Friday, November 15, 2024

Beyond Appearances (926 words)

 

Swarna had just woken up after a heavy lunch. It was a dull Sunday afternoon with no plans to go out. She picked up the iPad from her side and aimlessly browsed the net. She was wont to spend a few minutes on the matrimonial site, not to find for her a man, but to amuse herself reading the advertisements that usually exaggerated the accomplishments of the grooms and spoke of their tall expectations from the brides.

 She was nearing 35 but remained unmarried. A senior executive in a foreign bank, she had three anthologies of poems to her credit. She had dated a few individuals but none kindled her interest She found them boring. She stopped dating but had friends with whom to socialise. Nevertheless, her curiosity in matrimonial ads continued.

She sat up with interest when she saw this particular ad. It was unusual and candid for a matrimonial site.

Tall, 38, never married, B.Tech., MS, senior executive in IT, has a Jaipur leg on the right. Needs no help or crutch and can drive. Does a lot of social work. Desires an equally qualified and understanding partner, to work or not is her choice. Would like someone interested in social work. She must consider the disability and consequent disinterest in strenuous outings before responding. Cell: xxxxxxx.

She went through the ad again and liked the straightforward listing of his plus and minus traits and expectations from his partner. She appreciated his honesty and his involvement in social work though she had no such interest. The age suited her. She became curious to know how he would be and that led to her dialling his number

“Good afternoon. Did you place an advertisement?” she asked and paused a moment before continuing” I am Swarna. I have carefully read the ad and I think I meet your requirements though I have done no social work. I like your frankness. When and where shall we meet?”

“Thank you, Swarna for calling. I am Swaroop. There is some similarity in name,” he giggled and added “Can we meet this evening? Suggest a convenient restaurant. I will be there.”

She was touched by his leaving the place of meeting to her convenience. They decided upon Banyan Tree at 6 pm that evening.

She looked elegant and simple in her cotton Chanderi brocade Patiala suit. He came to the lounge sharp on time and had no difficulty walking straight to her. Unconsciously she paid attention for a moment to his gait and found he was not limping. He was quite handsome, and dusky and reminded her of a movie star

He took her hand, led her to the appointed table and drew the chair for her before he sat opposite to her. His smile was infectious when he said “I never expected such an attractive lady. I am glad you agreed to meet me”

“The pleasure is mine," she replied coyly

“I was apprehensive that you might ignore my ad due to the Jaipur leg,” he said

“That was no reason to deter me. Your openness and concern for the disadvantaged people touched me. By the way, did you meet with any accident for you to lose your leg?” she asked.

“Would you like to see the prosthetic leg?” he asked.

“No, no. Not now anyway” she replied feeling slightly embarrassed.

“Ha ha, not now, did you say? That means later. I am so happy. Nevertheless, you must see it” he said as he pulled up his trousers to show a healthy natural leg.

When Swarna looked up in confusion and disbelief, he smiled and said “Excuse me for the small test. I wanted to make sure my wife would be compassionate towards handicapped people with whom I spend considerable time to lift their lives. I am now happy I found one in you.”

 “Thanks” she shyly said with a small giggle and continued,” I have not revealed one matter when we spoke thinking that would not be of significant importance given your broad mind and compassion for physically disadvantaged people. I was affected by polio when I was a child and my right leg was twisted below knee. It was only when I was 15 that an artificial leg was implanted and I am now completely normal with no limp or general disability.”

Swaroop’s face darkened.” You should have told me at the outset and we could have avoided this meeting,”

“I thought given your intense concern and care for physically handicapped young women and your lie about Jaipur leg, I thought it was a minor matter that could be brought out in the personal meeting. You can see for yourself my leg now,” she replied.

“No, I am not interested. You cannot expect a rich man, who is concerned with utterly poor people and helps them to come out of poverty, to marry an impoverished woman. Care and kindness for a disadvantaged woman is one thing and marrying one such is different,’ he replied coldly.

“You must still see my leg,” Swarna said firmly as she lifted her suit to show a flawless smooth right leg.

Swaroop’s face changed from shock to embarrassment “Wow, what a pleasant surprise! I did not expect it. Why did you have to lie? I am sorry for my insensitive remark. Please, don’t reject me,’ he implored.

“You are a liar and insensitive man,” she said with cold contempt and added, “I would never want to see you again,” as she stomped to the cash counter to pay for her share of the bill.

21 comments:

  1. Some people do good work , not out of their kindness and nobility; but just to get all the attention and recognition in the news and in the social media. For their “15 minute of fame”. It is a good decision that she walked away from him, instead of falling for his money

    Chitra

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  2. This simple story shows how complex human nature can be!

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  3. You have brought out the true human nature. Swaroop has shown his real Swa “roop”. Hepocrytes are many and real
    Ones are few in number PKR

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  4. The twist - dual standards one for self - one for the world - life goes on. Regards - Mahesh

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  5. Very nice. Thanks.ramakrishnan.

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  6. Sometimes, there is no second chance in relationships. That too, in an age where the attention span to judge is very less!!
    Janardhan N

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  7. A very interesting story with a twist in the end. There is a big difference between sympathy and empathy! Atin Biswas

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  8. A beautifully narrated story highlighting a man's double standard. He can lie but Swarna cannot. In fact Swarna's ruse showed his true colours. She did right by walking away. We should always do any act conscientiously.

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  9. “What's good for the goose is good for the gander” is an idiom that fits well in this short story..Our current generation girls are smart and independent enough to not tolerate this kind of behaviour from a man whom she wants as a life partner.A smart woman indeed to test his feelings for a wife with disabilities.

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    1. Thank you Rama Sampath for the kind comment

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  10. Very interesting story. They both lied. They (don't) deserve each other.

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  11. So true to life—some men have double standards when choosing a partner. But why did he wait so long to find one? Glad she called him out!

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  12. What an apt choice of names befitting the characters! Lovely story, as usual. I particularly liked that detailed description "cotton Chanderi brocade Patiala suit" - nice detailing!

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  13. Excellent narration with twist and turns to the end, and she did the right thing.

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  14. Flummoxed by the incongruity in the lead male character Swaroop. Appeared to be a smart character initially, but got so easily checkmated by a mirroring counterstrategy from the lead female character Swarna!

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  15. Beautiful story! Felt happy when Swarna decided to walk out! Swaroop has got double standards...he lied about hid doing social work. The man with this mentality will never understand others' difficulties. The advt. with such a lie itself is cheap. Thanks for the beautiful story, KP!...Sandhya

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  16. Good thing she walked away. Brilliantly caught him in his own web of lies. Enjoyed the story. :)

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  17. A nice story exploring societal attitudes ... touching upon honesty, vulnerability, and societal expectations in relationships. In this Swarna's integrity and wit stands out in comparison to Swaroop's hypocrisy.

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  18. Now why did I expect both the twists?
    I think I have been crawling into your mind! :-)
    Good to read. Enjoyed it alright.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Best wishes and warm regards
    Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy

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  19. Vah vah! A double twist!

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