Bold Girl Never Compromise

Bold Girl Never Compromise 

( A short story by Vaman Acharya)

Raga Bhairavi Shehnai was hitting the ears of guests present at the marriage function. Some of them were enjoying the shehnai and others were gossiping and some others were napping. 

Seeta Rama Kalyana Mantapa located in the heart of Pavanpur town was fully decorated and illuminated. The occasion was the wedding ceremony of Praniti and Somesh. The muhurta was at seven in the evening. The beautiful temporary arch was erected with a banner on the top as Praniti weds Somesh.

Well dressed girls were standing at the entrance door to welcome the guests with scent and akshata packed in a beautiful plastic cover. The boys in uniform were serving welcome drinks to the guests. The preparations of marriage rituals were going on in full swing. The bride and groom were ready in the special wedding dress. Praniti’s uncle Manohar and aunt Shailaja were busy in the preparation of the Kanyadana ritual.  The hall was packed with guests. The small kids were going out of the reach of their parents and moving in the passage. An old man in the last row was sitting alone on the chair. His eyes were wet and tears were rolling down. Nobody was there to notice this old man. Everybody was busy with their work. 

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Who was this old man and why was he in a pitiable condition?

He was none other than the father of the bride Praniti.  Five years back, he lost his wife in a bus accident. Praniti was just a fifteen-year-old girl then and studying in the first year of the Pre-university course. Venkatesh was both mother and father to Praniti. He brought up his daughter with all love and affection. He was working as a teacher in Vivekananda High School, Pavanpur and retired after four years of his wife's demise.  Praniti continued her education and completed a Bachelor of Commerce in first class. Her goal was to become a Chartered Accountant and practice in Bengaluru. 

One day, Venkatesh's younger brother Manohar insisted Praniti should get married with his brother-in-law Somesh. Brothers were living

jointly in their inherited house in Pavanpur. They owned a few acres of agricultural land. Younger brother Manohar was managing the landed property. His wife  Shailaja supported her husband in the marriage of Praniti with Somesh. This was vehemently opposed by both Venkatesh and Praniti.  Because Somesh was a school dropout and alcoholic. He rarely visits his native place Chandrapur. Somesh was staying in Pavanpur with his sister. His sister out of affection ignored his bad habits and gave him money whenever he demanded. As a result of this, Somesh became lazy. Praniti and her father hate him.  The misunderstanding between the brothers reached the extent of breaking up of their relationship. 

Venkatesh was unable to tolerate injustice to Praniti. 

He said, "Manohar, don't you think, you are committing a sin by forcibly trying to convince Praniti to marry Somesh."

"Brother, I am neither committing sin nor pressurizing Praniti to accept my proposal. In fact, I am doing good for the welfare of your daughter Praniti. Somesh is a nice boy. Praniti will lead a happy life with him."

"Manohar, you are acting at the behest of your wife. You know pretty well that Somesh is unfit to become a life partner to Praniti. You also know that he doesn't have an education and good character. You are spoiling the life of Praniti. Try to understand the reality and cancel the marriage," said Venkatesh with folded hands.

 Manohar left the place without giving due respect to his elder brother. He had created such a situation in which Venkatesh and Praniti had to accept the wedding proposal. The marriage date was fixed after a fortnight. All the people gathered in Seetharama Kalyana Mantapa. Praniti was seriously thinking about how to break this marriage. It was not an easy task. She recollected the stories of brave girls, who exhibited courage until the goal was achieved. She was an ardent devotee of Hanuman. Every Saturday, she visits the Hanuman temple and chants Hanuman Chalisa.

God will certainly help those who are on the right path. Venkatesh came to the rescue of Praniti whenever she was in trouble. She was waiting for the right time to jump into the action. Pandit told the bride and the groom to get up from their seats to exchange garland and then be ready for the showering of akshata. Dry coloured rice generally mixed with turmeric powder is showered on the bride and the groom as blessings.  Symbolically akshata represents prosperity, fertility and bounty.  Praniti without wasting a single minute took two garlands and ran fast towards the young man Uday seated in the first row of the guests.  Praniti and Uday exchanged the garland in the presence of all the people. The guests who were already holding akshata in their hands showered on the couple. Most of the guests knew that Pranati didn't give consent to marry Somesh. It was a forceful marriage. Uday was her classmate in college. After graduation, he joined his family business. 

The situation was very tense. Manohar, Shailaja and Somesh became terribly angry. They were in a dilemma as to how to deal with the situation.  Manohar shouted from the platform. Nobody came to his help. The groom with terrible insults got up to catch hold of Praniti. By the time he went there, she was in the car with Uday and father Venkatesh. Everybody was surprised to see the situation. Some of them derived enjoyment. Police arrived on the spot and arrested Pranati's uncle, aunt and Somesh on the basis of the complaint filed against them by Praniti.

The car meant for Praniti and Uday was decorated with rose flowers parked outside the main door. The trio occupied the seats in the car. The driver started the car and drove fast to a designated place. They went to the Hanuman temple, where everything was already arranged for marriage. Venkatesh was happy with the developments. His agony completely disappeared. The grand plan was designed by Praniti and Uday. Those who indulge themselves in selfish motives end up facing terrible consequences. Pranati proved herself as a bold girl who never compromised her wishes.