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SNEHAL
Snehal flopped on a chair in the living room. She furrowed her brow. “Why are you in such a hurry about my wedding, Mom?”
“You already turned twenty-four. When will you get married?” Her mother, Deepali, continued knitting a sweater. “Ranjit is a good boy, and you won’t find such a more handsome groom than him.”
Snehal wanted to grow her career and work for a few more years. She needed to study for her master’s before she got married.
She started going to an educational center a year ago and hadn’t gained enough experience in teaching. Most of her classmates went to Bangalore to work as software engineers, but Snehal preferred to stay in Hubli. She was passionate about her profession.
“Mom, I prefer to wait.”
“You can study even after you got married to Ranjit, correct?” Deepali grimaced. “Your dad’s relationship with Ranjit’s father will be spoiled. Their pharmaceutical business has been improving these days. Your dad doesn’t want that to disrupt because you refused the alliance.”
Snehal didn’t want to argue over the matter. She remained silent. Her father, Kailas, had given her Ranjit’s bio-data and a photograph.
Ranjit stood tall – perhaps, six feet in the snapshot with deep dark eyes and black hair. He owned a garments factory in Belgaum district, his native place. He had expressed his willingness to meet Snehal.
“You have seen Ranjit’s photograph, correct?” Deepali said. “He is quite handsome, isn’t he? He is a perfect match for you.”
Snehal remained silent. Ranjit appeared fair, but she couldn’t conclude about it unless she saw him in person. But she wanted to postpone her marriage for her career's sake.
“Your dad told me Ranjit and his parents are coming here this evening. Get ready to see them.”
Snehal’s heart raced. “But Mom-”
Before Snehal could complete her words, her mother said, “Snehal, you must meet Ranjit today. Your father will get angry otherwise.” Deepali demanded.
Snehal hated her parents for putting restrictions on her freedom. After graduation, when she wanted to mentor students in a computer education center, they told her not to work. When she had secured an engineering seat, her father had told her to take a commerce course. He had said studying engineering would be difficult for her. Snehal had proven him wrong and passed the course with distinction.
The clock chimed, alerting Snehal. She wouldn’t want to disappoint her parents by refusing to see Ranjit. At times, her mother supported her decision, and Snehal hoped she would help her this time, too. “At what time are they coming?”
“Around seven o’clock.” Deepali smiled. The doorbell rang. “It must be your father.”
Snehal opened the door. It was indeed her father. “Dad, you are early.”
In his navy blue safari suit, Kailas looked executive and handsome. His black, high arched brows above his black eyes were well-trimmed and appeared prominent on his fair face. His neatly cut mustache stood out under his button nose.
Snehal was taller than him; she inherited her mother’s height. She sat back on her chair.
“Yes, the meeting got extended.” Her father sat beside Deepali. “Ranjit is coming here along with his parents.”
Snehal liked to avoid the get-together. But her father was a hard nut to crack. Snehal wouldn’t want to remain silent either.
“Dad, can we postpone the get-together?”
“Why? Aren’t you feeling well?” Kailas asked with a pensive expression.
“I have an appointment with my boss,” Snehal couldn’t help but lie.
“Cancel your appointment,” Kailas said, his voice demanding. “We are meeting Ranjit and his parents this evening.”
“Snehal,” Deepali said. “You must listen to your dad.”
Snehal nodded, not wanting to disappoint her parents. “All right.”
“That’s my daughter,” Kailas said.
“I’m sure you will like Ranjit,” Snehal’s mother said.
Snehal stared down at the floor. It was a tough decision for her to make. I’ll postpone my wedding for two years until I studied M Tech. I hope Mom will help me in this matter.
Snehal picked grey pants and a light pink shirt. She remembered her mother telling her not to wear pants on important occasions. She ran her hand over a set of saris hung on the bar and picked a green colored one. Everyone will surely like me in this sari.
She stood in front of the large oval mirror. Her oblong face appeared not that cheerful. Her large black eyes missed their usual gleam.
She gently applied lip gloss and mascara. Her face became fair when she rubbed the talcum powder on it. She tucked a small jasmine string in her hair, not to disappoint her mother.
The bells of her bedroom door jingled. Snehal shifted her gaze. Her mother in her cream sari approached, smiling. Her neck was adorned with gold jewelry.
“Snehal, aren’t you yet ready?” Deepali’s eyes sparkled. “Ranjit is already here.”
Snehal shrugged, half-heartedly. “Mom, please make sure my dress is alright.” She often failed to fit the sari properly.
Her mother adjusted the sari at Snehal’s waist. She corrected the frills to make them more appealing.
“Thanks, Mum.” Snehal forced a smile.
“Let’s go now. They’re waiting.” Her mother walked her to the living room.
Ranjit, in his green suit, was seated beside his parents. Snehal was taken aback as he was quite dark, unlike in the photograph. He is in no way a good match for me.
Snehal sat on a chair and ran her eyes over Ranjit’s parents. His mother wore an expensive Mysore silk sari and her neck was adorned with gold jewelry. And his father wore a blue suit and his glasses were encased in a black frame.
“Snehal,” Kailas said. “This is Ranjit.”
Snehal smiled at Ranjit.
Ranjit’s long and dark face was lit with a broad smile. His thick arched brows appeared rather prominent under his not so wide forehead. His long and pointed nose stood above his short mustache.
“Can you tell us about yourself?” Ranjit asked.
Snehal’s pulse quickened. It was customary for the boy’s parents to ask questions, but Ranjit defied the rule. He behaved dominantly.
“I’m Snehal. I’ve studied computer science engineering.” Snehal stressed on her degree because her mother had told Ranjit had studied commerce course. It would make him not overlook her.
Ranjit and his parents asked a few more details and Snehal answered with patience. She wanted their get-together to end cordially.
Snehal somehow disliked Ranjit’s manly voice and his dark complexion. His height was more than an average, above six feet.
The housemaid served them the snacks and tea.
After they finished eating, Ranjit said, “Snehal, can we spend some good time in private?” His glance shifted to Snehal’s parents. “I want to take her outside for a few minutes if you don’t mind.”
Snehal bit her lip. She took a quick breath. Did Ranjit already like me? How can he behave like we’re close after only one meeting? What if Ranjit gave his consent to marry me?
Snehal needed to distance herself from him.
“Snehal,” Deepali said, “You can go with Ranjit.”
Snehal controlled her urge to refuse. Everyone would think she wasn’t interested in Ranjit, otherwise. She eventually decided to join Ranjit.
Ranjit came from a rich background. She would be taken care of well if she married him. But his complexion made her think twice. Also, Snehal hated someone who dominated her.
“Ranjit, come back soon,” his mother said.
He nodded. “We will be back in a few minutes.”
Snehal walked alongside Ranjit towards his car.
Ranjit opened his car door for her.
She sat, heaving a sigh. She hadn’t expected Ranjit would offer her a ride so soon. She was even surprised when her mother supported his interest.
Ranjit started the engine and headed down the main street. “We will spend some time in a nearby community park.” He looked at her for a moment before fixing his gaze back on the road.
Snehal directed him towards the nearby community park, contemplating. How should she handle the dilemma of her marriage? Should she tell Ranjit she was not interested? Or should she remain quiet and see how things would unfold?
Her father might arrange her marriage without her consent. Snehal needed her mother’s support to avoid or postpone her wedding. If Snehal told Ranjit she was not interested, her parents might act against her and force her to get married. Her father controlled the family matters, and Snehal would lose her mother’s support, too.
Ranjit parked his car in the available parking place in front of the garden.
The place was abuzz with people’s muffled conversation. A few kids played on the swings and some were playing basketball. A train, with children inside, circled the park premises. Ranjit located a wooden bench and sat. Snehal took her seat beside him.
“You know,” Ranjit said. “My parents have been talking about you for two months. I was busy and couldn’t join them earlier.”
Snehal remained silent; she didn’t want to flirt with him; she needed to discourage his appeasement, at least for now.
“So, how is your teaching going?”
“Going well,” Snehal replied, staring down.
“Do you like mentoring youngsters?” Ranjit asked.
Snehal’s lips quivered into a grin. She looked into his eyes. “Yes. I’m passionate about it. I would like to impart my knowledge to teenagers.”
“I admire you for having such an attitude. Everyone these days aspires to become a software engineer,” Ranjit said.
“What kind of business you do?” Snehal asked.
“I own a garments factory.” Ranjit pulled in a deep breath. “We supply the items to retail customers. I have a few warehouses, too.”
“Did you start the business on your own, or did your dad start them?”
“Well, Dad had begun it, and I have grown it in the last few years to a considerable extent. Now, we have several retail customers from whom we earn a major profit.” Ranjit paused for a while. “You said you have a degree in computer science?”
“Yes,” Snehal said. “I passed with distinction.”
“You are wise.” Ranjit smiled.
Snehal wanted to ask about her intention to work and study even after the marriage. But it was quite unlikely that she would marry Ranjit; he was not suitable for her fair skin. I don’t want to get married to him just because Dad wanted to please his business partner.
They exchanged a few more small talk before they went back home.
She found Ranjit rather romantic but boasted much about his family status. His enquiring style of speaking annoyed her a bit.
*
AFTER RANJIT AND HER parents left, Snehal pondered about how to avoid and postpone the alliance that her parents were interested in. She wished to call her friend, Priya. Priya would surely help her in solving the difficulties and would advise her about what she must do.
Snehal took her phone and tapped on Priya’s name.
“Hello, Snehal. How are you?” Priya answered.
“I’m doing well. What’s going on?”
“Everything is going well,” Priya said. “A bit hectic because of internal assessment and annual exams.”
Priya was no doubt busy. She worked in an engineering college as an Assistant Professor. She had earned a degree in Master of Technology a year before.
“I know you will be busy,” Snehal said. “How about we meet at someplace?”
“Now?” Priya asked.
“Yes.”
“Okay, but can’t you say it over the phone?”
“Um....it’s somewhat personal,” Snehal said.
“It’s okay. Tell me what it is?” Priya asked.
“Well, my parents are insisting I marry this year.”
“Oh, that’s good to know,” Priya said.
“But I’m not interested.” Snehal leaned back on her seat.
“Why? It would be better if you settle down with a loving husband.”
“I have recently started a teaching job and would like to work for some more months, Priya. Is it not too early for me to get married?”
“I agree, but your parents want it, right?”
“Yes, and they are not listening to me.”
“You can somehow convince them and tell them you want to become independent with your coaching center or until you earned a considerable salary.”
“They have selected a groom,” Snehal said. “The boy visited us along with his parents this evening.”
“Why don’t you talk to the boy?” Priya said. “I would say go with your feelings.”
Snehal controlled her urge to tell Priya Ranjit was dark-complexioned. Snehal would convince her parents instead of pleading with Ranjit.
“All right, Priya. Thanks for your suggestions.” Snehal sighed in relief. “How is your fiancé, Deepak, doing?”
Priya got engaged to Deepak a couple of months ago and her marriage date hadn’t fixed yet.
“He is doing well,” Priya said. “We had been to a movie yesterday.”
“That’s good to hear,” Snehal said. “Okay, I’ll speak with my parents about my marriage.”
“That’s better.” Priya ended the call.
Priya had been Snehal’s close friend during their studies. They worked on their college assignments together and prepared for the examination.
I should follow the path that Priya has trodden. I need to grow my career before I settle down with a husband.