Chapter 3
“Tring Tring… Tring Tring…”
“Hi Samyak, How are you, man? Long Time…” Aditya answered the call.
“I am good, bhaiya. How are you? Yes, it's been quite long since we spoke.” Samyak replied with earphones on as he was traveling back from office in the evening.
“I am also good. Just busy with office work. You know this time of the year is quite hectic for CAs.” Aditya and his wife Saloni both are working as CAs.
“Ohh yes… I hope I am not disturbing you. I am just going back from the office and on the bus, so I thought of calling you. If you are busy I will call you later.” Samyak realized maybe it's not a good time to discuss all that.
“Ohh nothing like that Samyak. We can talk now. So tell me what else is going on. How are your work and life?” Aditya felt there is something more Samyak wants to talk about other than the usual stuff.
“All good going Bhaiya. Work is a little hectic sometimes but I really enjoy it. I love what I do so it never feels a burden to me.” Samyak said.
“That’s really good. But don’t become workaholic. Enjoy your life as well.” Aditya giggled.
Samyak also smiled and said, “Hmm… Yes sure. How is Saloni Bhabhi? Why don’t you and Bhabhi come to Hyderabad for a vacation? We will have fun.”
“She is also good. Yes, we will surely plan something maybe in summer, or if you can give us an excuse we can come early also.” Aditya was pulling Samyak’s leg.
“Come on bhaiya. You can come anytime. No need for excuses. But maybe you get one in some time.” Samyak laughed.
“Ohh really??? Did you meet someone? So is it an arranged meeting or my brother is in love? Is it…” Aditya asked surprisingly.
“Wait bhaiya. Nothing happened. Mummy Papa just asked me if I am ready for the marriage or not. They think this is the right time and I have to answer them. But I am so confused. I have never thought about all this before. I don’t know what should I tell them.” Samyak jumped in between before Aditya started assuming different possibilities.
“Relax Samyak. It happens with everyone. Getting nervous, being confused is just normal. It means you are human.” Aditya joked and tried to calm down Samyak.
“I don’t know bhaiya. How would I decide that am I actually ready or not? How would I decide who will be the right one?” Samyak still sounded confused.
“I understand Samyak. I have been through all these phases. See what Mamaji and Mamiji are saying is also correct. According to them, you are settled professionally, and now its time for you to take a step ahead in your personal life as well. But before you jump to any conclusion, you should understand, marriage is a lifelong commitment. So you should be completely ready to accept someone in your life, to trust, to understand, to care, to share, and most importantly to love. But it is very difficult to understand whether you are ready for this or not. But you know when you meet that someone, you get that feeling.”
“That’s exactly what I fear for. It’s a lifelong thing. And how will I decide all this in just one or two meetings.” Samyak said.
“Don’t be afraid Samyak. Don’t think you will be trapped with someone. It’s a beautiful bond which two people share, nurture, and flourish with time. And who said you have to decide in one or two meetings?” Aditya explained Samyak patiently.
“But that’s how it happens right?” Samyak said.
“Hahaha… These days arranged marriages also changed a lot. You will get a lot of time. You guys can meet if you are in the same city. If cities are different, you can chat, email, and talk to each other for some time and then take your decision.” Aditya told Samyak.
“Hmm… But still, I don’t know…” Samyak was still not sure.
“Look, brother… I know it's not easy but I know once it all starts, eventually, things get more clear and everything will fall into place. You know what… remember one thing, Life is a beautiful journey and you have to choose whether you want to go on it alone or with someone special who will always be by your side.” Aditya wanted Samyak to feel positive about all this.
“I think I would definitely love someone to be around but the journey can’t be smooth all the time.” Samyak was getting convinced.
“Exactly. Not going to smooth all the time. Ups and downs, problems, happiness, excitement, confusion, adjustments, different experiences, sometimes good, sometimes bad, different people, different situations, but you will have someone with you to share all this and that’s what marriage is all about.” Aditya said and smiled.
“Hmm... That’s true. Thanks bhaiya. I feel relaxed and positive after talking to you.” Samyak took a deep breath.
“So should I take it as a “Yes”?” Aditya asked jokingly.
“Hahaha… Yes, Bhaiya.” Samyak also laughed.
“Great. I am sure there will a celebration today when you tell this to your parents.” Aditya said smilingly.
“I know. Mummy is very eager to know my decision. I am about to reach my stop as well. Thanks once again Bhaiya. You are a rockstar.” Samyak stood from his seat and started walking towards the door of the bus.
“You are always welcome my little bro and all the very best for the new and most interesting chapter of your life” Aditya said happily.
“Thank you Bhaiya. Have a Good Night.” Samyak smiled.
“Good Night.”
They hang up and Samyak rang the doorbell.
Chapter 4
After Samyak got agreed for the marriage, his parents have started their search in full flow. Many of their relatives have suggested different alliances. But some places, horoscopes don’t match, age difference, education difference, location problem sometimes from Girl’s side and sometimes from Samyak’s side. Now Samyak has also set some expectations about his life partner. He wants a girl who is educated and carries herself well. He is good looking and after joining the gym he has built up a good physique as well. Samyak and his parents are fine if the girl is working but they don’t want someone who is very focused on her career only. His mother wants a girl who can share all the household responsibilities with her. So getting a perfect fit as per their expectations is quite difficult. And sometimes if they find a girl with all the qualities they are looking for, there are issues form Girl’s side or horoscopes don’t match.
So all n all still the search is on. Samyak has still not met any girl personally. Meanwhile, Samyak changed his job and now he has joined a giant in the industry and growing in his career. Now he is dealing with more international clients. He is quite happy and satisfied with the work.
A few weeks later, at the dinner table, Vivek told everyone that his elder brother’s daughter is getting married and they all have to attend the marriage.
“Papa… I would not be able to join you all in Kavya’s marriage. I have an important project going on. I don’t think my leaves will get approved.” Samyak told.
“Why son? See Kavya is your cousin. If it is very distant then I would not have asked you. But with this, you have to come. You try to convince your manager and it is just a matter of 3-4 days.” Vivek told Samyak.
“And also in marriages, you will get a chance to meet your relatives. You have not met them for so many years. You have not attended Aditya’s marriage as well.” Anita also reasoned.
“Bhaiya you should come with us. Who knows you will meet someone there? Right Mummy.” Vedant winked at Samyak.
Anita’s mind also lighted at Vedant’s joke, “Yes, he is right. People get to see prospect brides and grooms in marriages. You talk to your manager and book everyone’s ticket. We all will go.”
Samyak stared at Vedant and nodded. Vedant is smiling and enjoying his dinner.
The next day Samyak discussed with his boss and he agreed for his leaves. He booked tickets for everyone.
They all reached the venue. It is a destination wedding at Udaipur. Three days at a beautiful resort. Mehndi, Haldi, Sangeet, Shadi, and Vidai everything from the same place.
Both sides are staying there. Lots of food - traditional, continental, Rajasthani traditional decoration, music, and dance. Samyak got to meet his cousins after a long time.
They are all having fun roaming around the resort, eating, dancing, enjoying all the rituals, taking photos, catching up with each other. It is a nice break from Samyak’s busy routine so he is enjoying everything to the fullest.
The next day Aditya and Saloni have also arrived. They also joined their cousins in the fun. Samyak was noticing how Aditya and Saloni are taking care of each other. They eat together. If Saloni is busy with any ritual or relatives, Aditya waits for her. Aditya told Samyak that Saloni has selected all his dresses. Samyak felt really nice looking at them.
On the day of the wedding, one of the distant relatives came to Vivek and told there is someone who is asking for Samyak and want to meet him. He told Vivek they are related to someone from the Kavya’s mother’s side. Vivek discussed with Anita and they agreed to meet at the reception after the wedding.
“Namaste. Myself Ajay and she is my wife Seema.” Ajay gave the introduction to Vivek and Anita.
“Namaste. I am Vivek and this is my wife Anita.” They all greeted each other.
“Actually I got to know that you are looking for Samyak’s alliance. My daughter Niharika has completed her MBA last year and we are also looking for a good match for her.” Ajay said.
“Ohh that’s nice. Samyak is also an MBA and working in E&Y in Hyderabad. We all live there.” Vivek responded.
“I live in Jaipur with my family. I am a jeweler. Niharika is our only daughter.” Ajay told Vivek.
“So Niharika has also come to the wedding.” Anita enquired with Seema.
“No, she has not come here. She is in Jaipur with her grandmother.” Seema replied.
After a few formal talks, Ajay and Vivek decided that once the horoscopes match, they will talk on the phone. Ajay and Vivek exchanged Niharika and Samyak’s photo and horoscope with each other.
On the way back to Hyderabad in the train, Vivek and Anita told Samyak about the meeting and forwarded Niharika’s photo to him. He went to the upper berth and lied down.
He took the phone and opened the email attachment. He looked at the picture and couldn’t take his eyes off. Niharika is very beautiful and pretty just like her name.
