DECIDE.COMMIT. SUCCEED.

“Priya will be here in some time. She has prepared all the delicacies herself. I’m sure you are going to love them. My daughter is very good at cooking, she perfectly knows how to handle household chores,” my mother kept chanting praises about me.

“Priya, come here my princess. Rahul’s parents are waiting,” my mother called out for me, from the drawing room.

I stood in the window of my room, thinking about all my future endeavors’. I wanted to study more, get a degree and be on my own. I wished that the whole world comes to cease, except me and I could escape somewhere, away from this chaos. Yes, I had turned 21 the previous month and according to my parents and the society, it was an ideal age to get married. But, does this really exists? An ideal age to get married? I have seen a lot many people going through this drama, a few survived and the others gave up, living a meaningless routine life. All I see in common is that no-one was satisfied.

I am not against the concept of marriage. I belong to a middle class family where people’s opinions are taken into consideration, more than your own insight. This day had to come when the society would matter more and the fear of being judged would make my parents take the decision to get me married to a stranger, at an “IDEAL AGE.” 

“Priya! Come here dear. Are you done?” Aai shouted hesitatingly. I could hear her calling me, but my dreams and desires were too vivid for me to listen to her. I just didn’t want to face the boy’s parents. Aai excused herself and rushed into the room, looking for me and said, “Priya? What is wrong with you? Why aren’t you coming outside? Don’t embarrass us like this, beta. Everything is going to be alright. Don’t be shy!”

“Shy? I am not being shy Aai. It’s just that I am not prepared for all this. I want to study more. I want to build my own life before getting married. I’m just 21 now,” I said.

“Relax Priya! This is a phase of life and I’m sure you will get through this. You are a brave girl. And honestly speaking, if not now, then when are you going to settle?” she said.

Settle? This word actually gets on my nerves. What does settle mean? You get educate yourself, get a good job, earn for a year or two and then marry a stranger? Why can’t the world settle mean, owning your house at the age of 25, being self-dependent and giving all kinds of happiness to your parents, and then getting married? You actually grow until the last breath of your life and the society asks you to settle down at 21?

“Akshay! Where is Akshay Aai?  You know I can’t do all this without him. I need him,” I said.

“He is on his way, will be here any moment. Till then, at least come out and serve them,” pleaded Aai.

“Namaskar, how are you all? Sorry for being late, I was stuck in the traffic,” said Akshay.

Yes, it was my savior, who entered and greeted everyone. He is the lifeline of our home and my smart little brother Akshay.

“Tai, go out. Your dream boy must be waiting to see your face,” he said, with a humorous tone.

“Akki please, not in a mood to joke at all dear. You know I don’t want to get married so soon. I am not in that state of mind. This is not my cup of tea yet! ” with worry and fear in my voice, I said to Akshay.

“Tai, don’t worry! I am here for you always. I am sure that you will go out with your wings, fly high and pursue everything you wish for. Life will put forth many tests, but it is your will-power that must be able to fight all the odds. I am sure that you are going to paint the canvas of your life bright rather than getting married right now,” he said, with so much of confidence and enthusiasm.

Listening to all this, somehow I managed to get my confidence back and greeted the boy’s parents with a smile. Rahul, the boy, kept on talking about his dreams and future plans and I sat numb and lost, haunted by the thought of marriage. After a while, the meet concluded and I sighed with relief.

Later, on the same day at night, Akshay went to speak to Baba about this.

“Baba, let Priya Tai fulfill her dreams, please allow her to do what she actually wants to. Being a father of a ‘well-educated and self-dependent daughter’ is of far more pride then getting her married at an early age of 21. Not just Rahul, but any other boy on the planet won’t be able to keep her happy as much as her own satisfaction would. Being her family, we should support her and not the society which is going to judge you anyway. We need to see life with a much broader aspect Baba. She is my sister and your daughter. She deserves a chance to build herself. Don’t you agree with this? Am I wrong? ”he said to Baba with deep concern in his voice.

“Tai, please come here. I am sure Baba will understand us,” he says.

I just remembered the day when Akshay was born and I caressed him when he first came home. My baby brother has now become the person I can rely on completely. His words and his maturity boosted my confidence. I actually had an inner feeling of positivity, a feeling that said, everything will fall into place.

Baba’s eyes turned teary. He realized how important it is for a GIRL to fulfill her dreams. He agreed to what all Akshay had said. My family made sure to be my supporting pillar in every walk of life. This feeling and the conversation between Akshay and my father made me feel elated.  All of this was sudden but overwhelming.

Today, 5 years later, I am a chartered accountant, in a reputed firm, drawing a very healthy salary. It gives me immense pleasure to proudly say that whatever I am today is because of my family who believed in me, when nobody else did. I love my brother with all my heart and this could not have been possible without him. He still remains the last person I talk to, before I end up my day!

All I have learnt in this phase of life is "DECIDE. COMMIT. SUCCEED"