A tale of two "arranged" marriages - Part 2

Cut to the present, 2009.. 

       A nuclear family in Kolkatta is trying to find the perfect groom for their only daughter CB. CB is in her twenties and works in Bangalore. She is open to an arranged marriage provided her expectations are met. 

      Her parents stumble upon a boy working in Bangalore , seemingly a nice match for our CB. The families interact and they urge the two to meet in Bangalore. Forum mall in Hosur road is the destined location. Boy meets girl and the rest is NOT history :P  They get acquainted in a popular hang-out , discuss interests and future plans among other trivial and crucial details. Later in the evening, they part with heads filled with opinions, happy thoughts, doubts, judgements and a million other perceptions. It is understood that the decision will be made only after a few more meetings / telephonic discussions. 

        In a couple of days , CB leaves for Kolkatta for a short vacation. The boy , in the meantime tries to get in touch with her and eventually learns that she's in Kolkatta. Well, I know it would have made for a perfect ending but the guy did not fly to Kolkatta and go down on his knees for CB. Instead .. 

In Kolkatta .. 

CB has just landed home exhausted after a long & delayed flight. 

        Ting tong ting tong !! 

At the door is none other than .. the boy's mother !!! CB's mom welcomes her thoroughly astounded. CB is made to appear presentable immediately. 

" So beta, how are you? You met my son XX in B'lore ? " , XX's mom with a broad smile. 

" I'm good aunty. Haanji I met XX last week. Didn't get to talk to him again as I was busy with this trip home " , CB explains hesitantly. 

" Of course I understand. Lekin ab what do you feel ? Tujhe pasand aaya ? " , XX's mom bluntly. 

" ????? " , CB looks around hoping the earth would swallow her.. " Dekhiye aunty, actually I would need to talk to him some more and get comfortable before I can decide. Ab toh sirf ek baar baat hui  ".. 

" XX has fallen in love with you. He wants to marry you and no other girl. Isliye main idhar aa gayi. My son likes someone so I have to ensure he gets married to whom he likes na.. " 

" Ohhh !!! Lekin aunty, I am not in love with XX. I have only met him ONCE !! " , CB is outrageous. 

" Mujhe kuch nahi maalum. XX likes you and you will have to marry him " , the obstinate mother.

" Sorry I am not going to marry XX. In fact I don't like XX or you either. Please leave " CB makes her point strongly. 

" Arre beta, it doesn't matter whether you like me or not. I will not be living with you. XX and you will be happy together and thats all I want ". 

" Who wants a mother-in-law like you!!! ", CB has the last word and storms out of the room. 

    CB's mom tries to calm the situation but the damage has been done. Never to be repaired much to CB's relief. 

Arranged marriages -- You have all sorts of them. Comes with a statutory warning - Persist at your own risk. 

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The first story was about my grand-parents. They lived happily together for 50 years until my grandfather passed away. To this day my granny never fails to mention this story and never fails to add indignantly as an after-thought - " What was the need to ask me for my Xth Std marks and favourite subject when he wasn't going to allow me to study further ever !!! "  ..

The second story is also TRUE. No, CB isn't me. I'm frank but not brazen! It happened to a friend whom I met recently :-)

 

I have tried to stick to the facts and not exaggerate. Of course, this post is not written to offend any person or community. It is merely an attempt at story-writing by yours truly.