And they lived happily ever after....

This is not a love story, but it is a story.

It could be true or complete fiction but definitely not a combination. Let’s go over it, as the character herself narrates it.

Life is simple for those who want everything and those to want nothing, but it gets complicated for those who want 'some of everything'. The quest for their answers often takes them away from what the original question was. Paradoxical isn’t it? But then life is too complicated to fit into a physical formula or a chemical equation. Math is the most powerful language and usually solves most of the problems we face. However, it is but a subset of nature where we have sprung up from, and nature is beyond all. If there is something that can surpass the speed of nature then it is nature itself in the form of the human mind.

Fortunately or unfortunately, I belong to the class of ‘some of everything-s’ and my mind is a seriously wandering bloke. While it is still entangled in solving the mysteries it has created for itself, it is intrigued with an interesting question life has put forth. And the challenge is to be or not to be able to solve it!

Perhaps the worst drawback of living with your parents is that you never realize when you grew up. You never realize that it will be soon time to step out into the world which is not ideal. These were the professional potholes that I fell into when I joined my first job. I was never bullied in school. Perhaps that was because I was the best performer, most sought after and loved. Thus I was dealing with the not so ‘good’ part of the world and learning from my mistakes and experiences. But then suddenly, as I was still juggling with several concerns in my life, there popped up another one. This time, I did not have a hand free but I was sure I could not make a learning experience out of it. The problem was not of letting something else drop while I got this one. The problem was that I had to select the right ‘juggle’ and balance it right on my nose!

The hunt for an eligible groom was on and though disinterested at first, I slowly started being curious. Mails and e-mails that brought in photographs and bio-data, horoscopes and family backgrounds do not continue unnoticed for a long time. In my case, it carried on for long enough to increase my curiosity to a level that I began to worry how easily and fast they traveled from the first drawer to the bottom drawer of my father's desk! A sneak peek or at times high handed generosity enlightened me with bits of information like photos, names and educational backgrounds. It was disheartening to see some interesting ones make to the "rejected' drawer while it was a pleasure to see some others leave. So the essence of the problem is- it was a tough screening process, where family, qualification, values, vegetarianism, character (every society has a network of 'caring' men, who can delve alimentary deep) and even the Stars had a great deal to say, before I had to even bother!

The bright side of this was that I seemed destined to choose a piece of cake from the best prepared batch! I knew this was the design of overprotective and extremely possessive parents but was not sure if it was depriving me of some learning through experiencing?
The doubts were soon cleared though.

I 'unofficially' met two prospective candidates. Well, I am mostly shy to admit that I did, but then I must not lie to you. They were nice people. One sweet intelligent doctor whom I wouldn't mind recommending another friend to marry. Another, tall, aggressive, street smart manager with well... some good looks too! The important part is that all these characteristics would be obvious to even the least discerning eye. Yet I could make my decision. And then I knew, it was just instinct and not experience that it took to make a good one. And this one was just round the corner.
If you are sure that I don't sound worldly wise at all and you are as confused as I initially was, then here's the explanation. To be a good person is one thing but to be too good to live with is another. I could project myself in a total winning situation and who doesn't know that there is no fun in eating a whole cup of ice-cream with no one to fight over with? I wanted a good life but I loved my pasta with a pinch of spice! In the second case, I wanted a great fun-filled life but we defined them variously. I was sure I will get love but was equally sure that I will make efforts to give it back. Hence, the 'wise' decisions were made and as I said, the wisest one was just round the corner...

It took a day to eliminate reasons for rejecting him. All the primary questions of concern had been asked and the worst fears overcome. Now was the compatibility gauging time and we gave ourselves luxury of that. Grey matter is as much of a turn on as a character walking out of a Mills & Boon plot. And I am not modest enough to not admit that. Power to think aloud with a little courage to differ, a lot of honesty, a tinge of good humor but a great deal of sincerity is what it really took.

With acquaintance of days culminating into a relationship and more of months, it was amazing to notice that the right 'juggle' was chosen and now nicely sat on my nose!

As time closed in on us, it was a mutual realization how marriage would be the right step in the right direction.
Finally, a great wedding was happening. The stage was set with bridal finery, overjoyed family and a reception to be remembered. Rings were exchanged and so were the wedding vows and a lifetime of commitment began.

With this, through the highs and lows of life they lived happily ever after.....

And as I relate this story, I must be a 100 years old but firm enough to look back at this time with the smile on my wrinkled face completing the sparkle that begins in my eyes....