Love Around the Corner

Chapter Two - Freedom Chali Gaye

"My mom wants me to get married." Sara said.

"So what's the problem?" I asked. Sara smacked the back of my head.

"Idiot! She's looking for guys to be my groom. Aren't you supposed to marry me, being my boyfriend and all?"

Before I could answer, the doorbell rang. I opened the door to see my mother.

"Mom?" I was shocked. It had been a few months since she's visited me though, so a meet was due.

"Varun beta! How are you?" She walked in to the living room. Seeing Sara, she stopped. I mouthed to Sara behind Mom that she was my mom. Sara must have got it because she stood up and folded her palms together.

"Namaste auntyji." Sara smiled.

"Namaste. Who are you?" Mom asked, looking at me.

"I'm Sara Mehra. Varun's girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?" Mom was shocked.

"Um.."

Mom hit me on the shoulder and held my ear.

"Why did you not tell me you had a girlfriend?" Mom asked. She let go, luckily, and turned to Sara. I was expecting a shouting and Sara running out but Mom went up to Sara and cupped her face.

"You are very beautiful. I am shocked how someone like him had managed to make someone as pretty and respectful as you as his girlfriend." Mom said. Sara smiled. I am officially dead. Let me tell you, that me and Sara are in the same boat. My mom is always looking for girls for me to marry which is why I try to avoid her. Sara's mom is doing the same. The difference is that Sara wants to marry me but I don't want to.

"Mom-"

"No I don't want to hear from you." Mom frowned at me. She looked back at Sara. I rolled my eyes. Sometimes I think, as a result of having two sons, my mom likes girls better.

"Auntyji, we have a problem."

"Tell me, beti."

"My mom wants me to get married and so she is looking for people. I was thinking of introducing Varun to my family at our party tomorrow night."

"That's a great idea!" My mom shouted. She turned to me.

"Dekha, kitne smart yeh ladki! (Look how smart this girl is!)" Mom called.

I'm the one who found her! But now, according to Mom, she found Sara for me.

"He will definitely go!" Mom declared.

"Mom!"

"No 'Mom' Varun. Sara is your girlfriend. At least meet her parents." she smiled.

I groaned.

"Fine."

Sara got up and hugged me.

"Thank you, baby." she whispered in my ear. I forced myself to smile. Don't get me wrong, I'm not that type of boy who just likes being a jerk. It's just that, I believe in love. And I want to marry the right girl that I fall in love with, when she comes. Sara is perfect but I never felt like I loved her.

Sara left and Mom, seeing the opportunity, stayed back, saying that she will stay until I go to Sara's house.

Since my house was huge, Mom, Dad, Rohit and Jaanvi bhabi, Rohit's wife, had their own rooms, complete with their own set of clothes. Mom went up to her room to rest. I fell onto the couch. In a matter of minutes, I was arranged to meet Sara's family and my mom was home. All that freedom I saw the day before felt shattered.