The Imperfect Marriage

The perfect partnership.

- Pallavi Pundir

A sort of mist descended since morning as if rain was also in turmoil like me, to rain or not to rain, to clamour or to just remain implicit. I want rain to volley, but I was not in a position to advise her when I was sitting here alone while all my family is busy in dancing to the tunes of my would-be in-laws. Barat had already arrived and because I am the bride; I was not allowed to see my groom as it is not considered a good omen.

I am Sambhavi, an architect by profession. But after a series of failed relationships and crossing my 30, two years back, my parents and their not so known relatives had refrained me from taking any decision for my future. I was independent, so it was not robust for me to yank them off. But now it was, because I have lost the belief in me and my choices.

In Indian society 30 is a dangerous line for girls. Once you have crossed this line and your relationship status is still single, your parents and a whole lot of known and unknown relatives would turn into agony aunts. And finally a few months back, one of those aunts introduced Akhil and his family to my parents.

Akhil was a perfect match for me, at least my mom presumed it. He was a civil engineer from an Indian Institute Of Technology and working with a Singapore-based company. Even I had asked for a transfer to my Singapore office. What more could a girl want? But I was not happy, and the irony is that I didn't even know the reason.

I used to have regular chats and calls with Akhil, but those were the conversations between two strangers, and it's still the same.

My mom instructed me to have not-so-personal conversations with him, so I had never developed any romantic fling with him, even I never wanted to.

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