The Arranged Dilemma

Chapter 5

Lucknow, India 1955.

Monday morning was noisy asusual, the birds were chirping, vehicles were making their noise. The tring trings of cycles were on their way telling people to get aside. Labourers to officers, all were on their respective vehicles starting their new day. And students had their dull face on as it was school time, getting up was their problem. Except one,Shyama!

Accompanied by her small sister Meena and Rama her class mate, she was on her way to school. She used to everday walk for school for 20 minutes, no doubt girls those days were healthy and fit as they didn't have much facilities so they were used to hardwork. Monday was one of the routine day all things were happening just like a regular school day went by, except one.

At 2'o clock when the school bell rang on high note followed by children's noise and excitement to go back home. They all started to leave but when Shyama reached the gate with Rama and Meena laughing at some jokes they were cracking, she saw the familiar figure near the hand cart of Pani puri. The 19 years old guy was looking near the school gate finding someone. Soon, his eye caught the female figure who was watching him with frown on her face, the smile on her face of earlier joke had dissappeared.

"Shyama didi, let's go." Meena called out to Shyama who was left behind while the other two walk ahead. She looked at the Muslim boy once again and left. Ibrahim didn't do anything or didn't even tried to talk. He silently watched the girl joining her friends and then dissappearing in the crowd.

How innocent and beautiful one can look!

He said to himself the girl's face registering in his mind. Her hair long coming till waist,he wondered how she will look with hair open.He spent the sleepless night that day.Only thing in his mind was one girl's name SHYAMA,the name was of Lord krishna which suited her as her face contained that innocence and smile which was mischeivous.

If that smiled wouldn't had turn out to a frown because of me I could see more of those pearly white teeth. One day she will laugh with me, and I will be the reason behind that laughter. Her hand will be in mine and I will be carressing that soft skin and when she will blush because of my bold eyes staring at her. I will raise her head with my finger and tell her how much I love her, it's not my infatuation but love at first sight by touching those pink lips of her with mine. She will be one day with me, as my bride.

The young boy penned down these words in the diary thinking of saying it to her one day.But was their love so easy.Had he not known the facts about the society?She was the girl of an educated and well known family of Kayastha samaj,whereas he was young boy who was neither from her caste nor from her status.A young guy who had arrived from Kanpur from a family of seven he was the third number child with two elder brother and 3 younger sisters and brother.Belonging from a poor class and with burden of getting younger sister married with no father's support who already was paralysed, the elder brothers were trying their best to help their mother.And where Shyama was going to school and earning laurels,young Ibrahim had to leave school cause of financial problems.He didn't deserved that,what was his fault in it! But now his only fault is he's going for the wrong girl. Perfect she was but not perfect for him,but still he decided to make her HIS!

For the whole week he was standing near the school gate admiring her trying to get courage but still he couldn't.Week passed by and soon Rama and Meena also got the hint that whom the guy is coming for.Meena being the loyal young sister did not increased the problem of her didi who was already tensed about this familiar stalker.And she decided to face him.

Wednesday afternoon when sun was shining brightly, Shyama founded courage and went to the young guy who was dressed in blue kurta pyjama. He was not wearing his cap ,his hair was blowing slightly with wind whereas Shyama's hair were tied tightly in the plait where any lock of hair coming out was prohibited.Ibrahim was becoming nervous as she come near by, he started looking everywhere except her. His nervousness was making him wreck and it was difficult for him to contain all his emotions.

"What do you want?"

He smiled nervously looking at the girl's boldness, whereas he was perspiring.

"umm apology."

"For?"

"That day I thought you are a theif."

"Apology given, now leave and don't come in my way." Shyaa was feeling awkward too she knew how ocially unacceptable it was to stand with a guy in a crowded place, especially when yur further is known by everybody in the community. She was already infuriated on the guy for his prevous behvior and now he had landed her in more anxious and difficult state.

"Will you be my friend? I don't have any as I am new here."

Slap! directly on the cheeks of the fair skinned guy. He, surely got the marks of her tiny finger on his face. Though, the slap wasn't hard as her hands were too delicate for leaving print but his skin was sensitive too may be some pimples must have bursted. The sudden reaction of this delicate girl left him stunned for few seconds.

He was not shocked and some how he did expect this.

1955, what he was thinking, girls are not allowed to talk to boys and he asked for friendship. What a foolish man he was! He knew he has asked fo trouble by the behaviour but what can the poor guy do to control his feelings.

"I will not tell my father because I know his results will be more harsher than my slap. It is better if you leave now."

"I know you will not as I know you care for me and I will not come in your way again."

He sighed and left leaving behind the girl who had big question mark on her face. What was he trying to say with this sentence of his? Rama and Meena came by her side and they left for her home. Today it was her time for having insomnia filled night. Whole night was only one thought going on her mind,

Why didn't she complain about him? Does she really care about him?

She always told her mom about everything happening in her life. From, teachers remark to even the small details but still she was not able to say anything about him. Afraid, of something but god knows what? And will he leave her as he said. Though, he was stalking her whole time but she didn't get the creepy feeling, she somewhere liked the glances of the young boy. She liked the way he was looking at her with pure admiration unlike the road side romeos whose personality screamed creepy and their unwantedness in the society.

No,he wasn't like that!

She screemed in her mind and soon calming her nerves she drifted of to sleep with one question,

WIILL HE COME BACK?