Marriages Are Made in Heaven

I still can't believe that I made the single-most important decision in my life within a mere forty minutes. The stage was set that day in August for the customary prelude to the arranged marriage. The prospective groom comes to meet his bride to be so as to make a final decision. The parents had discussed this match for a couple of months and agreed on a suitable meeting venue. As in the case of modern arranged marriages, there is never any coercion since the children are free to accept or reject the match.

As a free-spirited young lady, I was never in the right frame of mind to get married. I wanted to work more and pursue higher studies. My head was brimming with ideas and I was sure that a wedding at this time would foil all my planning. I was also sure that I will always be plotting my next moves and marriage would never figure in my lengthy list.

I belong to a traditional society where staying unmarried is akin to being afflicted with some disease. I knew that my parents would never allow me to keep my single status any longer. I didn't have a choice in that matter but I knew I would get to pick the most suitable person.

In July 2005, I came home from my place of work after quitting a much-disliked job. I was considering a shift of residence and other job opportunities. I had many job applications floating around and was waiting for the elusive interview-call.

That summer was therefore an intense time for me in-terms of personal and professional life. Mumbai would be the venue for meeting the husband-to-be. I got the railway reservations done for traveling to this great metropolis of modern India. Just as all the plans were looking picture-perfect, catastrophe struck.

Strong rain showers lashed the entire western India. Mumbai and adjoining areas were flooded with monsoon waters. The communication and transport infrastructure was severely damaged. The railways cancelled all their services. Mumbai city was crippled leaving scores of its stranded inhabitants scurrying for cover.