"Akanksha, we will be arranging a marriage for you after your graduation," said my mom. For some reason I was shocked.
"Arrange marriage? I'm only twenty-four! Why is this happening so quick?!"
"Twenty-four is when most girls get married, in fact, that's when I got married, now, it's your turn Absara. And don't act surprised, you already knew you would have arrange marriage." That's true. I've never even been allowed to talk to talk to a guy besides my brother, this wasn't that big of a surprise.
"Mom, we live in Boston, USA. I'm American. Americans are supposed to fall in love! Not be forced to marry a random guy!"
"Akanksha, you were born in Hyderabad, India. You're Indian. Indians are supposed to listen to their parents and marry the guy that their parents tell them to. You're marrying the guy we choose for you. Okay? Okay."
"But ma-" She cut me off.
"I didn't come here to ask for your permission, I came here to inform you. Your brother is waiting outside for you, you have to get to class on time. Go."
"Mom listen to me for just one second!"
"Akanksha, don't be a disgrace to the family and say you don't want arrange marriage. Go to school, and listen to your parents." The word she said, disgrace. If I run away, I'm a disgrace. If I fail school, I'm a disgrace. Now, if I don't agree to a stupid arrange marriage? You don't know how much times I've heard that word in my whole lifetime. By now, it has no meaning.
