" Be ready in the evening. They will come to see you. Bye...”
Palki's father Vikas got ready in his uniform and went for his duty.
Palki stood there with words in her mouth.
After her father left she came back inside.
She has no idea, what to do ?
How to avoid this wedding thing ?
Archana came out of the kitchen to see Palki looking completely depressed.
" Palki beta...come here...”
She hugged Palki and patted her back.
" I would say no in the evening"
Her mother broke the hug and looked at her astonished.
" But why ?”
Palki breathed out heavily. She was irritated.
" Why ? You are really asking me this ? Ma... I'm just 22..... I have a life far beyond this small life I'll be living after marriage. I have my own dreams. I have planned a lot of things. And just because of Papa's stubbornness I'm not submitting myself to his rules. I will say no to every relationship he approaches me with”
Archana got tensed.
The father daughter relations was never an easy task for her.
As much as she loved her daughter dearly she feared her husband's rage well too.
" Okay fine...but listen to me carefully first”
Archana took her to the garden and made her sit on the seat.
" You want to do a job right ? Then go for teaching..... that's better. UPSC beta...no girl has ever done that in our household. It doesn't look right–”
" What's not right ma ? I want to serve my country. How is this wrong ? And what's this patriarchy ?”
Palki was stubborn just like her father.
" I will say no... I don't know anything”
" Okay fine. At least talk to the guy in the evening. Check whether he is fine with you working or not ? If yes then well and Good. You are happy and we are happy. Then I'll convince your Papa"
Palki just shook her head.
" I don't think so–”
" At least try”
" Fine”
Archana smiled and kissed Palki's forehead.
That's the best she can do for her daughter.
..............................
Palki's pov
I looked at myself from the mirror. I tried to smile. But it never reached my eyes.
I know why ?
Because I'm not happy.
A certain pain is still present in my heart.
I'm doing this for my parents.
That's the only motivation because of which I'm getting ready.
Ma took out one of the beautiful yellow anarkali for me. It was beautifully designed with stones. I left my hair lose.
" Wow! My daughter is looking so beautiful. Evil eyes!”
She put kajal behind my ear.
I smiled slightly.
" Ma you promised me"
Her smile faded. But she again smiled fully.
" I know. I trust the boy's family. He studied in IIT Bombay, I'm sure he must be open minded.”
I still hope it is that way. Cause I don't want to upset both families later.
" Palki is ready ?”
Papa came inside my room to check me. He was wearing a white kurta.
"Ji.."
Ma said.
" They will come in 10-15 minutes. Be ready...”
My heart was beating loudly. I don't know what's going to happen ?
What if they don't agree ?
I can't live my whole life completing someone's demand. I want to be independent. Not everyone is like my father. At least papa gives money to Ma for savings.
I doubt how my in law will be. I have heard stories. It's depressing. I get anxious every time I hear what happens. The pressure after marriage is no joke.
The bell rang.
Papa went to receive them.
Soon the house was filled with noise and commotion.
" Beta... go and take this tea and serve them. If asked who made the snacks say you made it”
I just nodded at my mother's command.
" After serving should I sit ?”
" No..no...just stand in a corner”
I nodded slowly and went out.
I got nervous seeing everyone. But I still kept my eyes low. They must be thinking I'm shy. But I'm not.
I served the tea to everyone. Then I took a slight glance at the boy. He was good looking not bad. I saw him peeking at me time to time.
I just stood in the corner.
" Thanks beta...by the way kachori's are really good. You made it ?”
" Yes..”
I replied to his mother.
" Nice... it's better that a girl knows cooking and household works....right bhai sahab ?”
Her tone was covered with too much sweetness.
" Ji...ji.."
That's all my father said.
Soon she started bragging about her son. All I did was to give fake smile at her.
Finally the session ended after whole 45 mins.
I thought it was over but no !
" We should let both of them talk”
Finally!
Now I could ask him all the questions without any hesitation.
He stood up and directed him towards my room. We both entered the balcony.
" The view is really good"
He said while looking at the view. He had a very deep voice. I don't know why but I didn't like it even a bit. It sounded so scary!
" Yeah.."
" So what's your answer ?"
He directly asked me.
"I...i..need to confirm a few things before going forward with this relation”
He raised his eyebrows and scoffed.
" You just graduated right ? So... what else do you need ? I have a package of 40 lakhs..."
I frowned. I understand he is doing a very well but that doesn't mean he has to brag about it all the time!
" No..no.. it's not about that”
" Then ?"
" Why are you Marrying ? Parents ?”
I asked.
He just rolled his eyes.
" I need a wife. Who can take care of me, my family and the household. We are already earning a lot. Dad has a business and my brothers are all successful in their sectors and I'm earning a lot....so I need someone to take care of our house"
Does he mean he basically needs a maid ?
I came straight to the point.
" I want to do a job later”
He looked at me like I cracked some kind of joke.
" What ? Job ? See...ha..ha...i understand that you're beautiful and I believe that's enough. You can spend my money as much as you want... but what's the need of a job ?”
" I want to work."
I mumbled not liking his statement.
He held my shoulder. And I didn't like it even a bit. Why was he being so much touchy ?
I got angry.
" It's okay Palki. Just take care of my family okay ? I'm completely fine. I can earn all well! I'm happy with this relation. And I will love you. Okay ?”
His I love you sounded cheap and his eyes full of arrogance. How can Papa choose such a guy for me ?.
" Let's go. My answer is yes..”
He patted my cheeks and left.
............................
" So what is your answer Palki beta ? My boy looks already in love..."
The woman laughed looking at her son.
Archana faked her smile.
" So beta... what's your answer ?"
Vikas asked his daughter.
Palki was fisting her hands very tightly. She knew her answer would anger her father
a lot. But right now, her life was more important.
" No.."
" What..."
The woman gasped dramatically.
Everyone was shocked except Archana who looked at daughter begging her not to.
" No...i don't wanna marry him”
Write a comment ...