Disclaimer: The characters in this novelette are purely fictional. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental.
Geeta, Raman and Kiran went about their day as usual, the following day. Everybody rushed to his or her respective workplace. As they all had taken a couple of hours off the previous day to visit Swati’s house, Geeta had already mentioned that she would be returning home late, so that she could catch up with her work.
Ammu was busy with her regular chores, while Vicky went to his college.
In the evening, Raghavan and Sunder came to Kiran’s house. Kiran and Raman had just returned from their work. Kiran was having his cup of tea, while pondering on what response Swati was going to give, when the doorbell rang.
‘Hello Mr. Raghavan! Please come in. Sunder, you too’ invited Raman, ‘I hope you are here with some great news for us.’
‘Hello everyone!’ greeted Raghavan. ‘As we were telling you my daughter was a bit embarrassed to tell out in front of everyone that she liked Mr. Kiran. After you people left, she did accept that she liked Mr. Kiran and that we can proceed with this marriage proposal’
‘That is a great news. So we are going to be related now’, said Raman.
Kiran was listening and was very happy to hear that.
Raghavan addressed Ammu, ‘Mami, I had gone to our astrologer this morning. He has said that the match is wonderful as apparently, there is a match 9 of the 10 requirements in their horoscope’
Kiran did not care about the horoscope and the match. He was very particular that, when it came to marriage, he should share similar views and thoughts with his future wife. Their hearts and minds had to match.
Raghavan continued, ‘there is a good day the coming week. I thought that, if you also consult your astrologer, we could probably have the engagement the coming week. What do you say Mami?’
‘Well, Mama, I don’t believe in all these astrology and stuff. I believe in the union of hearts and minds and not horoscopes. If you have consulted your astrologer and if you are satisfied, that would be fine with me. I am sure my sons will agree to this. We can go ahead and have the engagement ceremony next week.’
Looking at Kiran, Ammu asked, ‘Will that be okay with you Kiran?’
‘Yes Amma’, Kiran replied. He was thinking in his mind, ‘Amma, is this even a question to ask? I already said yes’
Kiran was very happy. The joy in his heart was shown very clearly on his face too. He started dreaming. It was going to be a new life with a new person. He liked Swati very much. He was ready to adjust himself for her sake. He was also confident that she too would adjust herself and mingle with his family well.
Poor Kiran, he was not aware about his future then. He was not aware that a day would come very shortly when there will just be pandemonium in his heart and his mind a smorgasbord. Probably, this is what the elders have said, ‘Love is blind; maybe deaf and dumb too’
‘Mami, what about the other matters that need to be discussed?’
‘Mama, if you are referring to dowry and things like that, I am not a person who is interested in all that. God has given us enough and my sons are in a good position today. So, we do not need anything from you. I have not taken any dowry from my Geeta and so will be the case with Swati. You can do whatever you would like for your daughter.‘
Ammu continued, ‘My only request is that the marriage should be conducted in a decent manner.’
‘That is absolutely no problem Mami. We will arrange for a grand marriage. Can we fix the date for the engagement?’
‘You can go ahead.’
‘Mr. Raman, I will give you a call tomorrow and confirm the engagement date’
‘Fine’
‘I think we will take leave now. You know, it is daughters marriage and therefore there will be a lot of work to complete and various things to handle.’
‘Mama, just one more thing; I want you to give me a photograph of Swati. I need to send it to my daughter Tara in Kerala. She will not be able to make it for the engagement. I want her to see her brothers’ fiancée.’
‘I will send the photograph through Sunder probably tomorrow itself. So, see you all soon.’
‘I will wait for your call tomorrow’, said Raman.
Kiran’s excitement had no bounds. Dreaming about his future, he was floating on Cloud Nine.
Little did he know, of what was going to strike him…
Once Again…???!!! Chapter 2: the Genesis
to continue…