I saw you last night in the gathering,

But could not take you openly in my arms,

So I put my lips next to your cheek,

Pretending to talk privately.

-The Essential Rumi

*****

Marriage is a beautiful alliance between two people, it is a sacred bond that makes two people tie together and grow in love and as an individual.

But now when you are in India where our life is not about staying alone with one person it is about taking the whole clan together love is that one thing which misses out easily and becomes the last priority.

We forget the love and we become part of each other's responsibility financial duties, giving value to our kids and being a part of old generation. We as a couple play multiple roles and that is how a bond is formed. It is not a one time thing we get to explore our lot of selves in this process.

Alaknanda has seen the marital bond between her parents evolving with age, being the only child made her the centre of attraction but kept her parents close together. They stay in a family with her parents and grandparents together, she knew how hard it was for her mother to cope up with the value of her grandmother and the sadness which was evident on her grandfather's face of not having a grandson.

Not that they love Alaknanda any less but yes a girl always has to move to another house and cannot continue the legacy of their own. She was close to them but her mother's dilemma was not hidden from her giving birth to another child would been going through the complications again which she had previously the fear of them was evident for years, now she did grow out of it but the grandmother between the lines messages used to hurt her still.

On the contrary Mr. Goyal made sure to make Alaknanda the best of all, invested time and money on the education making her independent.

Alvira's marriage preparation have made Alka to think about marriage seriously, giving it an unbiased thought.

She knew how her parents were now very keen on getting her married as soon as possible, her age was 26 which was like a taboo in India.

'Alaknanda, please listen to me first it would be great if you meet the guy and his family first. Then only if you are comfortable going ahead we will think about it.'

Vrinda Devi said with lot of reluctance, she wanted her daughter to get married but she always wanted that it should be her willful affair and not a force amended by everybody but now the passing of the time was only making her anxious about how things would go with her daughter.

'Mummy please, give me some time. It is very difficult for me.'

'26! Still difficult? What kind of long term difficulty it is. You were 6 years old when I was 26.' Said the Indian mother who had an early marriage and who thinks it was the best thing, it is better to get the children marry quickly as soon as they become adults.

'Times were different and you know I want to work after marriage. Do you think the family you have searched for is accepting this clause?'

Indian parents will never change how much ever achievements the daughter or son gets, parents will only feel happy only if the kids get married and happily settled. It is where the actual happiness lies, other things are just cherry on cake. They just add to the main qualification of getting married.

'They seemed educated enough and I myself also want you to work even after you get married. You know me and your father had never opposed this decision of your

we do think you should become a self reliant woman and we are with you.'

'Thanks maa, it means alot.' Alaknanda said admiring her mother and felt a sense of gratitude about how understanding her parents are with her dreams.

'So don't you think it's time that you give us the benefit of doubt and understand our situation also?' 

Alaknanda knew her mother made sense and it was time for her to give back to her parents, maybe marriage would be the thing which will make her and her parents both a new bond of understanding and gratitude.

'When are they coming?'

Vrinda devi's anxious face turned into a big smile and she felt really good about how atlast her daughter said yes to atleast seeing the prospect which she was ditching since last two years. This time Vrindadevi was adamant though she even saw her hindi movies and learnt some blackmailing tips too. If her daughter didn't come how she would blackmail her to join them back.

'Hey Bholenath ji, apki kripa hai.'

She looked at the ceiling signalling god up there showing her gratitude.

'Bholenath Ko chodo, It is me who is risking my life on it.'

'Shubh shubh bol, dekh ab kya Heere jaisa damad Latin hun.' (Now see I will find the best groom for you.)

'Please only one.' Alaknanda jest with her mother regarding it.

'I will see you this weekend maa, hope the surprise would be tolerable.'

'Yes, yes.'

It was Alakananda's chance to look at the ceiling and pray to God. She knew her mother can literally go over the top finding the best groom but let's see whether her mother and her choice really matches on same person. She was avoiding the thought of her father who is going to be really picky and would be nightmare for the guy. As Alakananda was the only daughter the whole family are really going to be curious and make sure have got all the skills to keep their daughter happy.

***

Alaknanda got her train reservation and she boarded the night train to Varanasi her city the succeeding weekend. Hopefully this time the destiny was positively on her side bringing lots of luck and hopefully the love of her life.