Emotions

 

“I had read-only in the books, seen in the Bollywood movie, but never expected it to happen in my life, RK” whispered a giggling Aradhana to Ramakrishnan. “To have this moment, I had gone through hell literally and you know it. I’m happy to be witness this moment myself” laughed back RK.

“RK, this is Udit uncle, our neighbour, come take his blessings”

“Yeah, yeah, Uncle please bless us” said RK and the couple bowed down. “How can I forget him?” thought RK in his mind. His mind went into a flashback and all he could remember was the sound “Thud” the tight slap on his face by this same person.

******

Ramakrishnan was a typical South Indian guy with very few friends. RK, fondly called by family and friends, was a very passionate guy. He was very passionate about Cricket and used to be glued to his television watching matches for hours.

His mind was a data storage machine and he could remember numbers. If anyone wanted to know any friend’s birthday, know the date of the last meeting held, cricketing debates, RK it was. He too enjoyed being called Number Jumbler. He was an IT professional. Given the uncertain nature of the IT sector, he was on and off the job many times. This made him a frustrated character and he used to vent out his anger on anyone he met. His parents counseled him many times to settle in a job as they wanted to look out for a match for him.

Aradhana on the other hand was a career-focused girl with a steady job in a bank. Completing her graduation, she hung on to the job she got. She belonged to a typical North Indian family. Her parents were looking for a match and were confident to close on a handsome boy very soon. Aradhana had a fair complexion and looked gorgeous. In any marriage, one could spot her in the sea of people.

The topic of marriage would erupt volcanoes in their otherwise quiet household. Aradhana had a clear vision of her life. She primarily ignored all the proposals because she loved RK and was committed to marry him.

Both had met at a common friend’s marriage and the number jumbler RK impressed Aradhana and both started dating. They kept their relationship under the wraps as both knew it would be difficult to convince their parents for an arranged marriage.

Though RK was confident, once he got a permanent job, his parents would not object, Aradhana, had a herculean task to manage. Her parents would disapprove RK for 2 prime reasons – he was a South Indian and he was a shade darker.

Aradhana knew these aspects and was mentally ready for a revolt against her parents as she was deeply in love with this amazing guy. This couple was a brilliant example of Brains wins Beauty.

Aradhana and RK were enjoying their secret meetings outside regularly. Both enjoyed each other’s company but the topic of marriage would bring the boxers of the ring to life and punches would be blown from both sides. Unemployment was the biggest punch Aradhana landed on RK and her parents’ way of luxurious living would be his revenge punch. However, the best part was they genuinely cared for each other. Within a few hours or days, either of them would step down, apologize to the other and the matter would be closed.

******

“Good morning darling, See you at 7pm tonight at Hotel Romance” beeped Aradhana’s phone and her mother read the message on the screen. As expected, the volcano erupted. Her parents were pretty upset and when confronted, Aradhana accepted her relationship with RK.

Raged with anger, her father gave her beatings of her life and warned her not to meet him again. The parents knew RK, as he was introduced a few months ago as a common friend. Though they had their apprehensions, they had confidence in their daughter.

Aradhana was under house arrest and unable to neither see nor pass on the message to RK. Here, RK was disturbed to the core. He was unable to understand the reason for the mobile phone being switched off. He started making rounds near her building but could not spot her. He was desperate to see the love of his life. Passion has its ill-effects.

 A few days later, he called Ashwini, their mutual friend, and briefed her on the sequence of events and also shared his worst nightmares. Ashwini counseled him and assured him to visit Aradhana that very evening.

Ashwini smelt something fishy the moment she knocked on the door. Aradhana’s father welcomed her with a stern look. She was not allowed to meet her best friend, instead, she had to face a volley of questions. Understanding the undercurrent, Ashwini decided to leave the place silently. Once she was out, she called RK and narrated the sequence.

RK took a bold step to meet Aradhana’s parents himself. He knew he was entering endangered waters but he could not know any other way out. He called his 2 friends for company. As soon as he entered the building, he was nervous.

On reaching the door, RK folded hands and offered a Namaste to parents. Before he could even utter a word, ‘Thud’ came a blow from Mr. Udit, the neighbour. Eyes shot red but his mouth remained shut as he knew, one wrong step and his love life would be terminated. Digesting all anger, he uttered, “Sorry Uncle.”

The next few hours were an emotional drama inside the 4 walls with seven members - Three friends, three elders, and Aradhana. The parents vented out all their anger on the boys. They bluntly taunted RK on his failed careers and his colour too. RK maintained his cool.

After a lot of emotional torture, father asked Aradhana about her final decision and boldly enough the answer was “Yes”. At that moment, RK felt relief within, he wanted to dance, shout and do a jiffy but all he could do was stand with his head down.

“Today, if you decide to get out of this house, this would be it. We would be dead for you from today. Decide and proceed” came to the declaration from Hitler there. Aradhana could barely understand what decision to be taken at this juncture.

On one hand, it was her parents who had given whatever she asked for and much more. On the other hand, was a man she was madly in love with. The heart and head were at loggerheads, she could not decide. She started sobbing uncontrollably at the options thrown at her.

No one to ask, no one to consult, it was her pure decision. With a heavy heart, she decided to move ahead in life with RK. Her dad broke down terribly and she did not have the guts to look back at her inconsolable parents. She moved along with RK.

Bigger worries waited for the new couple. Where to spend the night? How will RK’s parents react?  What is to be done? Coincidentally, RK’s mentor was reached and he suggested breaking the news to his parents and suggested Aradhana stay at a friend’s place for the next 1-2 days.

Fortunately, RK’s parents welcomed the decision of their son and it was decided to arrange a simple marriage in the next 2 days. All arrangements were done with very few invitees. The marriage solemnized and everyone was happy. Tears of happiness flew down the cheek of Aradhana as she had taken the biggest decision of her life and was missing her parents for the biggest event of her life. Emotional traumas are sometimes painful. She could not understand, whether she should be happy for achieving the love of her life or sad for not being with her parents. Real jeopardy.

Not all bold decisions hit back badly, after a few days of marriage, Udit uncle called RK and informed Aradhana’s parents wanted to meet him. RK was a bit hesitant and even Aradhana was not keen but the mentor stepped in again and suggested the couple to go and meet. He requested RK’s parents to accompany him as a safety measure.

As soon as RK’s family reached, Aradhana’s father welcomed them. His body language was that of a loser and he admitted sheepishly to arrange a lavish wedding for his only loving daughter. Tears started flowing in all the eyes and the emotional drama continued. Aradhana could not understand for a few seconds as to what brought about a change, she ran and hugged her father and started crying profusely. Others were a testimony for an emotional melodrama.

****

This time around the marriage was conducted with pomp and posh. The wedding

was followed by Reception and the list of invitees included the topmost personalities of the city. One could hear the giggles of Aradhana on the stage, even while seated at a distance.

All is well that ends well !!!