Ghosh did not quite like his younger daughter Sumati to go to Bangalore to join an advertising firm there. His elder daughter was well-settled as the daughter in law of the wealthy Basus. Sumati had just finished her Master's in Communication. Ghosh wanted to settle her marriage with a software engineer who was in the states.
But Suma did not like to be tied down to domesticity so soon. She wanted to enjoy life for some time as a carefree spinster. She did manage to achieve her purpose and was now in Bangalore, having a good time working in her chosen field. She was a sprightly and intelligent girl, brimming with new ideas. She was tall, a little on the plump side and had thick, dark, shoulder-length hair. Her sparkling eyes and ready smile were her strong points.
She had gone on her weekly visit to her local guardian Kamath's house. Kamath had been her father's colleague in Calcutta a few years back, before the former retired and settled down in Bangalore. It was a momentous day in Suma's life for there she met Sridhar. Sridhar had a good job in a multinational company. He was lean, fair and tall and good at cracking jokes. When introduced to Suma, he said in Bengali, "Kaemon Achen? (How are you?). He added, "I know a little Bengali. In fact, I have a working knowledge of a few Indian languages. My father's job took us to many parts of India."
Suma and Sridhar got along like a house on fire. They never knew when their friendship turned into something deeper. One day, Sridhar asked Suma to accompany him to his house to meet his parents. "You know of my feelings for you? Do you care enough to marry me?"
Suma blushed and said, "Yes I do care for you. Do you think my parents and yours will approve? I am feeling scared."
"That's why I want you to meet my parents today itself. They already know about you."
Sridhar's father was a quiet man, reading heavy philosophical books most of the time. His wife was quite the opposite - an active bustling woman with a heart of gold. She smilingly welcomed Suma, saying in Hindi, "Should I talk in Hindi or English?"
Suma replied in English, "I am not very fluent in Hindi. Please let us converse in English."
Suma took to the elders at once - they were so kind and attentive. After talking about general things over tea and snacks, Sridhar's mother asked Suma, "Do your parents know of your wish to marry Sridhar?"
Suma frankly said, "I have not yet told them about it. Sridhar proposed to me only today."
The older woman went on, "We both like you my dear. We don't mind you being a Bengali and a non-Brahmin. So talk to your parents soon."
That same night Suma phoned her father. In a timid voice she told him all about Sridhar and their wish to get married. Ghosh roared, "Sridhar! Who is he? Don't you know I have already a boy in mind for you belonging to our community? Resign your job and return home at once."
Suma replied, "Baba, he is a Konakani Brahmin. He is working in a multinational company. But more important - he is a good human being. I don't want to marry anyone else. Sridhar's parents have already agreed to our alliance. Do agree, baba."
In reply, Ghosh banged down the phone. Repeated phone calls and letters brought no replies from her father. Her sister however called her once and said that baba would never agree to Suma's marriage to a non-Bengali. He had declared that if Suma married against his wishes, he would cut off all connections with her.
Sridhar's parents were sympathetic, but did not like to interfere. Sridhar and Suma were determined to get married - and so they were married in a simple ceremony at a temple, followed by a registered marriage.
Sridhar and Suma set up house in a flat near his parents' flat. Though outwardly calm, Suma felt deep anguish at her father's obstinacy. What did caste and language differences matter in modern times?
She proved to be a good wife and a loving daughter in law. She soon learnt to make a few of Sridhar's favourite South Indian dishes, while Sridhar, though a vegetarian, liked to sample non vegetarian dishes. She regularly visited her parents in law, even if Sridhar was too busy to accompany her. Sridhar's elder brothers and their wives were rather indifferent towards the parents and rarely visited them. Sridhar's mother grew very fond of Suma and thought, "How good Suma is. What if she is a Bengali? She is better than the two elder daughters in law, who though belonging to Konkani families, do not care for us."
One day, Suma was feeling out of sorts and was not her usual lively self. Her mother in law gently asked her, "Thinking about your parents, my dear? Don't worry, everything will turn out alright."
Suma replied, "Yes, I'm constantly thinking of my parents. And I miss them. Amma, I think I am in the family way, I am not feeling well."
The mother in law was delighted. "It's great news indeed. Am I not here to look after you? Did you go to the doctor?"
"No, I am thinking of going next week. Wish my ma was also here," said Suma in a wistful manner.
Suma did not attend office for a week, as she was feeling sick in the mornings. Her mother in law visited her daily in the mornings and attended to her. Two days later, her mother in law phoned her, asking Sridhar and Suma to go over to their house in the evening.
When they entered Sridhar's parents' house, they were startled to see Mr. and Mrs. Ghosh there.
"Ma, baba," cried Suma as she rushed to greet them. "How… What…" she faltered.
Ghosh with a sheepish look said, "Your mother in law is a great lady my dear. She has contacted us many times. She was praising you to the skies. She persuaded us to come here, as you were always sad thinking about us. We are sorry that we did not agree to your marriage with Sridhar. Your husband and parents in law are really good people. After all, it is goodness of the heart that counts - not caste or creed. May god bless you both. We are truly happy for you."
Suma's cup of joy was full.
