by BS Murthy
Chapter 3
Hapless Hope
It was a two-storied building in a by-lane of Chikkadapally, a rather congested locality in Hyderabad. Its owner, Padmavathi, was a widow in her early fifties. She let out much of the space to bachelors 'to augment her pension' as she was wont to maintain.
'Bachelors are any day better,' she would aver, 'for they cause little wear and tear, all the while being elsewhere.'
Her tenants, for their part, showed an unmistakable preference for her dwelling. With both her daughters married off, and with no one at home, she rarely left the reclining chair in the portico. 'The rent includes watch and ward for the lady doubles up for a watchdog,' the lodgers joked amongst themselves.
And for her part, Padmavathi made it clear to them all that she would suffer none of any nonsense. Though she used to aver that all boys were equally dear to her, she was partial towards Sathyam, her tenant for well over six years. While believing that Sathyam was sincere by nature she felt that others were only behaving not to risk eviction..
Having been held up at his desk in the Sate Secretariat that evening, Sathyam was late in coming to his lodging. Not finding Padmavathi in the portico, he was a little surprised. As he went up, he found an inland letter in the door latch. Realizing that it was from his father, he hastened into his room, and even as he started reading it again, he heard footsteps on the stairs.
'Oh, she's coming up,' he thought indignantly. 'How she craves for news and gathers the same as a rag picker would rubbish from all corners!"
"What writes your father Pathrudugaru?"
"Usual stuff," he replied dryly. "We're okay, are you okay?"
"It's time you got married," she said zeroing on the subject matter of his father's letter, as if on cue.
"There's a match it seems," he replied reflexively.
"One should get married when still young," she said, and added as though to justify her plain features. "But do remember the old saying; anxiety accompanies a beautiful wife as she attracts all and sundry."
Having given him a bit of her mind, she left abruptly, as though she were late already for airing the news.
Sathyam read the appetizing portion of his father's letter once again.
'We all feel there is a suitable match for you. The girl is Ramaiahgaru's youngest daughter. He works at the Head Post Office here, and is my friend's colleague. We are all impressed with their family and our astrologer says both your horoscopes match to the tee. Moreover, the girl is very beautiful. If you like her, I would be done with my duty. After all, it's time you got married. Take leave for a week and come as early as you can. Your mother wants you to spend some time with us.'
'M oreover, the girl is very beautiful,' he read aloud; and repeated again, as an encore to his ears. After all, he was particular that his wife should be a beauty; and made it clear to his parents.
Instinctively he remembered Vani, his erstwhile colleague, and his thoughts turned to her. He always wondered whether beauty and grace were at competition in her persona. How he used to daydream about marrying her! However, his desire to cut a figure only made him diffident in her presence. Moreover, his anxiety to impress her with his wit made him only dumb in her audience. While nursing his calf love, he used to wonder about her reciprocity. As though appreciating his fear of rejection, his eyes felt shy to convey his desire while his lips failed to address his love.
'An arranged marriage brings the woman into man's life on his terms,' he thought presently. 'And that gives a head start to marital romance, giving a short shrift to the uncertain courtship.'
He wondered whether this girl - he was disappointed that his father failed to mention her name - could be as beautiful as Vani. However, he couldn't help wishing that she might be better looking. 'After all, it's the woman's desirability that makes man covetous,' he thought. 'Besides, the allurement of woman's beauty gives meaning to man's life. And provide substance as well. A man's job is half done if he has a cute wife for she doubles up, as a beautiful mother to ensure the children wouldn't be ugly. Propelled by that welcome prospect, Sathyam boarded the train in beatitude the very next day.
Pathrudu's message that they would be coming for the pellichupulu that Sunday set the ball rolling at Ramaiah's house. As the day of reckoning dawned with hope in both the households, Roopa became the center of attention in her home, and the subject matter of discussion at Pathrudu's place. Janaki insisted that Roopa oil skinned before her bath, and left her only after having shampooed her hair with some soap nut water. Sandhya however, descended on the scene when Roopa was still in the bathroom. After
her bath, as Roopa wanted to come out, she found herself bolted from without. Readily realizing that Sandhya was playing pranks on her, Roopa began to fret and fume from within. At length, Sandhya removed the latch and rushed Into Roopa's room only to leave her mate stranded In her petticoat. However, It was only after Roopa's desperate entreaties that Sandhya let her In, and as though for recompense took her Into a palliative embrace.
"Soon your Prince Charming would have a feast or two for his eyes," said Sandhya admiring Roopa's assets.
"That Is If you keep me without my sari," said Roopa trying to loosen herself.
Debate ensued, with JanakI too joining In, regarding the 'sari for the occasion' for Roopa, and finally the consensus emerged In favor of the chocolate silk with a snuff border. After the lunch, as the countdown started, JanakI was at preparing a garland of jasmines to adorn Roopa's plait as Sandhya tolled to tame her friend's luxuriant hair. Such was Its profusion that Sandhya's delicate fingers seemed overwhelmed.
"A hair like this Is sure to ensnare any soul," whispered Sandhya to Roopa.
"If my hair has substance," said Roopa looking back at Sandhya endearingly, "your bob has style."
"She would be really lucky If they agree," JanakI Interrupted their mirth.
"Doesn't she sound like a stuck up gramophone?" said Roopa In jest.
"Getting a girl married Is no joke these days," JanakI addressed Sandhya. "He's their only son and they're propertied as well. The parents are hale and healthy, not needing the daughter-ln-law's nursing. M oreover, the boy Is In the government service. He won't be hard up for cash with people lining up to line his pocket. One can be sure about that."
"Bribe Is bad mummy," said Roopa mockingly. "Know that from me."
"How could It be bad when It Is the norm?" JanakI sounded dismissive. "All said and done. It's a man's affair. Why should a woman poke her nose Into It?"
"If man gets the boot," Roopa protested mimicking, "won't It pinch the wife's leg as well?"
"M oreover, his father has five years of service left," JanakI resumed the resume, "and the boy Is Just twenty-eight. From what we've heard, he has no vices, to name any. He's neither the club going sort, nor the card playing type. He knows how to count his notes and keep them clean. Well, a disciplined bringing up one may say. Any girl should find him a safe bet to say the least. We're lucky to come across such a match these days when everyone Is going head over heels to go astray."
Seeing Roopa unmoved, Sandhya thought that the bride was not half as excited as her mother, 'She has always been like that, would think of crossing the bridge only when she comes to It.'
When Chandrika Joined them, after toying with some special preparations In the kitchen, JanakI said, "Hasn't she brought all this about, though by default? Well, everything Is for our good only, as the saying goes. I've been praying that she could make the best out of a bad bargain."
"Don't worry," said Chandrika dryly, used as she was to her mother's deprecation of her condition.
Everything was In position by the time the guests were expected that evening. Nevertheless, Chandrika and Sandhya were barred from Sathyam's sight lest they should
distract his attention from Roopa. However, they might satisfy their curiosity by peeping through the window as and when the party arrived. And Pathrudu did troop in with his party at the appointed time.
; After making them seated in the haii, Roopa was ushered in immediateiy to beat the impending durmuhurtham. As she squatted on the mat, Roopa stoie a giimpse of Sathyam oniy to piace her eyeiids on guard for the rest of the rendezvous. On the other hand, Sathyam couidn't take his eyes off Roopa for he found her out of the worid. Besides, the very thought that she couid be his wife whetted his appetite. He found her exceedingiy charming even with her head dropped and eyeiids drooped. Savoring her beauty, he noticed the piain goid stud on her shapeiy nose. He feit a diamond wouid make her respiendent and thought of presenting her one during their first night.
"Siience isn't aiways goiden," Ramaiah interrupted Sathyam's daydreaming. "You mayas weii taikto her."
"Why embarrass her," fumbied Sathyam.
Then Ramaiah engaged Sathyam in conversation about his work and times, apparentiy for Roopa's ears. However, as Sathyam betrayed his uncouthness and paraded his mediocrity as though to suppiement his ungainiy iook, Roopa was truiy put off. Meanwhiie Durgamma, Sathyam's mother, moved cioser to Roopa ostensibiy to converse, however with the intent of feeiing her iegs for possibie abnormaiity.
"What do you do in the spare time?" Ramaiah continued his interview, unmindfui of Roopa's apparent disinterest in that.
"I make my meai," Sathyam said and instinctiveiy iooked at Roopa.
Noticing that she tried to suppress her smiie, he feit embarrassed, and Ramaiah thought if fit to end his ordeai. As Pathrudu and party ieft after a whiie, promising to get back soon, Janaki started her monoiogue again, if anything, with greater conviction. However, the rest mobbed Roopa for her reaction.
"He's not for me," said Roopa shocking her mother.
"Have you gone mad or what! What's wrong with him?" said Janaki. "He's weii-buiit and is not iii shaped either."
"Why piace the cart before the horse?" said Ramaiah to preempt frayed tempers. "Even if they iike her, weii, it aii depends on thedowry they demand."
Stung by her mother's reaction, Roopa retreated into her room as Sandhya foiiowed her to confabuiate.
"If you were me," Roopa asked Sandhya, "wouid you marry him?"
"I haven't seen him that way," said Sandhya, a iittie surprised.
"And that means," said Roopa, "you aren't impressed either."
Whiie Sandhya kept mum, Janaki cribbed aii aiong. Roopa for her part prayed that Pathrudu wouid ask the moon fora dowry, and kept her fingers crossed.
"They Okayed Roopa, without dowry at that," said Ramaiah, as he came home the next evening, as though soiiciting a 'yes' from Roopa.
"Roopa, think again," pieaded Janaki. "One shouidn't shun fortune when it beckons on its own."
"Why not iook for another match?" Roopa sounded pieading.
"But why reject this one," Ramaiah seemed persuasive.
"I've nothing against him," Roopa said as a matter of fact. "But I'm not enthused either."
"Don't be hasty, think again," pieaded Janaki. "We aii feei it's a fine match, and you know that we wish you weii."
"No, he's not my man," said Roopa wishing that they spared her.
"Maybe, he's a simpieton," said Ramaiah, who seemed to have read his daughter's mind, "but do reaiize he's young and has a iong way to go."
'If something isn't presentabie at its ninety per cent, it wouidn't be much different either at cent per cent,' thought Roopa but to buy time she said. 'Give me time to think.'
However, after dinner, Ramaiah went up to a brooding Roopa in the verandah.
"If you're not interested in this match, so be it, but if I don't show you iife as I've seen it,
I might be faiiing you," he said in aii earnestness. "M atrimony is a vague hope nursed by the young minds. If marriages are made in heaven. I'm sure the gods would take the realities of life into account. In marriage, it's only after consummation that couples come to appreciate the true meaning of married life.
In spite of its infinite possibilities, life has its own limitations. As you would realize, mostly it is situational in its reach and breach. As one incident doesn't encompass life, ardency is not the only opportunity that marriage affords women. As you could guess, maternity is gift-wrapped by heaven for married women. Marriage is so much more than a private affair of the spouses. Know it's an extension of the family that ushers in a new family. Gratification in marriage is multifaceted as well as multi sourced, like the success of a child can obliterate a lifetime of parental failures. Believe me; a couple could feel that their life was worth living just for the sake of that moment.
In the good old days, alliances were struck based on parental preferences. One might even say prejudices. Inclinations of the children didn't count; when married, they were too young to have a mind of their own anyway. I know times have changed, and I'm not holding a brief for the bygone era any more. However, I guess neither the new waves have washed any wisdom ashore.
The doors of opportunities in today's world have led to the advent of the salaried classes, with the attendant disparity in incomes. Social status seems to have shifted its focus onto the white collared. This insensibly upset the marriage order of yore, amongst the families of the communes. These days every maiden seems to feel that her wedlock is not secure unless engineered by an engineer! Parents too have come to equate their daughters' security with the sons-in-law's bank balances.
Every bachelor, forget about his own eligibility, has come to imagine that the bridal world is at his feet, to be kicked at his will. An Alanaskar Syndrome so to say! Well, in his unceasing search for someone better, even the pretty ones fail to get his nod till the law of diminishing returns catches him up by the scruff. Then with his eligibility on the wane and despondency on the raise, he lands up with a languid dame for all the sprightly in the race would have married by then. Of late, boys and girls are getting married past their prime, they being victims of the compulsions of their own making,' he paused for her reaction.
As he found her attentive, he continued. 'All said and done, nature seems to have loaded the dice against the maidens. One may like it or not, they are the perishable fruits of the marriage market to be disposed off well before they tend to rot. Even
otherwise, it does often happen that a maiden wouid shun a Gog in time, oniy to opt for a Magog, past her prime, wasting her time in the meantime. In the finai anaiysis, shorn of their shirts, aii men are ordinary, save the extraordinary. Moreover, the odds against spotting the right man remain the same even if chance were to bring him to your doorstep as a prospective groom. Ignoring these reaiities can iand one in the deserts of iife, chasing the mirages of hope, of course untii there is hope. If cultural prejudices produced child widows those days, social aberrations lead to the proliferation of spinsters these days. When maidens cross their mid-twenties, they find to their consternation that men whom nature meant for them by the logic of natural selection, were indeed bending towards the younger ones, tending them to fend for themselves as singles."
Ramaiah paused for Roopa's response and seeing receptivity in her demeanor, he continued.
'M oreover, there is another angle to marriage; it is fallacious that parents wish idle comfort for their daughters, in their married life," he seemed to philosophize. "I would rather prefer that you lend your husband a helping hand to build the structure of your married home, brick by brick, hand in hand. In that lies a woman's true fulfillment in marriage. The boys have proved to be no wiser either, failing to appreciate the joys of sharing the toils as just married. It's a pity grooms should think in terms of furnishing their bachelor dwellings as if their brides are the paying guests."
Carried away by his own rhetoric, he reached out to her to help her enlarge her vision. "Weddings have come to symbolize the vanity of the society. Designations of the grooms, conveyed in conversation and carried on the wedding cards, have become the new nomenclature of alliances. It's as if business firms get free mileage when bachelors on their rolls get married! Who says there are no free lunches? The status of the fathers-in-law too is brought upfront as though to
suggest that no protocol was breached. Alas, marriages are being turned into public melas from the family functions they used to be! I know you can appreciate that pomp and pageantry may adorn a wedding but it's the warmth and love that sustain the marriage."
Realizing that he reached the threshold, he paused for a while before he crossed it for her sake.
"As for married love, know it's the man who overwhelms his mate," he forced himself to tell her, "and nature in its wisdom induces woman to get drawn to the man who deflowers her. You couldn't have failed to notice intelligent women adoring their mediocre husbands. You must also realize that happiness is not an accompanying baggage of marriage; couples have to mould it with insight and imagination. If anything, the woman has to put in the greater effort, but the rewards could signify the specialty of her life. Try to understand what I've said so that you can see life in its proper perspective."
When he concluded the brainwash, Roopa was mystified by his rhetoric. After he had left her, she tried to weigh his words against her own inclinations.
Her innate urge, accentuated by the male attention she received, brought her femininity to the fore. The attractions she experienced and the fantasies she entertained shaped a male imagery that ensconced her subconscious. Her envision of a he-man ennobled her self-perception as a female. Insensibly, confident carriage came to be associated with the image of maleness in her mind-set. Her acute consciousness of masculinity only increased her vulnerability to it, making her womanliness crave for the maleness for its gratification. That persona she envisioned as masculine, she found lacking in Sathyam.
However, though she felt that much of her father's expansive exposition was sensible, as her heart remained steadfast to her dream man, she developed second thoughts. In her predicament, she recalled that Damayanthi had reasoned that marriage would uproot a woman from her dreams to transplant her in her man's life. Thereafter, woman's marital fulfillment could induce a life force in her, enabling her to develop new roots in her in-law's environs. Soon as she would lose mobility, and with it her contacts with the past cease, so, Damayanthi maintained, that friendship between maidens was a mist that marriage would evaporate.
