My cousin brother is getting marriedHurrah!!!

Wondering why I am so happy? Well he is marrying a pattathi!! This tiny detail may seem like nothing to you, but it means everything for us.

I will tell you whyMy cousin brother has been in the USA for the past 10 + years. He went there as a student, started working there and is now, almost a citizen of US of A. Before he went there, he had paid some visits to Kerala, to see his paatti and his uncles and his cousins. He had been born and bought up in Madras, in a cosmopolitan environment. Kerala was, I suppose, an enchanted place where things move too slowly for him and where the people were too illiterate for his liking.

America was his dream. Wrote entrance examination, got into an Engineering college, finished his graduation in flying colours. Got a job. Wrote TOEFL and GRE and what not. Got into a university in US. Made his parents proud that he was going to America with a scholarship. Bye Bye off to the land of his dreams.

All this happened years ago and I was too small and awe struck by him then. My earliest image of this cousin was a tall lanky fellow with nose buried deep in books and speaking some jargon about God knows what.

I did not miss him much as he had always been ABOVE us. The only news we heard about him was through his parents. He was studying in some prestigious university there, getting a job, rising in position and earning lots of money.

Then comes the news that he was of the right age to get married. Who would not want to give their daughter to this ideal bachelor? Was he not handsome? Earning 6-figure salary? That too in dollars !!!

The horoscopes were matched and formalities finished. The boy was to visit India fleetingly for a month. The "Ponpakkal" and engagement could be over in that month. Marriage either now or on his next visit. We waited with abated breaths. After all he was the first boy child in the house and we were going to be the 'pullayathu karral' for the first time. He came. Many gifts and tears were exchanged. He asked his mother and his aunts as to what would happen if he married a girl of his choice. The three ladies flooded the car in tears. He sat amused. The girl was seen; they talked. Results-The girl is not the one for him. He went off.

This time over, the horoscope was not the only consideration. Things were moving fast. What if he marries a girl of his choice? The height of the girl, the family, her command over English, her education, her looks, her dressing style No detail was too small and to be missed. Girls were lined up before his next visit. He came. Choice was difficult. Marriage did not take place. Hearts were growing weary.

What if he did have a girl there? He had mentioned about some Vidya. "Vidya?" "The name sounds Tamilish." "Must be a Brahmin." "Thank God she is a brahmin."

We were waiting for the day when the dreaded phone call came." Mom, I am getting married tomorrow. Her name is Catherine, my colleague. Yes, I love her. No, I will not change my mind"

If that happened, my paatti would die or so we thought. Then she comes up with the opinion, "Saramillai. Avanukku pudicha ponnai avan kalyanam chedukattum. Santhoshama irundal podum."

No. It was not to happen. Renewed interest in the Horoscope. A girl in the US. No need of ponna parkal. Let them meet each other there itself. Let them get to know each other. If they want, let them get married. Atleast would be a girl of our choice!

The horoscopes matched well. She is a well-educated, well-brought up girl. Working / studying in the US. Parents of the would-be bride pass on message about boy to girl, message of girl passed on to boy. They meet, talk, talk, talk Get to know each other.

"Yes, She is the one. I like herShe likes meLet us have the marriage in 2 monthsWait, let me ask herYes, 3 months is OKByeGotta goWe are going to the movies and dinner"

That is the story. Isn't it reason enough for me to be happy? My Cousin is marrying a girl of OUR choice. We Won!!