CHANGING TIMES

Ramarao looked at Janaki. "There is a good match my uncle was suggesting for Meenakshi. They along with the boy will come to see her tomorrow evening. Make suitable arrangements." Having conveyed that much, he went out.

Janaki just nodded. She did not mind his ordering that way. She is quite used to that and accepted his behaviour as normal. She did not even bother about the details of the match. She has that much confidence in his sense of responsibility.

She knew her husband is keen to get their only daughter married as soon as possible. The fact that they are coming to see the girl means they must have been satisfied with all other factors. If they are impressed enough with their house and the girl, of which she is almost sure, soon there will be a marriage in the home. She wholeheartedly wished they would agree.

She looked at Meenakshi fondly.

The fourteen year old Meenakshi is playing with her dolls blissfully unaware of their plans. Janaki herself entered this house at an even younger age. Now, barely crossing thirty, she is already eager to get her daughter married. Not uncommon some seventy years back.

Still, she is worried as to what kind of future is waiting for her little girl. Her real journey through life will begin only now. She has to adjust and adapt to the new surroundings and people. Life itself will teach her the necessary skills and expertise. Her mother's heart pined for her little daughter. She hoped that she will be strong enough to withstand the ups and downs of life and prove herself to be an ideal and dutiful wife and mother.

She remembered her past. Ramarao did not even come to see her then. Only his parents and elders in the family came and more than the girl, they were keen to see their house and lifestyle before finalising.  And nobody thought it strange. Her parents also did not bother to have a look at the boy! But now, the boy is also coming with the parents. 'How times are changing!' She wondered.

Meenakshi looked at the photo. The boy is good looking. ''Will make good pair opposite our Sujatha." she said.

Bhaskar seemed satisfied. "I too feel so. The boy, Krishna is an engineer with a good job in Bombay. The family are well respected and pleasant. If they like our Sujatha, we will be lucky. You tell her the matter and prepare. They will come tomorrow."

Meenakshi nodded. Sujatha  is their elder daughter.

"What is the hurry, mother? Let me complete my degree at least." She protested.

"Look, you are already in the final year. By the time everything works out, your exams may be over. Even otherwise also, you can complete your degree without any problem. This is a very good match, we feel. Let them come. If you do not like them, I promise you, we will not force you." And then she added, "You remember you have two younger sisters and they are also approaching marriageable age fast. Their future also depends on yours." She tried to convince her.

Long back, when she herself faced such situation, she had no idea that they came to see her and her opinion was unsolicited. In fact, after being told that her marriage was fixed with the boy who came on that day, she wondered who that boy was and tried to recollect his face. But she did not even know that the crowd of people that came on the day consisted of a groom also as nobody bothered to tell her. After almost a decade of married life, Bhaskar confessed that he was also equally in the dark on that day about the identity of the would be bride and the plans of elders. But now, they are discussing with Sujatha about the proposal and seeking her consent. 'How times have changed!' She sighed.

Sujatha is tense. Some days back, her daughter, Indu told her about Vishal, her classmate of long who proposed and whom she too wishes to marry. After getting their consent, she brought him home one day. He is good looking, appeared to be nice and pleasant, secured a good job recently and above all from a decent family from their own community. Indu swears he is a good and understanding person. So Krishna formally invited his parents to their home. They are expected in the evening.

Indu was also nervous. "Will they agree, mother?" She asked in an anxious tone. Sujatha looked at her reassuringly. "Of course, Indu, why not, when Vishal is liking you?"

But she can well understand her fears. In fact she was also a little appprehensive about their reaction. Though the youngsters are keen to marry, they are equally keen to get the approval of the families too. She, as a mother, wished it that way. She prayed that Vishal's parents would like Indu and agree wholeheartedly like Krishna and herself. Because she already understood that they are not very happy with the idea of their only son selecting his bride by himself.

She recollected her own experience. True, she agreed for her parents' proposal reluctantly. But when she looked at Krishna for the first time on that day, she immediately liked him. And his people too. So when her opinion was sought by her mother, she expressed her willingness though rather shyly. They had to wait anxiously for a few days to hear from them. 'Will he like me and agree?' She worried and prayed for his affirmation. Somehow she was given to understand that his approval is vital and matters the most.  His parents are favourable towards their match, from among all those they recieved and they liked her photo too. As far as they are concerned, other details like family background,  reputation, values are most important. Physical appearances are not their priority. So having a look at the girl is a mere formality, more for the sake of the groom.  And now, though Indu is sure about the boy, still she is worried about his parents. 'Times have changed a lot!' She surmised.

Indu stared at Amrutha, who insists on being called Mittu and Vishal raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"What are you saying, Mittu? Are you serious? Do you really want to marry this Dinesh?" Indu asked.

"Danny!" Mittu glared at her.

"Ok, Danny. Are you not hasty? Be sensible and think calmly before taking such a crucial decision. Who is he? What do you know about him? You yourself say you know him for two months only since he joined your company."

Mittu rolled her eyes. "Oh, Mom, you and your stone age talk! Don't probe about Danny's antecedents, ancestry, pedigree etc. He is special. We understand and love each other. Be happy that I did not go and marry him without telling you." Mittu said haughtily. Then she added. "Anyway, it is not a big thing. If ever he creates a problem, it is not going to be the end of the world, just the end of the marriage."

Vishal intervened. "Ok, you call him home once. Let us meet him first, then we will see."

Mittu shrugged. "Ok, if you want, I will bring him. But, remember one thing. My decision is final whatever you say." She said in a warning tone.

Vishal's jaw tightened.  Indu was too stunned to say anything for a moment. Then she recovered enough to ask her rather meekly, "What about his parents? Do they agree?"

Mittu shrugged her shoulders again. "Whether they agree or not, that is Danny's headache, not my problem. Danny will handle them.  Why should I bother?" She went away in a huff.

Indu collapsed in the sofa feeling exhausted. What is happening?  Ever since Mittu joined her post graduation, there is a remarkable change in her. She became more self centered, defiant and haughty. The mother in Indu is unable to digest this trend. She is happy that her daughter is well educated and got a plum job. And now her only wish is that she should settle down well with a decent man and have a blissful married life. Just like she herself had.

She knows the meaning of love as she and Vishal experienced it. They loved each other and decided to unite in wedlock. But only with the wholehearted consent of both their parents and families, Vishal made it clear. So the day his parents came to see her was crucial for them. In fact they came with a firm intention to reject her and they did the same. Only after Vishal was adamant and refused to consider any other marriage proposal, did they relent. She suffered initial hostility from them and slowly and patiently tried and managed to impress and win their approval.

'And how I tried!' Indu sighed. But now, what is going on in her daughter's life? 'Changing times!' She shook her head gravely in partial resignation. 'And they change the people and their attitudes also!