GRANMA’S TALES (Story: woven by my grandmother, translated by me:)

Marriages are made in heaven….

Vishnu said,” Anna, I am in love with a girl from my office….” Vignesh stopped his meal mid-way, looked up at his younger brother and asked, “Is this the reason you have been delaying amma from searching for a match for you? She has been asking you since so many months” Vishnu nodded quietly. Vignesh asked him about the girl’s details patiently. His wife Sudha assured Vishnu that his Anna would surely stand by him while talking about it to his parents.
Next day, Vishnu took his brother to meet the girl- Anuradha. She came across as a very simple yet independent girl. They had a talk over tea and Vignesh was more than convinced that she would fit perfectly into their family, an added advantage being that she was of the same cast etc. So there was absolutely no room for a NO from his parents. When he said this to Vishnu, Vishnu couldn’t contain his pleasure since his Anna had always been his greatest support and a nod from gave him the confidence that the marriage would surely take place and he would be with the girl he loved so much in a few months.
Soon, Sudha and Vignesh along with Vishnu discussed it with Amma, Appa. Since ‘He loves a girl’ isn’t a phrase welcomed by any parent at the first go, the initial reaction was that of a shock. But a little bit of persuading from Vignesh and Sudha, a meeting with Anuradha got Amma,Appa to happily agree to the relation. Vishnu had dreaded to confront his parents about this for so long and now it was accomplished, he was bubbling with joy. Both the sides met and an engagement date was fixed. Vishnu and Anuradha discussed endlessly about the beautiful future that lay ahead for them.
Two days prior to the engagement, Vignesh got a call from his boss asking him to go out of station for an important assignment. The house was filled with wedding talks, laughter, shopping plans etc Vignesh had no mood to go. With a heavy heart, he bid good bye, disappointed that he would be missing his only brother’s engagement.
Vignesh returned on the night of the engagement day. He was to come the day after but somehow finished his work and thought of giving everyone a surprise. He rang the bell, Sudha came and opened the door. Her eyes were swollen. It looked as though she had been crying. There was an uneasy silence in the house. It did not look like a marriage house, did not look like the second son of the house was getting married. On asking, Sudha amidst her tears said, “Amma, stepped back at the last moment…the engagement has been broken…” Vignesh was shocked at this. Sudha continued, “Anuradha is Ayilyam Nakshatram Vignesh, Amma did not want to risk Appa’s life. Some relative divulged this to Amma a few hours before the muhurtham, it was such an embarrassment for the girl’s side….” She looked up at Vignesh and broke down to sobs.
Vignesh was furious; he stormed out of his room and asked everyone to gather in the hall. Vishnu looked completely distraught, Vignesh’s heart reached out to his younger brother. He was determined to resolve this. He asked, “Amma, what is this I am hearing? The girl is flawless and is very good for our family, isn’t this what you had said? Traditional, caring, down-to-earth, what else do you need? She’ll make a good daughter-in-law…” Amma interrupted,” I know she will be as lovely as our dear Sudha Vignesh, but they hid from us the dreadful fact that she is Ayilyam nakshatram. Do you know what that means? Your father’s life would have been in danger. Do you want to see you mother become a widow?” Saying this Amma broke down into tears. Vignesh placed his arms around his mother and said, “ Please amma, don’t get paranoid. Do you know, if this was to be true then Dad would have been gone 5 years back? But he has been in the pink of his health since the last few years…” Everyone looked perplexed…..except Sudha. Vignesh continued, “Yes Amma, Sudha too is Ayilyam Nakshatram” A wave of shock swept through the room. Amma gasped, “Sudhaaa….what???????” Vignesh said, “Let me finish. Sudha’s dad spoke to his astrologer and said that he will confide in us the fact about Sudha being Ayilyam Nakshatram. But their astrologer convinced him that the other aspects of mine and Sudha’s horoscope matched so well that such things wouldn’t matter. Sudha’s cousin Uttara was also looking for a match, they were of same age and hence Sudha’s dad gave us Uttara’s horoscope as Sudha’s..” Amma, appa, Vishnu were flabbergasted. Amma cried, “ What is going on? Sudha…How could you???” Vignesh said, “ Amma,calm down. Sudha had confessed to me everything about this incident a week before our marriage preparations started. It was me who took the decision to keep this fact untold. Tell me; hasn’t she been devoted to you and appa? Dad hasn’t got even a cold since we got married. I am very happy with her. You both treat her like your own daughter and she is more of a mother to Vishnu. Anuradha will be a blessing to this family in the same way. Do you really want to deprive Vishnu of his share of happiness just because of the placement of some stars in the sky? Has anything changed, now that you know about Sudha? Please Amma, don’t hold on to your blind beliefs so tightly and force Vishnu to forgo his love. He respects you and hence hasn’t said a word against you, but this is what he wants, amma” Sudha sat down at her mother-in-laws feet and said, “Please forgive me for having hidden this from you, but Vishnu loves her and he will be happy only with her.” Amma dint speak anything. She was jus looking down. Appa had been silent throughout until he finally spoke, “ Lakshmi, sometimes when the elders falter in their tracks or decisions the younger ones open their eyes and show them the right path. You should be proud of our children. Let go Lakshmi, I am going to be fine. When I am surrounded with a loving wife like you, two successful and devoted sons, a caring daughter-in-law, nothing can happen to me. Another lovely girl in this house for our Vishnu, his happiness will bring me more satisfaction. When my mind and heart is happy, my health will be good.” Amma slowly stood up, walked towards Vishnu. He had not uttered a word during the entire scene. She hugged him tightly and started crying….”I am sorry dear, I have realized my mistake, I will go and apologize to my daughter Anuradha tomorrow.” Vishnu kissed his mother on her forehead and said, “ Thank you amma, I love you”
Wedding bells were heard the following month. The function was a grand success with laughter all around and the night stars blessing the family whole-heartedly……