Meeting of Families

The cousins of Akash and his mother and Aunt reached the home of Varsha first. Ladies were escorted to the inner courtyard.

In villages, mostly house is divided into two courtyards, inner and outer courtyard. Women normally remain in the inner courtyard. Main entrance of house goes through the outer courtyard and parlor is connected to it. Men and their discussions normally happen in outer courtyard only. Inner courtyard also has exits from a side to go to vegetable garden or water well and outside.

Every husband and wife couple has their own room in the inner courtyard, but men only go to the inner courtyard for eating or sleeping. Family members can normally go and sit and chit-chat in the inner courtyard but guests normally stay in the outer courtyard and only visit the inner courtyard for food.

Grandma and Mother of Akash and his sister Ira along with his cousin sister and aunt are escorted to the inner courtyard. Everyone is seated in veranda by putting some cots and chairs. Grandma of Varsha is present to meet the family of the boy.

It is almost 11 AM and Sisters-in-law of Varsha are all busy in preparations of lunch for everyone. Varsha is at home and feeling very shy and apprehensive about meeting the family of Akash. The duty of serving refreshments to the ladies is given to Varsha only. She shyly carried the water and some sweets in a plate to them and put on a table.

Mather of Akash smiled and said "Varsha! Come and sit beside me. I want to see the girl whom my son is going to marry." Varsha walked and sat beside her future mother-in-law, head lowered.

"Ha ha ha. She is feeling shy. We also don't see her like this. Normally she is very talkative." Her Grandma said laughing.

Patel Grandma looked lovingly toward the Varsha and said "Varsha has grown up so much already. I really can not wait to take her to our home. I still remember that lively girl of 10 years ago. I have only heard her on phone but now It will become so lively in our family once she reached there."

Varsha pouted and mumbled shyly "I am not a blabbermouth." And everyone laughed.

"Sister-in-law, have you seen brother's photo? Brother has not seen your photo yet. Grandpa told him that we are already visiting so what is the need to look at the photo." Ira chuckled and said.

Varsha looked surprised that Akash has not seen her photo yet and then looked at Ira and then shook her head. On the response of Varsha, Ira brought her smartphone and started showing the photos of Akash. Varsha shyly peeked on photos and felt her cheeks flushing red. She did not want to see but she also felt curious and peeked which brought a wave of laughter from other ladies.

After sometime Patel Grandpa, uncle of Akash and Varsha's father also came and were seated and welcomed in the outer courtyard by Grandpa of Varsha. Some other village elders were also present. After some refreshments the discussions of men also started.

"Brother Heera! You went to the city and earned too much wealth and name. You have also helped our village too much. It is really great that you wish to marry in our village." Village chief said to Grandpa Patel whose name is Heeralal Patel.

Patel Grandpa said "Aren't you making me an outsider? We are also lucky to have Varsha as our family. We just wish to keep ourselves remain joined to our roots. I was born and brought up in this village and do not wish to break my connection from here."

"Your grandson is really good looking and respectful. What has he studied?" Another elder asked while looking toward Akash who is sitting at one cot in the parlor with his cousin brothers.

Akash looked at that elder and said: "I have completed my master degree in business." He did not mention the specific because he did not think villagers will care about all those details and it really happened. After listening to Akash that elder exclaimed and said "Good! Very good. In the village, many boys have only done bachelor degree but you have already done the master degree. very good."

Ramlal Verma, Grandpa of Varsha said to Patel Grandpa "Why not finish the engagement while you are here? Not sure when you will come here again."

"Why not? I was planning to do engagement and also fix the date of marriage." Patel grandpa said beaming with joy. Almost everyone present laughed and Akash lowered his head to hide his frustrated expression.

Lunch was prepared in the inner courtyard around 1 PM. Varsha did not appear in front of the men during this time. Akash did not get a chance to see the girl. Lunch was also passed without seeing the girl. In the evening many village people came to meet and greet the visiting Patel family.

During dinner, Grandpa of Varsha asked one of her sisters-in-law to arrange the meet of Akash and Varsha in the morning. He laughed and said "Let them also meet and talk. We do not wish to make them meet on the day of the wedding. Arrange in the morning."

"What is the difference? Everything is already written and stamped. What is the use of seeing each other? Why not marry us tomorrow instead of just meeting?" Akash thought while feeling frustrated listening to the old men.

He felt nervous and annoyed about his first meeting about the girl due to the long wait. He kept thinking about how would he convey to the girl that he does not wish to marry.