Glossary: Atya - Father's Sister
Vaishu's POV
When Shravan called me and said he wanted to call off the wedding, I was not surprised. I knew something was amiss with this alliance. He would never call me, never talk to me. I know it was an arranged one, yet I had seen a lot of my friends who had such arranged alliance. The girl and the boy would regularly be in touch through calls, if in the same town, then they would sneak out without informing their families. But Shravan was aloof. He called me up today and informed me that he was taking the flight to Boston in the late evening and would not return to India. He never wanted a marriage, but his mother had forced it upon him. He said he was very sorry that he had to keep up the farce till today. He tried to explain to me his difficulties. I just cut his call and did not want to hear anymore. I was at the office when this happened and informed Sri Vani and asked her to inform Ranil Anna. I now understand why Shravan was so adamant that I should continue working in Bengaluru. I appreciate that gesture from Shravan. Thankfully I have my career and beautiful family and friends intact. I drove back to my home, where I found the air to be very gloomy. I understood that Shravan or his family called and had talked about calling off the wedding.
Maa was crying non-stop, and Pappa was trying to console her. She just hugged me and started crying. Meena Atya started lecturing me how I should not have accepted to marry Shravan? Wow, I did not know that he would call off the wedding. I was being lectured by everyone, pitied by everyone that I would never be married off. Meena Atya was the worst of everyone. She started body shaming me. I was healthy person wearing a L size, not like her slim daughter, I was dusky, not like her daughter. I was 28 years old and unmarried, and her daughter, who was of my age was married and had 2 kids. I wanted to shout at her that I was on the partner route in one of the biggest law firms in India, I am not a burden on anyone. I could not shout at her. It would pain my Maa and Pappa more and Veena. Oh yeah!! Her daughter Veena was a home maker, a sweet soul unlike Atya. Veena's husband Shantanu was the only person who could handle my Meena Atya. He loves his wife and his kids. If things go beyond my control, I will call Shantanu Bhava. Oh God!! I am ranting to myself. I do this when I am stressed out and I can't take it anymore. I just want to shout at everyone – Just Go to Hell!!
I had a splitting headache because of all this, and I wanted to just lock myself up in my room. I just went to my room when Shanti Dodamma brought me a cup of coffee. She put her hand on my head and said: "Don't worry Vaishu. You are my strong bacha. Just put on some music and relax. Don't worry, some way will open. You will come out of this unscathed. You will find a kind and good life partner, if not today someday. Sleep it off and forget it." My Dodamma was best and Venkat Doddappa, her husband was another gem of a guy. He will be here tomorrow. He will put everything in perspective.
Will things change for Vaishu? Or she will be able to change the perspective of her family? Will Meena pull up any trick? Will Vaishu be able to confront Meena? Will her parents support her?
So many questions? That is what life poses right? Questions andChallenges and the journey of life is made of answers and solutions to such questions and challenges.
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