Sunday Story: Swiping for Shaadi Episode 7- Still Rejected?

“Beta, there is one more guy who lives in Mumbai. He is a good boy from a decent family in Agra. Be free this Saturday.” Santoshji instructed her softly. It seemed that Santoshji had found a new passion in his life – to search for the best husband for his daughter.

Kamalaji, Anjali’s mother was a bit worried about the marriage, but she never showed any substantial interest in the process.

“Jab hona hai tab ho jayegi!” Kamalaji insisted her husband stop pressurizing their daughter for marriage. 

“Oh really! Do you think our daughter’s marriage is like a rose or jasmine in your garden? You have to take some steps to get her married to an eligible bachelor.” He said bluntly to which Kamalaji simply ignored and returned to her passion place, her little garden which she fondled lovingly. 👩‍🌾

                                                            -x-

It had been almost six months since Anjali was rejected repeatedly by the guys. Some said that they didn’t want a girl from Mumbai (after meeting her personally), some came with horoscope issues, and some of them wanted a girl from the IT sector.

“I mean, why do they want someone from the IT sector or a doctor specifically? Do they want to play doctor-doctor 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️ after marriage?” She asked Sid in irritation.

“Why don’t you reject them? Why do you want to wait till they reject you?” Sid asked her, gazing at her frustrated face.

“It is because they all are perfect for my Dad. He doesn’t give me the liberty to express my opinions. If I say that the boy is too skinny or doesn’t match my qualifications, he says that ‘shaadi ke baad sab kuch thik ho jaayega.’ Now, you say, how do I empower myself in this century as a woman?”

Sid hummed and opened his mouth to respond.

“Wait, no. Please don’t try to pull my leg. I am in a terrible mood right now. I might hit you if you mock me in any way.” She warned him. However, Sid had something else in his mind.

“Sis, why don’t you take it as a win-win situation?” 👦

Anjali whirled her eyes at him, thinking that he was playing another prank on her. “Sid, please…”

“Hey, at least listen to me. Look, you don’t want to get married soon. If any of the guys accept you as their wife, you will get married pakka without any delay. Do you want to get married now and stall the process and enjoy your life?” He winked at her and grinned wickedly.

Anjali felt that Sid had given her insights for the first time which were profound and effective. The first time, she felt that being rejected had nothing to do with her self-esteem; she had been taking it in a negative way. In fact, it was a great thing that she was being rejected. She wasn’t pressurized to get married.

“Wow, bro! You are amazing. I don’t have to worry about marriage now. I can focus on my career or my self-discovery process instead. Maybe, I can ask Varun out someday.”

“So, what are your plans?”

“I will buy a new camera and a lens I have been having my eyes on for months. I don’t have to worry about loans, wedding outfits, or any partner giving me permission. Yay, I can pursue my passion for photography and maybe, one day, I can become a full-time traveler-cum-photographer.”

Sid flinched when he noticed the over-excited Anjali planning out her entire life. “Wait, you will need your father’s permission to do all those things. He will be mad if he knows that you took a loan to buy a camera and a small lens.”

“No, he will not. I am his favourite, Sid. He never gets mad at me. He is always proud of me, his daughter who works at an MNC in Mumbai, is picked and dropped off by cabs, and has a nice cubicle with a free cafeteria facility and many other perks.” She smiled, some sort of mischief in her eyes as they shone with delight.

Sid kept mum as he thought that Anjali’s feelings of thrill and excitement would never plummet down.

                                                            -x-

It was Diwali time and Anjali had taken a long break for two objectives – a relative’s wedding and Diwali celebrations. But as she entered her house, she showed her new camera and lens to her father with immense pride and honour.

“New camera? But why?” He asked easily. 📷

“It is the best one, Papa. You should check the pictures that I clicked when I visited Marine Drive last month. Papa, you will be amazed at them.”

When her father rummaged through the photos that she had lovingly captured and got them printed, Santoshji showed signs of disapproval on his face which was completely new to Anjali.

“Beta, all this is fine when you were young. Once you get married, you will have to check with your husband and in-laws before making such expenses. 50 thousand is a huge amount!” He remarked with a frown on his face. 🙁

Since they were the only ones in her parents’ room, no one sought a chance to expand the matter. But Anjali was not happy with his response. It was not her father who was always proud when she won a medal or a trophy or received an offer letter from her first corporate office in Mumbai.

“Papa, it is 2 lacs, not 50 thousand.” She corrected him calmly, thinking that he would be proud to know that his daughter had purchased a damn expensive thing.

“What? You have taken a loan of 2 lacs to buy this silly thing. You aren’t going to click photos for your whole life. Even your phone camera can do it.” He roared and moved out of the room, leaving Anjali perplexed.

When he thundered at her, Anjali felt that it was not her Papa, but the same Santoshji who criticized her mother’s gardening passion. Anjali felt a void in her stomach. Yes, something was changing, not her marital status, but her father’s attitude towards her! 👨

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