Arranged Love

The Meet

Sometimes when we are confused of what to decide or do, we tend to ask opinion from others, fearing that we might make a wrong decision.

Whereas some, would expect good opinion or positive review to convince themselves that they have made good decision. Karthik was also in the same state.

He wanted to ask his colleagues opinion who is of his age than his parents or relative. He thought his parents are accepting any alliance that came in their way with the motive of getting him married.

Loads of thoughts ran in Karthik's mind, "why do they wanted to choose me when I am not matching with her qualification or salary. What if the girl has drawbacks? Is that the reason they are accepting me?

But she does not seem to have any drawback as far as what I heard. What if the girl is headstrong girl who dominates me later on? Or may be the girl and her family are really good , who don't bother about these differences?"

Next day, in his office, he showed the photo and asked his office colleagues about their opinion, and his dilemma.

They all gave a good feedback. They suggested him to meet and have a conversation first with her to understand rather than getting confused.

Karthik who thought for the whole day, ended up getting headache and even more confused. He kept this topic aside and decided to have a peaceful sleep and decide later on.

Next day

Karthik woke up in the morning with a fresh mind got himself ready to go to office. After taking a nice shower, he came to the mirror wearing his formals.

His right hand which was combing his hair stopped in the mid air when Sowmya's face in the photo flashed in his mind. All the while, he did not have a thought about her.

Now the conversations that happened with his colleagues and vasu mama came to his mind.

"The previous alliance and the constant pestering that I had before been is not this disturbing. Let me first meet and have a talk with her.

I wanted to put an end to this hungama", thought karthik who finished combing his hair and was now tucking his shirt in when he asked himself,

"Ok , but why did I get her thought now out of the blue. From morning I did not have this thought. Do I like her? like how they show in films? When you like someone you can see their face everywhere"

"no..no..that's just because sowmi was standing near the mirror and her reflection as also visible in the photo.

Moreover I was thinking lot about this yesterday, hence I remembered her, other than that there is nothing.

OMG.. From when did I start behaving like a drama queen? Maintain your gait Karthik. Don't think too much" karthik said to himself and came out of his room.

Unknowingly, Karthik had a given a nick name to Sowmya but has not realised it or his love towards her.

Karthik pulled a chair near the dining table and sat to have his hot idli and sambhar for his breakfast.

His mother was waiting to see any reaction from him or identify his mood before she starts with the alliance topic.

Padma: "Dei... Karthiiii..."

Karthik: "Enna?" (what?)

Padma: "hmm ...nothing, shall I keep 2 more idlies??See I have made your favorite tomato chutney as well?"

Karthik: " no ma..its enough"

Padma frowned not knowing how to start the conversation.

She got irritated at the sight of her husband who does not bother about her helpless state when he asked , "Padma , chutney super,keep 2 extra idlies for me. Only because of this chutney I am able to eat all these idlies "

Padma gave an angry look at her husband. " Hey chill.., Sambhar is also nice. Your cooking is always tasty" , said karthik's Father.

In the meantime, Karthik finished his breakfast and told, " Maa.. I am ok to meet her. But I am the one who would decide. No one should force me on anything about marriage", saying this he left for office.

Padma felt happy and informed Vasu immediately and asked him to plan the meeting. She also spoke separately with sowmya's mother regarding the meet to confirm their arrival.

So on an auspicious day, Karthik's family went to meet sowmya at their house.

In the car, Karthik was telling everyone that he would give a signal or code word about this decision during the meet.

He said only if he likes the girl, he would eat the sweet kept in his plate/any snacks kept for him. If he does not eat it means he is not ok with the proposal.

Karthik and his parents, Vasu and Latha, Gowri and kamatchi(padma's younger brother and wife) were seated in the hall along with Sowmya' mother, uncle and 2 brothers.

After the formal greetings and usual talks, Sowmya came with a coffee tray in hand and gave coffee to everyone. When she was near karthik, she looked at him slightly.

Karthik who was having a dominating and confident pose till now was not able to look at Sowmya's eyes for more than few seconds and bend down.

This is the first time he is attending this kind of meet. All this while the proposals whatever he had did not go that far.

Either he would reject or he would be rejected from the other side. All were done via phone calls. Hence he was little tensed of how to react.

He struggled to take the coffee in his hand. His mind was reminding him not to do anything stupid.

He was not sure why he had a sudden increase in heart beat when Sowmya was near him. He had a mixed mindset and emotion. Finally he took his coffee and started to drink.

While others were talking further about the family and things in general , karthik tried to look casually and pretended to look at the surroundings just to get a glimpse of Sowmya.

"It's a 2 bhk da.with attached bathroom"

"Whatt????"asked karthik who was slightly shocked and confused with what latha mami replied

Latha: "I said its a 2 bhk house, there is a kitchen over there and to your left there is a bedroom, near the door is where Sowmya is standing. I know you were looking in to the house and not at sowmya, but I am just telling""

"Am I that obvious?" thought karthik with a shocked face.

"Yes you are.. i could clearly hear your mind voice", said kamatchi chitti.

Karthik who tried to suppress his shy smile , looked down and thought not to do anything stupid. He mentally face palmed himself for being so obvious.

The elders then decided to make Karthik and Sowmya have some talk alone.