Stranger in the Train

Hazel Eyes

"What the Fuck!" As Akshara shouted, the already silent AC compartment became even more silent. She could feel the middle-aged couple sitting next to her looking at her in shock, while parents of two young children in the next coupe glared at her in disapproval. A man who had just walked to the seat next to her stumbled and fell on the seat while trying to remove his backpack. At a subconscious level Akshara was aware of all this and kind of knew that she needed to apologize, but for the life of her, she couldn't speak or do anything. She turned her entire self towards the window, mindlessly watching the scenery moving past her. Before she could say anything to her sister, she heard a loud thud through the phone and her mother shouting "Aarohi!"

"Owww, Mumma,"

"Chup nahi Reh sakti," Naira shouted at her younger daughter.

Akshara could hear a lot of muffled noises before her mother came to the phone.

"Akshu..."

"Mumma, what is happening? Is Aru telling the truth?"

Naira sighed. "Yes, beta. The Birlas along with their son are coming tomorrow night."

"What? Why? And since when have you started hiding things from me?" said Akshara distraught.

"Beta. It all started 3 weeks ago, and I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to get worried and distracted during exams. Harsh Bhaisahab calls Papa almost every week since he had a heart attack. And in between talks they had a conversation about moving ahead with the alliance."

"But why now? I still have my final exam and a year of housesurgency remaining!" said Akshara.

"I know beta. But you know Baba has been really worried since his heart attack. The doctor told us that he would not survive another one. Dadi told me that he has trouble sleeping at night most days."

"So, getting me married is the solution? Shouldn't he be focusing his health," asked Akshara exasperated.

"He is doing that, beta. But we all know how unpredictable life is. He just wishes that he does not leave any of his responsibility unfinished."

"So, isn't Aaru his responsibility too? Would he get her married too at 18? You and Baba had promised me that you would not talk about marriage before I completed my studies," Akshara said angrily.

Naira took a deep breath. "It is not just that, Akshu. It is also about the promises he made your Papa. Since the time Karthik passed away, your Baba has done everything to fulfill all his wishes and dreams for you and your sister. And getting you married to his best friend's son was his last wish. Baba wants to see it happen before something untoward happens."

Akshara had nothing say to this. Not just her Baba, even she had done everything to keep her father's wishes alive, including the marriage he had fixed. Akshara had no problem with getting married to Harsh uncle's son. She had not met him since she was 7, and even the little memory she had of him was hazy. But all that did not matter. She would marry him because that's what her Papa had wanted. But she also needed a little more time. She wanted to complete her education and start her practice before tying the knot. Was it too much to ask for?

"But, Mumma..." she started to say when Naira interrupted her. "Akshu, I know that it is all too much and too sudden for you. That is why I wanted to tell you once you come back. We are not getting you married tomorrow. You just meet him and his family and decide."

"Decide?" scoffed Akshara. "Isn't everything already decided?" she said.

"Beta, consider it like an arranged marriage. At least meet him and see how it goes."

"But like an arranged marriage, I can't really reject him if I want, right Mumma?"

"See Akshu. If you really have a very solid reason for doing so, I will support you. But things are looking good. We have known Harsh Bhaisaab and Manjari for a long time now. I know you have not met them a lot but I have. They are open-minded and very sorted people. They know that you are still studying and would not come between you and your dreams." said Naira while Akshara remained silent.