TO THE STARS THAT LISTEN

CHAPTER 1: Dr.Ira Mehta

IRA

"Mom I am 27. I haven't even completed my post grad how am I supposed to handle a married life and my career alltogether?" I said.

"Ira look at your sister she is already married and has a child too. Her family is complete. Learn something from her. You should also get married." my mom replied being the traditionalist she is.

"Mom I live independently in a city like Mumbai, with an MBBS degree and a very promising career ahead, I have achievements too. Marriage is not everything mom-"

"Don't be stupid Ira. Your father has already started looking for good matches for you. Now you decide you wanna get married and make a family or you are no longer a part of this family."and with that warning she hung up on me. 'When was I a part of this family?'

How could she say that. How can she say that to anyone, better much to her own daughter. Growing up I wasn't given that much attention, because A. I was a girl and daughters are *paraya dhan* (liability) as they call it; B. I was a middle child after my elder sister and a younger brother and C. I was darker than all the others (probably gaining my complexion from my maternal side of the family) so, I didn't fit the society's beauty standards.

Growing up Eka di was their perfect daughter with great skills in household chores and great cultural values. While Veer was their perfectly spoilt son because hey! he is a boy he does everything right. I wasn't like either of them nor was the way I was treated in anyway similar to the way my siblings were treated. I never disrespected anyone but I wasn't the one to be tamed either specially not after what happened to me. I was a rebelious girl they just couldn't handle, they wanted me to be shy and sincere and well not rebellious. They wanted to tame me into a daughter they could very easily get married when she is eligible. I couldn't be tamed.I wasn't always like that though. Till the age of 7 I tried to be their perfect daughter but nothing I did was enough, they just didn't like me. But after what happened I changed completely. A 7 year old girl grew up faster than anyone her age. 

That day I decided I wanted to make a name for myself and I did make one. I excelled in my studies since the start, ambitious since childhood. I studied my ass off to make my dream come true and I have almost achieved it. *ALMOST*.My parents weren't even ready to send me off to a medical college but somehow my sister convinced them. As a child I was not very fond of my siblings and I can't blame myself for that. They recieved all the love from my parents (and yeah I checked AND RECHECKED my birth certifiate, they are my parents, I am not the adopted one even though it looks like I am) but as I grew up I realised they didn't deseve my dislike, it isn't their fault that they are perfect.

As that thought hit my mind I decided to call my sister to tell her how HER parents hate me because she is soo perfect.

"Hey you!" she answers as soon as the phone picks up.

"I hate you" I say.

"Ab kya hua?"  she says completely irritated my usual outbursts at her.
(What happened now)

"Mumma wants me to get married soo bad that now she has started threatening me." I reply.

"Fine I wil talk to her but one of these days you need to tell me why you don't wanna get married. Also you need to chill out. You get too worked up when you talk to her or Dad . What happened anyways?" Seriously? I am the one who needs to chill?

"You'd get worked up to if your own parents treated you like a stray animal." I huff  ignoring her former question before I continue speaking "Mumma said that she will throw me out of the family if I didn't get married. Apparently becoming a doctor and getting into cardiothoracic residency isn't as big of an achievement as getting married. I am telling you they didn't even plan me, I was probably the result of a broken condom." I almost scream.

"Eww....Ira they are our parents." She said completely disgusted by my remarks.

"Nuh uh uh uh...they are your and Veer's  parents. They just gave birth to me and left me to myself" I claim.

She sighs and then starts speaking, "Technically it won't be that bad if you were thrown out you know. Me and Veer would get more percentage of the property" I heard her giggling on the other side of the phone.

"Uh oh don't worry! I'm pretty sure they won't even remember that they have a second daughter while designing their will" I huff.

"Hey kiddo! You know you are my favourite you know and I love you regardless of who remebers you and who doesn't and worst comes to worst me and Samar will adopt you. He wants two kids anyways." She says giggling a little.

I laugh at this one. However much I'm jealous of her sometimes she becomes the best sister and and even better mother.

" You will be a good mother you know." I speak truthfully.

There's a moment of comfortable pause before she speaks again, "You should come visit me. You anyways need a break and the baby will be happy too and we could invite Veer too."

"Really? I mean I do need a break but will you be comfortable with having house guests?" I ask.

" Who said you'll be guests. You come here and serve me. Afterall I should get some rest after handling a three year old all day long. I am the queen and everyone else serves me" she stated with so much confidence that for a moment even I thought she was some queen.

Sighing I reply "Fine. I'll come there and serve your highness but in return you gotta massage my head. It hurts like hell"

"Deal done."

"OK I need to go my break's over and I gotta save lives. But hey I love you, you know right?" I say.

" I know and I love you too."

We hang up and I get to work but the entire day I spend thinking about how am I gonna tackle this marriage problem with such parents. They might hate me or do horrible things to me but however hard I try I couldn't hate them. I need to figure out a way.

As soon as I get off my 16 hour shift. I message my bestfriend, Vaani for a sleepover at my place.

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So, how did you like Ira? Please leave your comments and please follow me for more updates and also to help me grow.

Have a nice day you all <3