A Good Girl

“Well, she is a “good” girl and I am going to marry her.” 

And who will not say yes to me - a rich, well educated, high caste, good looking modern boy from a reputed family of the city? But then this is not about me, this is about her. The “good” girl will be lucky that someone like me is going to propose to her. Three years back, when I first saw her - I know she was different. And then since in the number of small interactions which we had, I came to know about her. She is from a small town that could only afford to study in this city due to the scholarship which she received. I tell you, these small-town people are so intelligent and they work hard to get their means of living. This is not important but you should know that the “good” girl also belonged to the “caste which should not be named.” You know, I am a modern man and all this does not matter to me. In the present time - merit is everything. Also, when we are talking about her - you should know that she is a bit dark-skinned. But don’t take it otherwise, she has such a lovely personality that anyone who meets her becomes her friend in no time. And she is a bit extroverted, taking part in all the dance, drama, music. You know, in today’s time - you have to do everything. If you have talent, why not show it. And most important of all, it appears to me that she will respect my love and will be a good obedient life partner who I could present to my family. 

So today I will propose to her because you know - she is a “good” girl.

Ok, so now she is here. She is alone, surprising but perfect. There is a crowd around all busy among themselves, better. I am now moving towards her. Oh, she is looking towards me. She stood up. She suspects something. I am smiling, she is smiling. The moment is tense. I moved a bit closer to her, why others should listen to what I have to say. This is the time I have been waiting for so long. I opened my mouth to say the magical words and then suddenly the “good” girl spoke - “I love you, will you marry me.”

What, what just happened. It’s as if everyone is looking towards us. This is not right. I have to say something but this is not expected. Ok, let's think, think fast. The girl just said that she loves me. But that can’t be so. Such an open expression of emotions is a man frontier and this trait does not look good on women. But then what can you expect from people of small-town dependent on grants to survive. They come to big cities but can never learn the manners needed here. We all know that class and caste are important in the long run. You cannot teach these people what is acceptable in society. Also, let's say - if she is fair or extremely good looking - for one-second such open declarations of love could be reciprocated. But what was this girl thinking? I wonder, has she seen herself in the mirror. Additionally, let's say I forget all this but my family will expect my partner to be shy, docile, with expertise in all home activities. This extrovert girl can never meet the expectations of my family. The girl with so many of his friends will never fit in my cultured family. And most importantly - when I was planning to propose to her, I thought that she will understand that being a modern man is doing the favor to her that irrespective of her social class, looks, caste, creed - I liked her but now she is proposing to me. What does she think, am I her equal - why will someone like me ever settle for someone like her? No this is not right. I need to correct it. 

With all conviction, I turned towards her and spoke softly.

“Well, you are a “good” girl but I am not going to marry you.”