Sunday Story "Swiping for Shaadi" Episode 4 - The 'Its too early" phase

“Of course, I want to marry someone. And I know, the chances of tying the knot with Varun are negligible. But still, it is too early, Sid. I am just 24.”

“24 is not early, Anjali. It might take one month to find a groom or even years.” He mimicked Prem Uncle, whom he had met last time during the visit. “It is his strategy, Anju. For girls, he creates a fear in their parents’ minds that they will end up being alone and the whole society will blame them. And for boys, he scares their parents saying Marry off your son soon or he might marry a girl from another caste or will get spoiled. He even did for my father.”

“But you are hardly 22.” She pointed out sarcastically.

“Exactly, he said that it is better to marry off your son, or else he might get into substance abuse.” He giggled.

“I really don’t know about his strategy. What has happened to Papa? When I left Mumbai, he ignored the marriage talk completely. And all of a sudden, he is concerned about my marriage. Don’t you feel it is odd?” She wondered.

“It is not odd. What happens with other girls at 20-21 is happening to you at 24. I will suggest shortlist a few guys and get married to them.”

“Are you insane?” She almost yelled in the café. “I have a job but I am not happy. I live with 2 crazy flatmates. I haven’t still found my passion. I don’t know what my future is, and you are advising me to get married to a random guy whom I don’t even know.” She agitated in front of him.

Sid and Anjali had formed a unique bond instantly of a brother and sister. Anjali had no siblings while Sid has a younger brother. So, they loved each other’s company immensely, talked for hours, fought like kids, and even played missed call-missed call on the phone (really old-fashioned youngsters). 🙌

“Your future is Mr. Right, Sis. Once you find your Mr. Perfect, everything will be perfect in your life. I am not saying this. It is your parents that believe right now after listening to Prem Uncle. He has let the shaadi bug enter your parents’ minds; it won’t go away till you get married. So, don’t think too much. Instead, make up your mind to get married to the right person. Well, you have choices, sis. Oh wow, he looks hot.” Sid exclaimed, gazing at the pictures on Anjali’s phone that she had shared.

She snatched away the phone from his hands, and smirked, “Pay the bill. It is your penalty, Mr. Rajput.”

“No problem. That’s the reason I am earning in Mumbai. But next time, we will go to someplace nice and not a boring, book café where you can click a thousand pictures and fill up your Instagram feed. Let us share our gam (sadness) on a glass of rum.” He sniggered.

“I am more of a shorts person, bro.” She said smartly which amazed Sid. 🥂

“I thought …I never thought you….I thought you are a behenji.” He remarked shamelessly at her.

She was mad at him but covered her anger with a sarcastic comment, “Behenji who loves shots!”

                                                            -x-

Anjali’s life had taken a toll not only at home but also in the office. She was shuffled to another process, which was a complete women's force. The more the number of women, the more the number of marriage talks. She could hear gossip and murmur of someone’s marriage or a ‘ladka-dekhna’ occasion.

Varun was out of sight because her new department was on the fourth floor while Varun still worked from the 1^st-floor department.

When her father had shared the twentieth profile of the day, it was a nervous breakdown for Anjali. She decided to have a word with him, but not in a gentle way.

“Papa, I have told you it is too early for me to get married. I am only 24. And I want to figure out several things in life, what I want to do, and where I want to be…”

“You already have a good job, beta. And I am specifically searching for men from the Mumbai region. No Noida proposals. Don’t worry.” Mishraji was unaware that his daughter was unhappy with the job she had sought. Anjali’s job was pride for him, and he wore it like a badge of honour, but for her, it was experimenting with options, exploring herself, making connections, and checking out Varun….

“I want some time, Papa. Give me two years. I will become someone and then, will think of marriage.” She begged him.

You are already a Senior Executive. In the next two years, you will become a Deputy Manager. I am simply saying you to check out profiles, and not forcing you to marry someone right now at this moment. You can take your time, but let us start the process.” 🤠

She was tired of begging and explaining and so she disconnected the call after stuttering, “a…..aha” which didn’t mean anything to her.

She hadn’t even figured out whether she wanted to continue with her existing job or switch to travel photography. Her Instagram followers were increasing in number, and so was her age. She didn’t see herself as the Deputy Manager of her current MNC bank, instead, she visualized herself traveling the whole world and documenting her journeys. She wanted to pursue Advanced and Diploma courses in photography. She wanted to ask her crush out, go on a date to a fancy restaurant in Mumbai, and express her feelings, she wanted to fall in love with someone, and then marry… 💘

It was too early to marry…