The Unsaid

Chapter 3 - Meeting

Chapter 3 - Meeting

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Hi! This is the chapter where Prithvi and Pallavi meet for the first time. Please remember to Vote and Comment if you like it!

Meanings:

Pinni: Aunt, mother's younger sister.

Babai: Uncle, Dad's younger brother.

Dowry: (Definition from Wikipedia) The transfer of parental property to a daughter as her inheritance at her marriage.

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"Prithvi, the girl's family has agreed to meet us. Mr Fixit told us over the phone," Jaya halted to see the reaction of her son. He seemed to have frozen for a couple of seconds before replying a curt, "oh." Just as she had imagined, he did not seem that enthusiastic about marriage again. She had to move fast, before he changed his mind, even though she knew that he would not go back on his word.

"I checked with the priest and this coming Saturday is auspicious for meeting them. So," she hesitated.

Prithvi did not turn his head away from the laptop. She continued, "Can you book a van so that all of us can meet them?" Prithvi took a deep breath and looked across the screen towards his mother. There was a slight hint of anger in his eyes but Jaya acted innocent and stared at him with anticipation.

"Fine," he muttered before typing away fast in his computer.

At Pallavi's house-

"Pallavi, I contacted my relatives and friends about this family. They have a good name and fame as Mr Fixit said, but... this isn't the type of family that I was looking for you. I want you to settle in America and have all the luxuries in life, not live in a small town in a joint family," Surya said as he tried to gauge his daughter's reaction.

Pallavi narrowed her eyes in mild surprise. "They live as a joint family?"

Surya nodded. Pallavi was lost in thought, her face etched with worry. Surya hoped that she would back off now and waited for her answer. Seeing her silent for a long time, he continued. "They have asked to meet us next Saturday but I can tell Mr Fixit that we are not interested."

She looked up at him with a slight alarm that she soon disguised. "Dad, why don't we meet them and then decide?" Surya stood dumbfounded, unable to muster up the courage to say no to her. "Are you sure Bangaram?" Pallavi stood confused, not knowing what to tell her father. How could she be sure when she only had the picture of the guy?

"We can always say no after meeting them," she finally said, pulling her duppatta. Surya stared at his daughter for some more time and exhaled deeply before stating, "As you say dear."

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"Pallavi! What's taking you so long? Everyone is waiting for you," her mom whispered from the door.

"I will be there in just a second mom," she acted as if she was wearing her earring.

Her mother disappeared to the living room where Prithvi's family and her family seemed to be engrossed in some discussion that she could not decipher. She adjusted her clothes and jwellery one final time with shaky hands. The saree and jwellery were too heavy for her taste but her mother would hear none of her pleadings. She stared at her image in the mirror, wondering if she was beautiful enough. The nervousness that she felt was unusual. She had faced this type of interview three other times, and although she deplored the part of dressing like a doll, it was her only chance to know the groom and his family better. Straightening her thoughts, she inhaled deeply and opened the door. Her mother joined her outside the room and they both walked towards the living room. The room fell silent and her nervousness multiplied, knowing that all eyes must be on her. Her vision cleared and she found Prithvi sitting in front of her and staring straight at her face. She froze and gazed back at him for a couple of seconds, forgetting the people surrounding them. Deep sunken eyes, tanned skin, neatly trimmed thick black hair, sharp nose, lips that were set in a thin line. He was not smiling, neither was she.