Swiping for Shaadi: Episode 9 - When Your Best Friend Announces Her Wedding

Anjali thought that she had sought what she wanted. Father had stopped pressurizing for marriage as he knew that Anjali didn’t seem to be interested in the proposals. Even though Anjali had reduced her home visits, she would lie to him that she had office work on weekends and would go for solo backpacking trips. Wow, she loved being a solo backpacker; she explored the cities of Udaipur and Jaipur, and quaint towns of Mcledoganj and Kaza.  

“I have covered almost the entire North India. I want to explore South India. Yes, and also North-east India. Yaar, when this traveling bug hits us, the itch doesn’t go away.” She exclaimed to Sid, who had recently turned 24.

“And what is Chacha commenting on his little, pampered daughter?”

“Oh, he doesn’t bother me much with the proposals. It doesn’t mean he is the same old Papa, but I guess he understands me. He is waiting for me to turn 26 and then, he will get me married. As if I am going to meet my Mr. Perfect when I turn 26, ha?” She laughed comically.

She lived a happy, single life but her flatmate had her ups and downs in her relationship with Manish. Sometimes, she could hear Reena’s cursing her husband, and on the rest of the days, it was all about how blessed she was to have a caring better half like him.

Her office life wasn’t great, but the backpacking trips kept her high on energy and enthusiasm. Of course, it was also Varun who had begun talking to her on a regular basis.

“What does he talk about? Exes, his future, his romantic interests, his hobbies…?” Sid asked excitedly.

“Oh no! That day, we happened to be at the same ATM. So, he asked, “ATM me cash hai na?”

Sid slapped his forehead and ridiculed her, “It isn’t called talking, Sis. If he is not taking the initiative, you should. If Chacha is waiting for you to get into a desired mental state, he can even be ready to let you marry a Maharashtrian guy.”

“Really, do you really think so? But how do I strike a conversation?”

Sid shared some of his not-so-fresh tips with her and she wondered whether they would work. She wanted to go out with Varun, but she had not confirmed her own feelings for him. Well, I don’t want a ‘planned fling’, or a hookup, if it isn’t real, then what’s the use of asking him out? Or maybe, she should try and figure out whether she can plan for a long-term relationship with him or even better, get married to him?

Finally, Varun and Anjali found a topic to discuss – travel photos.

I love your pics. Have you done any courses? He messaged her once on her personal number and not on the office chat.

Yes.  Saying so, she shared all the details even when he had not asked for them. Uff, why am I so desperate all the time? She cursed herself. But the response was soothing for her eyes. She checked it almost a hundred times during the whole day.

It was:

We should meet up once to discuss it.

Maybe, she should give her crush one try. But that day of meet-up never rose in her life. While she was lost in his thoughts, she received a call from a known number, but from a distant person. It was her school best friend whom she had almost forgotten.

“Hey, Avni, how are you? Long time, no call, no message. I thought you are…” Anjali answered the phone call with her usual list of questions.

“I was occupied. Even you were. You come to Agra but never visit me. It was Mishra Uncle who shared your number once again as I had lost my mobile phone. MBA ki degree mil gayi to kya bhool gaying dost ko.” Avni complained in her usual shrill voice but she sounded unreasonably happy that day.

“So, how’s life, Avni? Job, gharwale, and did you check any guys? I am sure your family must be insisting you get married.” Anjali felt better to share her woes with a same-aged friend.

“Yes, they were troubling and that’s why I am getting hitched, Anju. It is on the 22^nd of next month. I have already sent the invitation card to your home. Sorry, couldn’t visit as it is chat mangni pat shaadi.”

Anjali was speechless when she heard it. She thought that she had found a confidante to share her marriage-avoidance story but her best friend was getting married. Suddenly, some weird thoughts entered her mind – Avni would get married, her family would be stress-free, she would be happy in the arms of her loving, caring husband and Anjali would be all alone in Mumbai city, living a life of a solo traveler on weekends and a workaholic on weekdays.

“Hey Anju, you turned so quiet. Are you there?”

“Ya, I am there. Congratulations!” She muttered under a deep breath, still imagining a super-happy Avni with her husband.

“So, when are you revealing the good news? Mummy-Papa ko jaldi sukoon dena. Have you found someone in Mumbai? Hmm….Chhupi Rustom….!”

“No.  No one in Mumbai.” She mumbled as she knew about her stupid crush on Varun.

After disconnecting the call, she felt uneasy. Was she right in stalling her marriage plans while the rest of the world was tying knots? She was 26 and it was high time to get married. Maybe, she will spend 2 more years finding the right guy and she will turn 28 by the time she gets married. And by then, all of her school, college, and IIM friends would get married, and she would be the one clicking their wedding pictures and posting them on Instagram.

She had to do something. She wanted to take the first step. She needed to get married ASAP. So, instead of calling her soul brother, she called up her father, who was astounded by her sudden call at night.

“Papa, I think I should get married.” She squeaked.

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