Fated To Marry You

Rithu

It was a bright Monday morning I was traveling on a bus. 8.30 am in the morning, the time where everyone rushing to their school, college, and work. Sitting on the window side seat and listening to my favorite songs I blankly gazed out thinking about my life and what I am going to do with it. Though the climate is quite sunny, I enjoyed the warmness over my skin.

Today I missed my regular bus were my friends and I usually travel. The bus journey is blissful when we have a friend who keeps on talking or gossiping about something. But today I am missing that.

When I reached my University I started walking to my class looking down, nonchalantly. Suddenly, someone pulled my bag from behind. I was jerked and turned around to find my friend Nithya she smiled brightly and taking my earphones off I smiled back.

“Good morning sleepy head,” she said encircling her hand on my shoulder.

“Good morning,” I replied with a small smile and we started to walk. Nithya was a good friend I got at this University.

“I thought you would come earlier Nithya, why you’re late?”

“I also missed our bus Rithu. I came on the same bus that you've traveled, I saw you but you’re so busy listening songs so I didn’t disturb you,” she said.

“Oh, sorry for not noticing you Nithya,” I apologized.

“It’s OK don’t give that face in the morning, let’s go to our class,” she said enthusiastically and we reached our department that located at the far of the university.

The classes are very less since it is our final semester and we were having only our project work. Me, Nithya and Shana, we three are very close friends. Just two more months left for my Master’s degree to finish and I am working hard to finish my final year project.

On the other hand, my parents were planning for my marriage as recently my dad got hospitalized when he fainted in his workplace of severe chest pain. He was diagnosed with atherosclerosis and we had treated that immediately. The doctor has advised him not to do any heavy works and to take enough rest. So he was worried about everything, especially about my life. He wanted me to get married as soon as possible.

I want to work and I want to lead my own life for at least two years without anyone’s help but my father’s compulsion and his health condition has put me in a situation to accept this.

After finishing off some important works in my project I decided to leave earlier today since I felt so tired. I packed my things and Nithya gave me some documents in a pen drive for the thesis that I have to finish it in two days; since there’s only a week for us to submit our project. I have to make everything perfect for getting good marks. I am always a good student and sometimes I will be the class topper anyhow, there is no use in getting good marks soon I am going to get married to a stranger. I don’t know what he’s up to.

I reached my home at 5.30 pm. My parents were busily discussing something in the living room and they looked as they were waiting for me. There is something going on.

“Rithu, you came!” My mom exclaimed plastering her face with a smile.

“Yes mom,” I replied and walked into my room.

I changed my clothes and went to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. When I was about to drink that my mom called my name and I went to see them.

“What mom?” I asked and looked at their faces.

After a small silence, my dad started to speak.

“Rithu do you know my friend Kishore; his son running a business in Chennai and coming Friday they’ll here to see you,” hearing that I got little nervous. I don’t know what to say it’s very sudden and my mom smiled at me like it’s not at all a big deal.

It is not a shock I already know that yesterday my dad was speaking about me with someone in the phone, and in the evening he went to give my photo to them but it is much unexpected.

“But dad, please wait for at least a month,” I said to him cause I not even finished my final exams.

“No Rithu we can’t wait, it’s the best proposal and you already know everything right?” he said like it was his final decision.

I said nothing and I want to think about this so I went to the terrace and sat on the bench. I gazed at the devoid cloudy sky which resembled my current life.

What I did in my life, what I achieved?? I asked myself.

Nothing!! My subconscious replied mockingly.

At that time my mom came and sat beside me, she placed her hand on my hand, and I know what she’s going to say.

“Rithu I know what you’re thinking dear you know dad is not in good health and we also want the best for you so try to accept this. Life render various situations Rithu we have to accept all and go through that, so don’t confuse yourself and accept this,” my mom said. She is also right if I go against this my parents will only suffer. So I made my mind to get married.

“Okay mom, I can understand,” I said halfheartedly with a small smile.

My mom was happy with my decision and she hugged me.

“Don’t worry about anything dear we are always with you and we will do only the right thing for you?” my mom assured.

I didn’t sleep that night thinking about every possibility to escape from this situation but that will only show I am not a good daughter to my parents.

Next day I went to my college everything was the same; I didn’t utter a single word about this marriage proposal to Nithya and Shana because I felt really shy.

During the break, I went to the library to read something because I love reading and I am damn bored of studying only the subject books and research articles for five straight months for this project work. I took a random newspaper and started to read, in the business column there I saw a man, he’s good looking with a manly smile and that article was about him.

A young businessman named Vikram who owns an architectural firm; he is now constructing a mall with high facilities in Chennai and his native is Coimbatore, where I am living. I gazed at the man's face, he looked so young and already an achiever but I am? That thought frustrated me.

But soon I shifted my thoughts hearing a creaky sound of the chair, I turned over the page automatically and continued to read some local and national news then I felt even bored, so I closed the newspaper and went back to my class.

As days passed, my project neared its completing stage. I got a signature on my thesis from my project guide, and I am doing my final touches. During a busy day, Nithya called and asked me to come to the canteen so I went. Since we are doing our projects with different faculties we don’t have the chance to meet often.

Sipping my favorite strawberry milkshake Nithya waved her hand to notify me, I smiled and saw another one for me on the table.

I wanted to tell her that I going to get married soon but I am still feeling shy, yeah I am very shy when it comes to love, marriage etc. But I have to say this or else she will get mad if she finds out on her own.

Without having another choice I told everything to her and Shana also came while we are chatting and heard my story. They first didn’t believe me and teasingly congratulated me but when I said that it’s all true they became surprised.

Nithya asked me about who I am going to meet, and what he is doing but I don’t know the answer to her question.

I said I don’t know him Even his name.

They were surprised even more.

“Then when are you going to meet him?” Nithya questioned me.

“This Friday, I think so,” I said pursing my lips.

“Congratulations,” Nithya teased again. I just stared at them angrily for teasing me but I can’t control my laughter so we laughed and started talking about my marriage.

As time moves, we three girls were so engrossed in discussing our future life and husband without having a thought that we were getting late.