Manipulated Lives

I grew up in Kerala as the eldest daughter of a middle class family struggling to meet the both ends, with three sisters in a row and a brother at the end. My marriage was arranged to a man without my consent; he married me because of the pressure from his mother. Then I found that my college mate, whom I had a crush on, was also a victim of manipulations by his close family members. Manipulation to him was more visible, but he was too polite to resist due to love, respect, and concerns he carried in his mind for them. By hearing his story and experiencing the result of coaxing in my own life, I thought of telling these to somebody, but had no intention to publish. But my college mate made me promise to him to write his side of the story after his death which I did in this book. Then I added my story too with it. I believe the time parents selecting the spouses for their children are gone. It worked for ages, but the high aspirations, freedom, independence and globalization changed the culture and demography, challenging the old order. It is high time that parents ask the children's wish in finding their spouses. Incompatibility between couples is a major reason for divorce . I hope my memoir will be a lesson to many including parents and the young ones who are getting ready to wed.