The Enigma called Marriage

It’s always a nice feeling to get back doing what you do the best. In my case I love the role of a Raconteur.. As I scribble these lines, Sehwag is in middle of an amazing innings against Pakistan and probably his exuberance exemplifies what I scribble in the following lines Being an avid reader I tend to observe contrasting perspectives of various writers on any topic under the sun. Amidst this plethora of opinions, I believe there is one such topic where invariably all the scholars, philosophers, sociologist et al come to an agreement-its Marriage. And apart from odd opinions there is a general consensus that Marriage is an Institution-the sancto sanctorum of a temple called Relationship I am neither sociologist nor a marriage bureau expert to commit a sacrilege act by commenting on such delicate issue. Instead I had an experience of sorts which firmed the belief that if it’s not an institution in literal terms then it is indeed one in factual sense. Probably the closest metaphor that I can draw about Marriage-the Institution is - One when I was cajoled to join the primary schools much against my wishes.In the formative years of growing up, playing and socializing should have been paramount:-) Anyways, the incident which gave thrust to such views is quite frivolous in nature. The story goes like this..It was mid-June in 2003 when I received a marriage invitation from one of my college friend cum state mate, Veerendra. Being from same state always holds a special place for we Engineering College grads. In a sense such an invitation was bit scary but at the same time one generating 32-inch-broad –grin on the face. Often there is enormous curiosity of exploring unfathomed world.Now, when someone from the group is first in treading that mysterious path, a sense of anxiety rules the atmosphere It was summer vacation time and I had nothing fruitful to look up to.For me, it was an ideal break from the monotony that was slowly creeping into the life. Typically, by looking a marriage function you can estimate the class, creed, financial health of a family. Particularly so in Bihar where each and every community has its own distinctive style. Ironically,I pity the attendants to my marriage. It's famous that a marriage in Kayastha community, to which I belong to, often test the limits of attendees. More often then not, the guest has to return with tummy yearning for even single drop of water, forget the delicacies. By no means I am scaring the readers to abhor the idea of attending my marriage:-). I will take best measures to ensure that you are served a delicious glass of thanda paani. There is one more interesting community of bhumiars, the erstwhile zamindaars during time of Britishers, where marriage takes place at very raw age. My good friend was one such scapegoat. It was the first marriage of our batch hence I took special measures to attire myself in best of dresses with different varieties of facials and a funky hair cut to suit the occasion. One of my close pals Mansoor joined me as part of bandwagon called Baraatis. We traveled all the way from Patna to Begusarai to attend the function .Admittedly the reception was top class. The moment the girl’s side came to know that we are the Groom’s closest mates, special care was taken to make us comfortable and happy. Varieties of delicacies along with the round the clock service of various form of entertainment kept us busy through out the day. During evening both of us got dressed in gaudiest of ceremonial dresses wearing special perfume and touch of nonchalance. For we were the second most important person in that entire conglomeration. In baraat procession we danced all the way, leading from the front to the bride’s house. Keeping special attention towards the girls -whoever falls for us. The arrangement at the site was equally good. We filled ourselves to throat and apart from odd tiff with the host, we had an amiable going by any standards. After the ritual of exchanging the garland- Jaymaal, was done and the bride and groom proceeded towards Mandap to perform the rest of the rituals.Meanwhile we both were left to mingle with the bride’s family members.Inspite of being full, we were forced to eat, drink and make merry. However, the moment I gulped down the fifth glass of sherbet, I somehow started feeling intoxicated and next thing I remember was me lying on a bed in a closed, dark room It was a creepy,eerie and dead dark ..and I could sense some body else was lying by my side. He was Mansoor.I was still trying to figure out where exactly I was. I waded my way towards the door. But to my dismay I found it been bolted from outside. Where the hell I am stuck? I banged the door hard…shouted from the window…but nobody answered It seemed as if the marriage function was a distant dream. With thirst slowly enervating my energy..I gave a finally spanking on the door..but no body trudged a bit..I shook Mansoor hard..and coaxed him to wake up. Finally with bleary eye he got up..still wondering what the fuss was all about “Man..we are stuck!!..somebody has captivated us in this room!” “What?” blurted Mansoor..still recovering from his sub-conscious state. “There is no one responding to our call..we cant get out!”..I freaked out Probably the last line brought Mansoor fully back to the senses. Together we rushed towards the door banging it as hard as possible but in vain.Completely tired , we both collapsed near the door waiting for some inevitable to come. After about an hour or so..I presume...there were sounds of footsteps approaching towards our door.I believe that was our last chance..we both shouted at the top of our voice pleading for the door to be open. Finally, it worked...We could sense some body unlocking the bolt. We set ourselves few paces aside waiting for our unknown adversary. Slowly the door opened and entered a tall. dark cantankerous frame with a frail look , a monstrous moustache and a bamboo stick in his hand. There were three more guys who followed the person. “What’s the problem?” growled our tormentor “Why h..have you locked us in this room?” blurted out the feeble voice of Mansoor “Ha..haa..haa” bellowed the man. ”So that you guys don’t scoot off?” “Meaning?”..i queried still perplexed amidst this conundrum “I am bride’s uncle”..growled the man” And I have three daughters. I queried about you both from Veerendra (my friend)..and came to know that you too are engineer like him. Where will I get the better match than this? What I offer is you both get married to my respective daughters.You choose which one you want.” Still coming in to the terms with the whole affair I couldn’t digest the entire bombardment of those words upon us “I mean..how can I get married..I am still young”.. I squeaked “Young…who said that” he groaned ”At your age I already had my second wife.The guys of this generation are cuddled to such an extent that they never grow up. But I won't leave you two unless you accept the proposal” “But..but..I have to seek my parent’s permission” I pleaded “You don’t worry about that.I will inform your parents and as part of dowry we will be offering you whole plot of land and weigh you in gold” The man said now in bit docile manner “But..there is one more hitch..I am Muslim”…Mansoor literally played his last card. I presume this was his best bet “I don’t care..I will convert you to Hindu. After all what is there is religion..you look like film star..educated..will soon start earning..what else??Now enough of excuses..either you agree to this proposal else I will tie you up and lock you in this room”…Uncle’s voice boomed “That’s not possible..I need to have a word with Veerendra..You cant force me..this is obnoxious” I was agitated “You can’t meet him…he has gone to his village with his bride to seek the blessings..you have to decide your self.” “Hey.you.c.ca..” before I could complete the sentence Mansoor pinched hard on my palm. He signaled me not to speak “Ok sir..we are ready.” Spoke a more sedate Mansoor “Has he gone crazy?Is he holding his sense right? Does he understand the implications?” thought loomed in my agitated mind “That’s better!!You are smart fella” grinned the bride’s uncle “But,you must understand sir, that its wee hour of the day and we must go to answer the nature’s call.Atleast give us some leverage and allow us to go to nearby field to relieve ourselves”.Mansoor continued “Hmm..Ok…but remember your luggage and other goods are in my custody...Tomorrow we will finalize the details.I am calling pundit ji”.. hissed uncle “Ok..ok sir,we will surely do that..come Adarsh”..said Mansoor, dragging me towards the door Finally we came out in the open. Me still wondering about the the proposal. I was about to shout at Mansoor but decided to wait till we were some distance away from the house Before I could let my lungs and throat loose, Mansoor whispered”Run!!” “Where??” I was completely bemused “To the railway track!!” he shouted “But..but our luggage?” “You idiot it’s a matter of our life..run…forget the luggage!!” shouted Mansoor. He clutched my arm firmly and throttled me forward towards the field."Run...Adarsh...Run!!" I was still in dilemma yet I trusted Mansoor's undoubtable wisdom and ran as hard as I could. We ran for about a mile towards the railway track. At times looking back whether somebody is following us or not. Finally we reached near the signal post. “Listen this is a halt..the train for Patna stops here for 10 sec..we have to get in..it will be coming any moment” huffed out Mansoor Waiting for those 15-20 min looked like eternity. Even the sound of woodpecker seemed intimidating. Any moment the bride’s uncle and his men will barge in..And that’s it..the end of our bachelor hood… Finally the ray of hope appeared from the distant horizon. It was the sign of incoming train. Down across the field we could see a cluster of torch lights approaching towards the railway track too .Our predators got a sniff. Together we prayed hard to almighty…begged for mercy for any sin…and wished the train come faster But it was only our tormentor who appeared to be more discernible. Ten..nine..eight… I counted as the train approached Finally it stopped near the halt. Both of us rushed towards the first compartment. Our predators following the suit..But before even one could lay hand on us..the train started..we were free… Marriage –the Institution gave us one reprieve