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THE “GIRL”
Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE
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Pune
Circa 1970’s
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NB: This story happened 45 years ago in the 1970’s when there was no internet,
no email, no mobile phones – and – most digital gadgets we use today like smartphones,
PCs, Laptops, tablets etc. – they did not exist.
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I recognized her at once.
How could I ever forget a girl who looked so gorgeous – so exquisite –
so attractive – large expressive doe-eyes, beautifully arched eyebrows, refined
“chiselled” nose, delicate chin, full juicy lips – perfect beautiful face –
lovely complexion – and lush black hair flowing over her dainty ears and
slender neck down over her elegant shoulders.
She looked exactly the same as she had looked 3 years earlier when I had
first seen her in the bank in Mumbai.
The was only one difference – today – she wasn’t wearing a
“mangalsutra”.
Yes – today – there was no “mangalsutra” around her neck – and I clearly
remembered that she had been wearing a “mangalsutra” when I had seen her 3
years ago.
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I recognized her – but – she didn’t recognize me – or – at least – she
didn’t show any trace of recognition – in the presence of everyone.
She sat demurely – looking down – at the table in front of her.
After all – she was a prospective bride – the “girl” being “seen” for
arranged marriage – and – the “girl” under “scrutiny” was expected to have a
modest demeanor at the “Kande Pohe” girl-seeing ceremony.
The “Boy” – the prospective groom – was my friend Avinash.
I observed the besotted manner in which he was looking at the “girl”.
It was evident that he had liked her – just like I had been
instantaneously “love-struck” when I had seen her face for the first time – and
– seconds later – I had spotted the “mangalsutra” around her neck – and – I
felt a pang of disappointment – as I knew I had no chance – since she was
married.
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Dear Reader – a mangalsutra is a necklace of gold and black beads with
two pendants (hollow gold balls called “vatis”)
In Maharashtra – married women wear a “mangalsutra” to indicate their
marital status.
The “mangalsutra” is a visible symbol of marriage worn by married women.
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Three years ago – she was wearing a “mangalsutra”.
And now – she wasn’t wearing one.
I wondered what had happened…?
Was she widowed – or – was she divorced…?
________
I looked at her – I said
“Hello” to her – and I smiled.
She gave me a smile of forced geniality – as if I was a stranger.
I had recognized her – but – it seemed that she had not recognized me.
Or – at least – she didn’t show any trace of recognition.
Maybe – she didn’t want to do so – in the presence of everyone.
But – most probably – it was possible that she really hadn’t recognized
me.
When I had seen her 3 years ago in the bank – sitting at the “May I Help
You” counter at the entrance – she was the “centre of attraction” – but I was
just a common customer.
Everyone notices a beautiful girl – especially if she is the “centre of
attraction”.
But – the beautiful girl doesn’t even bother to even give a second look
to ordinary looking men – like me.
So – I remembered her – but she hadn’t even taken notice of me – forget
about even remembering me.
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After the girl-seeing “Kande Pohe” ceremony was over – we –
Avinash, his parents, and me – we said goodbye to the girl and her parents –
and – left their house.
I wanted to go home – but Avinash and his father insisted that I go with
them to their bungalow – and have a drink.
His mother said she would cook a delicious dinner for me.
_________
As I sipped Scotch Whisky – which Avinash had bought duty-free at the
airport – I wondered whether I should tell Avinash about the girl.
Avinash was my college classmate – and – hostel-mate too.
We had studied engineering together for 5 years.
(Those days – the B.Tech. course was of 5 years
duration)
Like most of my classmates – Avinash had migrated to the US for his MS –
and then – he got a job over there – and it was quite clear that he wanted to
become an American Citizen and settle down in the USA.
And now – he had come back to Pune to select a bride – get married – and
take his newly-wedded wife with him to America.
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Dear Reader – this story happened around 45 years ago in the 1970’s –
and those days – an “American NRI” was considered a “prize catch”.
Those days – in the 1970’s – in Pune – in the society in which we lived
– middle-class parents had two ambitions for their children:
1. Son should get into IIT and migrate abroad preferably to America for
higher studies and settle down over there.
2. Daughter should get married to an “American NRI” and migrate to the
US and settle down with her husband over there.
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Avinash had come on a month’s vacation for selecting a bride from the
prospective “girls” his mother had lined up for him to “see”.
If he liked a girl – they would immediately get engaged – and – if
possible – even get married – so that the bride could go to America quickly.
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My meeting Avinash was not planned – in fact – I didn’t know that
Avinash had come to India.
I had come over to Pune for the weekend – and – on Saturday evening – I
was sitting in Good Luck CafĂ© chatting with my friends – when someone mentioned
that Avinash was in town.
He lived nearby – in Deccan Gymkhana – so – I walked down to his house.
Avinash was most happy to see me.
I greeted his parents.
I noticed that they were all dressed up as if they were going out
somewhere.
“I think I have come at the wrong time…” I said, “you seem to be going
out somewhere…”
“We are going to “see” a girl for Avinash…” his mother said.
“Oh – then I should be going…” I said to Avinash.
“Why don’t you come along…?” Avinash suggested.
“No. No. I don’t think it would be proper for me to gatecrash into a “Kande
Pohe” ceremony…” I said.
“I think it will be good if you come along…” Avinash’s mother said to
me, “you are his good friend – and maybe – you will prove lucky…”
“Lucky…?” I exclaimed, curious.
Avinash’s mother looked at me and smiled.
“I have been searching for girls for Avinash for quite some time – and
finally – after a lot of thinking – I narrowed down and selected 7 girls for
him – all nice girls from good families and from our community – girls who are
interested in going to America after marriage – he has seen 6 girls so far –
and “rejected” all of them – this is the 7th girl – I hope he likes
her – otherwise – all my efforts will go waste – and we will have to wait till
he comes to India again – maybe after a year or two…”
“Oh…” I said, feeling quite amused at the matrimonial process for NRIs
like Avinash.
Avinash’s father looked at me and spoke to me.
“Please do come along – see the girl – and maybe – you can convince
Avinash…” his father said to me.
So – I went along with them to the girl’s house for the girl-seeing “Kande
Pohe” ceremony.
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The girl’s parents welcomed us.
I was introduced as Avinash’s best friend.
We sat down in the spacious living room.
The girl’s mother went into the kitchen.
After a few moments – the girl came out of the kitchen – carrying a tray
with four dishes of “Kande Pohe” – attractively garnished – with a wedge of
lemon placed on the side.
She held the tray in front of Avinash’s father, then his mother, then
Avinash, and lastly, she held the tray with the remaining one “kande pohe” dish
in front of me.
I looked at her and recognized her at one – she was the same gorgeous
girl I had seen in the bank in Mumbai 3 years ago – but I also noticed – that –
today – she wasn’t wearing a a mangalsutra around her neck.
I looked at her – I
said “Hello” to her – and I smiled.
She gave me a smile
of forced geniality – as if I was a stranger.
Dear Reader – as I told you earlier – she didn’t show any trace of
recognition.
So – I let it be – and watched the proceedings as a passive observer.
The parents did most of the talking.
Avinash kept looking at the girl from time to time.
The girl sat demurely – looking down – at the table in front of her.
I maintained an air of nonchalance.
The parents seemed to be talking about each other’s families – about the
“qualities” of their children etc. etc.
The “Kande Pohe” were delicious – and after we had finished
eating – the girl went inside and brought tea.
The girl’s mother made it a point to tell us that it was her daughter who
had made the “Kande Pohe” and she was a “Sugran” (accomplished in
cooking).
After some time – the girl’s father spoke.
“We have talked enough…” the girl’s father said, “I think the boy and
girl can talk privately now…”
“Later…” Avinash’s astute mother said, “we will let you know by tomorrow
morning…”
With these words – she concluded the “Kande Pohe” ceremony – and
– half an hour later – I was sitting in Avinash’s home – sipping Scotch.
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“The girl is good…” Avinash’s father said.
“Yes – they seem to be cultured family…” Avinash’s mother said.
“I liked the girl…” Avinash said.
“Are you sure…?” Avinash’s mother asked Avinash.
“Yes…” he said, “I really liked her…”
Avinash’s father gave a sigh of relief.
“So – looks like the number “7” has proved to be lucky for you – “Lucky
Seven” – as they say – after “rejecting” six girls – you have liked the 7th
girl…” Avinash’s father said to Avinash.
I remained silent – wondering if I should say what was in my mind.
Seeing my silence – Avinash’s father spoke to me.
“Didn’t you like the girl…?” he asked me.
“Yes. Yes. The girl is very good…” I said to him.
Then – I decided to delve a bit.
“Does the girl work…?” I asked.
“Yes – she works in a bank – but – her parents said she will resign her
job and go to America – after all – what is a clerical bank job as compared to
a life in America…!!!” Avinash’s mother said, matter-of-factly.
“I think I have seen the girl before…” I said, hesitantly.
“Oh – then why didn’t you say so over there…?” Avinash’s father said.
“She didn’t seem to recognize me – so – I thought it was best to remain
silent…” I said.
Avinash’s mother looked at me suspiciously.
“Do you know this girl…? Were you friends…? If you recognized her – why
didn’t she recognize you…?” Avinash’s mother asked me, in an inquisitive tone
of voice.
“No. No. I don’t know the girl – I just saw her once – in a bank – in
Mumbai…” I said, nonchalantly.
“Mumbai…?” Avinash’s mother asked me.
“Yes – 3 years ago…” I said.
“Mumbai…? We thought she works in a bank in Pune. Anyway – I will
clarify with her when I meet her tomorrow – maybe – she got transferred to
Pune…” Avinash said.
“Meet her…? Don’t be so desperate…!!! Let me talk to her parents first…”
Avinash’s mother said to him.
Then – Avinash’s mother looked at me – into my eyes – searchingly – and
spoke in a serious tone.
“There is something going on in your mind – please say what you want to
say – be honest and frank with us…” she said to me.
“What is it…? Is it something about the girl…?” Avinash asked me.
“Did you do a background check of the girl…?” I asked Avinash.
Avinash’s father spoke.
“Well – we checked out the family...” Avinash’s father was saying – when
Avinash’s mother interrupted him.
She looked worried as she spoke to me.
“Whatever you want to say – please tell us now – before it is too late –
Avinash is your friend – you are is well-wisher – aren’t you…? If you know
something about the girl – please tell us right now…” Avinash’s mother said,
with desperation in her voice.
I looked at Avinash’s mother and spoke in a calm voice.
“When I saw the girl – three years ago – she was wearing a “mangalsutra”
around her neck…” I said to her.
‘What…? She was wearing a “mangalsutra”…? Is the girl married…?” Avinash’s
mother asked me, looking shocked.
“It seemed so – when I saw her 3 years ago – maybe now – she is single…”
I said, calmly.
“How can that be…?” Avinash said, looking nonplussed.
“She may have been widowed – or divorced…” I said, matter-of-factly.
“You talked in detail to her mother – did she say anything…?” Avinash’s
father asked his wife (Avinash’s mother)
“No – she just said her daughter works in a bank and would give up her
job to go to America once she gets married…” Avinash’s mother said.
“I will ask her when I meet her tomorrow…” Avinash said.
“You will not meet her till I say so…” Avinash’s mother said to Avinash,
in an imperative tone of voice.
“We need to clarify this before going further – we’ll call them tomorrow
and ask them…” Avinash’s father said to Avinash.
“Call them up right now…” Avinash’s mother said.
“Now…? At night…?” Avinash’s father said.
“Avinash is a “prize catch” – and NRI with a good job who is going to
settle in America – parents are desperate to get their daughters married to him
– so – they may hide such inconvenient facts – and once they get married and go
to America – and then we find out – it will be too late – they would have succeeded
in cheating us. You dial their number right now…” Avinash’s mother said firmly to
her husband (Avinash’s father)
Avinash’s father walked to the table where the telephone was kept –
picked up a small diary – searched – and then – he dialled the telephone number
of the girl’s parents.
After sometime – Avinash’s father started speaking on the phone.
“Hello – we had come to see your daughter this evening – my wife would
like to speak to the girl’s mother…” Avinash’s father said – and then – he held
out the telephone receiver to his wife – who walked up and took the telephone
receiver in her hand and held it to her ear.
After the girl’s mother had come on the line – Avinash’s mother started
speaking in a rather rude tone of voice.
“Was your daughter married earlier – is she a divorcee – or widow…?” Avinash’s
mother said to the girl’s mother.
There was silence – I could imagine the emotions of the girl’s mother.
Maybe – the girl’s
mother was trying to say something – but – I heard Avinash’s mother speak in an
angry voice.
“You daughter was
wearing a “mangalsutra” – is it true or not…? Avinash’s friend saw her with a “mangalsutra”
around her neck – the same friend who had come with us to your house in the
evening…” Avinash’s mother said accusingly to the girl’s mother.
Maybe – the girl’s mother was trying to explain – but – Avinash’s mother
put and end to the conversation.
“You have tried to cheat us – we don’t want to talk to you at all…” Avinash’s
mother said in a hard voice – and she put down the phone.
Then – Avinash’s mother looked at me.
“It’s good you told us about the girl before it was too late – but – you
should have told us in the girl’s house itself – and I would have confronted
the girl then and there…” Avinash’s mother said to me.
Then - Avinash’s mother looked at Avinash.
“Don’t worry…” she said to him, “I’ll find a good girl for you – and this
time – we will be more careful…”
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Story to be continued…
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VIKRAM KARVE
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