Love Yeaaaaaaaaaaah Arranged

(This post is done for Love Marriage Ya Arrange Marriage contest in IndiBlogger... :) )

I was shivering to lend my hand to receive the prasad from appa as I knew this was a prelude for a discussion on some prospective groom someone had suggested to him. This time I decided to make my stand clear. As he broached the subject on the expected lines, I told him very clearly and firmly that I am not ok with arranged marriage. There I was muttering the least expected words from a girl of an orthodox family. Appa became very furious at my audacity. He would have taken a less serious view of the matter had I told him that I am not ready for marriage yet. A look at my defiant face resulted in an unmistakable and strict warning from him of a peremptory NO to love marriage. This incident shook him a little and gave a respite before he started looking for a potential match for me. He had made it clear that arranged marriage was non negotiable with little chance for me to choose my partner.

Months passed by and I had rejected many proposals even by looking at the photographs or on some lame excuses. Appa and even my understanding amma were exasperated in my rejections of what seemed good matches. He made it clear that the next one if he and mom were satisfied, he would brush aside my excuses and proceed further. I was still not ok with arranged marriages where one agrees to marry a stranger after just one or two meetings for fleeting moments.

It was one evening after I returned from office my appa called me unusually softly with lot of warmth in his voice. He mentioned about one proposal that my very fond uncle had suggested. As he was talking I could discern a determination in his voice that he would brook no objection this time. Appa had not forced me all along and now that the proposal was from my dear uncle himself, he felt he had adequate reason to compel me!

I found to my surprise on the table before him a horoscope and a photo of a young man. To be frank I did not evince any interest in the photo and indicated my usual disinterest. Appa diplomatically told me its my dear uncle who had sent this proposal and that the young man seemed well qualified, in a good job and with pleasing looks. He added that it would be foolish to reject this god sent opportunity.. I could sense by seeing my amma’s eyes that she was pleading with me to accept. I walked to my room, messaged my uncle for a confirmation that it was really he who had sent it. When he replied in the affirmative, I had no choice but to look at my toes indicating my willingness to proceed further.

The day of meeting this guy was fixed for next day itself. I dressed in simple Saree and was waiting in my room when my parents called me to serve coffee and snacks, a ploy for the groom’s party to see me in different angles. Except for a fleeting glance, I didn’t see the guy who was center of attraction to my family. As I walked back to kitchen I could hear his approval. Even without ascertaining my view my appa walked in to tell to take a walk with the young man in the garden as he wished to talk with me alone.

Anyways the decision seemed to have been made by my parents and my acceptance taken for granted. We walked together to the garden in the rear till we were away from everybody’s vision. When we were certain that nobody were around us, we hugged each other in happiness that our plan worked successfully, thanks to my uncle’s help.

it was few months back, I had met him online in a contest on www.facebook.com/LoveYaArrange, our common interest had turned to friendship and soon we were in deep love. To overcome the stiff resistance to a love marriage, we persuaded my kind uncle to broker an arranged marriage keeping our love a total secret. The liberal and kind man readily agreed and brought matters to this denouement.

 As we returned back to our home and announced that we both were happy, the entire family was excited with the announcement. I could see the pride in my father’s face in successfully getting a good match thro the ‘arranged’ route instead of the risky ‘love’ route... As my dear uncle came near us and whispered with a mischievous grin “Love Yeaaaaaaaaaaah Arranged” we struggled to hold back a loud laugh.