Act Four
Scene One
(At the Bride’s house Delhi Ganesh and his twin sons Ajith and Vinith are seated in the hall with the Marriage Broker. With them are the parents of the twin sister-brides. The twin sisters each are in two separate rooms)
DELHI GANESH: Well to be honest, we’ve been on the lookout for a bride for a quite long time.
BRIDE’S MOTHER: The same here too. We’ve been looking for suitable matches for my twin daughters Priya and Shreya, for over five years.
DELHI GANESH: I don’t know if the broker had told you all. Ajith as you know is not capable of talking, but he is a class one Additional Revenue Officer. Vinith has finished college but is yet to clear his arrears. Don’t ask me where he is working or what he is working as.
(Everyone laughs)
BROKER: Collecting the rents, maintaining your buildings and shops is itself a tough job, Chettiar. He is helping you in a big way.
DELHI GANESH: Ah yes at times, I shouldn’t deny that
VINITH: Getting a job is not important, but getting a satisfying job is important. So that’s why
BRIDE’S MOTHER: How very similar. Shreya too has a poor academic record. She got too has many arrears to clear.
BRIDE’S FATHER: It’s God’s grace that we could find a pair of twins that suits the girls.
DELHI GANESH: Not just the Gods, please have some regard for the broker too, who connected us. (Everyone laughs)
BRIDE’S FATHER: Ok, let’s not waste any more time. Ajith’s bride Priya is in that room (Pointing at one direction) and Vinith’s bride Shreya is in this room (Pointing to another direction).
BROKER: Yeah yeah, please go and see
DELHI GANESH: Fine Ajith and Vinith, get up and see your respective brides and let us know your opinion.
VINITH: Let Ajith go and see his bride first. We need to get his opinion; that’s very important
BRIDE’S MOTHER: (Looking at Vinith) But why? You too need to see your bride isn’t it?
DELHI GANESH: He has no particular conditions or expectations in his bride. All his concern is for his brother. If only Ajith’s marriage is fixed, Vinith’s marriage would not be a problem
BRIDE’S MOTHER: Just like Shreya. She too is adamant that she won’t marry unless Priya’s marriage is fixed. What a coincidence. Who would believe this?.
BRIDE’S FATHER: I have a feeling that both these marriages would be finalized today
DELHI GANESH: Just pray for it. I have nothing else more important in my life
BROKER: (Tapping Ajith’s shoulder) Please go, see the girl and let us know what you feel
(Ajith leaves the room)
DELHI GANESH: If only the boy and girl like each other and this marriage is fixed, then a big burden would be off my back.
BRIDE’S MOTHER: Have faith. I have a feeling that we would fix marriages for both the couples. We’ll all be happy soon.
BROKER: Well said. Absolutely right
(Ajith comes back, walking fast and eyes filled)
VINITH: What happened Ajith?
DELHI GANESH: Ajith, what’s wrong. Why are you crying?
BROKER: What’s wrong?. I don’t understand
BRIDE’S FATHER: Why is he upset?
(Ajth indicates to all in his sign language that the girl is dumb)
VINITH: What? The girl is dumb?
BRIDE’S FATHER: Is he feeling bad for that? What was he expecting then?
DELHI GANESH: (In a low tone) Ajith; What is this Ajith?. Which capable girl would accept to marry a dumb boy?. Please try and understand.
BRIDE’S MOTHER: He didn’t know that Priya is dumb?
VINITH: No, and neither do I until now. (Looking at his father) So you knew that the girl was dumb?
BROKER: Yes of course
VINITH: (Looking at his father) How could you ever want Ajith to marry a dumb girl? Just think for a moment how their lives would be after their marriage.
DELHI GANESH: (Looking upwards) My God! What is happening here? What is expected of me? What should I do now?
(The two girls Priya and Shreya now enter the room. Priya is weeping while Shreya is consoling her. The two walk towards the rest)
SHREYA: What’s wrong with you mom? How could you ever arrange a dumb bridegroom for Priya?. (Looking at Ajith) Please don’t be offended, but only a fully capable girl would be a right match for you. You need someone who can listen to your unspoken words, understand you, and speak for you.
VINITH: (Looking at the crying Priya) I know how you feel. You have the right to seek a perfect bridegroom. Please stop crying. Tell me if you like me and willing to wait; I shall seek your hand. But we’ll have to wait till Ajith’s marriage is over.
(A disappointed Ajith starts to walk away from the rest)
SHREYA: (Looking at Ajith) Please wait. All of us here would be happy if our marriage is fixed too. I adore the language of silence, and I understand it well. I offer my hand to you…if you’d accept it
(Ajith gracefully stretches out his hand and hold’s Shreya’s hand)
BROKER: So we are all happy, isn’t it?; both the marriages are fixed now.
(Delhi Ganesh, the Bride’s Mother and Bride’s Father stand with their heads down)
VINITH: Please, don’t feel bad. We didn’t mean to hurt you.
BRIDE’S MOTHER: We are very sorry. We didn’t realize it. We failed to think like you.
BROKER: The youth of today have humbled us
DELHI GANESH: Anyway I am very happy; I’ve got two intelligent daughter-in-laws. I won’t forget the lesson I’ve learnt today. What I expect in a society, should begin from my home.