Traditional Tensions

Mom, "I am getting late to the office," I screamed. My name is Nisha Kapoor and I am a 23-year-old woman who is a successful employee at the company "CYBERit" and the leading project manager there. I love working there and the fact that I am an independent woman. I often hung out with 2 friends, Keerthana and Deekshita, in the cafeteria during breaks gossiping about the guys we had a crush on. Time went on like this Until my parents started talking about my marriage. My father Prashanth is strict and follows our Hindu traditions so much. On the other hand, my mother Nirmala was the kind one in the family. I always opened up to my mother Nirmala. I was a nerd back in my school and college days and did not have much time to focus on love and I always wanted to have a beautiful love story. So I obviously did not like the idea of my father planning an arranged marriage for me. I tried to convince my dad to give me a year's time to achieve things in my life before marriage. Father responded, "You can achieve things as a mother. You don't get a say on this". I argued, "This is my life dad, you are not the one that is going to spend the rest of your life unhappily with someone because you were forced to get married". The arguing kept going, and my dad created a profile for me on matrimony apps. Slowly I saw my happiness fade away in fear of getting married to someone I do not love. I went to work sadly for days. Many people liked my profile on the matrimony apps and often came to check me and my family out. Days went on like this until I saw a man in a formal dress with a file in his hand. I wondered who he was, and gossiped about him to my friend Deekshitha. She said, "Didn't you hear, he is here for an interview dude. You might be his boss". I was in shock "Bro are you kidding? No fucking way" I said in pure excitement. Later that day, my boss Kevin entered my office requesting me to interview someone as he has a lot of work now.

I said, "Sure sir, ask them to come in". A few minutes later, the man with the file which turned out to be a resume entered my office. He said "Excuse me ma'am" and I went all speechless glaring right into his eyes. He asked again "May I enter" and then I woke up from my temporary stun and went "Umm yes please" with a smile on my face. Then I proceeded to give him a handshake held his hand firmly and said "Nisha here, your good name?". He responded, "Oh, I am Ajay and I gotta say I am really nervous". I said, "Oh you don't have to be hahaha". Then the interview went on for a while. I said, "You did good Ajay, look forward to a mail or a call from us anytime soon". He nodded and walked away with a smile. I locked my office, played romantic music, and started jumping and dancing in excitement as I had found my first real crush. I rushed to the cafeteria and found my friend Keerthana. Just as I was about to start a convo about Ajay, Keerthana gave me an almost heart attack by saying "Bro I can't believe this, Did you know my ex Ajay was here for an interview? I hope he doesn't get hired because I cannot go on looking at his face in this office, I might end up getting back together with him". Keerthana and I shared a moment of silence. I said "Really dude? I didn't know you had an ex named Ajay." She said "Oh I did dude, big time!". I lost hope and gave up the idea of ever looking at handsome Ajay in a romantical way. *sighs* "Just when I thought something good was going to happen". A week later, Ajay entered the office in a formal black shirt with a khaki colored pant. He entered my office by saying "Ajay reporting to duty mam". I smiled and responded "Welcome aboard". He went on complimenting me by saying "That is an amazing suit mam." I replied "Thanks, you can call me Nisha. Days went on like this, I tried so hard not to act on my crush, but Ajay made it hard for me by the smell of his perfume, His dressing style, and whatnot. I felt it was a good thing that Keerthana was not on the same project as me and Ajay as it would have made it so awkward. Ajay made sure to compliment me every day. The next day, I got on the elevator to my office on the fifth floor. Just as it was about to close I heard a voice screaming "Stop stop" I immediately opened the lift for the person and it turned out to be Ajay. He said with a charming voice "Oh thanks! I knew it was you, that is why I had to rush to the elevator. Again as the elevator was about to close we heard a lady screaming "Please stop", I let my intrusive thoughts win and stopped Ajay just as he was about to open the elevator for the woman outside. Ajay asked "What was that?" with a little giggle. I replied, "Umm i-, uhh aren't we late already?" Ajay then sarcastically said "Haha yeah if 2 minutes count". We both shared a moment of laughter while I touched his arm in a playful way. In an instant the moment of laughter turned into a moment of silence. I quickly removed my hand from his arm and said "Ohh someone's been working out" which made it even more awkward for us. The elevator then opened and the both of us nodded our heads and parted ways to our own respective offices. During break time, I spotted my friends Deekshitha and Keerthana drinking coffee in the cafeteria. I sat with them and asked "How's it going guys?" Keerthana replied, "You tell me, I heard Ajay was working for you. How could you not tell me?" I said, "I was going to now, well are you going to be okay?".

Keerthana; I think so, let's hope we don't cross paths here.

I asked; So, Why'd you guys break up?

Keerthana; Hmm, long story short. He dumped me because I was still texting my ex while I was with him. I never had wrong intentions though.

Deekshitha *sarcastically*; Can you blame him?

Keerthana then started explaining how it was not her fault and how it was all his fault and how insecure he was. Then I said to myself that it was not Ajay's fault and it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if I dated Ajay. Moments later I went to my office after talking to my friends. Kevin, my boss invited everyone around to a party he was having later at his home. I headed home from the office to get dressed up for the party, little did I know that I had a big drama that had to be dealt with at home. It was 5 pm in the evening, I arrived home and saw a bunch of shoes outside my home. As I entered my home, I heard everyone saying "Aww there she is" "Our future daughter-in-law" and my father Prashanth said, "Go inside and get dressed appropriately, They are here to see you." Wiping a tear in my face I went rushing to my room and started sobbing. My mother entered my room and tried to console me.

Nirmala: It's okay kanna, (Kanna- "dear") Please don't cry.

Nisha: Why is dad like this ma? *sobs uncontrollably* (Ma- "mom")

Nirmala: *hugs Nisha* You are getting late to the party you texted me about. Now quickly wear a saree, present yourself nicely to the family waiting outside, and head to your party fast. I will take care of the rest kanna.

I wiped my tears off, kissed my mother on the cheek, and started getting dressed. Moments after the family left after checking me out, I went back into my room and checked my mobile. I saw a text from Ajay that said "Hey! Are you going to the party tonight? You are the only person I talk to lmao". I blushed and replied "Yes, I will be there around 9 pm"

TO BE CONTINUED!