Matchmaking.com

On By ShivangiIn Uncategorized

  
She tried to smoothen her frown before posing for the snap. This was her third time at the weird photo centre. She was nearing 30 and to get her marriage arranged was the sole purpose of her family. This snap would probably aid in finding her match.

Love marriage was out of question in the small town.

Thankfully, her parents ensured that she got well educated. But that was coming in her way too. She was overqualified for most of her prospective grooms in the area.

Her father thought of finding her match online at matchmaking.com. They uploaded her details and horoscope. But nothing worked out. Well wishers blamed it on her snaps. She looked too dark. So, she was heavily powdered to be clicked. That didn’t work either. 

This time she needed the perfect picture.

As she sat there, getting instructed by the photographer to get her posture right, she felt like breaking free and running..

But her demeanour changed on seeing her anxious parents.  She smiled and tried to look her best…for their sake!

This is my entry to the flash fiction challenge, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers hosted by the lovely Priceless Joy. We are given a photo prompt and approximately 75-175 words with which to create our stories. This challenge is open to all who would like to participate. For more information, please CLICK HERE. Thank you Uday for the picture.

29 thoughts on “Matchmaking.com”

    1. Nicely summed up… PJ. Getting their daughters marriage arranged is not an easy job for some parents…it is stressful and hurtful at times when rejection happens. Thank you for commenting dear😀😀😀

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    1. Yes Joan… It is very stressful. But arranged marriages are still very common in India and are very long lasting as the marriage is supposed to be between two families. However, some aspect of the system is redundant and awful.

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  8. It’s hard for her to be happy in this type of situation, but she is a really good daughter to force a smile when her parents come in. Maybe this time the photo will turn out perfect and get lots of results. So sad, that there are arranged marriages, I can’t imagine having that kind of life. Wondefulr job on this prompt.

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  11. So many people hate posing for photographs, but in this case, the reasons are not through vanity, self-consciousness or shyness. I’m sure arranged marriages are seen as having many pros – as well as a lot of cons. But I feel very sorry for this young woman, who doesn’t like the prospect at all. The fact that she is far more qualified in the world of work than anyone she could marry doesn’t help her situation. I can’t see such a marriage being a happy one. The way she smiles nicely for the camera says a lot about the love and respect she feels for her parents. 🙂

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    1. Millie…you comprehended the situation perfectly. Arranged marriages are stronger because it is a marriage between two families…and since it is a collective decision it does not break easily. But what I have portrayed here is the dark side of arranged marriage. The girls has to be presented like a doll to get a suitable husband for her. Even guys get rejected but it is more difficult for girls. Thank you for your deep analysis😀

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      1. I noticed the comment about making her skin paler, giving her more of the doll-like appearance you mention. I do understand about the links between two families, too. That was one of the pros I had in mind in these communities. Thanks for taking the time to reply, Shivangi. 🙂

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