LOOKS MATTER

LOOKS MATTER

During the college days it was customary to sit and laugh a lot ( lol) to our heart’s content . The discussion obviously centered on all the youngs girls, the odd boys, the pretty and handsome teachers and off course the odd persons out.

My friend nicknamed Dicky , for whatever reason was gross. “Look at that lady who have cut her hair .. O pony tail, fit for a ride”.

“OMG, she is my Maths professor” . Sherily hid her voice with her hand. “ My enquiries to her” So, started the rigmarole of dissecting and calling all names of all those who fell within his range. “ OMG, look at her shabily dressed with no sense at all ,with her hair straightened out like a porcupine”, pointing at my junior . “Her sister is much better” interjected some one at the back. I had a soft cornor for her as she belonged to my same community and my parents knew their family.

All were seated on a bench under a huge banyan tree, the usual jaunt of all the riffraff’s, whose comments on all including professors became the talk of the campus . I was the odd man out as I did not ascribe nor did I condone their behaviour of passing nasty comments on their colleagues and the faculties.For want of a better company to regale, I joined them occasionally.

I was a nondescriotive college student, not following the fads and fancies of my peer group for many reasons. I was overtly sensitive and my frustration tolerence was low due to a few previous nasty experiences. I was brought up to be very discreet and decent. Deceit and jealousy was anathema to me. My lofty ideals were phoo- phooed by my friends , but I stuck on it like a leech to its victims.

Ours were the right age to get married, so the parents start enquiring through various sources and college was one of them. Mine was not an exception. Though we had not finished our course, it was expected of us to secure a job and get settled. Any amount of our resistance drew equal retorts and we let is pass as the ultimate choice was our's to decide. I saw several of them and none suited at least fifty percent of my specfications ; more so because I was not prepared. Finally I got a plum job as an IT professional and the pressure grew many times. For what of a rebuttal I conceded.

So, a fine morning with my parents prodding me along,I started by car and on the way my mum gave a small hint “ You already know her as she is your junior in college”My sister giggled. I knew many a junior girls and I was amazed not to recognise the incumbent. When I looked at my sister again for any clue she said nonchalantly “It is a surprise”.

So, it was ,when I saw a very beautiful, dressed like a family girl with the right make up. I further went in for a shock when I heard her name . The girl who was the butt of all my friend jokes and bizzare comment’s for her weird hair do, make up and her total lack of even a small giggle, let alone a broad smile. The girl whom I knew and for whom I had a soft corner.

When both parents agreed we could talk to each other, I started in right earnest. “ You look so beautiful now, not like the usual college student that I know about “ She chuckled with her tounge in check and said “So are you!!”. I was shocked to hear her rebuttal. “ Well… . I stameered a bit.. How can you be so sure ; the assumption I was so, confirmed. “ I like your non – descriptive attire, shyness and your calm demeanour and staying clear of jealous comments. “ I presume you to be the same.. But why?” “ I had some nasty experiences, so I stay simple to avoid them. If your are not good looking, no body bothers you. You have to be good looking only for your relatives and husband, who marries you and not for everybody” Before I could retort, she said “You are also like that… now you look so handsome for your wife to be” We laughed loudly together and it sealed our marriage. We continued to maintain it even now.. Simple outside, very preety together. It saves others intruding in our lifes and a lot of nasty comments and grounds for jealousy. We had laid a foundation where suspicion and possessiveness would never rare it’s head.