The odds of my Marriage

The hall is moderately crowded with some known and unknown faces, all smiling at me while some waving at me. Some faces were happy, some genuinely happy and others with fake smiles. Today, I am the subject at the hall to be criticized. I feel as if I am having some mime conversation with these faces. Besides, the hall is beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and colorful ambience. But I am unable to divert myself from the much hyped conversation I am having with these faces inside my mind. And now my cheeks spasmed violently because I have to smile. 

I still remember the day I saw Saachi for the first time stepping gently through the clique holding her royal blue gown with thick long hair and hazel eyes. She was wearing a big smile and many guys fell for her. For me it wasn’t “Love at First Sight” but she left some impressions over me. It was freshers party at our Senior College and she slapped a Punk of our college who is a son of a great Political Leader. No one could ever dare to utter a word against or before him and without any hesitation she slapped him though she was known with this fact. The reason for her furious act was one of her friends was eve teased by him. Thankfully, this matter ended there after her friend got an apology. After this incident she became a Star of our college who cannot withstand any kind of victimization.

We became friends, years passed away and little did I realize that I have fallen in love with her. I always enjoyed her company and wanted to be with her forever. Everyday there was something new to learn about her and I always wanted to discover more and more about her. It was one of our close friend’s wedding, the aura was distinctly gleeful. She was wrapped in Sari and I can’t take my eyes off her. I was deeply seated with my feelings and she came next to me and asked “What’s wrong with you? Is this wedding or something else?” I looked into her eyes and impulsively  muttered “I Love You. I really really Love you Saachi”. I had no thoughts what she would say, all I knew was she is not that type of girl who will not be friends with someone who has feelings for her. She was mature in every sense. After almost 60 seconds she replied with big smile “Are you sure? Shaan, this might be infatuation. You are really a nice guy and I genuinely like you. You deserve someone really special who loves you back. No hard feelings….” I abruptly said “Wait! I know you pretty well, you are not making an eye contact with me which clearly means you are lying. Please be honest. You love me too. Don't you?” Sometimes you just get the vibes, all I wanted to hear was She Loves me too. She agreed but to my dismay, she said something that changed my life.

Arranged marriages have been the norm in Indian Society. And Love marriages? This reminds me of Chetan Bhagat's "Two States":

Love marriages around the world are simple: 

Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy. They get married.

In India there are few more steps: 

Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy.

Girl's family has to love boy. Boy's family has to love girl.

Girl's family has to love boy's family. Boy's family has to love girl's family.

Girl and boy still love each other. They get married.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Our story is more than this.  It took us almost a year to convince our parents for our marriage. And finally they agreed. My parents always loved Saachi and wanted her as their daughter -in -law but we had something else to convince for. For Saachi who lost her mother at the age of 12 managed to convince her father. And this was the beginning of our crossroads. I and Saachi wanted to have court marriage but it was my parents' utmost desire of marrying us in traditional way. This being the reason I am at this banquet hall.

Yes, today am marrying the girl with whom I am madly in love with. My life is going to be different and so hers. The conflicting part of our Love Story was she not only asked me to be Shaan Saachi Kapoor - changing my last name to hers but also moving in with her to her place. Have you ever thought of changing your name to your wife's name? The norms of the society that we follow mandatorily without giving a thought was never her cup of tea. Why women always have to leave her parents' place and have to settle down with her In- laws. She changes her identity, her lifestyle, her interests and what not for another family that she barely knows. Why not Men? The only promise Saachi had made to her mother was she will never ever leave her Father. And that's another reason she wants me to move in with her to her place.  I many times wonder if Man would always have to move in with his  In-laws (like Woman do) there would be no female foeticide but male foeticide in practice? At this marriage pavilion I can hear dishonorable discussions about us. People call me "Joru ka Gulam" (Henpecked) and what not. But these things no longer bother me. Our family is happy with our decision and more importantly we feel contented with our decision. To the rest of the world, I just want to say don't criticize anyone who fails to follow the norms of society blindly. Live and let live.