Dreams

DREAMS are what life is made of.
 Just as a spark sets off a blazing fire, a dream is what one has to work on to start the process towards achieving the goal.

LIFE OF THE DREAMER

The third daughter born into a Brahmin family of  five children, her father struggled on a meager salary to house and feed them.Weak, malnourished and weary, her mother had tried every old wives' trick to rid herself of the unwanted child. That she was born female was the straw that broke the familys' back.
They just could not afford another mouth to feed, as her mother could barely manage the household and the four older children.

She hid the tiny bundle in the pile of hay, and made her way back to the village pond to clean herself as she could not do what she had decided. She just could not smother the tiny life.

The butchers wife, Kalifa was there oiling her long hair.
They usually met there and exchanged a few words. Sorrow writ large on her face and soiled clothes alerted the mother in Kalifa who helped bathe and clean her. Sobbing her guilt at her decision she confided her woes to the tender soul.The thoughtful look in Kalifas weary eyes soon sent a shaft of hope as she sat forlornly beside the older woman, weeping silently.

"Will you give me the baby to care for as mine",she gently asked the grieving mother.
The butcher has been away for almost eight months and is due home now, he will accept the child as his own, if I say so.
She reasoned  with herself even as they went to the hayloft to check on the hidden bundle.
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------          Twenty one years later---
 Kayla stomped her foot and shook the icy wisps off her hair.The weather was really bad ,she so much wanted to reach the safety of her dorm but the campus bus would be a good half an hour coming.Wiping her nose,sniffling and feeling sorry for herself she almost shrieked when the smooth BMW stopped just a feet away.The hooded driver motioned her inside, questioning where she wanted to go.Too weary to heed the caution she always followed, she gingerly sat trying to not wet the seat cushions.

They were both  buttoned up and the ride was short.
He drove off even before she could thank him.

Two weeks later she sat looking at her options for the Masters program.
Her mentor listened as she explained her interest in the computer chip and hardware program she was interested in. Her skills in C+ and computer languages could earn her a TA position, she also wished to teach at the Laboratory, so her tuition fees could  waived off? This would ease her financial burden, she looked up fearfully.

Her pinched face was tense as she looked alert and hopeful.
Discussing electives, core subjects, transportation and scheduling they chalked out her study for the semester.
The play of relief on her expressive face was palpable when he sanctioned her a fee waiver and TA.

You can also stay in the dorm as one student had to rescind, the room is vacant for immediate occupation, so no more waiting for transportation from downtown, he casually added.

  All right! he is my knight in shinning armor, she blinked furiously, not wanting him to see her cry.

She lived up to every metric just as he had known she would.

Two years later she graduated with high honors and had a lucrative job offer with a multinational Company.

Quiet, mature, gentle, helpful  but sharp as a tack she was everything a man could ask for in a companion for Life.

He was a Hindu and she was a Muslim.

They would Never be able to live as Man and Wife.
Or could they?

He  decided to broach the subject when she came to say her farewell, as he knew she would.
He was only five years her senior.

They met at the coffee shop where he had first seen her.
He asked her about herself and her family.
She seemed hesitant at first but soon opened up. Her father was a butcher who slaughtered animals for their meat.The dignity and respect she held for her parents awed him.
He proposed to her on bent knees.
She promised to ask her parents for permission as did he, but she timidly asked him to let her go first.

Of course she confided in her mother at once.
Her mother was the kindest soul she knew and always stood by her every time.
Her parents were unanimous in their answer ,but could they both first visit India to hear their response?
Confused and bewildered, she informed him of their reaction.

They flew home and went to her house.
The festive adornment, chatter, gaily decorated festoons bode well.
Her mother hugged her, and led her inside where she met her neighbor, the Brahmins wife.
Pretty, mature,dainty and now educated ,with good earning potential,Kalifas daughter was still charming and polite.

Touching their feet she sat quietly as she replied to all the questions.

He was a Brahmin from a cultured Hindu Family.

No.his family did not know about her, as he wanted their permission first.
Yes, she would be proud to be his wife.
No, she would not go against their wishes.
Yes ,of course she was prepared to hear whatever they wanted to tell her. They called him in too.The two sets of elders sat watching the youngsters.
Her mother,Kalifa narrated the happenings simply and lucidly.
She was a Brahmin girl born to a family culturally rich but financially poor hence brought up by the middle income loving Muslim butcher family.

They both listened attentively and their reaction was simple.
A single meeting of their eyes, they bowed their heads and asked for blessings from both sets of parents.
Of course he would convince his family.
She would keep her name, she would be the daughter of the Muslim Family, they would have a court wedding attended by only people who mattered.

The whole village cheered and rejoiced .
Love and dignity lead the way.

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