When Amaya meets Atul

Sunday Date Part II 😜

"I would want a good, loyal companion for a lifetime. As long as my partner is loyal to me in future, I have no issues with the past relationships but yes, fidelity matters for me." Atul clarified.

Everything he had spoken was right from his heart. He hated the concept of caging girls in the households and not letting them making friends with opposite gender so they would not get into lovey-dovey relationships with males. He always wanted to give the necessary freedom to his daughter so she could confide in the stories about her crushes and first boyfriend with him.

"I don't understand the hypocrisy of demanding a virgin bride when guys have themselves been into intimate relationship with other girls before marriage", Atul murmured surprising Amaya.

"The society is obsessed with the concept of virginity", Amaya muttered.

"I find it simply ridiculous when people judge a girl who has been into intimate relationship before marriage but a boy is not questioned ever", Amaya continued after drinking a sip of water.

"This society needs a complete transformation", Atul muttered and a depressing silence prevailed. Amaya could not help but agree. She wondered why Atul was different despite he was brought up in a traditional household. She was inquisitive to know the reason, of course, but she decided to confront him later.

Atul closed his eyes and decided to confess his mistake. A dark secret of his, which he had never confessed in front of anyone in his family but he decided to do it today sitting in front of his prospective bride.

Taking a deep breath and not meeting the eyes of the girl sitting before him, he confessed, "I was brought up in an orthodox household where talking with opposite gender was a big no. My parents despised the idea of female friends. I was a teenager when I got curious about adult stuff. I remember back then, we were so naive that I and my friends made fun of a girl who had stained her clothes with blood."

"That was ridiculous", Amaya said glaring at him adding to his shame.

"I know that. I was entirely wrong. That girl did not attend school for two consecutive days and somehow our Maths teacher got to know the reason behind her absence. She called upon all of us and counselled us. She told that girls are in so much pain during their periods and we made a mistake making fun of her. It was then I got the insight of female world." Atul finished. He was ashamed of his fourteen-year old self who had made a mistake he regrets till today.

"It's okay, I guess, you were also unaware", Amaya said trying to understand the point that he had no one to tell him about puberty in his growing years.

"I apologized with her and we became good friends till our class twelfth. She used to tell me how she wished to wear shorts and sleeveless dresses. She used to tell how much she wanted to travel all around this world. She wanted to become a dancer." Atul told Amaya who could relate with those desires. Not that she was stopped ever by her parents, but she too had her inhibitions due to the society. Not that she was forced to wear full length dresses by her parents but she was pointed out about stretch marks on her calves by her friends whenever she wore shorts.

"Did she fulfil her dream of becoming a dancer?" Amaya questioned coming out of reverie.

Atul chuckled moving his head to and fro. "She was married off after her graduation. She didn't become a dancer but she is a dance teacher in a school. Luckily, she got an understanding husband." Atul told Amaya.

"I wish she were a dancer", Amaya pouted.

"Not all wishes are granted, Amaya", Atul replied and an awkward silence prevailed.

"Atul, what do you expect from a family?" Amaya asked him. This question was bugging her since the very beginning.

"I just expect to hug my loved ones at the end of the day", Atul confessed.

"Care to elaborate about your loved ones!", Amaya asked cheekily.

"My wife and kids", Atul confessed sheepishly.

"Kids?" Amaya asked wide-eyed.

"Alright, a kid and don't worry, I would plan about all this with my wife", Atul replied winking at her.

Amaya smiled shyly not meeting eyes with him. "You are too good for an arranged match", she commented once again.

"How is your relationship with your parents?" Amaya asked thoughtfully. This question was indeed, bothering her since the day Atul had decided to go against his parents for the girl he had met just once. She could not help but judge him despite her heart did not like that.

"I share amicable relationship. They are a bit orthodox but still, they are good at heart. I respect them and their efforts to make me a strong-headed person." Atul confessed and Amaya smiled as she recalled the struggles of her parents to make her an independent girl in a patriarchal society. She could not help but admire the sensible thinking of Atul.

"So, do you expect your wife to stay with your parents?" Amaya asked after a while. Though she knew she sounded absurd yet, she needed to clear this aspect too. She did not want any complications in future and she had realized they were too orthodox. Leaving Delhi where she had a job that others dreamt of, was indeed, out of question.

"No", Arul shrieked for once embarrassing Amaya. His shrill pitch had garnered attention of few other visitors. Looking apologetically, he confessed, "Initially mummy wanted a daughter-in-law for herself who could help her in household chores and watch daily soaps with her but I explained my expectations to her. It took time but I am glad she gradually understood."

"Interesting", Amaya muttered.

"My wife would stay with me. However in future, my parents may move in with me then we shall have a joint family. I cannot abandon my parents." Atul clarified in a stern tone. Amaya, who was brought up by her loving grandparents along with her parents in a joint family was overwhelmed. A sense of respect rose up inside her for Atul who seemed to be sincere. She was proud of the fact that Atul was ready to embrace his responsibilities when people of his age usually abandon their parents in old-age homes.

"How comfortable are you with staying in a joint family?" Atul asked. Not that he would want his wife to stay away from him in his home but still he wanted to probe her views on the concept of joint families. He was the only son of his parents and he knew it was his responsibility to tend to their needs in future. He dreaded if his parents would get sick at some point of time, he would never like his wife avoiding them for no reason.

"I am quite comfortable. We had a joint family till my grandparents were alive so idea of a joint family where we are answerable to our elders sounds acceptable to me. Plus, if my husband would have the responsibility of his parents, being an Indian wife I could not neglect mine too but at the same time, owing to my job, I cannot relocate." Amaya voiced her opinion. She was truthful about her thoughts.

"I can understand the aspect of being a responsible child after all, I am the only daughter of my parents. I know I am the only one to tend to their needs in future." She confessed after taking a deep breath.

"You aren't alone, you will be sharing your responsibilities with your husband too", Atul assured her indirectly hinting out at the fact that he would be a good son-in-law which did not go unnoticed by Amaya as a small smile crept on her lips.

"Yes, I usually save a share of my salary for my parents, I mean, I can use it if something happen and they need medical assistance", Amaya informed Atul.

"You should get the medical insurances done", Atul advised. Being financially literate, he was well aware of the needs of investment plans.

"Would you guide me?" Amaya requested and Atul obliged. There discussion headed towards the importance of making sound investments in mutual funds, buying insurances and share market. No doubts, Atul was the only one speaking and Amaya was thoroughly impressed.

Amaya realized her mother would be amazed to know that Atul would help her choose right investment policies. They were too engrossed in their discussion that they did not realize the time they had spent together.

It was four thirty in the evening, when Amaya's mother called her up and asked her daughter to come home soon. With high hopes of future and smile on their faces, the couple headed towards their respective homes only to wait for another Sunday to catch up once again.

♥️♥️♥️

Hi everyone

I am back with the new update 😊

As far as financial literacy is concerned, I have seen many people not making right investments at right time. We must do that!!!!! 😁

Regarding Atul's mistake, the issue is lack of counseling at schools and home. That's much needed.

Let's see what happens later!!! 😜

I will be back soon, till then, don't forget to VOTE, COMMENT AND SHARE 🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

Love you all
💜