The First Glimpse

The ground trembled beneath the feet of Kaka. He realised that his wait was about to over. The train engine snarled from a distance announcing it's arrival. As Kaka heard the chugging sound, his heart raced with the excitement. He waited with a baited breath to get the first glimpse of the girl with whom his marriage had been fixed. It was an arrange marriage, an age old tradition in India which refuses to go away.

However Kaka's meagre salaried job didn't leave much scope for him to be choosy. The girls today were smart and demanding. They wanted a home, good salary and a committed man, all bundled in one. Kaka could assure of the last quality but was pathetically lacking in the first two qualifications.

The black engine began to appear at a distance as it gradually made away towards the station. The engine howled again and Kaka checked the red indicator to make sure he is standing under the correct wagon number.

'Train number 101 from Betul to Unnao arriving at platform no 1,' the loudspeaker echoed driving a frantic activity amongst people waiting on the platform. The engine lumbered in against the platform and the red shirt wearing coolies raced with the it to pounce on the clients for carrying their luggage.

The train finally stopped with a screech and passengers began to throng out. The platform suddenly came alive with the pandemonium of passengers alighting from the train and blending with waiting relatives and passengers waiting for the next train for departure.

Kaka eagerly gazed through this crowd, hoping to find Uncle Kishen, his young sons and a girl they are bringing from their village.

'Eager!' a voice teased with a naughty chuckle. It was Papu, Kaka's father's younger brother, standing at his side on the platform. Kaka blushed in response unable to hide his excitement.

'There they are,' Papu shouted at a group alighting from the train.

Kaka's eyes immediately spotted Uncle Kishen and his two sons alighting from the steps of train wagon. Suddenly uncle Kishen gave hand to a girl and helped her step down from the steps. The slender 22 year old shy girl's head was drooped down in anticipation and nervousness. Kaka's eyes were fixed at the girl, he was dissapointed that she wasn't looking up.

'Namaskaar Kishen bhai,' Papu shouted and then patted on Kaka's shoulder castigating him, 'what are you staring at? Let's help them with the luggage.'

'Ye..ye.yess,' Kaka stuttered and quickly stepped towards Kishen uncle and his sons.

'Pranam uncle,' Kaka touched Kishen uncle's feet in obesiance and took the bag from his hands.

'God bless you with long life,' Kishen touchef Kaka's head and then looked at Papu and spoke, 'the train was right on time today!'

'Yesss...and you look to be getting younger and younger...,' Papu jested triggering an uproarious laugh from all. In this din, Kaka glanced at the shy girl standing with her head drooped down. Finally she had to look up as uncle Kishen prodded her, 'touch Papu's feet beta he is your would be husband's uncle'. The girl stepped ahead to to touch Papu's feet. It was at this moment that Kaka got the first glimpse of dusky girl, with sharp eyelashes, nose and lips that were a shade between brown and red.

'It's allright beta...God bless you with happiness always,' Papu spoke excitedly.

Kaka felt a rush inside him at the first glimpse of the girl selected for him as life partner.

'Ok so let's move quickly. Kaka's father is eagerly waiting for us,' Papu prodded and everyone began to move out of the platform with luggage in hands.

Uncle Kishen and his sons were a few steps ahead, the girl in between, followed by Kaka and Papu.

'The girl's complexion is dark. Should we get her married to someone else,' Papu mumbled in Kaka's ears.

'No!' Kaka uttered in a soft but resolute voice.