Brownie Points

 

Koely sat at her work desk, stared at the blank computer screen and didn’t want the list of tasks and timelines to spring up and demand immediate action. Neither her personal nor professional life was going according to plan. Decisions were being pushed back. Did she need a break? Perhaps a week off from work might do the trick.

Lately Lila had been perturbed by her daughter Koely’s behavior, who unlike her former self was offended easily or clammed up. It was no point behaving like a long suffering martyr if Koely didn’t want to share her problems.  It was difficult to live in the same house with a daughter who was like a tinder box ready to explode at a moment’s notice.

Lila dialed Uma’s number and hoped that her mother might be able to help. Uma listened carefully, waited for the long litany to end and then asked, “Does Koely know what is bothering her? Has she discussed anything with you? Will I have a free hand while I look for a solution?”

“Koely goes about with a long face but won’t speak openly. The pressure of constantly rushing at work is affecting her wellbeing. Currently she shares almost nothing about her personal life. I leave it to your discretion as to how you unravel the knots.”

“You must be very upset if you are willing to let me have a free hand. Solutions can rarely be found overnight.  Let me ask around as well as get Koely to agree to my suggestion. I will let you know if I make any progress.”

True to her word Uma asked around and it was her cousin Srila who as usual came to her rescue. Srila responded, “I was remembering Koely. Is she still taking orders for cakes? There were some enquiries and I wanted to know if she is free?”

 Uma asked, “Oh yes and I was wondering if we could meet for tea and see if we can proceed further.”

There were a few more phone calls between the two cousins. Several questions were asked until they were both satisfied that a meeting could be arranged.

Lila heard from Uma, “Srila hopes that Koely will have an open mind and if it progresses then discussions could proceed further.

I will call Koely, ask her to bake brownies for her grandfather and spend the weekend with us.”

Anil reminded Uma, “These days young people are ultrasensitive. Be careful about how your suggestion is received and neither Srila nor you should be upset if she vetoes your plan.

 I would like to remind you that I don’t want to be deprived of her delicious home baked pastries and cookies.”

It would be a welcome respite for Koely to visit her grandparents. They enjoyed her company and were not critical about her life style. The past few weeks had been exhausting. Life was forever in flux and it was a race to meet work goals and find time to communicate and make and maintain relationships. Official deadlines often cancelled out personal life. If only she could find someone and nurture intimacy and permanence. It was becoming increasingly challenging and she genuinely wanted to meet and build a genuine connection that could end up in marriage.

Koely was greeted by the sight of Uma bending awkwardly in her effort to pick up stuff that had been upended from her writing table and was scattered on the floor. She rushed to help Uma retrieve all the stuff and put it on the table. An old envelope had split open. Anil smiled and handed it over to Koely, “Do you think you can recognize the winsome maiden?”

“Of course I can. Doesn’t Dida look lovely?”

“These were forwarded along with marriage proposals and circulated among the prospective groom’s family,” added Anil.

Koely turned around, “Dida your photographs made the rounds?  Did girls get a chance to see what the guys looked like?”

“If one was lucky, there would be a thoughtful sister, aunt or friend who would slip in a photograph. It was a momentary glimpse and one hoped for the best. Opinions were rarely asked or considered. It must seem old fashioned to you. Nowadays everything happens in a minute and blows over in a second. If the match was approved then enquiries would be made with due diligence.”

“Do you know the heartbreak it causes? It isn’t easy for many and often impossible to find a man that you would like to marry,” retorted Koely.

“We depended on our family to do the needful and accepted what was primarily their preference whether it was clothes or a life partner.

These days you have many aids or apps to help you at every step in life. Look at the options at your fingertips. You are spoilt for choice. “

  “These matrimonial sites aren’t what they are made out to be. Some of them can be downright scary. I would like to find somebody reliable, you know, husband material.” Koely added ruefully, “And then those you eye are already taken. So what is a girl supposed to do?”

 Uma thought that this was probably the right moment to make her point, “Many marriages are still arranged by families. These allow for better information and background checks. Nobody can foretell the future and marriages fall under the same unpredictable category.”

 There was a hint of disbelief in Koely’s voice, “Parents have the last word and only photographs are exchanged? This sounds like the dark ages.”

“Times have changed and often it is advisable if snaps are exchanged as refusals are easier if you don’t meet in person. Sometimes if both sides are agreeable then introductions can be made. Nothing is written in stone. No two situations are the same.”

 “Your lives were definitely sheltered and guardians had the final say. It is not so with us and the hardest part is to know what we really want.”

“Maybe a helping hand could be the answer. You could try and see if you like a person recommended by the family.”

Anil was reading the newspaper but his ears were tuned to the conversation between his wife and granddaughter. He wondered whether Koely would like to try out the older version of the modern matrimonial site and trust a system that had the family’s help and support. He was aware that Uma and Srila had thought of fixing a wedding between the two families. Uma had suggested that Srila along with Navin, the young man, might drop in for tea and also meet up with Koely. There was a fierce debate between Anil and Uma as to whether Koely should be taken in to confidence.

“No,” said Uma, “first impressions are important and it would be wiser to find out details after they have met. Then there won’t be any complications if they don’t want to pursue it any further.”

“Youngsters have minds of their own and hopefully they won’t judge you as unfair in being high handed and keeping them in ignorance,” reminded Anil.

“We are trying to set it up on modern lines and unlike when we were paraded under the families’ critical gaze. The adults didn’t care to ask for our opinions. Srila and I have double checked on the family and Navin. There will be no hard feelings if they don’t meet again.”

As planned Srila arrived with Navin and it proved to be a pleasant evening with free ranging discussions. Srila ad Uma left the room on the pretext of brewing a fresh pot of tea and Koely offered the remaining brownie to the guest.

“Is that the last one?” enquired Anil.

Navin hesitated for a second and then offered Anil the pastry.

As he wiped off the crumbs, Anil said proudly,” “Why take a chance?  A brownie in hand is worth two in the oven.

 Koely has a light hand with pastries.  Don’t be disappointed as she does take orders and you can find her on the internet and Instagram under Kooky Koely.”

Navin took out his phone and after a few quick clicks looked up at Koely. She just nodded, typed and smiled and Anil looked from one to the other. He thought there was a slight change in the air but the conversation continued as usual.

 Anil asked his wife, “You had a brief chat with Srila. What was her opinion?”

“We will find out tonight. They were easy and relaxed and might take it forward. If they are agreeable then they can set it up according to their plans and expectations.”

Anil put in a good word for Navin, “The young man gave me the last brownie. As a guest he had the first refusal. He showed respect for my years.”

Uma retorted, “He deferred to your greed.”

“I mentioned Koely’s side business. After all one good turn deserves another and if nothing else she will have gained a customer.”

Koely and Navin would find out that weddings were often like a well baked cake made according to a recipe that had the right balance of ingredients and timing.