Made in Heaven- part I

I was having breakfast when my mom reminded me " You remember that you have to come early today isn't it???" Yeah sure , ma ....." , I stopped chewing and looked at her. "what for ????? " For a minute she was trying to guess, as to whether I was joking. "Oh yes!!!!... so its today!!?? " , I remembered suddenly. "Why didn't you remind me?? "Do I have to remind you everyday that we are going to see a girl for your marriage?? What kind of a guy are you??",she got up as she said it.I had been postponing it for a long time,but the time had come when myparents had to start looking for a girl for me. After extorting a halfhearted approval from me my mom had shown me a photo a week back as I was getting ready for office. "Have a look at the photo", my mom said as I was tying my knot.

I had a brief glance at the photo as I came to the dinner table. The girl in the photo looked kinda familiar. "So what do you think", my mom was relentless. "you mean , the photo??? Shoddy graphics!!! The guy wont last a day in our company's quality control" , I laughed aloud. "Be serious Vishwa!!!! We can go the girl's place if you say yes."I looked at the expectations and curiosity in her face. "Ok ma , we can go to her place , you are happy now???? But one condition!! It will be just me ,dad and you, OK??" I hated the idea of choosing my life partner in between a circus with all and sundry.

After that day I totally forgot about the incident and my mom also didn't talk about it. She might have told me about it in the evenings (late nights rather) , when I come back from office everyday but I would be too tired to listen to her during those times. I was a little excited as I drove my way to office. But there was something deep in my heart which prevented the happiness from being complete. May be it's the thought of being on the verge of losing the freedom of being a bachelor. I got lost into fantasies of married life.

I slowly open my eyes as I wake up to the morning. I see her watching me with coffee in her hands. She had taken hair bath and had neatly rolled up her hair with a towel .. "What are you looking at", I ask her with a smile in my face. "You look the best early in the morning", she whispers in my ears with a giggle. "So do you ", I try to pull her to my side as she falsely tries to get away from me all the while balancing the coffee in her hand. I stamp the brakes as an idiot swerves unannounced in front of me from left. These guys should be shot, hanged twice after being cut into two halves. I lose my temper as my heart starts beating faster.

I had no realization of the morning passing by as I was deeply involved in a proposal preparation. I took lunch well past the lunchtime. After the lunch as I sent the mail to onsite my mind was filled with thoughts of the evening. Suddenly I wanted to see that photo. I cursed myself for not having the photo with myself. I could hardly remember the face. I knew it was impossible to judge a person just by looking at the photo. I had had experiences in the past when the person turned out to be quite different to the impression I had formed on seeing the photo. I had a strong belief that all photos were touched up to show the person in the photo in the best light possible. Reality is what counts. In reality , the most beautiful people we know need not have the best facial or physical features. It all depends on the thousands of other things ,half of which cannot be explained. Other half being the person's thoughts, actions, manners, speech etc etc.The major work for the day had been finished and there were other smallstuff, which had to be taken care of. Otherwise there was nothing elsewhich was urgent enough. There was a call from home reminding me of our program in the evening. I quickly wrapped up my work and reached home getting past the colleagues who looked at me quizzically for leaving early. I hadn't told them about my evening plans. The girl's house was fairly away from the city. As I was driving with my parents ,I suddenly remembered. "Amma!!! Whats the girl's name??? " "Very good!!! Atleast now you remembered ", my parents laughed aloud. I blushed.

"Her name is Chandini"

Chandini..........

Hmmm interesting name.

We reached the place. There was some close relative of the girl who was waiting for us in the road to make sure we don't miss the place. I thought the people were overly courteous. I liked the girl's dad. He looked cool with a gentle smile in his face. Her parents were carefully listing the girl's credentials without making it sound as "over qualifications" !! Mostly there were descriptions about the girl being so obedient,homely etc etc and how she will make a perfect family girl! So sad how much a girl's parents have to do while trying to get their daughter married.

I thought Soon it was time for the girl to arrive. " Chandini , could you please bring some coffee for us??", the girl's dad exclaimed towards the kitchen. Chandini..... hmmm interesting name.I felt again...I could hear the sound of her anklets getting bigger. The sound was sorhythmic. I got impatient. Then she entered the room. She was wearing mild make up and was wearing a traditional silk saree. There were some extra gold ornaments adorned and there was slightly excessive lip stick. Inspite of all these "extra fittings" , she looked fairly simple which I liked.

But more than everything ,there was only thought in my mind!!!!

Oh my God............ This is Chandini.......... My Chandini

(To be continued............)