Chapter 6

Pushpa was crying. What had happened at her place, was just ridiculous.

After meeting Karthik, Pushpa went home, and got herself mentally prepared to tell her parents about Rakesh. She went into the kitchen, where her mom was making hot rotis. She entered the kitchen hesitantly and pitched the topic up. "Mom, there is something I want to tell you"

"What dear?"

"I am in love, with a guy called Rakesh, a very brilliant and good chap, he works with me. He is a gem of a person mom, I want to marry him."

The pressure cooker went off, and let out a sound that silenced the entire house. Her mom, Mrs.Dharini Dhananjaya looked at her, with a shocked and alarmed expression on her face. When the pressure cooker stopped whistling, she whispered, "You know your father would never agree to this, never... "

"I want you to tell him mom, please convince him, for my sake. I can't even think of spending my life with someone else. I will marry him, and him only."

"I think it's best we settle this right now. Please tell your father about this, and convince him yourself!"

Pushpa walked into the reading room, where her business obsessed father was watching the television as stocks which had attained closure by 6.00 in the evening, were still being displayed. God knows what, Pushpa thought, is with these stock market dealers, people sit glued to the television looking at stock values even hours after the stock exchange has closed! The television set is the idiot box indeed!

"Dad, I have something important to tell you!"

Mr. Dhanajaya, an unassuming senior citizen, adjusted his spectacles on his nose, muted the television set and turned to his daughter. "Tell me dear!"

"Daddy, I am in love with Dr. Rakesh Mehta, you must most definitely have read about him in the newspapers or somewhere, he is my colleague and we've been in love for two years now. I would like you to get us married with your blessings!"

Pushpa didn't expect what followed. A Times of India copy which had been read, re-read and read a third time too, was on her face, lashed out. She felt glad it wasn't something like a cup of hot tea. Then her father spoke, "No Bihari babu ain't my son-in-law. You don't decide your husband, I do. Go sleep! "

"It's my life and I decide daddy!"

"You don't know anything! My daughter doesn't have a love marriage. It's as simple as this. I'll get you a good guy from our own clan. You go sleep!"

"No father, I am marrying him. I'd better make that very clear. I can't let 6 years of feelings go to the dumps. I love him, and my heart knows none else!"

"Did I ask you to fall in love with him? Your mother and I had an arranged marriage, and we've had a very successful marriage. What's wrong with an arranged marriage? It was we who created you, we who decided when you'd go to school, we who decided when to get you a new cycle, we who decided the small small gifts you'd get for your birthday, we who gifted you your first scooty, we who did everything for you, but when it comes to marriage alone you want to decide for yourself! How selfish of you!"

"I'm sorry daddy, I know I hurt your feelings, but I am in love with him, and I will get married to him only, please forgive me. Get me married to him!" Pushpa tried the defensive route this time.

"No! My answer will stay a plain no!" said Mr.Dhananjaya as he walked right into his bedroom, and slammed the door shut.

Pushpa was aghast, and she could hear someone crying. She streched and found her mother crying in the kitchen!