"Perfect." Ma said from beside me as she took a look at my mirror reflection.

[Ma : Mother]

"Ma, I'm still not sure about this." I told her.

"Shravya, Dhruv is the best match for you. He's from the same professional field as you, an accountant himself. You're both going to be a perfect match for each other." She says in response.

"Ma, I'm not ready to settle just yet. I'm only twenty-six for God's sake." I say in response.

"I know beta, but we're not asking you to marry just yet. See each other, get to know each other, date for a couple of years before getting hitched." She tells me.

[Beta : Son ;

in this context, a way of addressing a boy/girl who's your own kid or like your own kid to you] [a/n : this was the best translation I could come up with, if any of you would like to explain it in a simpler manner please do so in the comments]

"Ma, I'll only see him but not put any effort to show that I'm interested." I told her in response.

"Mera baccha, you'll just smile that beautiful smile of yours in front of the guy and he'll fall head over heels for you." Ma says in response.

[Mera baccha : My baby]

"Too much exaggeration." I tell her and she laughs before exiting my room.

"Dhruv, Shruv, whoever you are, get ready to be rejected." I mumble to myself before following Ma.

I had the perfect plan in mind this time.

She makes her way towards the hallroom where my supposed perfect match and his family is while I make mine to the kitchen to bring tea and snacks for them.

After picking up the tray from the kitchen counter I make my way to the hallroom.

Before stepping in, I take a deep breath.

"Calm down, Shravya, you've got this." I tell myself and finally enter inside.

I find my Ma and Papa sitting on one end of the sofa while Dhruv and his parents sit on the other end.

"There she is." Ma says excitedly as soon as her eyes fall on me.

"Namaste, Uncle, Aunty." I greet them as I set the tray on the table.

[Namaste : a respectful greeting]

They greet me back with bright smiles on their faces as I hand them the teacups.

I then hand Dhruv a cup. The look on the guy's face tells me he's anything but comfortable.

So am I buddy, I would have rather been in my office too.

"Have a seat beta." Dhruv's mother tells me.

I smile and sit down on the sofa beside Papa.

"I'd be anywhere but here." I whisper in Papa's ears.

"To be honest, same." He replies and both of us try to suppress our smiles.

Ma glares at us and we instantly turn on our poker faces.

"What do you do, Shravya?" Dhruv's mother asks me.

"I'm an accountant, Aunty." I replied.

As if you did not know that already! My mother made a biodata, three pages long for me for God's sake. But if you want to make small talks I'll do just that.

"What are your plans for the future?" His father asks me.

"Well I'd like to continue with my job as my mother must have already told you. Apart from that I've worked pretty hard since I've joined the company and so I hope for a promotion real soon. That's all for now I guess." I replied.

My mother passes me another glare.

"Oh yes and I would also like to marry and settle down if I find someone along the way." I add.

His father nods at me.

"Well, there's not much we want to ask anyway and as it is it's the children who have to spend their lives together so it'll be good if we let them talk alone." His mother suggests.

As a reflex my eyes turn to my mother's and there is fear in them.

She doesn't trust her daughter at all.

Well I, myself, do not trust my actions and words most of the time.

"Yes, sure, why not." My father says.

I love you, Papa!

"Sure, Shravya will take Dhruv to the balcony." My mother tells me, with a warning look in her eyes.

Oh of course. I mentally think with a glint in my eyes.

I get up from my seat and so does Dhruv.

I led him to the balcony.

"I have something to say." We both begin at the same time.

He lets out a nervous laugh. "You go first." He tells me.

"Nope, you do." I say in response. Why should I reveal my cards first?

"I cannot marry you." He tells me.

Did I hear that right?

"What?" I ask, trying my best to not sound too enthusiastic.

"Well, there's this girl, who my heart belongs to and I cannot marry anyone but her. I'm sorry, you seem like a good girl but I love her." He says.

Oh sweet, sweet, Loverboy, Dhruv. You have made my work a lot more easier.

"Why are you even here then?" I ask him.

"The girl I love, she's a South Indian. Her culture is totally different from ours, my Mom would never agree to our marriage." He tells me.

"Dhruv, buddy, have you ever told your mother about this girl?" I ask him.

As expected he shakes his head in a no.

"Then do. If you don't even let her know about your girlfriend, how are you going to convince her?" I ask him.

"I want to, but I'm scared." He replies.

"Then you should not be scared anymore my friend. Shravya will give you confidence." I tell him and he raises his brow in response.

"I'm sorry I do not quiet understand what you are trying to say." He says.

"Not many people do." I answer and he smiles.

"Now, listen carefully to Shravya's expert advice." I told him.

"Sure, go ahead." He says.

"But first tell me, do you really love this girl?" I ask him.

"Yes. Absolutely yes." He answers.

"Good, now be courageous and introduce her to your parents. If she's amazing enough for you to love her, she'll find a way to impress your parents." I told him.

"You think it's that easy, huh? My mom believes you're the perfect girl for me. Punjabi? Check. An accountant? Check. Reputable family? Check. Loves non veg? Check." He answers.

"That's not how it should be. Instead it should be, Does she love my son? Does he love her? Will she make my son happy and vice versa? Yes or No?" I say in response.

"Only if they were as cool as you Shravya!" Dhruv says.

"Too much exaggeration." I answer but still flip my hair in appreciation.

"I'll think about what you've told me." He says and I glare at him.

"Just thinking won't do Mister. Do it." I told him.

"But how will I say I don't want to marry you." He asked me.

This guy.

"Just make up a story." I suggest.

"What story?" He asked me.

"Seriously, dude, I'll have to tell you that too?" I ask him.

He gives me a sheepish smile.

"It's your story..." He trails off.

Time to reveal my cards as well.

"Tell them I love someone else and then say the same for yourself." I told him.

His eyes widened in surprise.

"Do you really?" He asked me.

"Well, no I don't really. It's a lie, a lie that'll benefit you and me, both." I told him.

"But what if my mom tells your mom?" He asked me.

"That won't happen, Dhruv-Shruv." I told him.

"How?" He asked me.

"I'm going to make up some stories about you as well. I can't promise you they'll be decent but if you want my mother to let go of you and your family, you'll have to bear with it." I told him.

"Will the story be indecent enough for your mother to not call my mother?" He asked me.

"Rest assured." I told him.

"Okay then, friends?" He asks me as he put his hand forward.

"Friends." I replied, taking his hand in for a shake.

"It was nice meeting you Shravya. You're a wonderful girl and I hope you find your special someone soon." He tells me.

"Too much exaggeration, Dhruv. I'm not that nice, really. And I hope God gives you the courage to introduce your special someone to your parents." I told him.

"Thank you so much." He says and the two of us exit the balcony. Big, bright smiles plastered on both our faces.

•

Two days later

"Shravya, Shravya! Where are you??" My mother yells as she storms into my room.

I quickly placed a pillow on my face to block the noise of her yelling at me.

It doesn't turn out to be of much help.

"Shravya, I know you're pretending to be asleep. Get up and get out of your bed at this very moment." Ma yells.

"It's a Sunday, Ma. Let your hardworking daughter get some rest on her only day off." I say with a groan.

"Extra hard working daughter of mine, may I please have a word with you?" She asks me in a sweet tone.

"Why just a word, Ma you can have a thousand words with her, just let her get done with her beauty sleep first." I told her.

"Oh my drama queen get up at once and explain to me who is this person who you apparently love?" She asks me and as soon as those words escape her lips I hurriedly sit up.

"I what, who, what?" I ask her rubbing my eyes with the heels of my palm.

"You love, Shravya. You love someone." She says.

"I love someone?" I ask her.

"You're still half asleep it seems. Let me get you a bucket of water." She says and that immediately brings me to my senses.

Who told Ma I love someone? I am in some deep shit now.

"Well I, I..I no, no, yes." I continue to blabber.

"You love someone. I thought you only loved your work?" She asks me.

That's absolutely right Ma.

"Yes absolutely." I told her.

"The matchmaker just called me and said Dhruv told his parents he cannot go ahead with this alliance because you are in love, let me rephrase that, truly and madly in love with someone else." Ma stated.

Too much exaggeration, Dhruv!

"Well Ma that.." She cuts me off midway.

"You better not say this was just an excuse you made to get rid of this alliance. If that is the case then I'm not going to spare you!" She says and starts moving towards my bed.

This has to end for once and for all. These alliances have to stop forming.

"Ma, wait, listen to me first." I say and she halts in her way.

"I am in love. That's true. It's not an excuse. I did not tell you because the person I'm in love with wanted to keep it private." I continue.

Her right eyebrow raises.

"I am not going to buy this excuse missy. Elaborate. Who is this person? What does he do? Give me a name at the very least." She says and my mind goes blank for a couple of seconds. I run my eyes across my room.

My eyes settle on today's newspaper kept on the nightstand, and I take a peek at it.

'Mehrotra Group of Restaurants' opening a new branch in Mumbai next month, says owner, Arjun Mehrotra.' is the headline my eyes manage to read.

"Arjun. His name is Arjun Mehrotra." I finally replied.

coo.kiedough0104

Wednesday, 14th July 2021.