“Mom, he is not the man of my dreams.” Rani remembered those words and broke down in tears. Deepak’s dusky face, big specs, and normal height didn’t go well with her. She always dreamt of marrying a handsome guy who looked like a Bollywood star. But to keep her father’s last wish, she agreed to marry Deepak. “Do you remember, Rani, I gifted you a gold chain when you excelled in your 10th exams but you didn’t notice it because of the size and simple packaging. But the moment you opened it, you were the happiest. Trust me, it’s more than what it looks like.” Her father always listened to her and never disagreed with any of her wishes, so she too kept his last wish.
But today she was crying for a different reason. Seema tore down in front of her; the bruises on her body narrated a painful tale of a broken and terrible marriage.
“But yours was a love marriage?” Rani asked.
“I don’t know! How could I never notice this side? He was my dream man, and do you remember how he tried to commit suicide for me and we had to stop him? Now he only listens to his parents and hurts me a lot. I am scared to discuss all this with my parents; after all, it’s a love marriage.” Seema said in a pleading tone.
Rani remembered her father’s words and realised that all that glitters is not gold. Deepak, in their marriage of 7 years, has not even hurt her with words. She did her PHD after her marriage, and they had a child just a year later. She never had any pressure from Deepak and those who tried to question her on such prejudices, Deepak would take a stand for her.
Rani visited her mom that day and discussed these things and told her what she felt about it and that she had decided to help Seema to get out of this marriage.
“Thank God! I listened to Papa; this arranged marriage is a bliss to me, and I feel so bad for Seema.” Rani’s mother interrupted her and said, “A doctor like you says this?? Your father and I had a love marriage, and he loved me till he bade a bye to this world. Do you really think it’s about love or arranged marriage?” Rani was stunned, and her mother, Smitha, continued to speak, “Sometimes you find true love before marriage, sometimes you find love within a marriage, and sometimes it takes years to accept love in a marriage. It depends on a person and on their choices. Some marriages last because of worldly pressure on individuals and sometimes love leads the way and then some marriages last within seconds. Compromise and adjustments look good when they are done with equality.” Rani hugged her mother tightly.
Marriages are made in heaven, but the choices are made by humans. Love needs to prevail and last forever.
“Deepak, you know I never wished to marry you,” Rani whispered in Deepak’s ear.
“Your initial hesitation was visible, but I knew that only my love and affection could make you realise I am the one,” Deepak said.
Rani hugged Deepak.
It depends on an individual’s perception, understanding, and willingness to make the marriage work. Those who want it to work will make it work, and those who don’t wish to put in any effort will end up finishing it whether it started because of love or was arranged by the family. At the end, the two individuals make it work and turn the simple world into paradise.
Thank you,
The Momma Clan 
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