One way traffic

Based on a real life incident

I want to get married, thought Riya. She is 28 years old, working in an IT company in Chennai. She has an elder sister who's married, has a kid and is staying with her parents, citing baby as a reason.

Her parents are also very supportive to her but aren't worried about Riya. They need her salary but haven't started to look for an alliance for her. When their relatives come home to invite for their son's or daughter's wedding, they would generally inquire about Riya and her parents would give some lame excuses that not a right match is found yet! Riya was feeling insecure attending all her cousin's wedding one after another.

She couldn't openly talk to her sister also as she was always selfish about her life alone and never bothered about Riya.

All her college friends are now mothers and make fun of her in their group. Some even discouraged her saying her position is better now rather than being burdened with work, family, child etc..

When she discussed with her close friend in office, she suggested to find her partner on her own instead of depending on parents. With her friend's help, she finally created a profile on matrimony site and was waiting.

A mail had finally come after a week! The guy was in the US, his parents in Bangalore, his sister was also studying in the US. He wanted to discuss many things with Riya before taking this forward. Her friend suggested her to goto a coffee shop and take the call. So they decided on a date and time. She was nervous but also determined to open the topic with her parents if the call goes well.

The call went well with a hi and their thoughts were in sync. First call can't be very detailed, so they decided to connect a next time. Soon that became a weekly call and then everyday call, they both became close. After 2 months, the guy Rishi said he will take it forward and talk to his parents. Now she was in a fix. She had to open up! He sensed her discomfort and encouraged her to talk to her parents.

So, after dinner, Riya was making her niece sleep and succeeded. She decided to talk to her brother in law first and then talk to her parents with his help. One risk was he might disclose first to his wife! So fingers crossed, she called her brother in law the next morning and asked him to come to a restaurant for lunch along with her Dad. She then called her Dad and informed him the same.

When they both arrived at the restaurant, she slowly opened up during lunch. Her brother in law was very understanding and supported her.  She called Rishi on video call and the guys got introduced to each other. Her brother in law seemed to like Rishi(he was patiently waiting for the call past 1 am his time!) and her Dad didn't have an option but to nod his head.

Finally, it was decided to Inform her mom and sister that night. When brother in law opened it, her sister was actually angry but couldn't show it in front of her husband! He was adjusting to his wife's ways only because of the baby.

She texted Rishi and updated him the happenings. To make things easy, he had already informed his parents to come and have formal talks the next day. The next morning, they all had arrived and they didn't demand anything. They liked her as they got introduced to her a while back and spoke to conduct the wedding in a simple manner within 4 months. Riya's parents were shocked as everything is happening so quickly!

Soon, she resigned from her office and it was decided, Rishi would come for all the wedding purchase. Riya was very happy but at home, it could not be shown. Her mom was worried about her salary and how she would manage without it. She replied patiently about visa process and she can't work in the US.

Her friend was very happy about all the proceedings but was also sad that she's going away. Soon Rishi landed and was looking better in person than on mobile. Riya's family also met him and liked him. More than anything, they didn't have any reason to reject him!

Riya's mom insisted to verify his conduct secretly to her elder daughter but she didn't care out of jealousy. Now, she understood her elder daughter's selfishness, so she spoke to her spouse and asked him to request their son in law to carry out this plan. He assured that he would do it.

After all the formalities, the wedding took place and it was Riya's date of travel to Bangalore. Rishi was to stay for 3 weeks, finish the visa process and she to join him as soon as visa is done. It was very sad for her family to see her leave and so parents went to accompany her. Her sister wasn't very happy about being left alone with the kid but her brother in law insisted they go along and he would ask his parents help. This added fuel to the fire for Riya's sister.

So, finally Riya and all reached Bangalore and her parents returned the next day. She adjusted well to the new environment and was comfortable. She was liked by all due to her attitude and she became friendly with Rishi's cousins and aunts.

Rishi left for the US and told her to go home to spend sometime before boarding but Riya didn't want to. She had already packed her stuff back home and couriered to Rishi's US address.

So just a week before travel, she went to Chennai and met her family and friends and bid good bye. When she hugged her mom, her mom cried more and said they have been blinded by their affection for their grand daughter that they had missed to check upon her! Riya's eyes also welled up and she consoled her mother. She gifted her mom a mobile and asked her to call her whenever she felt like! Her mom was speechless as nobody else understood her better!

All went well and Rishi had flown down to accompany her as a surprise and she slowly got settled in the US. Her mom used to call her every day and ask about the weather, food etc..Life was good and Riya was peaceful.

Sometimes, the bend on the road is not the end! We will see the curve only when we go near it, thought Riya!

--Vishnupriya