He stood facing the mirror, readying himself for work this morning.
The same rugged good looks, I thought.
At least from the side!
My mind went back to that day when at twenty three and half, I decided to get married. To him.
A complete stranger! Ours was an arranged marriage, suggested by a common family friend of ours.
From Mumbai, he worked then in Calcutta. His parents first came to meet us, then a few days later he with his aunt and uncle came next.
Tall and slightly well built, he fitted perfectly into the tall and handsome category. But one thing looked odd. His hair.
It was grey all over. He was only 29.
He had worried and worried that I would be very short. Well, I am shorter. But in a sari and choosing to perch myself on a two inch ledge of the door, he still couldn't make out well.
"Village girl," was how dad introduced me to him. I hated dad for this.
Formalities over, dad asked us to talk privately in the adjoining room. I asked him to enter first.
"No, you first."
I liked him that instant.
Nice, gentle chap, I thought to myself.
Dad came to me later in my room and as if pointing a gun to my head, asked, "How is he? Did you like him?"
I nodded, "Yes."
I had to.
Relieved, he went back to tell them this. I had spurned some other suitors before. One potbellied guy, one from the U.S..how could I trust men from there? One who looked like a sparrow, with a gash across his cheek. Hello, I've got to spend a lifetime with him. Shouldn't I choose wisely?
Shortly afterward, they left for home. He waved at me from the car window. His smile had me floored.
Somehow this tall guy had me mesmerized. They still tease me till date, how I would readily show his snap to one and all. I vehemently deny this.
My parents then met his family in Mumbai. One week later, we got engaged there. It was a simple affair. I sat close to him as the guests settled for dinner, the first time I ever sat so close to any male in my life.
"Feeling awkward?" he asked.
"Hmmm," I mumbled.
Sensitive guy.
The marriage was fixed ten days later. We never met or spoke till then. Not even on the land line. There were no mobiles those days. I'm so bewildered by the very thought. How did we manage that?
He arrived two days before the marriage, due to a bandh called in the state. Still we didn't speak. I was incredibly shy.
The next evening, he surprised me, by coming home suddenly. I ran into the bedroom. Strangest couple we were really.
We were seated next to each other the next day. Prayers over, formalities done.
Now we were man and wife.
I looked at him sideways. Hey, his hair!
They'd strangely turned black.
As if by magic. Jet black.
"Yeah, I thought I'd surprise you." he remarked.
He, who had resisted all previous, desperate attempts by his family to get his hair dyed, how did this sudden change come about?
I blushed a deep red.
Well, that's how I met and still continue meeting him everyday.
He commanded my respect then.
And continues till date.
