Not Likely

Smile and Wave!

"Did you ask Shashank to update on our media platforms?"

"Yes, he is working on it. Lavanya has arranged a joint media campaign with Eliza. You will have to speak with her before we clear it with Dhruv."

"Pavithra ji, when do you want to have the official engagement party? We can invite the relatives and do the proper ceremony."

"I...Shekar and I have to check with Dhriti about the dates but I think we can wait until your eldest is married, can't we?"

"Oh, not to worry about that, we can keep a small, intimate ceremony even before. Nishant and Kavya are thrilled of course, and it will be quite a festive season for all of us."

"Well...I-still think we might have to ask Dhriti- there are some months that she hates, last I remember, it was January-I think it's best if I ask her when she would like to keep it-"

"Well, well, well", I declared, choosing that grand moment to step into the massive dining room of the Razdan residence. "Look who finally remembered her daughter."

Mr and Mrs Razdan, along with Ma and Dad were all cosying it up with a nice, celebratory dinner, toasting the aftermaths of their children's independence and freedom.

And I, Dhriti, the destroyer of parental will, have descended upon them to stop this madness!

Dhruv, my newest friend and silent companion to my shenanigans, was frowning at me, wondering why I was eavesdropping like a stalker near the door, while they chatted inside. Little did he know that I was waiting for the opportune moment to utterly wreck their smug sense of inner peace. And when the moment presented itself, I thus emerged from the shadows to dish out some much-needed words of reality.

"Realized that someone's opinion finally matters huh?" I asked sardonically, looking at the four adults. "Like, oh I don't know- the bride to be?"

"So you accept the engagement?" Mrs. Razdan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Absolutely not this is an incredible mistake."

"You just called yourself the bride to be." Mr. Razdan pointed out.

"That was a figure of speech! What I mean is, you just released a press release without seeking my permission and that will not fly. Also, as we are out of work hours, kindly disregard my impoliteness, but you know what sir, you will be hearing a ton of attitude from me and I do not feel very apologetic about it."

Mr. Razdan (the older one) stifled a smile as he wiped his mouth with a napkin, his eyes drifting to his son, who was looking at the parents with the cool, calmly arrogant stare that he always reserves for difficult people in the board room. "Thank you for the heads up.. You seem agitated. Take a seat. Would you like to have dinner?"

"Your favourite food is here" Ma piped up, having the sense to look sheepish when her eyes met mine.

"I am not hungry" I said coldly as I took a seat nevertheless. Dhruv sat down next to me and there was silence as two pairs of parents looked at the two of us.

"Well", I began, having instructed Dhruv to remain like a strong, cold, stoic statue next to me while I destroy their will. "Let us get to the point. Why in the world would you guys take it upon yourselves to get us engaged?"

"Because it's the right call", Dad said at once. "And we think this is an inevitability."

"I disagree. It's not an inevitability because you think so. It must be an inevitability if we decide it, and I have said it time and again that that's not the case. So, if we are here to state facts, let's call it what it is. This is simply parents trying to trap their kids into an alliance in the name of 'knowing what's good for us'." I leant back in my chair as I surveyed the four, fury simmering inside me at the thought of the self-assured press release. "You didn't pause to think about how this will affect either of us. You sprang the information on Dhruv and expected him to take it like a champ. You didn't bother telling me or asking me in the first place, because 'oh she will just get with the system'. But that won't fly."