I was having breakfast when my mom reminded me ” You remember that you
have to come early today isn’t it???”

“Yeah sure , ma …..” , I stopped chewing and looked at her.
“what for ????? “

For a minute she was trying to guess, as to whether I was joking.

“Oh yes!!!! …, so its today!!?? ” , I remembered suddenly.
“Why didn’t you remind me??”

“Do I have to remind you everyday that we are going to see a girl for
your
marriage?? What kind of a guy are you??”,she got up as she said it.

I had been postponing it for a long time ,but the time had come when my
parents had to start looking for a girl for me. After extorting a half
hearted approval from me my mom had shown me a photo a week back as I
was getting ready for office.
“Have a look at the photo”, my mom said as I was tying my knot.

I had a brief glance at the photo as I came to the dinner table. The
girl in the photo looked kinda familiar.

“So what do you think”, my mom was relentless.

“you mean , the photo??? Shoddy graphics!!! The guy wont last a day in
our company’s quality control” , I laughed aloud.
“Be serious Kishore!!!! We can go the girl’s place if you say yes.”

I looked at the expectations and curiosity in her face.
“Ok  ma , we can go to her place , you are happy now???? But one
condition!! It will be just me ,dad and you, OK??”
I hated the idea of choosing my life partner in between a circus with
all and sundry.

After that day I totally forgot about the incident and my mom also
didn’t talk about it. She might have told me about it in the
evenings(late
nights rather) , when I come back from office everyday but I
would be too tired to listen to her during those times.

I was a little excited as I drove my way to office. But there was
something deep in my heart which prevented the happiness from being
complete. May be it’s the thought of being on the verge of losing
the freedom of being a bachelor.
I got lost into fantasies of married life.

I slowly open my eyes as I wake up to the morning. I see her watching me
with coffee in her hands. She had taken hair bath and had neatly rolled
up her hair with a towel .
“What are you looking at”, I ask her with a smile in my face.
“You look the best early in the morning”, she whispers in my ears with a
giggle.
“So do you “, I try to pull her to my side as she falsely tries to get
away
from me all the while balancing the coffee in her hand.

I stamp the brakes as an idiot swerves unannounced in front of me from
left.

These guys should be shot,hanged twice after being cut into two halves.
I lose my temper as my heart starts beating faster.

I had no realization of the morning passing by as I was deeply involved
in a proposal preparation. I took lunch well past the lunchtime.

After the lunch as I sent the mail to onsite my mind was filled with
thoughts of the evening. Suddenly I wanted to see that photo.

I cursed myself for not having the photo with myself. I could hardly
remember the face.
I knew it was impossible to judge a person just by looking at the photo.
I had had experiences in the past when the person turned out to be quite
different to the impression I had formed on seeing the photo. I had a
strong belief that all photos were touched up to show the person in the
photo in the best light possible. Reality is what counts.

In reality , the most beautiful people we know need not have the best
facial or physical features. It all depends on the thousands of other
things ,half of which cannot be explained. Other half being the person’s
thoughts, actions, manners, speech etc etc.

The major work for the day had been finished and there were other small
stuff, which had to be taken care of. Otherwise there was nothing else
which was urgent enough.
There was a call from home reminding me of our program in the evening.
I quickly wrapped up my work and reached home getting past the
colleagues
who looked at me quizzically for leaving early. I hadn’t told them about
my evening plans.

The girl’s house was fairly away from the city. As I was driving with my
parents ,I suddenly remembered.
“Amma!!! Whats the girl’s name??? “
“Very good!!! Atleast now you remembered “, my parents laughed aloud.

I blushed.
“Her name is Geetha”

Geetha……….
Hmmm interesting name.

We reached the place. There was some close relative of the girl who was
waiting for us in the road to make sure we don’t miss the place.
I thought the people were overly courteous. I liked the girl’s dad. He
looked cool with a gentle smile in his face.

Her parents were carefully listing the girl’s credentials without making
it sound as “over qualifications” !!
Mostly there were descriptions about the girl being so obedient,homely
etc etc and how she will make a perfect family girl! So sad how much a
girl’s parents have to do while trying to get their daughter married.
I thought Soon it was time for the girl to arrive.
“Geetha , could you please bring some coffee for us??”, the girl’s dad
exclaimed towards the kitchen.

Geetha….. hmmm interesting name.I felt again…

I could hear the sound of her anklets getting bigger. The sound was so
rhythmic.
I got impatient.

Then she entered the room.
She was wearing mild make up and was wearing a traditional silk saree.
There were some extra gold ornaments adorned and there was slightly
excessive lip stick. Inspite of all these “extra fittings” , she looked
fairly simple which I liked.

But more than everything ,there was only thought in my mind!!!!

Oh my God………… This is Geetha………. My Geetha