Rohita

Chapter 02

Rohita tossed her leather purse on her bed and collapsed on the couch. Her Dad's delay in coming home to take her shopping had annoyed her. But she would wait for him. He should be busy with her wedding arrangements and she needed to remain patient.

The evening sun rays streamed through the orange drapes on the windows. The smell of fresh red, yellow roses put in the flower-pot wafted in the air. Rohita wished to call him to know when he would be arriving. She took her phone from the table and tapped on the screen.

Rohita's father answered after a few rings. "Rohita, I will be there very soon."

She frowned. "I've many items to shop for, Dad. Come soon so that we can get there before the shops close."

Her father ended the call.

She placed the phone back on the table.

Rohita had seen Milind just four days ago and their marriage was fixed soon after. She hadn't fully understood about him. Her parents should've listened to her suggestion to wait for a few months. Why is Dad so keen to have the wedding tomorrow? Is he under pressure from Milind's parents? He could've convinced them to schedule it for next year. Their hastened decision peeved Rohita and she was in a bind.

Her father always wanted her to settle in America, and he searched for the grooms who stayed there. She too was interested in working as a physician in America. If she refused her father's suggestion to marry Milind, her marriage would be delayed further. She had had her twenty-seventh birthday last month. It would be difficult to get a suitable groom if she remained unmarried.

She heard the approaching footsteps. Her mother, Brinda, in her dark blue sari, entered. She was holding a wooden tray with two brown tea cups on it. Her wide forehead was adorned with a red large bindi. "When is your Dad coming home?" She placed the tray on the table. The aroma of fresh, hot tea wafted in the air.

Her mother sat beside Rohita and handed her the tea. "He never comes home on time. Better we go shopping."

Rohita sipped her tea. "I spoke to Dad a while ago." She was invigorated by the caffeine. "He is coming soon."

"But we have a little time left." Brinda sighed.

"It's better to wait and take Dad along with us." Rohita put her cup on the table. "It will be night when we come back."

Her mother remained silent.

Rohita continued to savor her tea. She had complained to her mother about the hastened wedding decision. But it was her father who had planned it. He didn't agree to her mother's suggestion to postpone. Her mother didn't insist he do anything because she was an orthodox woman. She liked to see Rohita get married soon.

When Rohita met Milind her home, he was very silent. He wasn't proactive in talking to her. Is he egoistic that he stayed in America? Rohita wished to talk about him with her mother.

"Mom, why is Dad so reluctant to postpone my wedding?" Rohita placed her empty cup on the tray and scratched her cheek. "Is he under pressure from Milind's parents?"

"Yes, they wanted the wedding to be arranged for tomorrow," Brinda said, in a raised voice. "Your Dad is not interested in losing the alliance. He was waiting for Milind to come to India." She placed her cup on the tray. "I think your Dad is right. Milind is handsome, and working in America. If we refuse, we may lose him."

Rohita stared down at the floor, contemplating. Her parents never bothered to understand her feelings. Do they know how Milind is and about his habits?