It was Sunday. Nidhi knew that her laptop will be staying in the bag and the same topic will be discussed again, which is not brought to light the entire week because she is busy with her work and her laptop… MARRIAGE! She had in many ways tried to explain that she was yet not ready for marriage. Why is it even important? She was earning, happy in her life and in her own space. She never wanted to adjust or compromise, especially in the name of marriage. But all her statements were sidelined with the customary -Marriage is important, what will people say, it is the parent’s responsibility, we cannot just leave you on your own… a partner is important for everyone. you will realize this later, etc, etc.
Do people realize that marriage is not only a task you can tick off your checklist after completion and then sit back and relax? It is a lifetime responsibility, and its preparations begin much before. Some of Nidhi’s pictures in salwar kameez had been shared, but now they want a photo in the saree too. Not to say the picture Nidhi got to see was the guy sitting in T-shirt and jeans in his office, not the traditional Indian wear!
With her unemployed dad, studies, and exams, Nidhi could never enjoy her childhood. But now she had friends, her work, her life, and her own comfort zone. Do all girls just give up like that for marriage? Like study, get a job, and get married? Because that’s how things work since the beginning of civilization??
Nidhi’s thoughts came to a halt when her mom called out,” Get ready fast. We have to go to the parlor too.” She nodded and went to take a bath. By the time she returned, it had started raining heavily and her mom was really furious. ” Today also it won’t be possible, and tomorrow you’ll be busy with your office work.”
Nidhi was all prepared to start a fight… to say out loud that if seeing me only reminds you of my “not happening” marriage, I’ll better move to another city. She wanted to scream out louder that she was not ready to be a part of a lifestyle where after a few years all her efforts, job, freedom… everything will be gone. She wanted to shout that she won’t do any manicure, pedicure, or facial care to make her look beautiful. Anyone who would give importance to her facial beauty and not her lifelong efforts was anyways not worthy of her. She is beautiful, in fact very beautiful…because she is caring, mature, well-mannered, and educated. She would say yes only to someone who would say yes to her normal picture. She wanted to be a human, not a product, whose glow, shine, and fine polish are more important.
Again, her thoughts were interrupted when her mom said,” The rain wouldn’t stop. What do we do now?
Nidhi softly replied,” I’ll take half day’s leave tomorrow. Don’t worry, we’ll go to the parlor tomorrow.
Her mom sighed in relief with a hmmm and suddenly there was a storm, helpless, both outside and in Nidhi’s heart.