AN AMERICAN AND HIS BRIDE TO BE by BINOD SINHA (good short books txt) 📕

fat and not, so called handsome.”
She closed her eyes as she reminisced, “But then when we met after marriage, I realise that he was matured enough to read my mind, my feelings. And would give respect to these feelings. He told me that the marriages are made in the heaven. You meet your life partner according to the “Karma” of your previous life. It is God wish and we must learn to respect that. From then on, I stopped worrying about my dream model husband and accepted him as my soul mate. As time passed life became better and better. I had no regrets left within me”
She paused and then said, “I am sure, you will agree that we have a successful married life.”
I looked at her bewildered. I had never seen her talking with so much intensity.
“Abheri Darling! We, as parents are worried about you and your future. We would like to see you settled in your life.”
“What you want me to do, Mom?” I finally spoke.
“There is a boy. He is son of your father’s friend. They are also in business. We have invited them for dinner. You just see the boy. There is no compulsion. If you like the boy, then we would proceed further.”
“Mom, do I have a choice?”
She smiled back.


Chapter-7
I got my first glimpse of him when he was sitting in the drawing room with both the parents He appeared to be tall and may pass as handsome. I was brought to the room escorted by my sister-in-law. We went through the normal courtesy of introduction. I sat next to Mom. I was told that he is a good cricketer and played for the state. He is a good singer too. Obviously, it was a good opportunity for him to display this quality of his. He sang a popular song from a Hindi film. At the end everyone clapped.
“What a golden voice,” my mother commented in his praise.
Then we all moved for dinner. On dinner table, the discussion started with the customary compliments on the food and then moved on to business.
After dinner was over, the men moved to drawing room to discuss business and politics. However, the ladies continue to gossip on the dinning table. My mother asked my younger brother to take Saman out, to show our newly led rose garden. And then, she whispered me to accompany them.
“Mr Saman! You are looking great in your dress,” my brother commented while going out.
“Thanks,” he acknowledged.
“I like the way you bat, an aggressive approach.” My brother seems to have become a fan of him.
“This year, I missed the chance. May be, next year I should be in the national team,” he was trying to impress.
“Excuse me, I have to go. I have to see a friend,” my brother excused himself and left, leaving both of us alone.
“You are beautiful. My parents did not exaggerate when they talked about you.”
He paused and waited for me to response.
I hesitated for a moment and then responded, “You are tall as told.”
“Ours, like yours is a joint family. We are in the same business. I am told you have all the qualities of a homely girl.”
“You mean, a good wife material,” I replied tartly.
“I think we should change the subject.” he said.
“I know nothing about cricket.” I said.
“Well! Will you tell me something about yourself,” he pleaded.
“I want to do something in my life. I do not wish to get married for now,” I responded.
We walked quietly, each pretending to admire the fully bloomed roses in the garden.
Saman finally broke the silence and asked, “Do you mind, if I ask a personal question?
“It depends on the question,” I responded.
“Are you interested in someone else,” he asked ingenuously.
I remained quit. After some time he persisted with the same question.
Initially, I thought I will not say anything about Jim. But, finally, decided to tell the truth.
“I do not wish to keep you in dark. Yes, it is true.”
“What is true?” he asked, surprised.
“You understand that.”
I responded his questions with a candour that astonished me.
I told him about Jim.
“Are your parents aware of this?” he asked
“Yes. But, they do not approve of our alliance.”
“I am glad you have told the truth to me. I respect your honesty. Any one would be lucky to have you as his life partner. I do not know what the future holds for us. But, we can certainly be good friends,” he said and stretched his hand towards me.
I was hesitant.
He persisted with a smile.
I felt warmth in his approach. I shook hand with him.
“One last question,” he pleaded and then asked,” Do you like me?”
I was hesitant for a moment and then replied “Yes.”
“If that is so, will you marry me then?” he asked mischievously.
I looked up and uttered without any hesitation, “May be in the next birth.”
I regretted having spoken like this to a person with whom I just spent half an hour. I had spoken on an impulse and now it was too late to correct my mistake.
After this meet, we had a chance to meet him a couple times more, mostly on social occasions. I liked him. He inspired respect and wisdom.
I also introduced Jim to him.
There were a couple of more marriage proposals, but, each ended in failure. Of course, it was me who would always find a new excuse for rejecting the proposal.
I was told by Jim that Saman is in constant touch with him. He did not elaborate it much.
I also observed that Saman had visited our house recently a couple of times late evening and spent time with my parents. When I asked, he said it was business meetings.


Chapter-8
One day, I was summoned to my parents’ room. When I reached there, I found Saman coming out of the room.
He stopped and said, “Hello, how are you?”
“What are you doing here?” I enquired surprisingly.
“Just to meet your father,” he smiled and then moved on, “I need to go. I am in a hurry. I will see you soon.” He stopped at the exit for a moment to say, “Good Luck,” and then vanished.
I remained silent for a moment. A suspicion crossed my mind, for some reason Saman didn’t say the truth.
I entered the room. My father was sitting on the sofa and watching TV, his usual News Channel.
“So, you have decided to get married with that American boy? He said sarcastically without looking at me.
“I thought that chapter was closed once you decided that you do not approve our relationship? I answered keeping my cool.
“Will you shut down TV? My mother asked my father. He did not close the TV but lowered the volume.
“Come, sit down here,” my mother asked me.
“Why don’t you talk to her? Whatever you have to say, say now,” my mother showed her anger at my father.
My father shut the TV off and looked at me, “I have received a call from Jim. He wants to come down to India next week.”
“For what?” I enquired.
My mother interrupted, “This is regarding your marriage.”
“Why, this sudden change of heart?”
“Will you shut up now,” my mother snapped me.
“You can speak to me whatever you want to know,” I said.
“No! I want to have man to man talk,” my father replied and said, “Connect me to him.”
I looked at mother. She shook her head and indicated me to connect the phone.
I dial Jim’s cell number. He answered the call, “Hi, Abheri,” he said simply.
“Hi,” I said. “How are you?”
“Fine,” he replied.
“Are you in the office?” I enquired.
“No, I am driving. I am on my way to Washington. You can talk to me,” he said.
“My father wants to speak with you,” without waiting for a response from him, I handed over the phone to my father.
My father switched on the speaker.
“Hello, Jim. How are you?”
“I am fine, how about you?”
“I am doing fine.”
“Good.”
“Jim! I just wanted to let you know that we are happy about your visit to India and we are looking forward of seeing you soon.”
“Excellent. I will let you know my program, once everything is fixed up.”
I could feel his excitement.
“Don’t book the hotel room. You will be staying with us.”
“Thanks a lot.”
I could hear his deep breath on the line.
My father kept the phone down and looked at me with a smile on his face, but said nothing. The look on his face said everything.
I wanted to say, “Thank you, Papa.” But, my voice was choked with emotions.
I deliberately turned my back to hide my tears and quietly left the room. I went straight to my room and washed my face.
I was desperate to talk with some one to share my happiness. I thought to my self “Who could be better person than Saman.” At that very moment, I also realised the significance of brief conversation Saman had with me, and his ‘Good luck’ wishes to me, before he left.


Chapter-9
I dialled his number.
He came on line, “Saman here.”
“Your parents are proved to be right when they decided your name as Saman, a person with good heart,” I said.
I could hear his laugh at the other end, “Thank you.”
“Thanks, for what you did for us.”
“I did for you.”
“Yes.”
“I knew that you will never be mine, and that is why I will never lose you. But, I will always cherish the memories of the time we spent together,” Saman said.
I became emotional and could not respond to him immediately.
“Abheri, are you there?” he enquired anxiously.
I could no longer hold my tears and cried.
“Abheri! You are a brave girl. Don’t cry. Relax and start preparing for the great day, a very important event of a woman’s life.” He sounded like my mother.
He continued, “I have been in touch with Jim. He is a nice guy. For him, there is nothing more important than you. Jim is truly in love with you.”
“Yes. I know.” I said.
“Both of you are made for each other. You two, have found your soul mates in each other.”
He paused and then said, “Never forget me…..your friend.”


Imprint

Publication Date: 04-03-2010

All Rights Reserved