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Union

The dates were fixed, there was no escape now. Their parents would see to it that Asha and Milan got married no matter what. Asha had no qualms in getting Milan as her life partner, but she was still feeling torn. Her dreams were calling out to her, her illustrious career was yet to blossom, but she had no time.

The pandit had told her parents that a very auspicious muhurath would fall on the first half ofnext Wednesday, if the engagement would not happen on that day, then it would have to be postponed for a minimum of 45 days. The families did not mind waiting for so long, but then Milan was home for only a very short time, he would have to go back in another 20 days. This implied that her wedding too would happen before these 20 days expired, but her parents held the news back from Asha, they did not want her reacting in shock or anger.

"Next Wednesday! What about my job? My first job, that too at the very newspaper where I always wanted to carve a niche. Not everyone's dreams are fulfilled, and here I am, my dream is almost coming true and I am now preparing to kick it out of my life. It is either Milan or Bharat Jagaran " she thought sadly.

Gobbling down the idlis her mother had made, she came back to her room making some lame excuses to her dad who wanted to spend more time with her. Asha was too engrossed in her thoughts to realise that soon she would be in another country, with another man, and she would have to wait a long while if she wanted to spend some time with her dad. She opened her laptop and quickly started typing out the email addressed to the Editor, saying that she wouldn't be able to take up the position offered to her because of some personal reasons that were beyond her control, she was moving to Michigan. She did not know whether to feel sad, angry or laugh thinking about the last line she had written, her own marriage was beyond her control; pathetic!

Something was irritating her with a monotonous deep humming; she looked all around her to shoo away the bee that was making the noise, but then realised it was her cell phone that was vibrating on the window sill. One look at it and she saw Milan's smiling face displayed on the phone, she decided not to pick the call, afraid that she might quarrel with him over some petty reason.

Sitting by the window, looking at all the miniscule specs, that were otherwise cars, scurrying about on the road, she couldn't help but be a bit philosophical. She thought over and over about this union, of two different people from two different walks of life, but who went to the same school at some point in their childhood; of two different families so different in their beliefs and traditions, yet unified by the same religion; of two different people whose dreams were planted in two geographies of the world, yet who would soon be tied together by fate or destiny, to live their lives together as one body and one soul. Asha knew now was not the time to scrutinize whether or not she had made the right decision; she prayed to her Lord to give her the strength to ensure that she could bring meaning and love into this union, the milan of Asha and Milan.


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Girls in India are caught in the drift when they reach a particular age. They suddenly face a dilemma as to what to focus on in their life, whether to make a career and ensure a living or to get married and secure their life. Girls who remain single after the so called marriageable age are frowned upon by the society and are considered a burden for their families.


Throughout the month of April, thanks to the AtoZ Challenge, I am trying to portray the life of Asha, a common Indian girl with dreams and aspirations. Everyday we focus on one alphabet starting from A on April 1st till Z on April 30th. Stick with me till the end of the journey and do tell me what you think of my writing and my Asha.



A - An Arranged Marriage
B - Bridal Dreams
C - Cherubs From Heaven
D - Rusty Dusty Delhi
E - Ernakulam 
F - Fretting Over F.R.I.E.N.D.S & Fiancé
G - Gratifying Rendezvous
H - Hospitality Crash Course
I - I Love You??!!
J - Journalism's Joy
K - Krishna
L - Love, Longing & Life
M - Milan - A Meeting
N- Noodles, Nimbu Paani & A Nice Guy
O - Online?
P - Phone Number
Q - Questions!
R - Risks
S - Some Soul Searching
T - Timeless Tableau, A Twist in The Tale
U - Union

Comments

  1. I don't whether to be happy or sad. Love of her life, And her dream job.... difficult choice... but guess, at the end of the day the people you are with be brings more smiles to your face.

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  2. I suppose different cultures have different ways of life. We here in the UK would find what you have written hard to understand , just as people in your country would think of our traditions. There are no rights or wrongs just different parts of this world.
    I did enjoy what you wrote so excellently.
    Yvonne.

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  3. Oh dear! this is something I would never do....and never did. I do understand though and in a way it makes me say. We have just one life.....

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  4. ohh dear !!! This made me sad ....
    All your posts are well written but this one is so well executed specially the last para ....

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  5. This is the part of writing that makes the story real. People don't just jump down rabbit holes they think. Asha has much to give up/ Milan much less.

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  6. This got me thinking !!
    bad and sad . I was in a similar situation though its not geographical disparity :(
    I hope she continues working or atleast i hope she will be happyy even if she compromises
    love ur style of narration bhavya
    Keep up !

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  7. This makes me sad ...but you portrayed her frame of mind very well :)

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  8. I knew it was coming to this, which is why I refrained from commenting at your last few posts, Bhavya. I really don't like the sentiment of 'marriageble age', and having to put the girl's dreams on hold, even if the boy convinces her that it is true love!
    However, you conveyed the sentiments so very well! I guess that's why I feel for her so much! :)

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  9. The conflict conveyed so well...I feel sad for Ashas of the world..

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  10. That is so sad! In our country, women have to do all the compromising. it is just not fair. I wish Milan would meet Asha halfway, so she would not have to give up her dreams.

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  11. Agree with Lady's Knight above... For Asha too much is at stake. Hope things work out for her!! :)

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  12. A real dilemma for Asha but I think we have to go where our heart takes us.

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  13. why should only gals sacrifice every time!!!

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  14. This 'Asha' thing happens almost everywhere in our society. Girls, bound by family ties, can't pursue their dreams. The fact whether she has to go her own course is being decided by a few people. And she has no say in it.

    Nice write. A reality post I would say.

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  15. MAy the union of Asha and Milan work well, Bhavyan! I'm rooting for both of them!


    Susan Scott's Soul Stuff

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  16. Your story has me hooked. Wondering where it is moving :)

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  17. This is a dilemma most middle class girls face in our society. They are married off saying that they can work on their careers post marriage...as if it is going to happen.

    Will the story end with z?

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  18. A little confusion, is this an arranged marriage, that's what I thought at first; but then love is mentioned, but then also she hopes she can bring love to the union which again has me thinking not only is she not allowed to follow her dreams of a career, but she's also marrying someone not of her choosing, just because the parents share a religion. So very very sad. It seems no more then being sold to me.

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  19. OMG!!!! Love Love Love your blog!!! Just fell in love with your stories! A very good job!! :)

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  20. A dilemma that so many Indian women go through - you've portrayed the feelings so well!

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  21. I'm not sure it makes sense for her to have to choose. If Milan loves her as he says he does, surely he would want to know about this opportunity before her and help her talk through the decision?

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  22. Thank you everyone for taking the time out to let me know what you think. Your sad comments have made me sadder, the story takes a turn for the better with V. Do check it out.

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