found that her visitor were far more westernized in their manner than she had anticipated.
As expected a row of arguments and sparks flew in Raksha’s household after this incident when the groom’s family expressed their dissatisfaction over her. Raksha went back to her daily routine wondering who would be next in line for the puppet show.
She happened to visit one of her relative’s wedding. Since she didn’t have much choice she had decked up well in a turquoise blue saree and was looking resplendent with some simple jewelry and jasmine flowers adorning her. After wishing the newly weds, she along with her few cousins moved for the lunch. They stood in a corner with their plate full chatting away non-stop. The discussion was quite heated and the topic was of course MARRIAGE. Leading the talks was none other but Raksha. She had many points in her kitty to thrash the MEN and their community. Somehow she felt better to let off the suppressed steam. Atleast there was none there to oppose her arguments like her parents did.
After few days Raksha was busy preparing for an upcoming meeting in the office as the office boy interrupted her, “Madam, there is a visitor for you”.
Raksha wondered ”Amma didn’t tell me about anybody coming to see me today, so who is this unexpected visitor.”
As she neared the reception she saw a young man waiting. He introduced himself as Nischay to her.
While Raksha was still thinking, “Who is this stranger?”
Nischay began, “I know you must be wondering who I am. Actually you have not met me before but I’ve seen you.”
“Oh really, but I don’t remember seeing you,” replied Raksha little offensively. Nischay with a mischievous smile said, “Don’t panic, let me explain. I saw you the other day in Sheela’s wedding and…”
Before Nischay could continue further, Raksha interrupted him, “Wait a minute! Before you continue I want to be clear whether you are one of those prospective groom in search of a bride.”
Nischay was slightly taken aback by this sudden retort. Sensing his discomfort Raksha began to clarify, “Oh sorry! I didn’t mean to be rude but…”
Nischay cut in, “Hey that’s ok…..I quite expected this from you, well.... altelast after listening to your provoking talk the other day.”
Raksha gave a questioning look. Before she could pop a question Nischay continued, “I saw you in that wedding but didn’t pay much attention as I was busy with my friends. But while having lunch I accidentally overheard this conversation about marriage, men, dowry etc. It really caught my attention and I inched forward to peek what it was all about.”
He paused for a while and glanced at Raksha whether he had caught her interest, finding her attentively listening to him he went on, “And then I saw you, I felt that looking at your innocent face one could not expect your views to be so feministic and tough. But anyway I wholly enjoyed the moment though and felt like applauding your speech.”
By now Raksha lost her patience and snapped back, “Ok you sneaked and heard our conversation which I didn’t like so stop going gaga about it and come to the point. Why are you here?”
Nischay was quite amused at Raksha’s restlessness. He felt like irritating her more but restrained from doing so lest it would spoil her mood.
Putting on a serious expression he looked straight into her eyes and told, ”Ok as you please your honor, I came here to propose to you. I liked your honesty, straight forward nature and of course your charming face.”
Raksha could not believe what she was hearing; she was totally dumbstruck at this unexpected reply.
After regaining her composure she told in a stern tone, “Look firstly I don’t even know who you are, from where you have come and you have the audacity to propose to me. How dare you do so? You think Iam a doll on display that you saw, liked and want it….”
Before she could continue further, Nischay stopped her and told in an unruffled manner, “Wait a minute madam, please don’t mistake me. My intention is not what you are presuming. I come from a decent family, well qualified and settled. So don’t jump to conclusions.”
By now Raksha had slightly calmed down and she gestured him to continue, “thanks!”
He smiled mockingly. “Since I anticipated your outburst I had approached your parents earlier with my wish to marry you, they told me that if you give a nod then they don’t have any hassle. Hence I decided to give you a surprise visit, as I know you dislike all this formality of arranged meetings. I thought we could make it a very casual encounter so that both of us are relaxed and at ease.”
Raksha was very much surprised at whatever Nischay told her. She could not believe that her parents didn’t even give her a clue about his arrival. She suddenly felt uncomfortable and tongue-tied before him. Sensing her apprehension he invited her for lunch outside as they could more openly speak. Over lunch Raksha carefully observed and scrutinized Nischay for the first time since she met him. He was of average stature, quite good-looking with sharp features.
They spent close to 3hrs together before parting ways. While dropping Raksha back to office Nischay said, “Well… I will be waiting for your call with a positive reply of course, but even if it is negative I must say it was a pleasure knowing you.”
Rest of the day Raksha mulled over the meeting with Nischay and the sudden turn of events. She had taken quite liked him; she found him humorous and patient unlike her.

Back home her parents were waiting anxiously for her opinion. Raksha bickered with her mother for not informing her about Nischay earlier.
To this Renu told, “We wanted to tell you about him but he himself wished to surprise you, and then I thought that if you would come to know that he is the same guy from US whose sister had rejected you earlier then you would have point bank refused to see him”.
Raksha was speechless. Her mouth fell open. Looking at her expression Renu sensed that she was not aware of this fact. She bit her tongue for spilling the beans. As expected, Raksha went about cribbing and blaming almost everyone for being part of the drama. At this her father walked in and tried to calm her down.
He sat her next to him and spoke lovingly, “My dear we found Nischay to be a very nice person and suitable for you in all ways. Moreover he himself had approached us expressing his desire to marry you. He had liked your nature and as you wanted this did not happen in that typical PUPPET SHOW way….ahem….that’s how you put it….so why don’t you forget the past and consider Nischay in an unbiased manner.”
Though she felt whatever her dad told was right, her ego was blocking her from accepting the fact.
After a while her mobile rang, it was Nischay on the line, “Hi Raksha,” he began.
“I know by now you must be knowing about me something which I did not disclose when I met you. Well the reason for that was I knew you would throw tantrums when you came to know that my sister had come to see you. Frankly speaking I don’t blame her because I had told her that usually girls from traditional and orthodox background find it tough to adjust to the western culture and hence I wanted a more open and broadminded girl. As you know appearance is the first thing people consider in arranged marriage as one does not get to spend much time with girl/boy to know his/her character and so my sister felt that though you are working and educated you might be a orthodox person and hence would not suit me. But now after I told her about you she is also quite apologetic to have unknowingly hurt you. Iam sorry for whatever happened. Hope you will understand.”
All along Raksha was silent. She was not sure what to reply and hence just murmured a goodnight and put the phone down.

After a lot of contemplation and analysis of the happenings Raksha came to a decision, which she felt was the most appropriate one. She sent a SMS message to Nischay saying, “I accept your proposal, but don’t expect any dowry” and sat back with a satisfactory smile.