Sahithi's Adventures

Match Making

“It is the year 1802 of the Salivahana Era.”

Sahithi’s fears had been proven true. She had indeed gone back in time, which she failed to understand how. Whatever was the reason for this time travel, she was now stuck in a strange world and had to live in it till she could find a way to go back to her own timeline. ‘Year 1802 of the Salivahana era – what did professor Ramakrishna say about Salivahana Era and Gregorian Calendar years – add 78 to the year in question. Since I have gone back in time, I need to subtract 78 from 1802, which means I am in the year 1724 AD. Oh my god! It is the time Britain was colonising Asian and African countries.’ She needed to confirm this.

“Komali?”

“Yes?”

“You are not laughing at me!”

“Why would I do that, my dear friend? Father told me last night that you had been attacked by robbers on the other side of the hill. He says no one usually survived those attacks. Since you are alive, your parents must have sacrificed themselves to save you. Did they hit you on the head?”

Sahithi was relieved at the story, which saved her the trouble of explaining things that the common folk might not believe. She gladly grabbed the pretence of being hit on the head, which would explain her lack of knowledge of the area.

“Yes. I was unconscious for a long time after I fell on an open land having run for miles.” She placed a hand behind her head as if feeling a non-existent wound. “All I remember is that my parents were fighting the robbers while I ran like a coward.”

She sat down, the implication of the act stunning her for a while. It tore her heart apart about killing her parents like that even though it was a figment of her imagination. Tears flowed out of her eyes as she missed the protective scolding of her father, the comforting warmth of her mother, the silly fights with her siblings – she couldn’t believe she was away from them and on her own – alone with no one to comfort her.

She felt a hand round her shoulder and she hugged the woman, crying her heart out. The other female patted her back, speaking soothing words of comfort. It was a while before Sahithi finally managed to gain control over her emotions. She looked at Komali sheepishly, embarrassed that she had cried like a silly child.

“Sorry for that.” She apologised. “I just couldn’t control myself.”

“I can understand Sahithi. No need to apologise.” Sahithi smiled. A big burden had been taken off her heart without creating any suspicions. She could now focus on finding a way out of this timeline and back to her own. And she needed to do that fast as there was no predicting what might happen next.

The next few days passed by without any incident. Then one day, she found the house in a commotion. The hosts seemed to be flustered and nervous.

“What happened? Anything wrong?” she asked Komali, taking her aside, who blushed a little before answering shyly.

“Father found a possible match for me. The groom and his family are coming to see me today.”

“Wow! That’s great news. Congrats dear!” she hugged Komali. “I am so happy for you. So you will soon go away with your husband!” she teased.

“Hold on girl!” Komali retorted. “I am not going anywhere. They should approve the match first.” She looked a bit downcast. “This is the fifth match and I hope they will like me this time.”

“Hey! No need to be so gloomy. The sky won’t fall if they don’t like you. In fact, they are losing a diamond by rejecting a girl like you. So cheer up!”

“I don’t know about that.”

The rest of the day was spent making arrangements to receive the boy’s family. Sahithi found herself very busy assisting the mother with cooking a variety of dishes for the guests. By the time she was done, she was tired and felt a bit dirty from all the sweat from the kitchen. She wanted to have a bath but was forced to postpone it as she was called to help prepare the prospective bride.

“You look so beautiful!” she said, looking at Komali in admiration. “Saree suits you well.”

“Thanks.” Komali blushed. She was nervous about what was going to happen next. “Will you be with me?”

“Sure. Don’t worry. Everything will be okay. And before long you will be married too.”

“I hope your words come true, Sahithi.” Both the girls turned their heads and noticed Komali’s mother standing at the door. “If the match is fixed and Komali does get married, I promise we will find a suitable husband for you too.”

Before Sahithi could respond, she left the room to supervise some minor arrangements in the hall. Komali held Sahithi’s hand as she looked at her with eyes reflecting the sincerity of her heart. “I will also actively search for a good life partner for you if your words come true. Sahithi, you have no idea how sad father becomes when they reject me. It breaks my heart to see him like that. I hope your words will come true.”

Sahithi simply held Komali's hands and smiled, unable to say anything appropriate to the other woman who was older than her by three years. They sat like that for a long time, each female engrossed in her own thoughts, till they were woken up from their reverie by Komali’s mother.

“Be ready girls. The guests have arrived. Sahithi, send Komali with the tea when they ask for her. Okay?”

“Yes, aunty.”

The next few minutes were spent receiving the guests and making them comfortable in the hall where special seats had been arranged for the occasion. The groom was handsome and seemed to be observing the surroundings, perhaps making a mental estimate of the wealth of the host. The boy’s father talked with the girl’s father, cracking jokes and making everyone laugh. He seemed to be a jovial man.

“I think it’s time to see the bride.” He said to the girl’s father, who looked at his wife and nodded. She left the room where Komali and Sahithi were waiting with a tray of tea cups in Komali’s hands.