Subhashree was married and she settled down in Chennai with her husband.
Weird!! She was one hell of an extravert, who could easily mingle with anyone. She had a lot of friends. I always expected that she would marry a guy who would go down on his knees to propose to her with a rose in a romantic English beach setting. I never thought of her boyfriend to propose in any other way. Had I been a man that is exactly what I would have done. Unfortunately, hers was an arranged marriage, a typical Indian arranged marriage. It hardly had any of the kick I had so much anticipated all these years.
DELF A2 classes started. I looked forward to weekends like never before in my life. Life was happening at last.
Saturdays and Sundays were a matter of sheer pleasure to me, like a child awaiting the games hour. I felt my happiness soaring to the skies. Of course, this was a dream. It should be. How could this be true.
But yes, it happened. Dad made it his personal responsibility to drop at and pick me up from the classes. Even if I say I would go by myself, he wouldn’t budge.
One day, while dropping me he said, “I thought mom was always right. But I can clearly see that we made a mistake. We could have allowed you to study French earlier.”
I could see his face had become sad and burdened with the thought of the pain he had made me go through all these years.
I replied, “Dad, it’s alright. Now I am alright. The pain’s all gone. I am studying French. What more do I need? This is heaven dad. All the agonizing past is forgotten. Love is beautiful dad”.
Suddenly my mind said: “Let’s not delay it further. Let’s ask dad”
“Dad, I would like to have my own bank account, and handle it by myself”
“Ask mom”
I considered the chapter closed.
“By the way, before you leave for the class, eh.. mom and I are thinking of searching a guy for you. Eh….hmm… In case you have someone in your life, eh.. just hmmm.. let me know. It will save us a lot of time.”
I sat there for a while thinking of Praveen. I thought if I had to marry him I had to fight it out with my parents. But look here what was happening. I felt like crying. May be I didn’t deserve such a kind man for a father.
Seeing that I was hesitating to open my mouth, he continued:
“I don’t care about caste or community or religion. As long as he is employed, I don’t think it will be a matter of concern. If in case he belongs to some other caste, let me know, I will go myself and talk to his parents”
“No dad. I don’t have any boyfriend.”
“Really? Am I supposed to believe that?”
I didn’t expect my dad to say that!!
“Yes dad. Absolutely. I am such a moron, that I don’t have a boyfriend. You can start searching for a guy for me. Sorry for all the trouble I am causing you dad. But on one condition. I will never marry anyone if you are going to give dowry. I will definitely not marry him. That’s a promise dad. I don’t want myself to be sold so cheap. Please find me a guy who is capable of standing on his own feet, come what may. I don’t want a guy who will marry me for money. I want a guy – a real guy – a guy with guts”
My dad smiled and said, “Let’s see”.
I slowly and dreamily walked up to my classroom, thinking how many women and men in India would have loved to have a father like mine. I was lucky, indeed.
I was late for class already, but my eyes were watering. I didn’t have another option. I faked a sneeze and walked into “Salle de Classe”.
Around 5:00PM that day, I received a mail stating that, my short story, “Tinku and the torn-kite fairy” had won the first prize in a competition and I(along with four other contestants) had won a week’s free vacation to Andaman and Nicobar Islands!!!!
Wooooow!!! My literary work had received recognition, not just any recognition, but a trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands!! Amazing!! Did anyone dream of that coming?? Not me!!
Life was definitely happening. After a very long time.. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“Mom, I submitted one of my books, and I have been awarded a week’s time in Andaman!!”
She replied, “Oh good. Let’s see if you will be going or not. Will discuss with dad and let you know”
“But what’s the matter?”
“Of course, don’t be silly Karthika. You are a lady. You can’t be going around that island all by yourself. If you were married, I would not have given it a thought. Definitely not when you are with parents. Anyway, I will discuss with dad and let you know.”
“Mom, this offer will not wait for me till I am married”
“Then forget it. That’s not important. Your safety is”
A few weeks later, there were follow-up calls from the agency asking if I would be making the trip. I answered in the affirmative – I just wished some miracle would happen, and my parents would agree.
As expected, after a week, my parents said “No”
I wish I were a guy. None of this security hush up would ever happen to me. Why do boys have all the fun?