Destiny

9. The Meeting

Anupama was surprised when her father Satish turned up at the hostel unexpectedly.

He did visit her once or twice a year, but only when he had some official work in the city, and he always informed her of his plans beforehand. He had never dropped in on her unannounced in the six years that she had been away from home.

Anupama thought that he looked more haggard than the last time she had seen him. Perhaps the worry of taking care of three daughters on his meagre income made him appear pale and careworn all the time. Anu, I want to talk to you about something important. Let's go out for a while.'

Anupama took him to a stone bench under a big banyan tree within the hostel campus. On full moon nights, the hostel girls usually sat on the benches around the tree, and Anupama had often entertained her friends by singing songs late into the night.

Father and daughter sat down and Satish explained why he had come.

Anupama was surprised. 'Pa, I cannot get married now. I am still in my final year. I want to take up a job and help you financially.' 'Anu, don't be foolish. You won't get a better match than this. You have never been a burden to me. You have always studied on scholarships, and you've been sending me all the money you save. For my sake, please don't say no to this proposal.'

'Pa, these people are very rich. We cannot meet their expectations. If you take a loan, who will repay it? Diya and Riya are yet to be married and there are still two more months to go before I complete my MA'

Anupama was taken aback by this sudden turn of events.
'Anu, I have told them about my financial status. Don't worry about Diya and Riya. I will get them married on my pension and I promise you that I will not take any loans. You can complete your MA after marriage. By the way, Anu, have you seen the boy? How is he?'

Anupama did not reply. How could she describe Anand to her father? Could she say, I am Rohini and he is Chandra, I am Rukmini and he my Krishna. He is irresistible, the very picture of Manmatha, and I fell in love with him the moment I saw him. . .?

~.~

It was the day Anand was to meet Anupama, in the presence of the elders in the family, to complete the formality of 'bride-seeing'. Even though the match was certain, Sunaina had insisted on first 'seeing' Anupama before agreeing to the engagement.
Since Sunaina was very traditional, she felt that Anupama should not enter Lakshmi Nivas until after the marriage, and decided to 'see' Anupama in Dr. Desai's house. After all, Lakshmi comes in the form of a daughter-in-law and she must enter the house at an auspicious time, with her right foot overturning the measure of rice that would be kept on the threshold, in order to bring prosperity to her in-laws.

Anupama had acted in many plays, but this was real life, and she was overcome with shyness. Pundarika was going to be her husband and her future would be linked with his life. Not in her wildest dreams had she thought that she would meet Anand in such circumstances. Anupama entered the room where Anand sat with his family, Dr Desai, Vasumathi and Satish.

Since she had nothing appropriate to wear for such an occasion, Sumithra had lent her a brick red sari. Her long plait, dark red bangles and small drop earrings made Anupama
look all the more stunning.

Anand's eyes never wavered from her face as she sat opposite him. Was this the same Anupama who had sold him tickets and acted in the play? wondered Anand. Aadya looked at Anupama enviously. She would now be a competitor for Anand's affections. All along, Anand had been theirs. Now he would belong to Anupama and there was nothing they could do to prevent this.

Sunaina had taken one look at Satish's thread bare coat and dhoti and immediately assessed his financial position. Noting the absence of the girl's stepmother, she had shrewdly guessed the nature of the relationship between Anupama and Sarita. Looking at Sunaina's ornaments, and Anand's Mercedes-symbols of a world totally alien to him- Satish had grown so painfully aware of his limitations that he had not spoken at all.

It was Dr Desai who broke the silence, 'Anand, do your want to say anything?' he asked. Anand shook his head. After all, what could he say? This was hardly the time or place to express his love for Anupama or extol her beauty.
'Anu, do you want to say anything?' asked Vasumathi.

What was there to say? Anand had long heard the song in her heart. . .noticed the glow in her face. Anupama sat without speaking, her head bowed, her eyes downcast.

It was Sunaina who had the last word. 'We have a very large circle of friends and relations, so we want the wedding to be held at our house and at our expense. 'Sunaina had carefully masked her disappointment. She was a practical woman and had realized that it would be impossible for Anupama's father to conduct the marriage in a manner befitting their status. This was the only solution-after all, she had to maintain her standing in the community. She looked at Satish and continued, 'You can call as many people as you want. Don't bother about the expense.'

Anand and Satish were surprised by her magnanimity.

For the first time that evening, Anupama lifted her head and looked at her future mother-in-law with gratitude. There was no sign of happiness or warmth on Sunaina's face, but there was a knowing gleam in her eyes. For a moment, Anupama shivered.