" Bhuvi, come home soon today. " her mom said while Bhuvna took her lunch box.

Bhuvna is a school teacher who teaches science in a private school. Her father is a retired postmaster whereas her mother is housewife. Her family is middle class.

Bhuvna just sighed and agreed knowing the reason . Again some guy is coming to see her. Though she doesn't like it, She doesn't want her parents worried for her.  

She's 26 and her parents are still searching perfect groom for you. 

She's good looking but her skin complexion is dark. She's happy with the way she is.
So the grooms arrived with their parents in tow, looked her up and down and asked ever so casually about dowry and ornaments, stating how unfortunate it was for her parents to get a dark girl married. Most were willing to "accept" her for a fat dowry which her father couldn't afford. She said a polite "no" and turned all of them away.  

She's been used to rejection by now. But still it hurts when the guy's family leave saying they'll discuss and tell.
If they're not sure or want a dark girl, why do they even come? She thought to herself.
Marriage is evading Bhuvna. Relatives always tell her to settle for a 'less-than-perfect-man on the  understanding of her deemed less-than-perfect skin color.
Some relatives even come up with -they know this guy and that, then describe these guys physically. One of her aunt actually remarked - you should not judge a guy based on physical looks. Instead see if he is capable of keeping you happy. It is not the case for girls, looks are judged sometimes above everything else.

She is not looking for a perfect guy but an intellectually compatible one. someone who can understand her . An ideal man who accepts her for who she is.

She walk to her class room as she does her usual  job. It's her favourite place to un-wind from the stressful life.

The day passed quickly. The only time she's happy is the time she spent in school. Seeing kids makes her forgot her problems. Yet another guy. She entered her house only to be dragged by her mom inside the room.

" bhuvi, they came early and have been waiting for you patiently. Now , go and get ready" her mom placed a blue colour silk Saree and pushed her inside her room. Once she got changed , her mom did her hair ,make up and while doing so, she told about the guy what broker told her.
His name is Harish .He's 29 , working in a bank accounts section, has one sister who's married. His parents passed away. So, he came with his sister and brother in law.

After she's done, her mom gave her a tray with coffee and biscuits and asked her to give it to them. She did and that's when she looked at the guy. He's fair skinned and looked really handsome. 
Great , just my luck. Even a guy who looks normal doesn't like me and ran away . Then how can he? He's going to reject me. With that thought, she went inside.
She doesn't even bothered to look at his sister and brother in law.
They left without saying anything. The broker said to my father that he will ask them and let him know.
A week passed. No information from them. So, there the other rejection.
When the school rang, she came out and started to walk towards bus stop.
There he stood with his bike. Probably waiting for someone. She lowered her eyes and walked past him.
" bhuvna, " he called her. She stopped and turned.
" I want to talk with you. Shall we talk inside the nearby park." he asked politely.
She was confused as what he want to tell me. Maybe he's sorry and wish her luck. She thought.
" I really like you. I didn't say that in your house because you seem to be disinterested in seeing me.  so, I thought of asking for your opinion. " he said making her stun.
He likes me. Maybe he's in dire need of money .
" I know how it feels to be in your position. My sister too was like you. My parents worried a lot when guys just came and went "
So, that's the reason. He's pitying me. The last thing I want.
" don't think I am saying this due to sympathy. It's more than that. I have seen many girls. Some fair . But noone affected me like you did. I can already feel the connection between us. So, yes or no"  he asked. He waited anxiously for her answer.

Ivan yaaro ivan thaan yaaro puriyavillai
Enakaaga etharkai vanthan theriyavillai

(Who is he?  I  don't understand who is he

I don't know why He came for me)

song from Nedunchalai(Tamil movie) started to ring in her mobile. it's her rightone. she changed it this morning.

He's the ideal man she's waiting for. A smile crept on to her face.

" talk with my dad ." she replied and went .

That night, the broker came and said to my parents that he said ok and when asked about dowry, he replied that the guy's family said to do whatever they can afford .
Her mom was overwhelmed .

On their engagement,

Both Bhuvna and Harish are all smiles .

but somewhere in the same hall,

A relative from her side ,said to her mom that the groom might have some problem that's why they're nice saying those things about dowry and ornaments. But her parents didn't pay any heed to it.

Relatives from his side too asked his sister , questions like

"Didn't you find a fairer girl?"

" why did you chose her? If you have told me, I would have found a nice pretty girl."

Though it doesn't concern them, they can't keep their mouth shut. After all , everybody is entitled to their opinions. She thought to herself and walked away leaving them to debate among themselves.

*********

Its sad to say that a huge majority of our population still give a lot of importance to the colour of skin. The hundreds of metric tonnes of fairness products sold in our country only prove how ignorant, shallow and weak we have become. 

Ironically, dark guys are spared . only girls have to be fair, the same rule does not apply for guys.

color discrimination unfortunately very high in India, in respect of women!. Beauty is measured only skin color. I had seen it myself, a maid working for less salary, buying costly whitening cream for her dark girl child few years old, to daily rub her whole body in a hard way after bath!. She was hoping the baby would would become fair skinned for a happy future life!

There are some guys who are slightly different than many men as in they can see that it's better to have a wife with brains than just fair skin but such guys are rare.  

Discrimination based on skin color is cruel.No girl deserves it. Dark or fair, inside, we are all the same - we all have delicate emotions and having it poked and prodded by insulting words is not fair . Is there any whitening cream to lighten such dark hearts?