My lucky Charm

05 | New ray of hope

                ~~~~~~Ramya ~~~~~~~

I wore a simple chudidhar and was dressed casually not interested clearly in anything. My parents too did not do much preparations for the meet with the guy.

I heard my mom call me. I came out and saw 4 people sitting on the couch. An elderly couple, an early tweenage girl who would probably be around 20 years. And a guy.

Counting the number of audiences arrived, I concluded that he is the guy who has come to see me.

With the way they look, and their dressing, I figured out that they belong to lower middle class family. Not that I am complaining about their dressing, certain things about some people can be easily identified with the way they dress.

I understood how much hurry my parents are in pushing me out of the house. They wanted some one to marry me , irrespective of he is a good guy or alcohol addict or womanizer.

I surely bet they would not have even did a background check about the guy I am going to marry.

Common, Ramya , do you still have belief in all that. After all those things happened to your family because of you ? mocked my inner self.

But the guy in front of me nor his parents does not seem to be bad. Again, I don't want to come to conclusion with the looks. Appearances are deceptive. I have had enough experience.

And for the record, that guy has not even spared a glance at me. It was very well and clearly written all over his face that he is truly forced in to this marriage setting.

I was brought back from my thoughts, when the guy stood up. He said he wants to talk to me. 

Perfect, I thought. I will utilize this time. To convince him, if in case he does not want to marry me. 

Before my father could give a nod, he went inside one of the room. I glanced my parents, they were neutral. I saw his parents.

They were bewildered at his act now. I gave a small smile with a nod and walked to the room . I  found him standing near the balcony. 

Going near him , standing at a decent distance, "I wanted to ask ..." I started but he bet me to it.

"will you lend me your all your jewels if I marry you?" he asked, with desperation evident in his voice.

"Yes" I immediately said as soon as I heard the word 'marry'. I don't know what sort of tight situation he is in, but I felt it is the right time for me to accept whatever he says and move out of this house.

"I don't have any problem in giving my jewels" I started again ... and bent my head down with hesitation . I continued ..." my wedding was stopped a week ago due to my ill fate.." Slowly I  lifted my head to see his reaction. 

He was gone. 

What ...???

since when ??

I marched back to the hall with a fear that he changed his decision after I blurted out that my wedding was stopped. 

What happened was the reverse, unexpected. 

"I am ok with marrying her. The coming Monday. We could just have  a simple register marriage if you all don't have any objection" He spoke firmly.

Coming Monday??? Which means Day after tomorrow? I was astonished to hear that.

My parents readily agreed to it. They don't want to waste money again fearing what if this also stops.

For once I felt happy that I will leave soon. But it soon got vanished. No I should not be happy about anything and raise any hopes on anyone. What if this guy too rejects me on the day of my marriage. 

With that thought I remained neutral and went inside once the guests left.

~~~~~~Rajan~~~~

Two days before I was in a heavy pressure on what to do  to arrange money. I happened to meet the marriage broker who brought his alliance for my Sister.

I actually wanted to shout at him for bringing up this kind of alliance, even though I have clearly stated my finance situation well. 

"thambi... everywhere people are like this. They would say they are against dowry, but indirectly they would ask for the same in some or the other way. Irrespective of one's status, this is happening everywhere"

He tried to convince me. But I was not.

"I don't think this is all good getting dowry". I stated.

"Don't think too much thambi. At the end your sister is the one who is going to enjoy all this. Its not like they are going to sell it.

You are talking as if you wont get dowry when you marry. When circumstances come, you too will go for it "

"pcch.. I am not even ready for marriage now. I have a huge responsibility to take care off.

And firstly I need some loan arrangements. If you could help me find some one who could lend me money immediately I will be thankful to you"

The broker nodded his head in agreement and left. The next day, the broker messaged me stating he has found a way to arrange money. Happy to hear that, I instantly dialed him.

By his arrangement he meant , me marrying a girl and get a heavy sum as dowry. In addition to it use her jewels as well and pass it on to my sister.

I was very hesitant at first. But he assured me that the girls parents are in hurry to marry that girl off soon and would not think about giving more money If I agree to marry her.

Still I don't want to make use of their chance and take dowry. I just wanted her jewels as a loan which I could repay her later. Hopefully when I start earning more. 

I agreed to proceed with this and asked the broker to arrange the meet. I also managed to warn the broker ,refraining him from saying anything about this dowry or jewels to my parents or the girls parents. 

I know it sounded bad for me to get dowry or jewels from the girl who does not even know me. Still I wanted to give it a try.

I would take the jewel only if she is ok with it. Marriage would also happen only when she says ok for it.  As the broker said, my circumstances are forcing me to chose this path.