MANGO MILKSHAKE

Chapter 6

"My father will be very upset."

"My father will be very upset."

"My father will be very upset."

Once again the same fear is haunting my life. It's been two days since I've met Yaseen at a cafe yet I can't shake off the veracity of his statements. I know, in fact I've known for a long time that I'll never be able to fight against so many odds. I would be able to terminate my parents' demands for once or maybe twice but I can't ignore the signs forever. I opened my diary for the fifth time in the past hour. I can't think of a single sentence that I'd write in my diary. I've already given up on my online jobs. Will my decisions really bring disappointment to three father's life? My own father has been grief stricken and equally vexed ever since I've failed to gain any reputable job. To him it's essential for people to succeed in their early phases of life. His weird philosophy and opportunistic mindset has a great impact on both of his children but unfortunately not every impact gives a positive result. Maybe my father should stay upset, maybe he should hold me accountable for every setback I've ever encountered, maybe I should deny everyone and stay firm in my ignorance.

I could no longer sit still in my room. I rushed towards the stairs to reach downstairs. For a rare site, I saw my mother happily chattering with someone on call. Occasionally I've caught my mother arguing and complaining about me to my aunts but this was the first time in a while I'm seeing her chill. I sneakily went to listen to the conversation.

"Chele ta oke valo base. (The boy loves her)." My mother giggled as she held the phone at a distance to see my aunt's face.

"Ami ki boli, engagement ta porer mas e kore de, onek din barite kono onusthan o hoini.( I'm telling you, hold the engagement ceremony next month. It's been a long time since there's been an occasion in our house)." An amplified cheerful voice could be heard through the phone.

" Arre Amina (Oh Amina), Yaseen's family is also saying the same. Everyone is so hopeful about this rishta (relation). Ayat haven't said anything yet. She always has something to complain about. I don't understand her at all." I saw my mother's face went from a gleeful smile to a wrinkled frown.

"What are you saying? She'll never find a man as good as Yaseen still she's not okay with it? His family has everything one can ask for." She sounded genuinely upset to hear about my narrative.

I was about to interrupt their conversation with a giant blow of "I don't like Yaseen" but a whistling voice of my aunt started saying something that has never occurred to my brain until now.

"We can't let go of such a hirer tukro (diamond like) boy. Aziza, if Ayat persists to cancel the rishta then don't act too naively. We can fix the marriage for Jiya too, she's also an adult now and the age gap doesn't matter at all. My daughter won't say no to my offer." My aunt sounded hopefully aware about the statement she's making.

Unlike her daughter Jiya Ansari, Amina aunty has a very tactful and tricky nature. A decade of age gap might not be a huge deal for her since Yaseen has a six figure earning per month but Jiya is still a naive little girl with dreams and inspirations. If I let Jiya fall into the scheme of happy married life, I know after a time being she'll hate me for not saving her. I let the horror sink in me.

"You're right behen (sister). It's not easy to find a good man these days. I'll request Ayat to consider everything before making a decision. Her father is also fed up with her dramatic convulsions."