Match Made In Heaven

She nervously looked at the clock. Looking in the mirror she adjusted her hair and cautiously analyzed her own reflection. Her dusky appearance looked a little fair due to the layers of foundation that had been plastered upon her face, her eyes felt heavy from the weight of mascara and eyeliner, her cheeks appeared crimson, all thanks to the generously applied blush and lips shimmered with the artificial sparkle of the lipstick. She felt disgusted and moreover dejected because she knew the reflection looked far more hideous than she could have ever looked in life. Is this that necessary? To be caked up like a clown and be presented in front of people who’ll scrutinize the way she walks, talks, she smiles and carries herself. She’ll be a mere commodity that will be appreciated or detested on the basis of how she looks and nobody will even give a fleeting glance to her qualifications let alone her nature.

“Maa why do I have to look so different from who I am? Will this makeup permanently alter the kind of appearance I have?  And even if they approve of me today then how will I ever be able to live with this fear of being exposed  and my real self being revealed?”

“We are not lying. This is a general makeup that every girl does to enhance her appearance. Don’t make such a big deal about it. Had you given a little importance to your appearance before then we wouldn’t have had to run behind boys in order to get you married.”

“I was giving importance to my studies maa. I thought it was more important to be well read and behaved than to be beautiful.”

She found herself talking to the walls as her mother had already left. Many boys had come and rejected her. Many others came and promised marriage but never returned back. Some asked her to deny. All her medals and glories stood mocking in her room every time a boy seemed more interested in her looks than what she actually was. She felt so helpless when she couldn’t justify to her own self that what was it in her that was not present.

She was dusky, slender and with decent features. She was not strikingly beautiful yet she wasn’t plain. There was a different persona to her. So different that men failed to understand it. Tears welled up in her eyes. She went to the washroom and washed her face vigorously.

“I will not meet this guy being who I am not”, she told herself firmly.

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“Meet our daughter,” her mother chimed.

Her mother’s face fell as she saw her daughter wearing a saree with almost no makeup and her hair braided in a plait.

Another round of snacks followed with questions pertaining to her. For a moment she felt awkward thinking if it was a mistake to remove her makeup but then the gesture of the guest was heart warming.

“I guess you should show him your room now.”

She died a little inside. She dreaded this part of the entire meeting. She felt uneasy. Maybe now the boy will make some unjust demand or maybe he will tell her that he likes someone else. Her past experiences have made her very skeptical.

“This is my room.”

“It is nice.”

He went to her bookshelves and started reading the titles aloud.

“You like reading?”

“Yes I do. But I must say your collection is just way beyond awesome. If we happen to marry would you bring it along?”

She was taken aback. For the first time in so many years someone had just so straight forwardly said those words to her.

“Yes I might only if you don’t reject me.”

“Excuse me?”

“It might sound a little rude to you but before you many boys have come and said similar things obviously not the marriage part but yes quite nice things and then in a few days they disappeared only coming back to life when they had already married some other girl. Just before meeting you I was also caked with makeup but then I did not want to be someone else or rather I did not want to be what I could never be and that is beautiful.”

“Ahhhhh,” he sighed.

“Huh?”

“I am relieved. All this while I thought you’ll reject me.”

She smiled.

“Why would I reject you? Who gives me that power?”

“Matter of fact I have been rejected by many girls too. Some found me fat, some said I was short, some complained about my salary and some had lovers and trust me there were many for whom I had to sacrifice my desire to be married only to pave their way so that they can unite with their lovers. You have no idea how bruised my ego was. Even today when I saw you and then heard you I was astounded. Your qualifications, your merits everything was perfect. I was planning myself for another rejection.”

She looked at him bewildered by what he just uttered.

“Do you mean it makes no difference that I am dark?”

“Well come on you are educated and by the way it’s called dusky and not dark. And I like dusky girls. Haven’t you seen Bipasha?”

“But still that means you will say a yes? I mean you can get a better girl.”

“I haven’t got any one yet and I am equally unsure about my own looks. I mean look at me , my flabby stomach , it vibrates when you touch it.”

Within moments they were laughing.

She felt so much at ease. For once she felt accepted and appreciated. Her medals were talked about. Her interests were talked about. He was an extremely pleasant person. He went to her dressing table and picked up the lipstick.

“Will you put this ever?”

“No I find it hideous.”

“So do I.”

“Your lips are naturally pink.”

She blushed. For the first time in life her cheeks felt heated and she felt shy.

“I guess we should go down now, “ she spoke lightly.

“Not that I want to but then yeah if only I go down , then only I can tell my parents that finally their search is over. One more thing you are a very beautiful woman. More than that I was smitten by your confidence and the way you respectfully treated everyone downstairs. You were modest and calm. Over the years I had met many girls who’ll scream and yell about their minor achievements as if they were laurels and then tell me all sorts of things that I was least interested in knowing. Meeting you made me realize that we all do have pairs made in heaven. Please say yes. I really like you and want to make a happy family with you.”

“What makes you think I will say a no?”

“But then I have one condition.”

Her heart sank. The word “but” had never brought any good news.

“What is it?”

“Nothing much I want dowry.”

She stared at him. The man who was so nice and genuine had the same demands.

“I am sorry. I do not approve of dowry.”

He stuck his tongue out and pointed to her bookshelf.

“I want that. Please.”

“What?”

“Your bookshelf.”

“You scared me.”

“Now you are scaring me. Will you not bring it along?”

“What if I don’t?”

“Then I’ll come and stay in your home.”