Marriages are made in Heaven - Part 2

"Have you gone crazy Anjali?" Your parents are looking out for guys and you are now telling me that somebody has proposed you.” Priya said in surprised tone. “I know I should have told you long back. But I still don’t know whether I should go for this guy or not. He is simple looking guy, ambitious, hard working, has proposed me like 3 times but I haven’t been able to feel for him the way he feels for me. Now that I am meeting guys and seeing what jerks they are Vinay seems a good guy.” Anjali replied.

“Aren't you being selfish Anjali? Just because you are meeting jerks you think that this Vinay guy will fit the bill.” Priya argued “That is why I haven’t said yes to him yet. I know him since our first year and though we are good friends I have yet to feel for him in that way, but he is really genuine person, someone you can always trust. Anyways I will think about him later, tomorrow some Raj Bhatia is coming to see me. Let see how he turns up.” Anjali continued “ I shall talk to you later. Bye”

Anjali then started thinking about Vinay and how nice he was to her all these years. She did respect him and she also knew he loved her very much. She closed her eyes and started thinking all the good times she had with Vinay. If marriages are made in heaven destiny will show the way.

Later that night Anjali had a quiet conversation with her dad. His dad Piyush Malhotra was unlike many other fathers. He always supported anjali in whatever she did. He also did not believe in forcing his daughter to get married for the heck of it.

“Anjali, I know your mother is exerting lot of pressure on you to get married. You know how she is. She gets tensed easily. I am there for you beta. The day you like someone I will support you to the core. You have been a wonderful daughter and I have full faith in you. Even I don’t want to lose you that fast.” Piyush said in concerned tone.

There were tears in Anjali’s eyes. She hugged her father and said “I will never let you down. I promise and your support means a lot to me. Thanks for being there dad.”

Boy 2 (Actually No. 7) – Raj Bhatia
Raj Bhatia was a IT engineer passed out from IIT Bombay. He then went to US to pursue MS in Computer Science. His family resided in Andheri west. Their family was to visit Anjali’s family on the weekend. Raj was 28 was earning well in US.

Raj and his family came to Anjali's house in the morning. Raj and Anjali exchanged greetings and sat down. Aryan was also present. Mrs Malhotra then said " Why don't you guys go to some cafe and chit chat, while we oldies spend some time together? " Raj in the meanwhile was also looking at Aryan who was seated besides his sister.

"Can we take your brother along?" Raj asked in a slightly embarrassed tone to Anjali. Anjali gigled and said " Don't worry, I am harmless." Raj and Anjali both smiled. Anajli was happy in a way that inspite of staying abroad Raj was a decent man.

They went to Cafe Coffee Day in bandra. Anjali could sense Raj was bit uptight and was too shy for a man who has lived for the past 4 years in America.

They ordered for a coffee and for some minutes there was a long pause. Finally Raj spoke "Listen Anjali, I don't want to hurt your feelings but I don't think so that I am the right guy for you." Anjali was surprised at what Raj was telling her. She thought he must be having some affair and hence he cannot marry her and is being forced. Before she could say something the next few words shocked her. He continued " I am a GAY".

She did not know whether to be shocked or laugh. There were a host of emotions going through her. She wanted to get up and throw the glass of Pepsi on his face. She somehow managed to control her anger. "I don't want to spoil your life Anjali. You know how Indian parents are. I have yet to tell my parents about this and I also know they will die of shock if they hear this. I was reluctant to come to India, but my parents blackmailed me emotionally and I had to flow down." Raj said in a soft and a scared voice.

Anjali could not help but feel sorry for Raj. She felt bad for him and at the same time felt disgusted. Raj was a good looking man, well mannered no showoffs and very much down earth. A guy Anjali would love to marry. Now she had a new problem at hand.

"What should I tell my parents? They will question me like anything if I say no to you" Anjali said in a concerned voice.

Both observed a moment of silence. "Someday you have to tell your parents Raj. You just can't keep hiding this fact from them. I know they will be very disappointed but still you have to take a chance with it. Marriages are made in heaven just that sometimes you have to wait a bit longer for it" Anjali advised.
"Fine let's go." Raj said in a confident tone.

Their parents were waiting in anticipation. They were hoping that finally the girl and boy had agreed.

But it was not meant to be. The guy whispered to his parents about his orientation. Mr and Mrs Bhatia were shocked. It was as if the world had experienced an 8 point Richter scale earthquake. Mrs malhotra was also left gasping. The boy and his parents left the house without saying the word. Anjali went back in her room. There was pin drop silence in the house for the next 5 hours.

It was 9 pm and dinner was being served. Mrs Malhotra broke the silence "I am sorry Anjali. I should have done some more background check. It is my fault. Whatever is done is done. I have couple of other photos to show you." Anjali was just on a verge of losing her head now. She had a terrible day and here was her mother who was hell bent to get her married come what may. "Finish your dinner and I will show you those snaps" Mrs Malhotra continued.

"Enough is enough mom. I am sick and tired of this entire marriage thing." Anjali thundered in an angry tone. Mr. Malhotra and Aryan got up and left the room. They knew there was a battle about to begin between the women of house and they did not intend to meddle with that.

"It is like you are on a mission and you won't rest until you find me a guy. Yes you are answerable to the society but at what cost? The only thing we discuss after I return from work is marriage, Bharatmatrimony. com and JeevanSathi.com. Is that only thing left in my life? "But Anjali.. " Mrs Malhotra tried to argue. "Mom I am not done yet." Anjali countered her mom. It was a perfect scene when two women are at loggerheads and especially if both are Punjabis.

Anjali continued "How can you decide in one or two meetings that the guy is good enough and vice versa for guy to decide if a girl is good enough. I do not believe in arrange marriages mom, because I just cannot see any logic to it. I know you and dad had arranged marriage, but your time was different. Times have changed. Stop getting worked up about what Mrs Kapoor will say or what Mrs Malhotra will say. They themselves have no work to do. Marriages are made in Heaven mom and let destiny show the way. One more thing mom; no more marriage discussions for at least another month. I request you please."

Mrs Malhotra shook her head and said "If you have any guy in your mind just let me know. It is very clear that you do not like my choice especially after what happened today."

Anjali went back into her room and slammed the door in utter frustration.
Her phone began to ring. "Vinay Calling"

"Hi Vinay. How are you doing? Ok, sure lets meet up tomorrow then." Anjali said and kept the phone. She was finally thinking of Vinay, and deep down her feelings for him had also started growing. She realized that if Marriages are indeed made in heaven there will be a sign somewhere. A new day was waiting for her.

To be continued

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