The Beauty Within

Vyshali was from an affluent family, and her Dad ran a business and was very influential in the city. When Vyshali was of marriageable age, her parents did their best to find a boy with a status like theirs.

The prospective bridegrooms were also rich, if not more prosperous, and they were not impressed by Vyshali's Dad's wealth. Each would come with his family and see Vyshali, but nothing seemed to go beyond that.

Vyshali and her parents were disturbed by this, and when they enquired, they heard this: "we don't want anything else; we only want a beautiful girl."  Vyshali was totally devastated by the comment.

She asked her Dad Gangadhar, "Dad, does that mean I am not beautiful?"  Gangadhar loved his daughter, and he made multiple attempts to convince his daughter but had failed. Her mother seemed too upset to talk. It was as if suddenly darkness entered her home; the light had gone out. 

Vyshali was an attractive girl. She was a little over 5 feet in height, and her skin tone was wheatish. The only problem was she lived in a world taken up with fair skin. 

Vyshali was an educated young woman, and she would often help her Dad in running their business. She began spending more time at her Dad's shop to escape the sadness enveloping her. She took up more work than she could. "The busier I am, the better it is. If I am idle, the same horrible thoughts torment me. I don't want to think." Vyshali thought. 

Late every evening, she got back home along with her Dad. She worked until she was too tired to think. "A hot bath and a good night's sleep, and I should be good to work tomorrow again." Vyshali thought as she got into the waiting car. Both Vyshali and her Dad were quiet during their drive home, and they rarely spoke during the drive home, mindful of their driver Raju. 

As the car stopped in their driveway, Vyshali got out of the car, and when they were at a safe distance, she asked, "Dad, does my presence at the shop make things easier for you."  "Of course, beta," Gangadhar said. "But--" Gangadhar broke away as he became thoughtful. "But what, Dad? Is something bothering you?" Gangadhar shook his head in the negative. But then he grabbed his daughter's hand and walked with an urgency to the car. "Raju," he called out. Raju was doing his final duty for the day, opening the garage door to park the car there. 

"No, don't park the car yet," said Gangadhar. "I just remembered that Vyshali and I had somewhere to go. Give me the keys." Gangadhar continued holding his hand out. Raju came running to his boss, saying, "Sir, would you like me to drive?"  "No,  Raju, I will drive. Go to the house and tell them we will come back soon."

Gangadhar looked at his daughter and said, "Beta, come get into the car. Let's go." Vyshali quietly got into the car. As they drove out of their gate, Vyshali asked her Dad, "Dad, where are we going."  Gangadhar glanced at his daughter, smiling, "beta are you too tired for a drive?" Vyshali laughed as she said, "No, Dad, You know I have loved drives with you for as long as I can remember." 

Gangadhar laughed too, "It's a while since I heard you laugh! I love that sound." Gangadhar noticed the tension suddenly descending on Vyshali. "Beta, I am so happy you are helping me at work, but don't overdo it. I don't want you to fall sick." Gangadhar said with concern. "Dad," Vyshali said, "That is the only good thing in my life now. I want to be out of the house as much as possible." 

Gangadhar sighed, saying, "Beta, don't worry, all will be well--" "--But how Dad, I am not beautiful; how can I get someone to marry me? And every time I get home and see mom's depressed face, I know I am the cause of her sadness. Invariably it takes me back to that fateful day and the painful statement," Vyshali said, fighting back her tears. "And far as I remember, I can recollect Mom making jewellery for me and telling me, 'this is for your wedding; you will be so beautiful on your wedding day," Vyshali said, the tears beginning to roll down her cheeks.

Gangadhar allowed his daughter to say all that she had to say. And when she had finished, he spoke again, " Beta, this is only the beginning, the ones who did not like you don't deserve you. If any of them had agreed, it would have worried me." he said. Vyshali looked at him, surprised, "why Dad," she asked. "I am concerned that someone would want to marry you for my money, and I would never want that. Let someone come to know what a wonderful person you are, not the external beauty but the internal. To such a man, I will give you in marriage."

Vyshali looked at her Dad, confused, "You think so, Dad?" Gangadhar almost shouted, "I know so!"  Vyshali looked at him, shocked as he continued, "And there is something more I must tell you. Today my friend had come to see me at the store." "Who, Dad," asked Vyshali. "Uncle Anant", Gangadhar continued talking, "he saw you in the store and remarked, 'what a beautiful child Vyshali is. When most kids her age would be wasting their time, look at her working, helping you out. When I get my Vishal married, I want someone like Vyshali."

Vishal was a well-educated and handsome boy, and Vyshali didn't think he would be happy with what his Dad wanted. But she was wrong; Vishal had already liked her and had sent his Dad to speak to Gangadhar. After a brief courtship, the two got married, and thanks to Vishal and his family, never again did Vyshali feel that she was not beautiful. 

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