Swiping for Shaadi: Episode 3 - You Are of Marriageable Age

Anjali’s career was in the spotlight amongst her family members, but the idea of getting married didn’t pop up in their minds yet. Maybe, because she was petite and she never grabbed the attention of onlookers and random guys and men, but Premji had a point that evening.

Mishraji felt offended when her marriage topic was brought into the discussion. Of course, he was a responsible father and had a vision of tying Anjali’s knot with a successful, rich man residing in Mumbai. So, he explained himself before even asking for details about the proposal.

“Premji, she has just settled down with a lucrative job in Mumbai. And she will be 24 in the coming month. We want our daughters to be educated and financially capable first. Of course, her marriage is on my mind for a few months.”

“Mishraji, that’s why I am here. I know she is just 24, but it takes time to find the right guy, match the horoscopes, and let the girl and the boy mingle with each other, and the families also need to reach an agreement. It might take only one month or even years to find the right groom. But you have me now, you don’t have to worry at all. I have a proposal of a highly educated, well-settled boy from a decent family that you don’t have to search for anywhere else.”

It was torture to see her marriage topic being discussed without even being asked. Her holiday was turning out to be disastrous as it was ending. But thank god, it was ending!

The kids were instructed to return to their homes, including Anjali as she peered at Premji with furious looks. She was called directly during dinner time but no one tried to bring the topic for discussing it further.

“Papa..” She began, noticing that the others weren’t bothered to tell her anything. “I want to settle in life first. I want to work on a few things.” She continued, recollecting the last day’s message received from Varun.

“You have to go to Mumbai tomorrow. I will accompany you to the airport with you. Take care when you are in Mumbai. No wandering at night, and don’t switch off your phone when you are sleeping at night. It worries us when you don’t pick up our phones at 10 pm.” He grudged as he munched on his roti and gestured to his wife to add one more to the plate.

“What about Prem Uncle? He was saying something about my m….”

“Beta, do you want to think about your marriage right now? You are not even 24. I know we are not like other parents who do not consider a daughter’s education. When the right time will come, we will also think about your marriage. Now, pack your bags properly, and do not forget to carry a blanket.” 👍

“It is Mumbai, papa. It doesn’t feel cold over there.” She agitated but her father didn’t agree to the fact.

Inferring that her marriage talks were put on hold, Anjali was hopeful about Varun. Maybe, she can pack some homemade snacks for him and share them with him during lunch break. She could find reasons to chat with him, know him more, let him about her interests and likes and ambitions, and then, they will fall in love, and then…..marriage with a Marathi guy. Her father’s face appeared vividly out of all the Agra-Mumbai love story, and she flinched. She knew her family very well, they could be modern and forward-thinking only regarding education, but marriage with a guy of another state was a strict no-no.

                                                            -x-

She rejoined her office on Monday and it was all about sharing her Agra stories with the team members. Varun noticed her and he asked her casually, “Back to the grind?”

Unable to speak confidently in front of her hot crush, she nodded smiling at him, and was again defeated in sharing more expressions and words. Why, why did she feel dumb in front of him? Why was he so intimidating to her? He was a charming guy and any girl would draw to him, but the other girls in the office were comfortable flirting and talking to him. On the contrary, she was dumbstruck when he was around and he had no idea that she was head over heels for him. 😷

Entangled in thoughts, her phone buzzed and there was a message from an unknown number on her WhatsApp. Could it be Varun from his personal number, she wondered and thought it was silly of her.

It was Siddhartha Rajput, her cousin.

Hey sis, I stay in Kurla. I know you are in Bandra. Let us make BKC our adda. 😉

Forgetting everything about Varun, she grinned staring at the screen, and was happy to find her first, genuine friend in the city.

Of course, let us meet tomorrow evening. Will message you the café details.

However, her smile didn’t last for long as her phone buzzed several times and she could find photos sent by her father. Has he sent me my graduation and internship documents again? I have them, why does he keep sending them again and again?

But those weren’t the documents, but photos of men of varying ages, physiques, and face shapes. Some were closely shot and some were full-sized, some were fair, wheatish or ‘masoorish,’ while some were expressionless.

As she was going through photos of 9 to 10 guys, she picked up the call from her father abruptly and was about to ask him about photos, but he confronted first, “Beta, I have sent you profiles of some guys, have a look at them. If you find anyone good, let me know and I will get the horoscopes checked.”

“Papa…” She murmured. “You said you will think of marriage when the right time comes. What about that?” She asked for an explanation.

“I think the right time has come, beta. You are almost 24, but it takes time to find the right guy, match the horoscopes, let the girl and the boy mingle with each other, and the families also need to reach an agreement. It might take only one month or even years to find the right groom. Let us start the process, beta.”

It sounded as if Prem Uncle was speaking from her father’s mouth. Yeah, Mishraji had turned into a ‘Papa of a girl of marriageable age’, thanks to Prem Uncle! 🤠

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