An Arranged Date

Chapter - 01

"Arranged Marriage" I muttered in that heavy dose of sarcasm which ma despised the most.

"Your mouth" she continued, "even a pair of scissors must lay defeated before this sharp tongue of yours, I am tolerating it only because you are my daughter no outsider will think twice. Control it" she warned.

"Ma but even the Indian Constitution-"

"No more buts. My house, my rules" she said, staring at me.

Those eyes. I wonder if we even share the same genes. Physically yes but mentally even a god might have intervened between us.

After Pa had an accident, it was only Me, Ma, and Dimps. During our worst hours, nobody lent us a hand. We were alone out there. It was difficult to cope with. The drifting memories of pa would emerge back. But we learned to survive without it. We did it.

My day was incomplete without a hug from my ma even though we kept arguing all the time. I bolted and squashed her shoulders tight. "Bye ma, I'll be back early today."

"You and your ways." She hugged me back. "Think about it"

"What? Marriage?" I questioned her, looking rather puzzled.

"No, my head. I am talking about that Roo"

"How can I marry a stranger and rock and roll on that very bed when you cautiously explained to me to not talk to strangers?"

"Roohi," she said in her old strict tone. Mummy was sure back. "I told think about it"

"Yeah, surely I must do now."

"Yeh Ladki"

"Ha bohot tedi hai pata hai"

While saying these lines I darted out of the room hoping not to hear her reply. She did murmur something though.

"You look handsome today as well Pa. I hope my day goes well today"

"Byeee" I yelled in that high-pitched voice so that she could hear. It did get delivered and I got a message back. This is what we call an effective communication in our household.

"Effective my foot. Usha aunty cooked mangodi again. Ma, well what a perfect planning right? My day which did not even begin properly was snapped out of my khayali pulao. First of all, this damn oldie who keeps piling files in front of me, I mean this is a misusage of power! My life is a desert. Nothing but stacks of files bulged up in my room to finish examining. I wish I could slam those resignation papers on their faces and exit this show like that limelight heroine but there are always some buts involved. Yeah, that is my butt. Flat butt to be exact.

Kitne sapne dekhe the millionaire baneke , sare sapne hi rehe gaye. Romance is not even a term that has any relation to my life. All that faith has codded down in my life is lovemaking with files. Delivering out mini files. Oh, how cute. Cute my ass. Nah I don't have a cute ass; you call it specifically flat. Yep, flat just like my life..." I thought to myself.

I was cut out by Sahir asking me where I was lost.

"Finding you was a big deal. What are you doing under these files anyways?"

"Romancing with them," I said sarcastically.

"I can see that" He pitied me.

"So why did you ask me?"

"Just like that"

"Time pass ki jagah dikhrahi hai? Don't interrupt me and my honey" I said dissolving myself back at my workstation.

"Ha pata chal gaya ab, zyada phek mat. Ghar kab ja rahi hai? Missing aunty's pokode." He told me with those puppy eyes. Puppy kam bull dog zyada.

"Mummy ka mood aaj acha nahi tha. Go without me today. I have this Elephanta caves packed on my head. Need to complete this first."

"Ha, good luck jaan"

"Yess Jiju"

He has liked my best friend for a while now. We both together are a set of humanoid tornados coming alive. He likes my best friend...! I did question his taste and inquire about what he found so special in her. But what can I say, she charms everyone around her wherever she goes!!

"Ab bhag jaldi, that oldie must be on his way"

He ran for his life. Milkha Singh ka josh dikh raha tha, mind you only the spirit, not the speed.

"Over," I said, sipping my coffee which I ordered around half an hour ago. It was eleven o'clock right now.

Not so pretty dark. I mean people go to parties and get drunk now.

I reminded myself that I was an independent working woman who does not give a shit about anyone and moved forward.

Booked a taxi. I had my eyes locked on the driver, the car, and the route all together. GPS on and whatnot. I have a hard time trusting people. Very unmodernized of me you must say, but this is the world where we lay. In the near future maybe not. On the positive side, my work was over. These files were to be sorted out in two days but for me a day was plenty. Even if I took a holiday the next day, I'm sure Mr. Oldie Pants wouldn't mind. I hope so at least.

Stepped into the house and after a few meters ma's face was visible. It looked exhausted and worried.

"Why so late?"

"Had some extra work. Not some dozens."

"I see, I made your favorite ice cream. It is in the freezer. Belgium Chocolate tried a new recipe. You told me you liked this flavor."

"Ma" I approached to hug her. She did one to me back. "Now change into your night suit and sleep, you must be tired."

That night I slept on my her lap while she sang some lullabies to soothe me.

"Come home early tomorrow. Ek Rishta aiya hai. Meet that guy for once. Just like that. If have a problem no worries."

"Ma you really are eager to send me off to an unknown house na?" I could sense my tears. They could begin pouring off any second now.

"I just want to see you settle properly before I die"

"Why are you saying this all? Who says you will die so soon? You are very young right now. You did not even hit half a century!"

"You will understand with time," she said in her sad tone.

"Ma, please don't say this."

The rain had begun. From my eyes and also from the clouds. I guess both of us couldn't take it anymore. A gloomy atmosphere, emotional words. Aren't we quite similar?

Soon everything turned dark.

Dark without stars in the sky,

Just like without my mom in my life.

Yes, I fight and argue with her. But without her in my life it is unimaginable.

I could not bear to see such a sight.

Never in a thousand years.