MIRA

9. Love Trial

KOCHI

Mira's fingers were knotted and she bit her lips as she sat at the dining table at home. Her stomach was in a lurch as the nerves kicked in badly. Her parents sat on each side of the dining table waiting for her to speak. It had taken a lot of willpower for her to come down to Kochi after Vikranth left for Boston, to talk to her parents about their relationship.

Mira felt slightly sad when she went to the airport with Preethi and Harish to see Vikranth off. But she could never forget what he had said before he left.

''Don't worry Mira, it'll all go well. Trust me. And the next time I come, I won't leave without my bride.'' he said and winked. Mira blushed. Vikranth pulled her in for a tight hug before Preethi said,

''Okay love birds! Let's move on.'' 

And with his signature charming smile, Vikranth turned to look at Mira once before heading inside the airport. 

He had texted and called after landing in Boston. Mira already missed him. She didn't want to delay things any further and took a train down to Kochi the following weekend. She requested her boss to permit her to work from home for an additional two days so that she could spend about five days with her parents at home.

*******

''What happened Mira dear? Is something up at work?'' Ram asked Mira in concern. Mira had only told her parents that she wanted to discuss something important with them but didn't mention any details. In Mira's family, discussions were not very common. However, that didn't mean that there was no communication between everyone. It's just Mira had kept everything to herself growing up, and only opened up when she couldn't handle things herself. Other times, she would discuss things with either her mom or dad. In fact, there were very few instances where Mira had to talk to both her parents regarding something. Mira could see the concern on both her parent's faces as she thought of how she should break the ice.

''No Pa. All good at work. There is something else I want to talk to you about.'' she said in hesitation.

''Tell us dear, what is it?'' Ram asked. Mira glanced at Sudha who made her even more nervous. Mira feared her mother's reaction more than anything. 

''I...I want to get married.'' Mira said finally.

''Kadavulaee...finally my prayers have been heard! '' Sudha blurted out dramatically as Ram and Mira looked at her.

''So finally you want to get married Mira?'' Sudha asked.

''Hmm...'' Mira said.

''You should've told us earlier no? We would've started to look for alliances-'' Sudha said quickly.

''Ma wait...'' Mira interrupted Sudha.

''What now?'' Sudha asked impatiently.

''There's no need to find proposals...'' Mira said quietly.

Sudha looked at Mira quizzically as Ram kept quiet.

''What do you mean you don't want...'' Sudha trailed off. Then added in realisation and horror, ''Mira! Have you found someone yourself?!''

Mira shifted in her seat uncomfortably as she thought of how she should respond to Sudha. But Sudha grew tense, she grabbed Mira's shoulder and asked, ''Answer me Mira! Is there someone?!''

''Hmm...'' Mira nodded.

''Who is it?! You have a boyfriend and all now?! Great! just what we needed!'' Sudha began to rant.