Her Salvation

Chapter 8

Continuation from Part 6....

-“There’s no pressure on you. It’s totally up to you. You’re too young for this marriage and all.” said Uday trying to ease her daughter.

Little did they know what was going on in Uma’s mind.

Before Uma could say, her phone rang. She saw the caller id. It was Dona calling. She looked at her parents, and they nodded at her and went out giving her some privacy. Uma received the call only after locking the door.

Uma's POV

-"What's up bud?”, came Dona's cheerful voice.

-“All good. What about you?” I asked her, trying to sound normal.

-“Leave me! You aren’t good and it can be well understood. So.., you better spill out everything girl.”, said Dona sternly.

‘Am I that easy to read?’, I thought to myself. 

-“No you aren’t, Uma Roy. Now it’s better you tell me.” responded she.

-“Yeah actually, there’s this couple Mr. and Mrs. Sen who has approached us for a marriage proposal for their son and ...me!”, I said nervously. Well, I shouldn’t be nervous..But I was.

-“Whaaaat??????”, yelled Dona.

I told her everything. Like, EVERYTHING, including my mother’s condition, and what all happened a few days back.

-“I knew something was wrong. You haven't been online in sss and Insta since probably a month now. But I was so busy with college and other stuff that I didn’t get to call you. s**t !!”

-“It's okay Dona... What shall I say to them?”

-“What do you want to do?”

-“may be a Yes.....”

-“Are you serious?? I mean, isn't it too early?”

-“I know. They have said that this marriage and all would never hamper my career. I’ll be continuing my studies as usual.”

-“Is this the real reason, Mampi?” 

I released a sigh. I knew she would understand. She does it more than anybody else.

-“I wanna leave this house. It’s becoming more and more suffocating for me. And both of them are, I feel, a bit too ignorant towards all that I feel and go through. I am unable to concentrate on my studies. It may sound, rather it does sound selfish but I don’t see any alternative, Dona. I have to be independent and get financially settled, and for that I need to score good grades. The atmosphere of which I aren’t getting here...”

There was silence for a few seconds. Dona broke the silence by clearing her throat and asked,

-“Are you sure that there won’t be any problems after marriage? And moreover, what about the boy?”

-“ I’ll talk to the Sens' regarding this. Well, I don’t know anything about the boy, leaving that he’s a public servant.”

-“I'd suggest you tell him everything, not to hide anything. Otherwise he would feel betrayed, or rather used, may be; if you know what I mean.” Said Dona.

I understood what she meant.

-“Hmmm.... Dona, I’ll call you back later. Bye.”

-“Yupp bye.. all the best”, saying that she hung up.

I went to the living room and saw my parents sitting discussing something.

-“Ma, Baba ....”

They immediately turned to me.

-“Yes Mampi.”, said my mother.

-“You can call them and tell them to come here.”

-“Is it a yes from you?”, asked my father. I saw a confusion in his eyes.

-“Hmm... Besides,  I need to talk to them.”

A couple of hours later..

Baba had already called them after I agreed to meet. They will be coming anytime soon. Ma had asked me to get dressed properly. So I wore a long kurti with matching leggings. So, I was all set for the interview (note the sarcasm).

It was around 7pm when the doorbell rang. No sooner did I start getting nervous. I don’t why was I this nervous all of a sudden. *sighs*

After a few minutes, Ma called me from the sitting area. I got up from the bed and went towards them. I saw Mr. and Mrs. Sen sitting on the sofa. Mr. Sen was wearing a traditional kurta-pajama and Mrs. Sen was in a light blue saree. They looked stunning. And Mr. Sen was way more handsome in comparison to his age.

‘way to go Mampi, you’re basically drooling at your would be father-in law !’, taunted my brain.

‘but he’s worth it’, supported my heart.

I didn’t realise that I was standing like a fool until Mrs. Sen said,

-“come beta, sit here”, patting the place beside her. I hesitatingly went and sat.

-“Thank you for agreeing to our proposal, Uma” said Mr. Sen.

-“Well, uncle, I only said YES as in for meeting him, not for the marriage thing.” I said truthfully. My parents looked at each other giving knowing glances.

Mr. Sen didn’t seem to get disturbed or irritated from my reply. Instead, he said

-“we know Uma and we support you. Life is yours. Hence, you would be the last person to decide what you want to do. We just wanted you to meet our son, at least for once. Then rest is in your hands, beta.”

Well, to be honest, I didn’t expect this kind of a reply from Adhiraj uncle. He is gonna be the super cool father in law, I guess. I mentally laughed saying this.

-“So, beta would it be a problem if we ask him to meet you tomorrow?”, asked aunty.

-“Ummm…well…ummm”, I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to talk to them but didn’t know how to approach them. As if understanding my dilemma, uncle asked,

-“Do you want to say something to us?”

-“Yeah, actually…..”, I couldn’t complete it.

-“We would like to lend her for sometime, if you both don't have any problems.”

My parents nodded in a NO and went out of the room smiling.

-“What happened?”, asked aunty politely.

I decided to be honest with them.

-“Why are you so eager to make me your daughter in law?”

-“Because you are the best that can happen to our son and our family, Uma.” said aunty.

-“What if he doesn’t like me?”

-“He would”

-“You think so?”

-“Naah, I know so!” said uncle smiling at me.

These people were really good. Before I could go further, aunty’s phone started to ring. She looked at the caller id, and excused herself, leaving me and uncle alone.

-“Uncle.., what if this marriage doesn’t work out?” I asked hesitantly.

-“It will Uma. I’m pretty sure about it.” said he confidently.

-“But…..”

-“Why are you being so pessimistic beta?? I know you’re too young and that you have faced a lot of psychological hardships, I won’t do you bad. I already said, I’ve a daughter who’s younger than you, I know and understand your anxiety. All I’m saying is just go and meet him once. " said uncle trying to make me understand.

By the time uncle was done, my parents and Snigdha aunty came inside the room.

-“What’s your decision, Uma?”, asked Ma.

-“I’m ready to meet him tomorrow.” Saying this I left.