Palki's Pov
I came down the train. Just a few seconds ago, I arrived at Dehradun.
" Hello...yes ma. Yes, I'm at the station. No worries I'll take an Auto”
I declined the call. Soon I started searching for Auto. Few were calling out. I picked one of them and told them the address. He helped me keep my suitcase and bags inside the Auto.
" Didi ji do you live in Dehradun ?"
The Auto driver asked me. He looks younger than me.
I smiled.
" Yes... actually I was out of state for my studies”
I replied to him. He looked at me through the mirror.
" Oh...so where were you ?”
" I just completed my graduation in Delhi University. I'm just coming back from there”
He smiled at me.
" That's really great. Do you plan to marry ?"
I got awkward with the question but I still answered him though.
" No...i don't have plans regarding that. Dehradun is my hometown so I'm back here...I might start preparing for exams or search for job”
" That's really nice didi ji... even I have a sister. She's studying in Jaipur"
" Oh really... that's nice. But what about you ?”
He looked a bit sad.
" We don't have parents didi ji... that's why I'm earning for both. Since I couldn't study, I let her. Anyways I failed my tenth but she... she's really intelligent. She got a scholarship”
I was really touched by his answer. Even I was studying in Delhi because of my scholarship. My family is a bit conservative. They had decided to let me complete my 12th only. But when I got an scholarship ma had pursued Papa to allow me.
I don't know what they have decided for me now. But I'll surely not marry right now.
I'm very good at studies.
I have topped in my district.
Even during University exams my rank was among top 10 students. So I don't wanna get caged arround the walls.
I have my own dreams. And I'm very much serious about it.
..................................
After giving the money to the driver I stepped down the Auto.
Soon my mother came out of the house.
" Piku !!! mera bachaaa...”
She ran to me and immediately engulfed me in a very tight hug. She was on the verge of crying.
" Ma... I'm here...stop crying"
I coaxed her. But she shook her head.
" No...you literally came after one and half years. I can't...my piku is here”
She kissed all over my face. I laughed seeing her affection.
" Come...I have made your favourite today... let's go....you have lost so much weight piku... nobody feeds you there or what ”
I rolled my eyes at her comment. She's the cutest.
She helped me pick my luggage inside.
" Where's Papa ?”
" Police station... he's duty Will be over in the evening"
" Ohh..”
" He was missing you a lot”
She said while arranging my luggage inside my room.
" Hmm”
I just watched out of the balcony. The view was beautiful and very serene. Completely peaceful away from the rush of the city.
" What hmm ? He has changed a bit now. Even he can't stay without his daughter...he loves you piku”
While caressing my head she tried to convince me.
But with a sudden lump in my throat I replied.
" Yes... that's why he was angry last time"
I was not back in my own house for last one and half year because of this. Me and papa had a fight. A huge fight regarding my studies.
Hence I decided only to return when I'm done with my graduation.
With the sudden and awkward silence I decided not to ruin the mood.
" Let's forget that.... what's for lunch Matashree ?”
I changed the topic and teased her. She smiled immediately.
" Your favourite....Kofta...jeera rice...matar paneer....and rabdi....also I'm planning a very delicious dinner tonight...your love... Chinese..."
She said dramatically. I immediately hugged her.
" Really ? Ma... you're so sweet....I love you. Come feed your hungry daughter fast..."
We both went to the kitchen giggling.
.........................
I was watching TV in the evening while ma was watering the plants in our small garden. It is just beside our hall.
I had carelessly put my legs on the tea table.
Just then I heard the sound of the car.
I looked at ma. She panicked and immediately came inside running.
" Piku...what are you doing ? Keep your legs down...and what's this !?”
She picked up the chips packet and threw it at the corner of the garden.
" Remember to touch his feets”
I nodded.
I sat in a proper posture.
That's when Papa entered the hall. He hanged the keys and called out for my mother. He hadn't seen me yet.
That's when I stood up.
" Papa..."
He looked at me surprised.
" Aa gayi college se..."
He tone was tired. I can understand. He looked exhausted.
" Ji..”
I immediately touched his feets.
" Stay blessed"
I gave him a glass of water.
I could only gulp in his presence. Childhood was better. I did not fear him back then. But as I grew elder, the relationship between us turned a bit cold.
He took a sit on the sofa. He was still in his uniform.
" So how was your day ?”
He asked while sipping the water.
" Good"
He nodded.
" The journey wasn't tiring ? Was it ?”
" No papa...it was fine. I was comfortable"
With a neutral face he nodded. That's the reason I couldn't really tell him what I feel. It's scary.
I'm scared of his reaction towards my any action.
It's not like he is very strict. But just that lack of affection on his face makes it a bit difficult for me to connect.
" Yes it should be. Soon you have to think about your future as well.... graduation ? Done....now I believe you should start learning household basics as well..."
I hesitated to answer.
He's statement hurted a feminist part of me.
I was about to reply back but my mother gestured me not to.
I did not say anything.
He left for the room to change.
" What is this ma ?”
I whined.
" Shshh....piku...you know right.... how's he. Let it be! Don't take his words to your heart"
I just smiled at her half heartly still not over with father's word.
..............................
During dinner.
Ma was serving Papa dal chawal and sabzi. While I was serving myself the Chinese food she made.
Everything looked so delicious.
Chowmein.
Paneer Chilli.
And fried rice.
I gave her a flying kiss secretly. She smiled lightly while eyeing me to eat. She took her seat.
While dinner suddenly Papa said something which shook my whole world.
" Archana.... I'm planning to marry off Palki now”
I was shocked beyond anything. I stopped eating. I looked at my mother who looked shocked as well.
" But....ji...she just came”
She tried to change the subject but my father was MY FATHER.
" What else left now ? She completed her graduation. Well educated now. Also....I need to take a retirement. Then we also have Rinku left...I can't afford too much expenses of their marriage at once. One by one we should marry them off now"
I tried to say but mother signalled me not too.
" But what about proposals ?"
" I told you yesterday that Mr Gupta is coming tomorrow to see our Palki... he's son is an Engineer who studied from IIT Bombay”
He said proudly while smiling at me.
Tears formed in my eyes. I did not wanted to marry soon.
I can't.
What about my dreams ?
" Ji... but–"
He immediately interrupted in loud voice that I flinched. He was still smiling.
" Palki...be ready"
With that he left the table.
I looked at my mother who was looking helpless.
" Sorry piku... I tried to–”
" That means ? You knew right ?”
I asked her.
She looked down at her plate.
She knew about father's decision. She didn't tell me anything about it.
I cried on the table openly without caring.
" I...i...wanted to clear UPSC”
she looked at me shocked.
" I was preparing to become a civil servant”
I told her while crying.
What about my dreams ?
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