Pieces of the Puzzle

Boy goes groom hunting for his sister. He sees Girl’s photo in that potential-groom’s house. Convocation photo. In a black robe, she was clutching a rolled up certificate. Confident and demure. Beauty and brains rolled into one person, in one single photo. He was smitten. He forgot about his sister and potential-groom and wondered about the girl in the picture.

Marriage between the sister and PG never happened, shattering Boy's dreams of ever meeting his dream girl. Duets with her in Kashmir. In every dream sequence she had her convocation hat on. He even had nightmares of her marrying someone else who looked like Prem Chopra. Wakes up sweating profusely and switches on the fan.

When he could take it no more, he hired some detectives to trace her. Agent Kamala Mami (her punch line being " I’m Mami, Kamala Mami) and Super sleuth Venkatalakhsmi Mami ( she doesn’t have a punch line, coz I couldn’t come up with one). KM and VM spread their gossiping tentacles in far reaching family circles. In exactly two days, they have good news for Boy. Girl’s parents are looking around for a suitable groom. She belongs to his community and can make upma for 19 people. "But I don’t like upma", says Boy. "That’s Ok, I’ll adjust." That’s how much he loved her.

So meeting was scheduled. Boy meets Girl. Not alone obviously. Not just KM and VM, but the whole village was present. Everyone had vested interests and no other place to be. Girl steals some glances while bringing coffee. Girl takes an instant liking to him, doesn’t know why. It felt as though she sang and danced with him some where. Chi chi, such unbecoming thoughts. She blushes.

Boy has a request that throws every Ramu, Somu and Bhimu off guard.

‘Can I speak to the girl for a few minutes..... alone?’

After a panchayat-like discusion, throwing animated glances at Boy, the elders agree to this preposterous idea. They let them sit in the corner of the same room for three minutes.

Three minutes? What good was that? But this was what he had pined for. He had to make the best of the given situation.

He asked the one ultimate question he felt that would encompass all his apprehensions. The answer that would seal the deal.

'Excuse me, What is A plus B whole square?'

Girl though perplexed felt as though these were the weird ways of men.

Nonchalantly she replied,'A square plus B square plus two AB.'

"Thanks, I think I want to marry you. I hope you say yes". She’s good, he thought proudly to himself.

Needless to say, it was a "math" made in heaven. Its takes all sorts to marry and make merry.

I still don’t get it ma, how could you say yes to papa?!

But I am so glad you did. Today I am fondly thinking of this wonderful couple who gave me life and everything else to make it a beautiful one.