Chapter 11: Chapter 11

"Sandhya, dad has decided on your marriage." Sindhu comes running to me, shuts the door, breaths heavily, and lets those words out in a low voice.

I am not very shocked since I want to believe it's a false statement. "Not possible! You can not fool me. He didn't have any such conservation with me."

"Do you expect him to have one?" says Sindhu offending my expectations from dad. That frightens me a bit! "Hey, you are giving me goosebumps! He won't decide without my concern. I know that! We never had a formal talk about this."

"He has. You know his sentiments right! Day after tomorrow is a good day it seems; he will inform you on that day, exactly when the clock ticks 11.45 am. He was saying this to his mother on a call. Highlight the word 'inform.' Dad is so conservative, he upsets me so often."

"Inform? What do you mean just inform?" Nope! I can't marry a total stranger just because dad has decided.

Sindhu continues "I was suspicious about something serious going on and, I finally eavesdropped today."

I shout "No! That's not true. Like, I'm not against marriage. But not with a total stranger."

"Looks like, the goosebumps on your skin are giving you electric shocks!"

My anger is already on its edges "Don't joke. I am shivering already."

She suddenly smiles.

Why? "I know, but I am happy!"

I defensively question back "Why would you be happy about a new problem for me."

Standing right beside me and holding on to my shoulders, she assuringly says "Don't give that 'witch' kind of look at me, please! He is not a total stranger. Just a little bit stranger, might be!

This is your clue. By giving this clue, I am releasing you from your anxiety. But not from the suspense! I won't reveal his name. Stay tuned! While I get entertained!"

"Say! Who it is, I too should be able to judge and decide."

Walking towards the door she says, "Don't worry! He is perfect for you. As perfect as I am for you. I have approved him. I know what is good for you. You don't have to break your head! Bye!"

Hmmm, time to switch ON my analysis mode. Ok, I don't have to worry. Sindhu knows who the right person for me is. It's only about suspense. Ok, wait. It is not about the suspense either. Is my anxiety about my crush, Sanjay?

A few weeks pass by, in a normal routine. Peaceful, calm, and unimportant! Sanjay's thoughts didn't disturb me. Converting my anger into words was quite helpful! Real-life is anyways not beautiful. Putting down my expectations and happiness over a story feels as good as reality. But today, now, when my family is looking over another guy for me, Sanjay has again crossed my mind! God! Is this love? Hope it is not!

I walk to the balcony and can see Sindhu talking over a call. Seems like she is very excited. I remained myself "Sandhya, you got over him writing a story and letting those uncertain emotions out. Also, marrying a stranger is better than marrying a flirt who takes my pictures secretly. Ok, I don't know if he did that. Sorry, you are probably not an idiot. Hmm, ok fine, I will be just fine! And, as I live a happy life with this new person, I'll get over Sanjay. I too have forced a few guys to get over me by constantly rejecting them. It's my turn now! Let me stop thinking about this for now. I'll be fine! Look how confident Sindhu is, so I too should be fine! I'll be fine!" I forcefully assure myself!

It's dinner time, Sindhu sits right beside me. Looking at her mood and expressions, I can see she is wanting to play some naughtiness with me. All the conservations happen over whispers.

Bending slightly towards my ear, she softly says "Almost one and a half-day, for your suspense to break."

I warn "Silence! You should not speak while eating."

Ignoring my warning, she continues "And the clue is, I know him very well. You met him just once."

"Do you want Dad to know that you eavesdropped? Just shut up!"

"Right! I will. But I think you will find the answer."

A few moments pass by and Sindhu hears Sandhya say "Sanjay?" I guessed it could be Sanjay.

I have paused eating. My eyes are widened as much as possible. The face which was bent down to concentrate on food is now turned towards Sindhu, and is expressing what? Don't know!

Shock? Surprise? Anger? Ego? All? All mixed? Which one is the most prominent emotion? Is Sindhu able to catch that up?

Sindhu surprisingly says "OMG, you guessed! And thank god you didn't shout out that name. I would have been dead meat in dad's hands. But, how did you guess it so easily? And, what is it with that face and its expression? You suddenly turn out to be an Alien."

Sandhya curiously questions "Now say. Is he the one? Sindhu, he is the one who..." I'm all tensed and unhappy about whatever is happening!

Sindhu is very cool "Yes Sandhya, yes! He is a good person. I know him well. Dad is strict and conservative. But you will get a lot of freedom from him and be happy. For an introvert like you, an extrovert like him is the perfect match. He helped me with my project too. Cool, smart, intelligent, and independent person."

Dad who was watching TV all by himself has now raised his voice to warn us. "Sindhu, what is happening. Didn't I teach you, that no speaking while eating? A rule is a rule. Do you want me to punish you the way I punished you on your 10th birthday for the same mistake?"

Sindhu lowers down her head "Sorry Dad, I won't speak!" As both of them silence up on our 'strict fathers' warning statement like little girls, I still continue to think. More, more and more!

"Sindhu, he is the one, who Raj in my story is. I think he... Ok Sandhya. Now that's not important. Do you think he is the correct one for you?".

It's 10 pm in the night, our time to pack up with the day and rest. But I am not fine. Until Sindhu reminds me that it's time to sleep, I don't stop staring at the clock. The clock kept ticking and I am lost in another world. As we lie down on the bed, Sindhu sleeps as usual, but I lie down to the opposite. I am trying to avoid people.

A worried Sindhu says "Akka, we are already missing out on our sleep routine. Hold my hand for my happy sleep. After your marriage, I will be alone, I think I will have nightmares daily! What should I do?"

That melts me off! Affectionately I turn towards her, hold her hands to say, "Sorry dear. Don't get upset. I will turn, hold your hand, give you your happy sleep, and your good night."

"Yes! Do that Akka."

"And after I am gone, you will get close with mom and dad."

"Dad is scary."

"And so is he equally lovable."

"Akka, why are you so worried. You can trust me! He is a good person. I am speaking about Sanjay. I have dealt with him a lot and I know him well!"

"He knew me for a long time now, right Sindhu? Is it completely an arranged marriage? I mean, were proposals, discussions, and decisions done only by parents?"

"It's arranged only Akka. We are constantly in touch. But he never brought up your topic. Even by mistake. And I too was anxious about the same. I called him an hour back and questioned."

I slightly slap on Sindhu cheeks "Idiot you are. Just can't hold anything within yourself?"

"He too said it's mostly arranged, and he too likes this proposal. Very delighted in fact!"

I softly massage Sindhu's hair and within no time she is fast asleep. I can't fall asleep. "Sanjay, you are hurting my 'female ego'. I will take my revenge!".

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