The Perfect Match

Mehek smiled as she watched the bride and groom lock arms around each other as they swayed to the tunes of the latest Bollywood romance track. They made a cute pair, she thought. She had known the bride, Simran, for a few years now. Their mothers were friends and so they had occasionally met at social gatherings and exchanged a few pleasantries, but that had been the extent of it. From the little Mehek knew of Simran, she had been ready to get married since the age of 10. She was forever telling anyone who would listen about the kind of wedding she wanted to have, the kind of boy she envisioned for herself but most importantly the kind of outfits she wanted to wear. Looking at the lavish scale at which the wedding had happened and the fact that Simran could barely move around because of the weight of her gown and jewellery, Mehek supposed this was the dream wedding Simran had always hoped for. She was genuinely happy for her.

As she scanned the crowd milling around the hall, she noticed her mother talking to Simran’s mother and a few other ladies, while casually pointing in her direction

Oh no, this was bad.

Knowing her mother, this was so bad.

She watched as one of the Aunties – christened by Mehek as she had no idea what the lady’s name was – nod enthusiastically at her mother and then to her horror, she saw her mom wave at her to join them. For a split second, Mehek contemplated pretending she hadn’t seen them, that she was busy, but as they all turned to look at her expectantly, Mehek knew that the small window of opportunity to escape the situation was lost.

Taking a deep breath, she braced herself and walked to where they stood.

“Mehek! How are you, beta? You look so different!” Simran’s mother, Sushma, exclaimed.

Considering that the last time they had met had been when Mehek was still in her first year of college, she wasn’t sure what to make of that statement. So, she just politely nodded in agreement.

“I’m fine Aunty, how are you?”

“Oh, you know,” Sushma waved her hand around at her surroundings, where the after-party was going on in full swing, “It’s been very busy the last few months with the wedding planning.”

“It was a beautiful wedding.” Mehek smiled, “They make a beautiful couple.”

“Oh, thank you!” Sushma gushed, “I was just telling your mother how they met. It was an arranged marriage, you know. They met through one of those marriage websites.”

Uh-oh.

Mehek continued to nod, even though she was dreading the hornet’s nest this conversation would stir. And right on cue –

“I have created an account for Mehek as well.’ Her mother jumped in, almost as a justification, even though Mehek didn’t see why it was anyone’s business which dating or marriage website she was on.

“Good decision! Those websites work like a charm.” one of the Aunty’s said, “It takes a bit of time but there is a good chance you will find your match.”

Sounds like a dream, Mehek thought, wryly.

“That’s what I keep telling her.” Her mother gave her a pointed look.

“Kids these days,” Sushma chuckled, “They have no patience. Take my Simran for example. So demanding. She was rejecting all the boys I introduced her to. You can’t get everything you want in a partner, you know. You must learn to compromise.”

“Same with Mehek. I keep telling her that she’s being too choosy.”

Her mother spoke about her as though Mehek was not standing there, listening to them.

“Mom!” she spluttered. She couldn’t believe her mother was discussing her love life, or the lack of it, with a group of ladies who she didn’t know half the names of, and who were only too eager to pass on free advice. The unwanted kinds.

“Well, it is true.” Her mother said, defensively.

“Mother’s worry, Mehek beta,” Sushma said, “You will understand when you become a mother. I was so worried about Simran. When I met Rohit, it was like a weight off my shoulders.”

“It must be such a relief,’ Mehek heard her mother say.

“Oh yes, he is a good boy and the Sharma’s are such a good family. My prayers have really been answered.”

Mehek refrained from rolling her eyes as she watched her mother nodding fervently.

“So Mehek,” One of the Aunty’s turned towards her, bringing the spotlight back on her. “When are we going to hear some good news?”

Mehek shrugged and threw an annoyed look at her mother, who immediately jumped in to explain how they were actively looking for prospective grooms for Mehek, but it was so hard these days, what with this generation not ready to compromise at all, but at the same time you had to be careful that the boy and his family were a good match, because after all, it was a life-long commitment.

Mehek was exhausted just listening to the conversation.

She looked longingly at the bar in the far corner of the room, where a group of her friends were gathered around, having a drink.

“–recently promoted.” She heard her mother say.

“Congrats Mehek,’ Sushma said, ‘that is quite the achievement,’

“Thank you,” Mehek smiled genuinely for the first time.

She had recently been promoted to the role of Senior Consultant at her firm and was one of the few in her team that had managed to climb that extra step up the corporate ladder. It had not been without it’s challenges, but she was proud of what she had achieved.

“What do you do exactly?” one of the Aunty’s suddenly asked, as she munched on a chicken lollipop. Mehek glanced at her mother who looked a little embarrassed at the directness of the question but signalled her to go along with it.

Practising a calm she felt far from, she started talking about the company she worked for and her role in it. For the most part, she tried to use simple layman language so as to not overcomplicate it, but even then, she could see the Aunty, to whom she was addressing this, starting to lose interest. Her eyes glazed over even as she nodded her head at what Mehek was saying and more than once she looked right past Mehek, seemingly more interested in the party beyond her. Feeling a little insulted, Mehek cut short the conversation as quickly as she could, without being outright rude.

“That’s good,’ the Aunty said absent-mindedly. Mehek was sorely tempted to ask her just how much of what she had said had she listened to.

But of course, she couldn’t. That would be rude. And she would have hell to pay for later.

“You should go join the youngsters on the dance floor. You never know, you could find your dulha right here,” the Aunty tittered, to which the other ladies smiled and some even nodded their heads in agreement.

“Aunty is right. You never know.” Sushma winked at her, “These occasions are a good opportunity to mingle around.”

Mehek gave them all a brittle smile and wished for the thousandth time that she had stayed back at home and not come for the wedding. She could be watching Netflix, hanging out with her friends or even working instead of having to listen to potential groom-trapping schemes.

Her mother seemed to realize that her daughter’s patience was wearing thin and with a laugh, she changed the topic while telling Mehek to carry on. She didn’t need to be told twice. With a smile and polite good-bye, she walked away from the group.

She would never admit it, but that interaction had upset her more than she’d liked. It was always the same story, the same questions.It suddenly seemed like all anybody could talk about was her marriage, or some related topic. It was almost like a barometer for measuring success. It didn’t matter how much she was progressing in her career, or otherwise, everything seemed to fall short because of her single status. While initially, she had been able to shirk off the pressure, it had become increasingly difficult over the last year. The constant questions and references to the topic, were starting to wear her down to the point, where she started questioning her own ideals. Was she being too casual about this? Would she regret her lack of seriousness in the coming years? Were love and compatibility, the things that she wanted in a relationship, overrated and best only for novels and movies?
These were the questions that were constantly running through her mind, reinforced only by the fact that she was at that age where every other month someone she knew was getting married. She wasn’t sure where she was going wrong. She was meeting people so it’s not like she wasn’t trying. But if it didn’t progress further than a few dates, how was she to blame? You couldn’t force chemistry and connection. Her mother was constantly telling her how everything needed to be done at the right age, but what if you didn’t find your partner at the right age? Did that mean all hope was lost? Somehow that didn’t seem right.

With these thoughts she walked over to her friend, who was sneakily downing a vodka shot at the bar. She saw Arya glance around furtively before placing another order.

Mehek grinned. Trust Arya to instantly cheer her up.

“What is this, Arya beta!” she put on her best imitation of the Aunties from the group she had just escaped.

Arya startled and nearly dropped the shot glass before turning towards Mehek and whacking her on the arm.

“You scared me!” she said as Mehek, bent down laughing with her arms wrapped around her waist.

“That was not funny.” Arya said, sullenly as her friend continued to laugh at her expense.

“I though your mom knew you drank,” Mehek said, as she wiped tears of mirth, “So what’s with the secrecy?”

“Well, she knows I drink, but she wouldn’t be too happy seeing it live. She’s been keeping an eagle eye on me all night. Log kya kahenge and all that.” Arya said, sarcastically.

“Ah yes, ofcourse.” Mehek rolled her eyes. “I just got ambushed by a group of Aunties over there.”

“I saw that,” Arya snickered but when Mehek glared at her, she adopted a sympathetic expression.

“Let me guess. They were asking you when you’re planning on getting married.”

“What else?” Mehek sighed, “That’s all anyone can talk about. It’s like a timer has been set off since I turned 26.”

“Don’t worry, you’re not the only one.” Arya said.

“Well, at least you’re dating someone,’ Mehek pointed out, “I’m sure that takes the pressure off a little bit. I’m currently single which is the worst thing you can be at my age, apparently.”

“Oh please,” Arya scoffed, “My parents are so not in favour of Deepak. They say he’s not marriage material so if anything, it adds to the pressure. Anyway, it’s not like I am marriage material either,”

“So, things are not serious with Deepak then?” Mehek asked.

She had met Deepak a few times. Arya and he were sort of a package deal, even though they had only been dating for a few months. None of their friends minded though though; he seemed nice enough and had blended in easily with their group.

“Define serious,” Arya hedged. “If by serious, you mean do I see myself dating him over the next few months then yes but, if by serious, you mean do I see myself marrying him, then no.”

“Why not?” Mehek asked, curiously.

“Why not marry him?” Arya asked, to which Mehek nodded. “I don’t know actually. We get along well enough. He makes me laugh, respects my family, and understands me for the most part. It’s just that marriage is so permanent, you know?”

Mehek nodded. She did know, which is why it scared the bejesus out of her whenever anyone brought up the topic.

“I want to be sure before I take that step. It could be Deepak, for all I know, but it could maybe not be. I want to be sure before I take that plunge, so there are no regrets. As of now, I am happy dating him. I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

Mehek thought this over. It made sense to her.

“I don’t think he wants to get married, either.” Arya added. “At least not right now.”

“He doesn’t?”

“Nope. His parents are totally cool about it too. He said that whatever he decides, they will be okay with it.”

“Imagine that.” Mehek muttered and they both laughed.

“What about you? Are your parents still trying to set you up on dates from whatehvasaathi.com?” Arya giggled.

Mehek sighed.

“Pretty much. I don’t mind the dates as such. I mean, I’m not against the idea of meeting people. It’s this expectation that comes along with each date. My mom is always asking me if I could see myself marrying a person after the first date. The first date!” Mehek said, incredulously. “I can’t even decide if I like a dress after trying it on once. How am supposed to know if I want to marry a guy after meeting him once?”

“Beats me,” Arya shook her head, “My mother always says she got married first and then fell in love with my father.”

“‘That’s a pretty big risk to take. What if you don’t fall in love?” Mehek asked, with a raised eyebrow,

“That’s what I keep telling her.” Arya said. “But then she gets angry and doesn’t talk to me for a day.”

Mehek snorted.

“Parents.”

They both sipped their drinks as the party continued to rage on around them.

“When I was talking to Sushma aunty, she kept saying how her prayers had been answered.” Mehek said, “That Simran had found a good boy though I’m not sure how she measures that.”

“That’s easy.” Arya took a sip of her drink, “Looks, education, respectable family and a house. That equals to a good boy.”

“Who cares about compatibility, eh?” Mehek quipped.

“Compatibility?” Arya snorted. “You can’t show off compatibility to your family and friends. It doesn’t fall under the match made in heaven checklist.”

The music changed to a popular Bollywood number. Simran and Rohit pulled their parents on the dance floor and together, they started dancing to the catchy beats.

“I sometimes feel parents just want their kids to have a dream wedding.” Arya mused. “They forget to think about the marriage after.”

Mehek agreed with Arya and personally thought that her friend was so much wiser after a few drinks.

Their discussion on marriage woes was brought to an abrupt end by one of the groom’s friends.

“What are you lovely ladies doing over here at the bar?”

Deep in conversation, they hadn’t even noticed him approaching them. He was a good-looking guy who seemed to be around their age.

“Care to join us?” he pointed towards a group of Simran and Rohit’s friends who were enjoying themselves on the dance floor.

Arya smiled and nudged Mehek, “Sure, why not?”

As they were led to the dance floor, Arya whispered into Mehek’s ear. “Another potential match. Maybe he can be your dulha!”

With a laugh, they both joined in with the group and spent the rest of the night dancing and drinking, their worries on love and marriage all but forgotten.

At least for tonight.

***