The man was impressed. He had expected the 'boy' to be of a haughty nature and distant. Instead, he found the chap to be very warm and caring. Ram was his daughter's close friend. Always had been. They were together right from school and had decided to study abroad, together.
He was okay with it but his wife had her misgivings and always thought of what the others would say. She was after all, not so modern and even if she tried to be, her neighbours wouldn't allow it.
It had taken a lot of convincing for her to accept the fact that her daughter was living together with a boy and even if they did know him right from childhood, it still was a strange concept.
One day, they had decided to pack their bags and visit the children. They were received by Ram and taken to their house. The house was neat but small. A bedroom was arranged for the parents and the children slept in the hall. Her parents were quite taken aback by the warm nature of Ram who used to be quite shy back at home.
A week passed and they were becoming used to seeing more of him than their daughter who was quite busy with work and studies.
One day, Ram was as usual doing his chores when he went up to him and asked him for his daughter's hand in marriage. She was also there and taken aback that Ram had asked her dad. He told her that it was the way back home. Her parents were pleased and they could hear them sigh in relief. A lot of gossips had been avoided.
Ram promised to go home along with her and marry her in their family temple. They were pleased and returned home happy that they had got a good son-in-law.
source
A lot of dowry deaths are still recorded and such cases may or may not be reported. What parents should understand is that money cannot purchase happiness. Children should not rely on their parents' money but be prompted to make their own life instead of asking. A lot of cases where the father of the bride has to go bankrupt by paying dowry is becoming rampant. This should stop once and for all.
