Marriages are made in Heaven - Part 1

The below story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real person/situation is purely coincidental.

“Is this photo nice? Anjali I’m asking you and not speaking to these walls” Mrs Malhotra yelled. “Mom, what is the problem with you? Just look at his face. I mean how on the earth do you expect me to even meet him” Anjali yelled back.

Anjali Malhotra was 25, which is a tricky age in India for women who are still single. It is unsaid belief that if a woman is not married by 25 then either she has some illicit affair, or she is career minded or her orientation has changed. For Anjali the option was none of the above.

Anjali belonged to a well to do Punjabi Family whose father was a business man and mother was a housewife. She had a younger brother named Aryan. Anjali did not believe in arranged marriage as she felt it was complete waste of time and energy. She wasn't a typical Punjabi who believed in show offs much like her father and very much unlike her mother. She did believe that marriages are made in heaven, but in India that wasn't the case. Here your entire family decides whom you should get married to and India is no heaven, its on earth!!

Marriages are made in heaven but ruined on earth so was her belief and she like countless girls inspite of being an engineer believed that one fine day her prince charming will come and sweep her of her feet. Are Marriages really made in heaven; not as per Anjali.

“Have you registered at JeevanSaathi.Com” Anjali’s mom inquired in a concerned tone. “Yes mom, I have; but I don’t find any eligible bachelors there.” Anjali replied.

“Look at this snap. Look how handsome he is. His name is Rajiv Kapoor. I have fixed a coffee date with him tomorrow at Barista in Bandra” Anjali’s mom said in an assertive voice. She continued “Mind you, don’t mess up this time. I am sure you will like him”

Anjali looked at heavens and just shook her head. She knew there was no point arguing with her mom.

She thought " Marriages are made in heaven, but so are thunder and lightning".

Boy number 1(actually no. 6): Rajiv Kapoor

Rajiv Kapoor belonged to a family of businessmen who traded in diamonds. He was born in Delhi but later his family decided to shift to Mumbai. Rajiv was a typical Punjabi; loads of attitude and showoff a trait Delhi Punjabis are famous for. Rajiv and his family lived in posh Peddar road area of South Mumbai. Anjali on the other hand was not a typical Punjabi. She was mature and down to earth girl. She lived in posh Pali Hill area of Bandra.

The meeting was supposed to take place at Barista at Bandra.

Rajiv arrived in his Honda City. “Good morning Anjali”. Anjali started checking him out. He was 6 feet 2 inches, well built and had a well rounded face. “Good morning Rajiv” Anjali replied with a smile. Gosh he is handsome; hopefully he wont put me off with his arrogance so she thought.

They sat and ordered for a coffee. “So what do you do Anjali ?” Rajiv in the meanwhile had already checked out anjali. She was beautiful and had those twinkle in her eyes. “I work in Capgemini. I am a software Engineer” Anjali politely replied. The conversation took a routine route about their family backgrounds, friends, business etc. That Rajiv was a big time narcissist was quite evident in the way he was bragging about his family wealth and history. Anjali somehow managed to hide her displeasure about such behavior.

The next question surprised Anjali as she was not ready for it. “Will you continue to work even after marriage? I am asking you this because none of the ladies in our house work” Rajiv gave an indirect answer to that question. “Yes” was a curt reply by Anjali.

There was moment of silence observed as if someone had died. “Well Anjali just give a thought, you will be getting married in a very rich family so why you have to work. You can sit at home and help my mom” Rajiv said in a firm and an arrogant voice breaking the akward silence.

Anjali got up and said “It was nice meeting you Rajiv” Rajiv was surprised at the alacrity of this woman who had the balls to say on his face indirectly F**k off, I am not interested. As she approached the door, Rajiv shouted “ See if you decide to change your mind” . Anjali kept walking and shouted back “ No chance”. Rajiv was a perfect example of a MCP, so she thought.

“So how did it go beta?” Mrs. Malhotra asked Anjali in a pleasant voice. “Can I just sit mom and feel the air. I have just entered the home and you started” Anjali replied sounding slightly irritated.

“What is your problem Anjali? Every time I search a guy for you either from matrimony websites or through some relations you turn them down. You are 25 for God sake. If we don’t get you married within a year, a negative impression about you will be developed in the society. Everybody is asking me when your daughter will get married, aren’t there good Punajbi boys around. We are answerable to the society, but you will not understand that. I have posted your resume on all the websites be it Bharat Matrimony.com, Jeevan saathi.com. You name it. This is 6^thguy you have seen but it seems you are just not interested” Mrs Malhotra said in an angry tone.

“Mom I will speak to you about this Rajiv guy in the evening. I need to take a nap” Anjali replied in a firm voice.

Mrs Malhotra started shaking her head in utter disbelief and muttered

“No body listens to me. I am sick and tired”. She shut the door hard and went inside. Anjali also went to her room. She took a nap of about an hour.

The phone started ringing. Anjali saw the screen which displayed "Priya Calling". Priya was Anjali's childhood friend. She picked up and said " Yes priya, tell me how are you"? "I am fine; you first tell me how did it go with that rajiv guy?" Priya inquired. "Don't ask. He was a typical punjabi, a MCP" Anjali replied. " There was a giggle at other end " Tell me how many guys are not MCP's Anjali" Priya said in a sarcastic tone. She continued " Let's catch up in the evening". " Sure" Anjali replied and she hanged up.

"Now tell me what the problem is" Mrs Malhotra asked Anjali."Mom he doesn't want me to work and moreover he wasn't the guy I would want to spend the rest of my life with. I am an independent woman and I want to be on my own feet and not be a housewife. I guess that answers your question" Anjali replied back in a firm voice.

"Fine, I shall inform their parents, but only on one condition" "And what is that"? Anjali inquired in a concerned voice. "Day after tomorrow Bhatia aunty is coming along with their son. He has studied in US and he is also an Engineer. You have to meet him" Anjali's face turned red in anger but somehow she controlled it and replied "I will talk to you about this once dad comes back from work". She went back to her room and closed the door.

She dialled Priya's number " Yes Anjali. What!!! " Priya sounded nervous

To be Continued

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