‘Drop me at this street end, my mom may see us’, I said even as I alighted from Akhil’s bike. ‘Good night, Aki’ I said and was about to leave when he caught me by his hand and pulled me back. Kissing me on my forehead, he said, ‘I love you....’ and I smiled liked a kid and reciprocated,’ I love you too’

Waving to him I opened the gate and entered my home. ‘Why are you so late?’ my mom was waiting at the door. ‘Shit… I hope she hasn’t seen me with Aki…’ I thought and said,’ special class’.

I slowly entered the hall and saw a middle aged man, his wife and a guy who seemed like their son, talking to my dad. ‘This is Meghana, my only daughter’ my dad introduced me and I said ‘Hi..’ to them. I was about to leave when I turned back. The guy waved his hand at me. ‘Puppy, change into some better clothes ma’ my mom said softly.

‘No formalities please’, the woman said and asked ‘Come and be seated, dear’ when I pulled a chair for myself. The man and woman looked at me even though I was feeling uncomfortable and weird from inside. And then they stood up and said, ‘I think it’s time for us to leave’ the man said, ‘She will make a good match to our son’ she said looking at the guy, ‘And what about your daughter’s opinion?’ she asked. My dad looked at me and said, ‘She’s kid. I know she’ll shout at me for arranging this, but she should be fine later on. We’ll call you soon regarding the engagement’. And they left.

‘Mom, what’s happening, what’s this engagement? I am confused’ I looked at my mom with a puzzled face. ‘Your dad brought you a nice alliance, puppy’ she said even as I was totally shocked and my heart started to pound. Even before the wetness of Aki’s kiss hasn’t faded away, I am asked to marry some one else. And tears flowed down my eyes as my heart burdened.

‘Who did you ask regarding my marriage? Don’t you have even the minimal common sense that you should take my opinion regarding my marriage?’ I raised my voice for the first time against my dad and mom.

‘Puppy, only if you like the guy, we’ll proceed with the marriage ma’, my dad tried to console me. His pacifying voice seemed to grunt as he asked me, ’Did you love some one else?’

‘Dad, I made a mistake by not telling you that I have fallen in love, but as you see, me and Akhil have always wanted to marry with both our parents acceptance. Akhil is working on a project right now and after its success, we wanted to reveal this.’ I said.
‘All these days, I thought my dad is more open and well-cultured, but now I see the other side of the coin. I hate you dad’ I shouted and ran to my bedroom.

‘Don’t think about her words, she’s a kid, I will talk to her’ my mom said when I saw my dad collapsing onto a chair and my mom coming towards me.

‘Dear, we are a respected family in the society. If you say love and all, what will society think about us? Will they have any respect for us? You will marry and leave this place, but we will be ostracized….’ And she continued even as I stopped to hear to her thinking about all the good times I have spent with Aki.

‘Me and you dad have been married since 25 years and I don’t have any problems with him. He’s been a good husband, a good friend and a good father too. He’s given you all the things you wanted till date…’ even before she could finish, I interrupted, ‘Then why not get me married to a guy of my choice…’

‘Marriage is not a conjugation of two hearts alone. It has a lot to do with the society. It has a lot to do with people around us. Parents bring up their children in the best possible manner. They look to their needs, provide them proper education and take care of them. And it’s the responsibility of parents to get their children married to a man or a woman from a nice family.’

‘Love marriages don’t sustain for a longer time without the help of parents. So don’t even think about it. You can never marry him. And if you don’t comply with us, I have my own ways to make you accept…’ she said.

‘What … what are you gonna do… remember that I can also do the same thing…’ I shouted and my dad rushed into the room noticing the heated up arguments going on between my mom and me.

He sat beside me. He put his hands on my face and pulled me closer to his heart. ‘Why don’t you talk to this guy, perhaps you may change your opinion…’ he said even as he pulled out his mobile and called a number.

‘Meghana, this is Aki… man, your dad is an awesome guy. He invited my parents and brother to your home and got our wedding settled. My parents were bowled over by his courteous and friendly nature. My mom was particularly impressed by your dad’s nature. She was like, he’s the most coolest guy I have ever seen. And I can imagine the girl’s upbringing…..’

I hung the call and looked at him. ‘I am sorry, dad…. So sorry…’ and I clung to him as I always used to do since I was a child.