Swiping for Shaadi: Episode 20 - Finale

(You can read the previous part of this story here)

For Mishraji, Anjali had dived into an ocean without a life jacket. Though she had been explaining that she had a financial cushion to get through the vacuum, the truth that she had quit her flourishing career disgusted him.

“You made all the decisions by yourself. You didn’t even bother to ask me about it.” He pursed his lips in annoyance and continued in a husky voice, “Okay. You have become a grown-up person now. You can make all the decisions by yourself and not even bother to discuss them with your parents. You are sure that you have done the right thing. You know what is good or bad for you. You are free. You don’t need your parents. You don’t need us.”

Saying so, he began to pace away from them and strode towards his bedroom. But Alokji stopped him.

“Bhaiya, she hasn’t explained anything about her marriage. Let her clarify whether she wants to marry or not, or has chosen a man or a woman for herself. Let us know what her problem is.”

Mishraji appeared furious and worked up, but he thought of listening patiently to the explanation offered by Anjali.

“Yes, beta.” He asked her sarcastically. “What have you thought about your marriage? Any news for us? Anyways, you should not bother to ask for our permission or discuss it with us regarding it.”

Anjali gave a fuming glance at Alokji who did nothing but aggravate the matter.

“Papa, I want to marry someday but not now. This doesn’t mean that I have a problem. I am interested only in men but I need some time to find a good man for myself. I don’t want to rush things. It doesn’t matter even if I am over 30 or 40. I want to have a happy, fulfilling marriage, Papa.”

“Do you think we are in unhappy marriages, beta? Look at your parents, we have been married for the last 30 years. Adjustment is the key to marriage, beta. Even when your Daadi wanted a boy, we decided to have only one child because your mother couldn’t manage it. I have adjusted to it. Your mother was not aware of our family traditions and customs, she took time and adjusted to the new home. I don’t understand the present generation. You want everything, no adjustments, no compromises, no conflicts in marriage. How is that even possible?”

Alokji grunted which meant that he agreed with his elder brother but preferred not to add further comments to it.

“Do you think it is a happy marriage, Papa?” Anjali counter-asked which shocked everyone, including Daadi. The ladies had not expected that the topic would cover their successful marriages as well.”

“Papa, I have been seeing how you dislike, criticize, and belittle Mother’s hobby of gardening. I have been seeing it since childhood. You have never considered her likes and choices. What will I do if I find someone who hates and criticizes my hobbies? I can’t live in a curfew.”

It was a brutal eye-opener for Anjali’s father. He always thought that his little daughter was on her side, and never supported his wife’s gardening hobby. But Anjali’s mother, Kamalaji had tears in her eyes. Finally, it was a person in the whole family who backed up her passion for gardening.

“And I also don’t want to rush and marry a man who caters to the requirements of all the ladies, and doesn’t notice me.”

Alokji raised his one eyebrow and glared at Anjali. Shantiji was deeply moved when she heard it through Anjali’s mouth. It was her grievance and she had been hiding it for a long time.

“What do you mean? Who entertains the ladies of the neighbourhood? Do you even understand what you are blabbering?”

“Uncle, I am not blabbering. I am speaking the truth, whatever I have been witnessing since childhood.” She approached her mother and aunt, and said with tearful eyes, “I am sorry. Even though I am a woman, I never looked into your concerns. You have been slashed out for so many years in this house. I never stood up for you but I have realized my mistake lately. And Mummy and Chachi, I will not make the mistake of marrying hurriedly. I respect time and I will find my suitable life partner one day.”

The ladies wiped tears streaming from their eyes and gave teary smiles to Anjali. For the first time in their lives, they were proud of her, prouder than the day she had bagged her MBA degree from MBA, prouder than the day she would get married.

“That’s all I wanted to say. I know you all are mad at me as I am going against society’s expectations. But I am sorry. I can’t live for the society henceforth.”

She bowed to Daadi who reluctantly gave her blessings. She moved towards the door and left them in disbelief. She had left home before Mishraji could say that the doors had been closed for her.

                                                  -x-

Six Months Later…

Anjali was at Hampi for a photography assignment when she noticed her father’s number flashing on the screen. Papa Calling – it seemed that she had seen these two words after ages. She was in touch with her mother regarding his health and other updates but he had never personally called nor Anjali called him to enquire.

“Hello, Papa?” She answered and gasped.

“Beta,” he said and added, “How are you? How is work going on?”

“It is going good, Papa.” She waited for him to add something.

“Good. Good.”

After a few seconds of unusual silence, he continued with a stammer, “Beta, take your time. No need to worry about marriage or any guy. Just tie the knot when you are ready. We won’t bother you. And if anyone does, give him my number.”

Anjali was wonderstruck to listen to this.

“It doesn’t mean you are right and I was wrong.”

She smiled cheerfully when he was not willing to admit his mistake.

“Times have changed. And beta, I have stopped criticizing your mother’s plants these days. I don’t support her but I don’t call names to her hobby. Let her do whatever she wants.”

“Thank you, Papa,” Anjali said in a shaky voice.

“Waise beta, if you want my help to find someone, I am always there a call away.”

And they both roared in laughter.