Threads of Tradition: Tales Of Indian Arranged Marriages

1.

Amrita Verma paced around her sleek Mumbai apartment, her high heels clicking rhythmically on the marble floor. The city outside buzzed with its usual chaos, but inside her sanctuary, she felt an unsettling silence. She glanced at the clock on the wall; it was nearly seven in the evening. The day had been long, filled with back-to-back meetings and a stack of paperwork that never seemed to diminish. She sighed deeply, knowing her work was never truly done.

Her phone buzzed, jolting her from her thoughts. It was a message from her mother, Suman Verma: “Can you call us when you’re free? We need to discuss something important.”

Amrita frowned. Her parents had been subtly hinting about marriage for months, but she had brushed off their hints with nonchalant promises. They understood her dedication to her career, didn’t they? She tapped her phone, dialing her parents' number.

“Amrita, beta! I’m so glad you called,” her mother’s voice came through, warm yet laden with an undertone of seriousness.

“Hi, Mom. What’s up?” Amrita asked, trying to sound casual.

“We need to talk about something important,” Suman said, her tone dropping slightly. “Can you come over for dinner tonight?”

“I’ve got a lot of work—” Amrita began, but her mother interrupted.

“This is important, Amrita. Please, just come over.”

An unease settled in Amrita’s stomach. She agreed, albeit reluctantly, and made her way to her parents' home in the suburbs. The drive was filled with her thoughts racing, imagining the various scenarios her parents might present.

When she arrived at the modest yet charming house where she had grown up, her parents greeted her warmly, but their smiles seemed tinged with anxiety. After a quick dinner filled with strained pleasantries, they finally broached the subject.

“Amrita,” her father, Rajesh Verma, began, “you know we’ve been having some difficulties with the business. The textile factory... it’s not doing well.”

Amrita’s heart sank. Her family’s business had been struggling for years, but she had hoped they would turn things around. She looked at her parents, their faces etched with worry.

“We’ve been trying to find a solution,” her mother continued, “and we think we might have found one. It involves you, Amrita.”

Amrita’s eyebrows knitted together. “What are you talking about?”

Her father took a deep breath. “We’ve received a marriage proposal from the Rao family. Their son, Vihaan Rao, is a successful businessman. Marrying him could provide us with the financial support we need to save the factory.”

Amrita stared at her parents in shock. “You want me to marry someone just to save the business?”

“We’re not asking you to do this lightly,” her mother said. “We’ve spoken to Vihaan, and he seems like a decent man. We believe this marriage could be beneficial for everyone.”

Amrita felt a whirlwind of emotions. She was fiercely independent, with a thriving career and no intention of settling down, let alone in an arranged marriage. “What about my career? What about what I want?”

“We’re not disregarding your desires,” her father said gently. “But sometimes we have to make difficult choices for the greater good. We know this isn’t ideal, but it’s a chance to secure our future.”

Amrita felt the weight of their words press down on her. She wanted to argue, to refuse outright, but the sight of her parents’ pleading faces made her hesitate. They had always supported her dreams, and now they were in dire need of her help.

“Can I meet this Vihaan Rao before making a decision?” Amrita asked, her voice steady but firm.

Her mother’s face brightened with relief. “Of course, beta. We’ll arrange a meeting with him soon.”

Amrita left her parents' house with a heavy heart, her mind racing. She knew she had to consider this proposal carefully. The prospect of an arranged marriage seemed like a far cry from her plans, but if it meant saving her family’s legacy, it was a path she might have to explore.

As she drove back to her apartment, the city lights twinkled around her, each one a reminder of the life she had built for herself. Would she be able to balance this new reality with her independence? Could she find a way to make this work without compromising her own aspirations?

In the quiet of her apartment, Amrita looked out over the city, contemplating the choices before her. The decision she was about to make could change everything.