HEAD IN LION'S MOUTH

Some people are very naïve. They are not able to see that, they are being taken, for a ride. This is the story of a young man, Sridhar, and his first love.

Sridhar was sharing a room with few men. He fell in love with a young girl, who was living independently in a hostel, in Chennai. Both of them were, employed in different organizations.

Sridhar told her one day that he loved her. However, she said she was going steady with a guy from a different religion. He said,”OK then, we will be friends.” She agreed.

She eloped with her boy friend. Nevertheless, their families stopped and separated them. She was crestfallen. She found a comforting shoulder, in my friend. Slowly the friendship turned into love.  When things were improving, her old boyfriend turned up. She, ditched Sridhar, and once again tried to elope with her old boyfriend. Predictably, the families found out and stopped them from getting married. Jilted by fate she turned to Sridhar for solace. Sridhar forgave her and accepted her.

When the topic of marriage came up, she was not sure. She could not make up her mind. Sridhar was in no man’s land. Later she refused, telling Sridhar that their horoscope did not match.

Sridhar got irritated and told a similar lie, that his astrologer too, told a similar tale.

She repented and told she did not believe in horoscopes and maybe they should consult another common astrologer. Sridhar refused. 

She now panicked. Her father was unemployed, and the only way she could get married was through a love affair, as arranged marriages are a costly affair. 

Therefore, one day the parents and the girl confronted Sridhar in his workplace, to embarrass him into submission. He suggested that they discuss the matter at another venue, and all of them went to her hostel.    By now, Sridhar could fathom their intentions, and during discussion, made it clear that it had to be an arranged marriage, with all the trappings.

Now they were in a fix. The plans had backfired. So once again, they brought in another astrological prediction against the marriage.

Sridhar broke the relationship, and just managed to escape from the lion’s mouth.

First love is blind. As we have no comparisons to make, we feel the first is the best. If we have to buy a watch or a mobile, we use our knowledge, and compare so many models before we decide.  We want to have the best value for money. However, when it comes to choosing a life partner, we are in a great hurry. We do not give ourselves enough time to get to know our partners. The result is we have to live with an incompatible person for a long time.

 Sridhar was lucky. I hope he make an intelligent selection next time.