Chaha-pohe karyakram

My mom got a call from my aunty saying, they have found a nice girl for Nishad. Send them his horoscope and a photo. Please note down these 2 phone numbers. They will be in touch with you soon. I was very casual about all these things. I was mentally not ready to get married as I felt I was not settled enough to get married. I had a dream of having a bungalow and a Mitsubishi Lancer before I wed. Right now I have difficulties paying my house rent, and forget a car, I ride a bicycle. It is now that I realise, "You are never settled until you get married."I was ignorant to all these issues as I was confident no one would accept a guy who calls himself a software engineer and rides a bicycle to office.  
 As a part of horoscope match, my mom sent them my photo too. This one. This snap was taken more than 3 years ago when I flaunted a big moustache and was at least 10 Kgs heavier than what I am today. When I came to know about this snap, I was even more confident of myself getting rejected.

 

One day during my vacation, I was told that the girls's parents want us to meet. I was shocked. This was the first time I was going to see a girl the typical arranged marriage way, or in marathi we put it as "Chaha-pohe karyakram". One day before we decided to meet at her uncle's place, I got to see her photo for the first time. Sonam had given a snap specially taken from a professional photographer. My first impression was "Not bad". We went to her uncle's house. Her father gave us a warm welcome. I was made to sit straight in front of her father. My mom and aunty were to the left, and my elder brother was to my right. 
             Now comes the interesting part. Many try to keep this program as a secret. But let me tell you the full uncut story. This was my first "Chaha-pohe" programme. Coincidently it was Sonam's first programme too. So you can imagine the amount of tension filled in both of our minds. I was in a state of silence. Just the feeling of me being looked as a groom for someone made me nervous. All eyes were set on me. Her father, mother, uncle, aunty were all looking at me, and I was simply looking down at the third button of my shirt. In my mind, I was thinking, right now what would the girl be thinking about all this ? In this house, where she must be sitting right now ? when will they call her ? Will she get the tea and poha tray herself with a ghoonghat on her head ? Is she really in the house or not ? With all such thoughts dangling in my mind, My aunty introduced me to her parents. I simply nodded my head to what she said. Then, her parents started asking me questions. Where in Bangalore do you stay ? How many people do you stay ? what about food ? how far is the company ? and some similar questions. I replied them promptly. Whenever I opened my mouth, everybodies eyes were staring at me. I felt, this arranged marriage was harder than an IBM interview. Then suddenly, someone called her down. At this point, I only remembered who her father was. Out of the two ladies, I was not sure who was her mother, and who was her aunty. 
            Sonam came down, touched the feet of my mom and aunty and silently sat on the chair. I just glanced at her face. Like me, even she looked tensed. She also glanced at my face. Inside my mind I said, "She looks better than the photograph". (After the marriage was confirmed, I was told that even her parents were surprised to see me without moustache and in beter shape than how I looked in the photograph) I looked at my Mom, Now it was the reverse, My mom, aunty and brother were staring at her, and I was still looking down at button #3 of my shirt. Then, it was "Chaha-pohe" turn. I dont remember who served them. I was given a plate with Pohe and small bowl with a sweet(Shira). In order to eat, I had to take the plate closer to my body. In doing this, out of tension, my hands would shiver. This shiver caused the bowl on the plate to shiver and make a cracking sound. While putting the first spoon in my mouth, I realised this. It was going to be tough finishing both without making a sound. I looked at Sonam. She had happily rejected the plate and had took only the sweet bowl. I was thinking to myself, She has done this purposefully after hearing my bowl making crackling sound. To avoid the sound, Even I finished the sweet first and then the rest. Then came tea. I am not a regular drinker of tea and I take longer time to finish it as I cannot drink it hot. It took me 5 extra minutes after everyone had finished their tea. 
           After everyone was done, suddenly everybody got up to show us the house. I was wondering why do we have to see the whole house now ? Later did I realise that this was all made up so that finally me and sonam end up in a room so that we can talk to each other in privacy. Finally, it was only me and Sonam in one room. The rest disappeared here and there. I was tensed, She was tensed. I asked her a few questions and gave a few confessions. 
Q1. Is this marrige going as per your wish or you wanted something else?
A1. I am happy with what is going on.

Q2. Is the age difference between you and me Ok ?
A2. Ok.

Q3. Do you know where I work, how much I earn ?
A3. yes.

Q4. Are you ready to go anywhere with me after marrige ? Currently it is Bangalore, later even I dont know. I will try for Pune though. 
A4. Yes. I am ready.

Q5. Do you believe in God ?
A5. Yes. I am a devotee of Ganesha.

Q6. I sleep early, and get up early regardless of any holidays and I would be happy if you too do the same. 
A6. Yes.

Q7. Do you eat non veg ?
A7. No. Never. I even hate the smell of eggs.

Q8. I see you are very silent, please ask me also some questions.
A8. I cant think of any question.

I gave some of my confessions to her.
I told her about my dream of a bungalow and a car, and where I stand today. Instead of taking an auto, I prefer the bus. I get up early and go for running. I run Marathons. When I told your father I ride bicycle, I really meant I ride a bicycle. for the past 2 years, I have been riding it. Its not that I cannot afford a motorcycle, but I love a bicycle and would love it even after marriage. I eat chicken, fish, eggs. I too believe in God but not the the extent to which you do. While telling all this, I was looking at the floor and she was looking at the wall.

Before we could talk more, We were called back downstairs. It was time for us to go. Her parents told us to give them our reply in two days. Even now I was quite casual thinking that they might still reject me. Also, She didnt speak to me much which made me think, something is stopping her from talking to me. My mom was very happy with her. My Aunty was very happy with her. My brother was happy with her. I told mom, she didnt speak to me at all. I cant say yes unless she talks a little. A months later, we did get a chance to talk, and this time even she was happy with me, and even I was happy with her answers. Finally, it was "YES" from both the families and we had a happy begining.....