Food For Thought

A Lifelong Romance 2

My days after her death were a waste.That day i went home.Drenched in blood.My parents had a billion questions.I surpassed them without a glance.Locked myself in my room for a day.It was difficult to accept everything to my parents but so was it to hide.I told them.But before i could end my problem,they started pestering me with a solution.Wedding.An arranged marriage.

My mother had already decided and met the girl all the girl wanted is to meet me now.I had this long sobful agruement wherein i called my parents so insensitive to understand my girlfriend died two days ago.

No but everyone in this world is desparate to get me married.So be it.Il meet the girl show her my tattoo,tell her my weird terms and conditions,and bingo she'll refuse.

That's how easy i thought It'll be but then...Aneeka happened.

Right Aneeka,that was her name.My mother spend a hell lot of time in telling me,how and what she is,But i couldnt pay attention after the name.So that's all i knew before i met her.

My parents took me to her place the next day.We reached there,to be welcomed by an extremely humble group of people,a beautiful lady opened the apartment door and she seemed old and i guessed she might be the girls mother,before my mother introduced her as the same.I touch her feet and she pampered by hair calmy,and said,"its a pleasure to see you son",later we were greeted by her father.A tall and strong built typical hindi film father. Their house was pretty, spacious and big.

After the extended family was introduced.I got lost into thoughts again.I wasnt interested.My mind was still.My ears turned deaf.To me everything around me seemed like a mute tv show.I could see them talk,but i couldnt hear them or comprehend.My soul was crushed.Each minute i felt like a feelingless barren land.That has nothing to give or take.

Then i felt someone touch me on my shoulder,it was my mother,"I would be happier if you talk",she said,"would you like some tea?",her sister asked me.

"Uhh No thanks",i said very uneasy and trying to fit into such an atmosphere,She looks at her mother and giggles,"he looks desparate to meet her"

Ya you wish.I said in my mind.Her mother smacked her on her hand and instructed her to call her sister.Thankgod Finally.

"She is silly.Dont mind",her mom said,defending her.

I just smiled.

Thanks to my recently activated attention,i distinctly hear the bells of an anklet, ring.They were loud and enchanting as if,everything except those bells,was shut up for that moment.Then she appeared and my mind got back to meera.Her death.My shattered dreams.And getting rejected.I didnt look at her for even a minute.i kept focusing on the floor.After a while i saw her feet appear right opposite my eyes.That means she's standing here so probably i should look up now.

I looked up and she smiled.Beautiful but no so much to replace meera so soon.More than accepting Aneeka,the fact that she would be Meera's replacement is what annoyed me.

She mouths a hi and sits on the chair opposite mine.She talks alot. Maybe Alot is an understatement. But somehow, it wasnt irritating.She was just explaining some crap to my parents and apparently me too. She kept looking at me,every now and then.I kept praying that my weird behaviour shall give me negative grades.

"Young man,you dont have anything to say?",her father askes me.

"Nothing really"

"How about Aneeka showing you our house.Go beta,take him."

Subtle indian way of saying,please go and get sorted.

So there we were,she showed me a few rooms we crossed the hall twice,and people stared as us as if this was a crime.Then we reached her room and she said,"we could talk here."