The Perfect Person

“How can anybody get along with her, she is so naughty, always having fun even at the age of 24, wakes up late, leads a life as she wishes, do you think she can accommodate with others, who will marry her? I sometimes feel it is your pampering that has spoilt her”.

These were the words I overheard my mom telling my dad on a Sunday morning when they were having their morning coffee.”Don’t worry she will be a feather in my cap”, shot back my father, “

Right from their childhood my son and daughter have never let me down, whether it be in education, extra-curricular activities, sports or any field for that matter, they have always fared well and brought home many laurels. I do love my children and so I have petted and pampered them, but I know that they have the dexterity in handling things. Regarding her life partner I have already told you that we shall ask my friend, Srinivasan for his son’s hand.” “Can I argue with you,

you always take the upper hand?” replied my mother as she walked into the kitchen.

We are a family of four. My father is a manager in a bank and loves his family beyond measure. He has given us everything that we need to keep us happy. My mother is a perfect homemaker and just like any Indian woman her world rotates around her husband and children. My brother is an engineer and is working for a reputed organization, as for me I just finished my Master’s degree

in English. We are a well-knit family always bubbly, jovial and enjoy life to the full. My father never likes, when we are dull and dreary. He is strict though, where our studies are concerned and in matters of discipline. He is a very optimistic person and can never see anybody dejected.

My brother and I were born and brought up in Delhi. We stay in a colony wherein one can find people from all corners of India. We can speak many languages and our mingling with so many different kinds of people has made us smarter. At dinner, one night my dad showed me the

photograph of Rahul, who is the only son of his parents. He is an engineer. His father is a professor. My father explained to me that Rahul is a good boy and would take great care of me. That theirs is a decent family, moreover my father is a good friend of Mr. Srinivasan, Rahul’s father. Like all young girls of this generation, I am of the opinion that how can I ever marry a boy whom I have never met or known.

My parents then asked me whether I had anyone in mind, upon getting a negative reply, they explained to me that the alliance is a good one and I could give them the nod only after

meeting and talking to Rahul.  My brother and I talked late into the night. He has always been my friend, philosopher and guide a broad shoulder to lean on. With brotherly love and affection, he

convinced me that arranged marriages could not end in failures nor would love marriages end in success. He being older than me by six years I could experience his superiority over me. Moreover, he is a person with his head on his shoulders and I always found truth in what he said.

The next day my parents were relieved when my brother told them that I agreed to meet Rahul. The rest was as usual, Indian and traditional. Both the parties met, talked, exchanged many things and within 15 days the wedding was fixed. Rahul and I could just have a pleasant conversation when he had come to see me with his parents. He had told me that he was working on a project in a remote place in Gujrat. He was quite busy at that, after the wedding he would rent a house and take me there. He did create a good impression upon me but since we hadn’t got much time

together I couldn’t gather much of his details. Neither, did I call him up those 15 days before the wedding because he had already told me that he was busy.

The wedding took place in all grandiose. Everybody was happy. The members of my family especially, were much impressed with Rahul. When the fully decorated wedding car was waiting to take his bride home, he, in all humility took the hands of my parents and my brother and assured them that I would be taken care of in all aspects and there would be no complaints about him whatsoever. It was excruciatingly painful for me to bid goodbye to my parents and my wonderful

brother. Often on TV and in films when I used to watch such scenes I laughed them off, but then it was my turn which I couldn’t take in. My brother opened the door of the car, patted my shoulder and showed me the way in.

We couldn’t go on a honeymoon due to Rahul’s hectic schedule in the office. The new chapter of my life had begun and I was gradually getting accustomed to it all. There was a little girl who helped me with my work, and I managed to cook too. Sometimes the dishes were tasty but sometimes they were fit to be thrown, but both the times, however, there would be neither compliments nor comments. Rahul was always busy with his official work and I kept myself occupied with household work, books, and music. The place we stayed in was very small with not

much sightseeing; as such we went out only on Sundays to purchase things essential for our home. Rahul was quiet, calm and talked very less but did enjoy my continuous jabber. I would keep in touch with my in-laws and parents over the phone.

A year passed off without either of us realizing how it did. I loved him for his steady nature, his discipline, and for certain other qualities. I also enjoyed the warmth of his broad shoulders. But, somehow I felt he didn’t love me as much as I did because he never expressed his feelings. I was getting restless. I am a sentimental, romantic, sensitive woman when it came to relationships, feelings and expressions. I yearn for romantic moments, his naughtiness, his looks, his touch etc.

But Rahul is my complete opposite. He believes that keeping me happy and providing me with all necessities was what he would do. Though he was amused by the nonstop nonsense that I spoke I never got any response from him.

One year passed off quickly with me accommodating with him but I found something wanting. What I was expecting from him, I was not getting and this disheartened me.  After prolonged pondering, I finally decided to tell him that I wanted a divorce. I thought I should have

discussed this with my parents or brother but my adamancy took the better of me and I wanted to tackle my own problem. After dinner one night, I told him about my decision. ‘WHY?? He asked shocked!! “I am tired.”

I said.” there are no reasons for everything and for every why in this world!”I answered. He kept silent the whole night. His silence increased my disappointment. .”Here is a man who cannot open up his heart and express his predicament what else can I hope from him?”. I thought.

Finally, he asked me, “What can I do to change your mind?” I slowly answered,” Here is the question, if you can convince my heart, I will change my mind. Let’s say, I want my favorite flowers located on the face of the mountain cliff, the route to the top is dangerous and the plucking is perilous too, it may even lead to death.” “You shall get your answer tomorrow,” he said and pulled the bedsheet on himself turned to the other side and dozed off to sleep. My hopes just sank

by listening to his response. For a long time into the night, I could not sleep. Was I wrong, did I hurt him, well..............he deserved that or he would learn from that, all kinds of doubts

kept cramming into my mind and I didn’t realize when sleep overpowered me.

 I woke up the next morning to find him gone, that sent shivers down my spine, I quickly gathered myself and sat up on the bed. On the table, by the bedside, I found a piece of paper with his scratchy handwriting...........

“My dearest darling, I would NOT pick those flowers for you, but please allow me to explain.” The very first line was already breaking my heart. I continued reading…...

“When you use the computer, you always mess up the software programs and cry in front of the screen, I have to save my fingers so that I can help to restore the programs. You prefer to stay indoors, and I worry that you will be infected by infantile autism. I have to get your favorite

books and music CDS to keep you entertained. You always insist on my tasting the dishes prepared by you, I have to save my tongue to tell you the correct taste. You always chatter nonstop and never allow me to speak; I have to save my ears, in order to be a good listener.

You always have the cramps when your good friend approaches you every month. I have to save my palms so that I can calm the cramps in your tummy. You always stare at the computer, which will do no good for your eyes. I have to save my eyes so that when we grow old, I can help you to clip your nails and to remove those annoying white hairs. I would also like to hold your hand while walking down the beach, as you enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful sun, and I would love to tell you the color of the flowers just like the glow on your young face, I aspire to do many, many more things to keep you happy!!”

 “Thus, my dear, unless I am absolutely sure that there is someone who loves you, more than I do, I would not pluck those flowers for you and confront dangers.” My tears fell on the letter and blurred the ink of his handwriting................”Now that you have finished reading my answer, if you are satisfied please open the front door, I am standing outside, waiting to look at your face.” I rushed to pull open the door and saw his anxious face; he was the same, standing there like a

lofty person with my favorite bread and fresh milk. The least I could do was hug him tight and fill his face with kisses. Having done so, I again stared at him, my tears turned into sobs.

 Now I am very sure that no one, will ever love me so much as he does, not even my parents or my brother. This is life and love, I realized though not too late. When one is surrounded by love, the feeling of excitement fades away, and one tends to ignore the true love that lies in between

peace and dullness. Love shows up in all forms, even very small and cheeky forms, it has never been a model, it could be the dullest and boring forms............. flowers, romantic moments, songs etc. are only used and appear on the surface of the relationship. Under all this, the pillar of true love stands and that’s what our life is. Love is an irresistible desire to be desired irresistibly. We come to love not by finding a person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.

LOVE, NOT WORDS, WIN ARGUMENTS