Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Writers POV"

The next day, Saturday at 11.45 am, dad knocks on Sandhya's door. "Sandhya."

"Hello, Dad."

" Sandhya, you know Sanjay, right? Their family likes you a lot. He will be waiting for you. He mentioned someplace that I can't recall, you can meet him once."

"Dad, so sudden. You just mentioned him and already asking me to meet him."

Ganapathi (Father) ignores Sandhya and continues. "I suggested to him, that he meets you at the mall nearby. Anyway, you guys can decide. He will let you know. I shared your contact details with him."

Sindhu intruptes "Dad, is it..."

"Yes Sindhu. You should get used to a life without Sandhya. Bye. You guys can continue to work. No disturbance. I will close the door as I step out."

"Ok, bye dad!"

Before dad leaves the room, I request dad "Give me some time dad, to think about this."

He replies, "Our family knows his family for ages. This is the best for you, the best! I know that. Just get yourself comfortable with him when you meet him today."

Sindhu helps him, "I will convince Akka, don't worry dad!" Who will help me, with my doubts and insecurities?

Dad tries to comfort me while I look worried, "Sandhya, don't worry. I will respect your decisions. I just think meeting with him is not a big deal."

I agree. "Ok dad. Thanks!"

"Good!"

Ganapathi is Sandhya's father. A strict, conservative, old-fashioned, typical Indian father. He is an introvert, an introvert more than his daughter Sandhya. Sindhu turns out to be like her mother Vanaja, extrovert and talkative. But Sandhya and Ganapathi belong to that clan of people who talk as minimum as possible. They talk less and work more. Like how Sandhya has the strongest bonding with her little sister Sindhu, Ganapathi has such bonding with his wife Vanaja.

Sandhya's POV:

Sindhu starts the talks "Sandhya, I can't believe this. Did dad just give you a chance to meet him, and probably some freedom so that you can make a decision? Oh, mine! He was never like this before. I thought he decided, but no! I thought he won't even ask for your opinion and dominate. But no! He is cool nowadays Akka! Isn't he? Wow! And yes! He is correct, Sanjay is the best for you."

I smile very little "Dad just looks like some red-hot ball. But he is not so. And, he did give me the freedom to decide. You don't have to mention the word 'probably'. And, coming to Sanjay, is he really the best for me? I doubt Sindhu."

Again there goes her irritating confidence "He is Akka. You want no doubt. We are all so happy for you. Sanjay and I met yesterday, and I spoke so much about you. I will keep him prepared, to deal with you!"

I am really not good with this "Who will prepare me, Sindhu? And of course, you are the chatterbox! What so big deal with you speaking about me with him the whole day? And hey, you didn't say anything about the story I wrote, right? Please don't!"

She looks at me with wide-open eyes "I didn't. And I am saying you, you are mad. Really! Why should that be a secret? It's supposed to be your pride. It would help him so much in understanding you. Reading that, this arranged marriage might end up being love- arranged marriage. Anyway, I don't have the patience to sit and convince you now. He was planning to meet you at the mall and watch an English movie. Bye."

I am kind of scolding her "Sindhu, listen... For your kind information, you are the one not letting me decide, dad is! You are the dominating one, not dad. Look at your confidence, that you don't even give me a chance to speak. Dad is matured, not you. Come on, now tell me more about him. Convince me why he is the perfect one for me?

Sindhu is much more good at showing her anger to me "I am really mad at you Akka! Speaking about him, convincing you, none of that works. It's like insulting him and my confidence in him.

I'm shocked "Insult?? Are you serious!"

With all her attitude she replies "I know about you. I know about you and convincing isn't my piece of cake. I don't pursue so much patience in life."

I'm hurt "You are insulting me now."

"Just meet and get to know each other. Convince yourself! And, I do know what you desire!"

As Sindhu goes, I softly say, "If he at all loves me, it is supposed to be a love marriage. How can he manipulate it to be an arranged marriage? He is winning me because my parents are convinced and because you are confident. What about me? How about convincing me? And, if he reads my story, things would turn awkward for both of us, complicated to deal with! More than complicated, it is really awkward. I would not know where to hide my face! More of, I am afraid it does no good to me! I don't know much about the male ego, but what if it hurts that? And my female ego is still figuring out if it is hurt or not! Also, I am even equally accepting that this is the best gift God is gifting me. At least, trying to. I don't know Sindhu; I don't know anything. Things are getting so fast and scary; I am not even able to express myself with you too. This marriage thing is so scary, I am getting nervous with you also. How can I get nervous with you? That's supposed to be impossible. We can't change our bond, come what may!"

Writers POV:

Sindhu, Sandhya, and Sanjay are at the mall. Sanjay is overwhelmed with happiness. He is nervous and shy. Dealing with Sandhya for the first time, he has the pressure of impressing her and getting her acceptance. Equally, he is shy! His first-ever date with the love of his life right! Coming to Sandhya, she is not fine with this meet. She is here just for the sake of being here, to obey her dad's words.

This is a Love arranged marriage, and Sandhya is unaware of this fact. Sanjay has been in love with her for a long time. Being the shy kind of guy and unprepared, he could not express that. Additionally, Sanjay is unaware of her female ego hurt.

Sindhu cut's in the silence "Watching a movie is of no use. You will only watch the movie and listen to some story someone has written; maximum is you both will sit by each other's side. This isn't a good way of spending quality time with each other or understand each other."

Sandhya is not at all shy. She isn't the 'girly' type of woman. She is dealing with Sanjay as if she is dealing with some parents at her parent-teachers meeting! Sanjay isn't happy about that. He expects her to be girly and cute and shy and... what not! But yeah, he does not complain about that though!

The environment around them isn't so cool. Sanjay requested Sindhu to accompany them to help him deal with Sandhya. And still, Sanjay is acting as if he has to consult a psychiatrist at the next minute. On top of all the complaints and questions, Sanjay is right now proving to be a weirdo. Sandhya is not impressed, definitely not! She is getting more and more into her introverted shell. To any question asked, she only replies for the sake of replying or gives a blank smile. And, that is it. You know what, it is scary to get blank smiles from Sandhya, it could mean anything. And that anything is probably her ego, her anger, her disappointment and, whatnot! That blank smile is dangerous! There is no good interaction between them.

Sindhu on the other side can see Sanjay ruining his date. She can sense Sandhya uninterested, which is bad!

Sanjay broadly smiles and giggles to say, "So... I always wanted to watch a movie with Sandhya, like only us! I mean, only me and Sandhya... Of course, it's ok if we don't do that today. We do have the whole of our life to watch a movie together. Right, Sandhya?" He's very happy he got to meet Sandhya, and he does have a lot of time with her.

Sindhu is angry now, so she is in a hurry to reply first. "Oh, you want to watch a movie with my sister! So, what do you plan to do with me? Push me down from the top of this building. A clever way of getting rid of me, right!"

Sanjay is shocked seeing Sindhu's irritation and even before he responds, Sandhya gets offended and warns him. "Don't get so confident or build up hopes. I am here only to meet you because dad asked for it. I am yet to decide. And, this isn't a date, to watch a movie with only you beside me." She finds it as if he has decided for her, that she has to belong to him for the whole of her life.

Sanjay within himself "Oh, these sisters have gone crazy. How am I supposed to deal with them?" Those were rude replies from both of them. He gets more nervous now.

The three decide to have some snacks and thus spend some time together. They select a table and grab their favorites. Sanjay opts for mango juice; Sandhya likes Tomato soup and Sindhu gets her chocolate ice cream.

Everything looks just fine to anyone who witnesses this moment. But Sindhu is seriously upset with Sanjay. She wants him to 'man up' instead of jumping like some jelly ball. He has happiness on the inner side and nervousness on the outer side! Happiness and nervousness don't go well side by side. So, everything those sisters get to see is the jelly ball jumping here and there in confusion.

It's like, out of joy or something else, he does not know where he is going, what he is doing, or what he is speaking! Either is he killing the language or inventing some new language? Or, is he just redefining a new set of grammatical rules to the existing language? He has a lot of breaks while speaking. He is mixing up irrelevant words and speaking senseless statements. And when both of them are confused or worried about him, he just gives a weird smile and, and does nothing. He actually has nothing to speak, but still speaks! Existing in some tension-filled world, he drinks his mango juice with a spoon. And when questioned why, he suggests they also do the same. Sindhu knows the kind of man he is. His success stories and the challenges he has won. His confidence and smartness are nowhere to be seen.

As if trying to help him, Sindhu texts to his phone asking "what is with your weird behavior? Where did all your confidence go to? You behave all normal with me, what's wrong with you now?" Sindhu is expecting a silent reply on her phone. She is trying to calm him down. But all of that fail! Instead of replying to her secretly, he loudly shouts in the middle of the awkward silence 'I am fine! This is my normal behavior.'

He got offensive, unnecessarily! Sandhya who is peacefully enjoying her tomato soup is now disturbed. She lifts her head, looks at Sanjay, throws a look that says 'What is all this? Why am I even here? What am I doing?' and gets back to her soup. And that look even includes -'Why should I waste my precious weekend with this mad? I declare him to be the weirdo of the day!' And as if ashamed of whatever help Sindhu extended to Sanjay, Sindhu hits her forehead and gets up from her chair real quick. She has left behind her chocolate ice cream too. Even though Sandhya observed all this, she continues to have her tomato soup, peacefully! Just not bothered about whatever is happening!

Sindhu and Sanjay who are away from Sandhya are into serious conservation.

Sindhu: Look Sanjay, I am usually the straightforward person and I am saying, you are acting like a mad today! You requested me to join on this date with Sandhya. Who does that? Don't you know the concept of privacy? Don't you need that? Ok fine, you asked me to join and I'm here. But then you now say you want to watch a movie with Sandhya alone now! Are you least bothered about my existence here? Can you imagine the kind of impression Sandhya can have about you!

Sindhu gives a halt to her scoldings expecting an answer. He is struggling to find one.

Sindhu continues as she gets no reply. "And, how can you ask me to accompany you both on your date? Aren't you shameful? You can't handle her for a few hours, how can you deal with her the whole of your life? I too pitied you and came along, but your nervousness is out of my helping hand's reach. You chose your schedule correctly. Go, and silently watch that stupid movie and save yourself! I so confidently said you are perfect for my sister. Please, don't prove me wrong. I will take the bike to go home, you can drop Sandhya! And, careful please!"

Sanjay has an apologizing expression. Equally pitting himself "She says it's not a date and she does not want to watch a movie with me alone."

Sindhu: Look how weird you are! You are so good at that stupid Java coding! What's wrong with the romantic person in you? And, goodbye! Don't upset my sister like how you upset me.

Sanjay: I like her so much! And, I have no experience with impressing girls. I have no idea what I am supposed to do. Please help me. Don't go. She will be angrier at me.

Sindhu: Oh man! Just be comfortable, just be yourself. Don't transform yourself into a whole new person so suddenly. It's impossible. If you try something unusual, it will be like 'drinking your mango juice with that small spoon!' And, how can you ask her to try the same? Did you see the kind of look she gave back?

Sanjay scratches his head.

Sindhu declares "My presence is doing no good. I will leave."

Sanjay argues "I didn't want to look stupid. So, just covered up!"

Sindhu immediately responds with a red hot face "And you proved to be a total stupid while trying not to look stupid! She isn't some devil. Behave like a gentleman, not like any scary cat! However you are with me, be the same with her too. She is my very elder sister.

Sanjay: Ok! I will try it.

Sindhu: My sister speaks less, very little. She just does not pull out dramas. And with you, she is speaking with her eyes. You got to understand her.

Sanjay: Yes, I understood them. She is thinking I am mad or something!

Sanjay is feeling better now, after the scoldings he has got. He realizes, he is supposed to be normal. As he gets back to Sandhya, she has finished her soup and is waiting for them to return.

Sandhya: If you can try drinking that juice without using a spoon, we can go to a park nearby. It's one of my daily routines. Evening walk in pleasant wind and birds chirping! By the way, has my sister left? I don't see her.

Sanjay: (Giggling) Hey, I am sorry! I was acting all weird. I was just too nervous.

Sandhya: I know, my sister screwed you. And now you are fine. Aren't you?

Sanjay: She took your bike; we can use mine. Comfortable right?

Sandhya: I HAVE to get comfortable, right!

That reply leaves Sanjay with a question mark!

As they walk in the park.

Sanjay: Hey, ignore for whatever I was at the mall.

Sandhya: It was indirect proof of how much you like me!

Sanjay: Oh, that a cool reply! Sandhya, do you like me?

Sandhya: Do I know any answer to it?

Sanjay is speechless. That reply leaves Sanjay with a question mark, again!

They have fast-walked for some while and are still fast walking. No speaking while exercising, right! But Sanjay is not in peace. He pauses here to ask. "Hey, your answer to my question was a question again. I am not able to get back an answer to MY question."

Sandhya: My family thinks you are the best for me. I trust them, they know what is correct for me, and I will consider you. And coming to liking you, that is a matter of time. I just blindly think that someday I will like you; and in-fact, might love you!

Sanjay: Elaborate, please!

Sandhya: I met you only once, and we spoke hardly for five minutes. How do you expect me to conclude something about you this soon? It will take a lot of time for me to accept you. Please consider the wait!

Sanjay: Love marriage would have been better for us right?

Sandhya: Did we ever get that chance? Did you ever try to find a chance?

Sanjay: Why are all your answers back a question?

Sandhya: Should you take it as my anger?

Sanjay: Sandhya I am sorry, I just don't understand any of your replies. Give me answers! Not questions!

Sandhya's phone rings and her dad speaks "That's enough Sandhya! It's getting dark. Come home immediately".

Sandhya: My conservative father says I have to reach home before the sun is out of his sight.

Sanjay: Ok. Let's hurry.

Sandhya: Why were you so weird at the mall.

Sanjay giggling "I was under the pressure of impressing you. Until your sister asked me to be myself".

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