The Fiancée!
Amma* to Madhusoodanan, “Mone*, you find out your girl; we are tired.”
“Um... Will do.”
“Let him take his own time. As the time comes, his wedding will take place, “Achan*
Madhu, a Commander in the Indian Navy in Kerala, is a thirty-two-year-old bachelor. Being a commander at thirty-two is indeed an achievement. Mainly because of his position, many a parent’s desire to give his daughter approaches him, but nothing has materialized so far. Mostly, the girls’ appearance challenges-unappealing figure and unsmart look-become fences, which he doesn’t want to leap over. The horoscope enigma is another barrier on his way to his nuptials. Moreover, he is not comfortable presently for a partnership in his life, as he has not recovered from the tragic ending episode of his first love.
He had an affair with a woman, who broke up her not so deep infatuation with Madhu, owing to the disparity in status. The girl, who was junior to him in the degree class, was a wee inclined towards him, whereas he had placed her in his fiancée’s seat. His attempt for a job led him to the Indian Navy, in a commission rank; hence she thought their wedding wouldn’t happen with his parents’ permission. So, after her graduation, she nodded for a befitting proposal of an employee in a Government Department. Madhu turned desperate because of the unexpected upshot of his affair. He did overcome that state to place his ‘Self’ on an enthusiastic platform of cheerful routines.
Whenever the officers, the couples and single men picnic to gorgeous places, the spot attracts Madhu; he sure registers his presence in the group. Leaving his fellow people of the picnic flock, Madhu goes to the bushes and trees, where the plants and birds become the focus of his camera. Plants and blossoms are always a matter of allure for his camera. Moreover, the visual organs absorb the beauty of the bushes, creepers and even thorny shrubs. He reaches a state of ecstasy when in the wilderness.
“Marry someone, man; then you needn’t be away from the group,” his friends used to make fun of his Nature-loving nature.
" can be with the other unmarried ones if I want a company, but when with the nature, I prefer to be with her, “Madhu in response
Adwaith, another Commander, whose wife is Shweta and the sweet tot of age four is Jahnavi, is his thick friend. Madhu, who enjoys the bond of a sibling to Adwaith, is a regular visitor of that family. He relishes the company of Jahnavi. That couple sways Madhu quite frequently to be coupled without a pause.
Shweta goes on persuading him to find someone rightly fitting.
Madhu says, “Shweta, whenever we walk or drive on the road, we see so many beautiful girls. When we go to see girls in their houses, neither are they pretty, nor smart.”
” Ha-has!” laughs loud Shweta, “you don’t try. That is why the marriage is getting delayed. Try sincerely, some good-looking ones will fall for you.”
Nowadays the placating figure and smart attitude of the females out beat their behaviour and good manners of theirs. The appearance blinks the eyes of the fiancé. Madhu is never an exemption for preferring looks.
In the encampment area, there is a school for the defence kids. One of the Naval officers looks after its affairs. And the charge of the school right now lies with Madhu. So, at times he visits the school.
“A teacher, from elsewhere has joined the Naval school, I have heard,” Adwaith, “One Miss. Lakshmi Nambiar. Have you seen her, Madhu? There is a scope for you.”
“I went to see my parents, so I was not able to see her on her joining though, being the In-charge, I am supposed to know the official doings of the school.”
“During the next meeting, let me see her. If she is good-looking, there is no problem.”
His parents also have left the compatibility check of horoscopes. Now they have decided to concur with his choice and abide by the girl’s family if they are specific for a horoscope settlement.
A staff meeting of the entire staff with the school’s official committee-chairman, before the advent of the academic session, is mandatory. A meeting is to be scheduled. The principal asks for the concurrence of Madhu, who readily agrees to the proposal of the former for the meeting, as the latter is in the wait of an early session.
Madhu is eager much to see the new teacher and hence he reaches the school a little before the scheduled time, hiding in his heart a hopeful grin.
He gets seated in the principal’s room. When the teachers come to keep the attendance registers in the kiosk, a question mark about a pretty, smart young lady gets hung in his thinking. His mind asks him to watch her well, as she might be the new one. He is not familiar with the entire set of teachers after all.
As the scheduled time of staff gathering approaches, the meeting auditorium stands inviting all the staff. When Madhu, the principal and the workforces enter the hall, the platform provides the VIPs with majestic chairs. The meeting is on the go at the stipulated time itself.
“Sir, you might have seen all the staff members. We have a new teacher, let me introduce her to you,” the principal after the initial formalities like prayer, welcome speech etc.”
“Miss. Lakshmi Nambiar, please meet our chairman, Cdr. Madhu.”
Lakshmi Nambiar, a fifty-year-old unwed teacher stands up and joins hands to greet Madhu. Words turn reluctant to come out of Madhu’s throat; however, a ‘hello’ he expresses, masking his letdown.
Amma*- Mother
Achchan*-Father
Mone*- dear son.
