Let the waters settle and you will see the moon and the stars mirrored in your own being.

-Rumi quotes

*****

With one last check of her entire attire, Alaknanda got ready mentally to face a new situation in her life. It really makes one confuse and feel restricted about this system of arranged marriage in our Indian culture.

The idea of spending whole life with a family you least know about is like living on an edge everytime. Isn't it the biggest risk of all the times. Things can take any turn good or bad it's like living with Wolves because you surely don't know about what's inside a house going on.

At 26 years of age where Alaknanda was doing really well in her career going back to mediocre life where people will expect her to have excellence in household chores is going to be very difficult. In most of urban and semi urban cities girls from the very start of their lives are trained to become a housewife they know about each and every detail of marriage household chores and knowledge of setting in a conservative family from the start. Alakananda was not like that she was raised in a very different way and now after living on one's terms and condition accepting this type of conservative -ness will definitely ask for a lot of patience.

'Am I really ready for this?'

Alaknanda mentally nudged herself as she was walking downstairs.

'Just be calm and answer whatever they ask?'

Alaknanda entered the room all the eyes were on her. With their own interpretation the three ladies were judging her Grandmother looking at her saree the way Alaknanda was sitting and from the corner of the eyes looking at the other two ladies expression and judgements.

The first thing crossing Ragini's mind was, 'She's tall enough to stand with my son and pretty also to be our daughter in law.'

Lata looked at her with her friendly demeanor analysing her entire attire.

Alaknanda knew all the eyes was on her Vrinda Devi made her sit calmly. Alaknanda couldn't meet them in the eyes so her sight was stuck on the floor she decided to play it calm and cool.

'So Alaknanda what are your interests? What do you do in free time?'

'With college and everything I hardly get any time but I like reading.' Ragini was not really happy with such interest but she covered her face nicely with a smile.

'Women's work is mainly around household chores I feel but yes today's generation thinks otherwise.'

'Our Alka is very adjusting towards things and household chores.'

'Good if it is that way.' Ragini devi laughed with her own words but everybody in the room we're sure the laugh was just part of it. She meant her words.

'So, Lata how's delhi how's the weather there?'

'It's colder in the mornings but afternoons are hot.' Lata asked lightening the atmosphere and tension in the air.

' Change of the weather can be difficult.'

'Yes.'

'My brother is into Custom department, he's preparing for UPSC also by the side. He likes to eat alot.'

'Lata.' Ragini devi said stopping Lata from her rant.

'No worries, It's good if he's fond of it.' Vrinda devi interrupted. Alaknanda just smiled thinking about the person she will be marrying or not. But it would be good if the guy himself would have been present.

Her mother did try to show her the photograph and tell the detail but she refused to acknowledge everything. She wanted to keep it all fresh and new when the day comes she wanted to ask him everything directly than waiting for the information and preparing her mind or be prejudice about him.

'So let's see I have shown both the kid's horoscope to our family astrologer and the alliance fits well Vrinda ji.'

'This is good news.'

' Let us see if the kids our ready then we can take the decision, our son has gone to Lucknow for one of his assignment. Let us fix the meeting once he is back.' Mr Goyal and Mr. Agrawal entered the room.

Vrinda nudged Alka to touch his feet, Alaknanda stepped forward,

'It's okay beta.' He said in his regular stern voice. 'Lets us all see soon, Okay Goyal sahab we shall take leave.' Mr. Agarwal said by joining his hands and moved towards their vehicle.

The two ladies behind smiled and joined him. All settled safe in the vehicle, left the premise.

' What do you think?' Vrinda devi asked Brijesh for his review regarding his meeting with Mr. Agarwal.

' Agarwal Sahab himself is a RAS, he knows what's best for his family and kids. Our Alka is an educated qualified and pretty female they know what to do right!'

It's funny in India where now they do demand girls who are high in qualification but when it comes to after marriage math they are expected to do same old stereotype chores under the line that how much ever the women studies or become something her primary duty will always be taking care of house and kids. Nobody will ask a man if something goes wrong with these but a women will always be charged guilty if anything happens in our house or to the children.

It is 2021 and is India still free from this kind of circumstances and equality or will India take a little more time in accepting woman in her new way of living. What is more funny is woman have adjusted to this role and judge other females regarding the same.

Alka's train of thoughts was stuck in today's meeting she knew it is not only about the boy but the whole family she will have to learn and adjust with and what will be after wedding scenario, working in Delhi for two whole years now it would be very difficult to leave everything at once and most important what is the person like? Whom she is going to meet? What is his approach towards working woman and what is his expectations regarding a wife.

With these train of thoughts Alka fell asleep.