DIFFERENT STROKES

She looked out for the umpteenth time,her fingers swiftly knitting the white wool,a tear slipped out and gently glided down her soft cheeks. Hearing the quiet sound of the bike,she held her breath as the door opened noiselessly.
   He let himself in and collapsed on his grandfathers rocking chair,exhausted beyond belief.She gently ran her fingers through his hair,massaged his temples,wiped his face with a moist soft linen pad.the gentle glow of candle light and lilting Sufi music was balm to his troubled soul.
She can read me like a book,he acknowledged,drifting into soothing slumber.lightly draping the cotton sheet around him she turned in for the night.

 The loud sound of the door banging woke him from his stupor.

'.Wake up, Oh! you are still wearing your hospital clothes,get up and shower,I have to get to the boutique for a session' the loud nasal tone droned on..he felt as if they were blows on his head.
Shaking off sleep,he looked up at the heavily made up face ,his eyes hurting. The vision  of colors,strong perfume,clicking high heels,powdered face,eyes darkened,lips reddened and glossed over..

Dragging himself he showered and dressed,soon he was driving her around to shop for the wedding ring.Listening to her nonstop chatter he felt numb.A feeling of helplessness and devastation overcame his already hurting soul.She went on about the guests,the menu,gifts,photos,video,

rituals,pickups,fittings.he tuned out.

  Waiting while she tried on the sequined flimsy clothes he decided to take matters in his hands.

'Can we have coffee before you finalize,he uttered the first words of the day.'

She nodded and they went to Starbucks ,the elevator seemed strangely silent.
What is the matter,he is not the least bit excited or enthused she realized.Dropping her forced bravado she rehearsed her words.Could she do it,the wrath of her family seemed imminent.How would he react?

He looked at her crestfallen face and berated himself.They had been betrothed at birth when her business minded father had promised her to his keen competitor to survive the fierce competition in the ready made garment export house.
His father who was more into automobile accessories had agreed to accept her as bride for his oldest son ,in exchange for forsaking competition in the business.
The arrangement was agreed upon and deal done.

Now 18 years later she wondered what was going on in his mind.He was a heart surgeon who had no time for her flighty lifestyle.She loved dance,drama,theater and parties.He preferred home food,soulful music,long drives and a peaceful quiet life.
              
They both started speaking and stopped.
The atmosphere lightened as she giggled nervously.
He held out his hand and offered her a Rakhi ,indicating she should tie it on his wrist.

  Oh ! What blessed relief,she caught on at once.Beaming she gently tied it and looked up at her brother.Their relationship had changed immediately.
Soon she confided her feelings for her senior who was leaving for higher studies.He asked her to call him over.Being an only child of orphaned parents,he had uninterested foster parents who did not care what he was doing.They talked for a long time and decided to appraise their family of the latest development as the wedding had to be called off.

Wait a minute,he reasoned,why call of the wedding ,why not have a joint wedding.The guests would be coming anyway and knew the family.

Telling her to go home and wait for a day he headed off to the Hospital.Calling home he heard her endearing hello.Dress well and be ready ,I will pick you up in an hour he said.He  called both sets of parents who came as they were in town running around arranging various tasks.

Seeing the housemaids daughter all dressed up standing by his side they were worried.
In clear,concise words he explained that the promise made 18 years ago was without their consent.

They were adults and had decided to take charge of their life.
 He described the Engineering graduate who was going abroad for higher studies and who loved their daughter unconditionally.
He held hands with his sweetheart of 5 years,their resident housemaids daughter who had just graduated with her Degree in Education.

They would be married on the fixed date only not to each other..

The families agreed heaved a sigh of relief.
The double weddings were simple and understated, yet heart felt,the guests enjoyed the beachfront midnight ceremonies and danced well into the night.

Communication and clear confident decision,won the day.