I was so tired working all day. It was almost time for me to return home. But I don't want to go. 

FLASHBACK

I was so excited today. My friends and I had planned a trip together. Finally, we all will be going to Kedarnath temple. Yes, we all wanted to visit it so bad. And somehow all 4 of us convinced our parents. After begging for months they finally agreed.

Today we all are going shopping required for the trip. Even though we four are financially independent, to go on trips we have to ask our parents permission. Sadly.

I still live with my parents. I asked my parents if I could live alone but they didn't agree. They are very strict. Me being a good daughter agreed to everything they said. 

Sometimes I think I should have been a brat like my younger brother, Divith. Throwing tantrums if everything didn't go my way. But my overachieving, obedient elder daughter doesn't agree with it. So I have to say yes even though my answer is a big no with capital n.

Anyway, back to the present. I got ready for the day and went down to have breakfast. It's a tradition to have breakfast together. So I have to be on time.

I went down and saw my father, Jaganath Kulkarni , a high school teacher. He is very honest and hardworking. He is the first one in our family to study well and move out of our village. He bought a house and settled in Hyderabad. 

Then he married my mother, who is none other than Rani Kulkarni. She is a sweet lady. It was an arranged marriage. My mother is a writer and she writes poems and short stories during her free time. But the only problem is, even she too won't say no to my father and agree to everything he says.

I understand that she follows everything he says because he is her husband. But me? Even though I am his daughter I have the right to make decisions in my own life. I don't want to agree with everything he says. Sometimes he is wrong too. But I think he is far gone to realise that. 

He gave me an opportunity to study and all. But I had only two options. Either engineering or medical. Typical Indian parents. But it was okay for me since it was my dream to be a doctor and serve society. 

Then there is my brother, Divith Kulkarni, who is still in high school. He is a spoiled brat. My father allows him to go out and he allows him to do whatever he wants. But he has to score good marks in exams and no one should complain about him to my father. He has somehow managed to be as my father expects. But he is far from it.

And finally me. One and only Nyra Kulkarni. I am done with MBBS and currently I am working as an intern in a hospital. Parallely, I am studying for my PG exams. 

My mother served us food and together we prayed for a few minutes and started eating. I was lost in my dreamland thinking about the trip I will be going. My father said something which shook me to the core.

Dhum Tana Tana dramatic music

“I think it's time for you to get married.” My father said not knowing he dropped the whole world in my head. 

I didn't know how to react. I just sat there not saying anything. I don't have anything against marriage but right now I am not ready for it. I want to achieve my dreams and I want to visit many countries. I have set some milestones which I want to complete before my marriage. And I am not sure if my future in-laws will allow me to do further studies or not.

“Appa , I just completed my UG. at least let me complete my PG then i will marry. I am just 24. There is still time right?” I said in a timid voice making sure I am requesting him and not making it feel like I am back answering him.

(Father)

“I am not asking you to marry the first guy I see right? If we start looking for a groom from now , you can marry before it's too late.” After saying this he just washed his hands and went from there as though he were telling a fairy tale and everything was as simple as he made it seem.

Then I turned towards my mother hoping to convince her at least.

“Amma..” Before I could complete my sentence she cut me off in the middle.

(Mother)

“It's between you and your father. And you know he won't listen to me. You just talk to them, it's not like you will be married now itself.” She just said this, completely shattering my hope. 

Then even she went from there not caring that my heart was breaking and like every time I was the only one to pick up those pieces. 

“Sis it's gonna be okay. If not, I will help you to run away.” My brother said this and winked at me. He then went to god knows where whistling as though he is the king and doesn't have any problem at all. 

I just smiled at his antics and thanked god at least he understands me.Then I took my bag and went to the hospital to work. Just because I have some problem, I wont get any holiday.

I then decided to message my friends.

Bolo Zubaan Kesari

It's the group name guys. We four are friends from nursery school. Yeah we fought a lot during school days, but we stuck together. When we started doing professional courses, that was the time our friendship was tested. But we overcame everything. That was the period where our friendship turned into sisterhood. Everything was worth it.

‘Guys, it's been a while. And everything was alright but a problem fell in love with me. This time it's not letting me go. crying emoji 

So code red. We cannot go shopping today. With today’s mood I don't think I will be able to shop. So let's meet in a club, I will say everything.

After getting approval from three of them. I immersed myself in work.

FLASHBACK ENDS

Then I decided to get ready to go out. I said we will meet in some club. It's been a while since we have not gone there. And everyone is in need of a break. So I decided to get ready. Obviously, I cannot wear that club dress in my house and I have not informed my parents. I just said that I have a night shift. 

I wore a silver bodycon short dress. And I wore a long loose frock on that. If my neighbour aunty sees me wearing this dress she will go and inform my father as though i am murdering someone. These noisy aunties, I say, are a big headache. I think she is one of those four people who knows only to spread rumours and gossip about everyone.

Our parents are more worried about ‘Char log kya kahenge’ than their own children. In the end they are successful in breaking us and our dreams.

(What will people say?)

I did light makeup. Today I was not interested in getting ready. We decided to go separately as everyone lives separately except for two of my friends. 

I parked my scooter in the hospital's parking lot and booked a cab. I was playing temple run and standing at the entrance. After a few minutes the cab arrived. The whole way, I was thinking what would happen for me. I am just not ready to get married. Is that not enough reason to cancel a marriage proposal? But no, that's not enough according to my parents.

Again I started playing temple run to distract myself. And in a few minutes I reached the club. I saw my friends waiting in the line. I went towards them and joined the line. After a few minutes it was our turn to show our id’s and went inside. As soon as we went inside we ordered our drinks and sat in a booth.

Our drinks arrived shortly and three of them turned towards me expecting me to start my purana. (story)