Arranged Love

"I was waiting for you to be a part of my life, from the very first moment when I understood what love was"

Waiting for her in the cafe, I was curious to see her, more than I ever could be. We were meeting after a long time. I had so much to tell her; so much going on in my mind (scared, anxious, curious, and happy at the very moment). I told her a few months back that I love her, that I want to be with her. But things didn't turn out so well and we stopped talking to each other. It's been a while now, and we didn't saw each other after that. Just a few days back we met because our group was in the town. That was the day I decided that I will try to sort things out, there was a lot to talk about. I don't know exactly where things went wrong but I think sorting them out will help.

Just sitting there alone, a thought crossed my mind.

'Marriages...

Marriages are an integral part of love, love which should define the importance of a person in your life. But in India, we define love by marriage. And to marry someone you love; you need the permission of families. Families of both the parties involved in a love relationship. We define our country as diversified. People around us say - "We have our set of differences, but we are united as a country." I am not sure to what extent is that true. Then why is there a concept for Arrange and Love Marriage?

Our parents have been teaching us that there is no difference between anyone. We all are the same. And when the time comes to implement their teachings, they not only stop us, they ask us to stay away from strangers. And then one day suddenly they ask us to spend all of our life with a stranger. Yes, that's exactly what arrange marriages are. I am not saying that arranged marriages are wrong, but I don't get the concept of arranging marriages. I mean, what if I don't love the person after the marriage? What then? Whereas, there is a person out there I know, with whom I know I am compatible with and who likes me the way I am. Why is that person not a better option than marrying a stranger? When I was allowed to make friends, did anyone stop me from making friends of another caste, or did anyone told me to see the status symbol of that person?'

She is still not here. That has never happened, she was never late before. But a lot of things changed since we last met. She was about to get married. I don't even know how much she may have changed. Everyone around started staring at me now. I was just sitting there for the past hour. "Mehrama" was playing in the background. I received a text, it was her. She just said, "I won't come, I don't want to meet you." I stared at the screen. I had nothing to say to her. I never wanted her to talk to me unwillingly. I just walked back home but there was something about that song that reciprocated.

"ना खबर अपनी रही, ना रहा तेरा पता, ओ मेहरमा क्या मिला, यूँ जुदा होके बता"

I hope that one day you and I will cross paths. Maybe, you will understand how much have I loved you and why I don't get the concept of arranged marriages. One day, maybe.