How I met my Hypothesis!
Does this stupid strand of hair has to be so adamantly bent
awkward after showers, today - of all days! If hair-fall was not enough
a nightmare for me already! This is not the perfect start to the day I had
dreamt of, for years now. Gel would complicate it further, best option
would be to leave it alone to its fate, as is my day ahead. The day I finally meet my
‘hypothetical’ would-be, in person! I am sure not many movies would have been
made on this genre, wherein two people know each other so well to be eligible
for marriage, yet they have never seen each other! Yes, I feel ours would make
a sweet romantic arranged love story, if all goes well, and it has to, starting
today!
Apart from the irresponsible strand of hair, all is well, as I
begin my voyage to Alleppey, a couple of hours drive from my home in Kottayam.
My uncle is accompanying us in his White Etios, matches my outfit at-least –
white Dhoti with golden borders and kurta. She would have preferred a casual
jeans and t-shirt. But I am being more traditional here. It’s not every other
day that you get to wear the traditional Kerala attire in your life. Jeans can
wait.
It feels picturesque, the serene natural beauty of Kerala. Almighty would have spent extra time designing this part of the land, hence the name “Gods own Country” fits spot on. As we traverse past the rubber plantations on either side of the zig-zag roads, I can’t help but hum a song within, it’s the natural splendor that would have inspired many of the poets and writers from Kerala.
If not for the humidity that drains me, I would have loved to settle down here. However she wouldn’t want to; Yes, she has clear strategies for life ahead and it amazes me at times how could I have never thought of all these in such minute details! I have always considered myself to be a planned executor, but she makes me realize I have much scope for improvement. Yes I would love to improve, having her by my side! Over the past few months, I have had many such pleasant learnings. An ordinary trainer is on the way to meet the perfect life-science trainer in person today.
As I recollect all our conversations and chats over the last couple of months, I can’t help but notice the tranquility and the levels of understanding we have developed amongst us. Though it comes with its set of anxiety as well; is it all in fact the initial lust and attraction or is it the tip of divinity that she really would be. I am being optimistic again, after many years. Good things happen and I have hung on long enough for it. So I am not interested to ‘fall’ in love but ‘rise’ in love. “I love you” can be for starters but would be replaced with “We are love”. There is separation between I and You in I love you. We are meant to be united in love – is the divine state to aim at.
As I was deep embedded in such thoughts I missed out a major part of the scenic beauty alongside. We were already into Alleppey and I was jolted to my senses as I saw the famous backwaters out of nowhere! How nature nurtures itself to maintain its self-composure in these parts of the world is a lesson for mankind. Indeed, nature is the best teacher. Arrival of backwaters also signaled that my destination was getting nearer. Do I need to really get anxious? Not really. These moments are best enjoyed in utmost calmness. The process should be like the origin of Ganges, very calm and natural, and growing from strength to strength as it flows down thousands of kilometers into the Bay of Bengal.
We checked into Hotel Ramada, Alleppey. A resort aptly placed along the backwaters, presenting a holistic picture of the natural offerings. Blessed are the birds who flock here, they witness mother nature like nowhere else. It is a perfect place for angels to descend upon earth to meet their human admirers. Her father had come to receive us at the reception. Is it awkward that I still don’t know his name but know him as a person so well! This may not be the right time to ask for names and introduction. There are more pressing things to do ahead!
We were lead into the pathway to the distant shining lounge, where she and her Mother were waiting for us. I could sneak a distant view of her already from the distance, but chose to ignore it; can’t meet her grinning from ear to ear for the first time! Why do they build such long walkways here? Some background music would have helped as we walked down for what seemed to be an eternity of time. I realised how difficult a task it is to suppress anxiety within and the wild grin outside and instead to manage with a decent smile. She was as composed and calm as I could have imagined, the apparent charming eloquence radiating all around her. Her off-white salwar with traces of pink colour around, the shining and somewhat abnormally long earrings peeking out of her long curly hair, the glittering silver 'OM' pendant - the Chinese envy; Angels are perfect fashion stylists, was my instant realization. This angel doesn't care for complements though! I felt like gently closing her ears and screaming to the world that she looks beautiful.
I wish I could transfer some of my anxiety to her, but wouldn’t have any effect on her. Angels are difficult to fathom from a human point of comprehension! I managed to start with some pre-meditated lines to lighten the atmosphere. It seemed to work, or rather she seemed to let it work. Not the perfect first impression I would have ideally preferred for her to have about me, but we are way beyond those stages. This is after all a formal formality, or so I want to think about it! Soon the families took over and we were mere witnesses to their verbal exchanges. It is difficult to steal glances at her and not being caught by anyone! Requires all my inherent focus and much more. Malayalam had been anything but extraordinary for me until now, this was the first time I was hearing her in Malayalam. And then I realized Malayalam could be such a sweet as well. Sends a pleasant chill down my spine, seeing her take visible efforts to speak in Malayalam. Though I doubt she’d ever talk to me in Malayalam!
Soon we were permitted to talk in private. The most embarrassing moment I was fearing about. We decided to take a walk around the resort. She loves to walk and I don’t hate it either. The much dreaded anxiety had suddenly worn off, and we were talking as the free birds flying above. I looked up and could see only the odd crows flying around and cawing; not the best of analogies, yet they seemed cute to me then. Though I had so much in mind to talk about, yet felt an unusual calmness taking over me. Words are not necessary sometimes to convey messages and this seemed to be one such moment. We have already known so much about each other, it’s just a leap of faith that needs to be taken with time, together. As mutually agreed earlier, we decided not to rush things but meet as many times onward as required for us to be ready to take the leap, together.
It’s worth a
lifetime’s wait when I know that an Angel is at the other end. And the
optimization index only increases with time. Travelling back was not registered
in memory as it was a constant mental replay of the day’s proceedings – the day
I met my hypothetical better half.
