01:00am: The car was racing on the highway.It was a friday night and Mumbai Pune highway was jampacked with cabs and trucks.One of the first six-lane access controlled toll expresswayin India, the Mumbai Pune expressway is around 100km long that connects Mumbai, the financial capital of India. Shital was travelling to Mumbai. She had an early morning flight to Haridwarfrom Mumbai. Her childhood best friend,Pari was getting married.How could she miss this. Shital was working in a reputed MNC firm in Pune since the past 6years.Driving through the expressway she got lost in her past.
It was the year 2011,Shital was just out of engineering collegeand was at her home. After 4 years of engineering she was fairly sure that she was not meant to be one and so she didn’teven appeared for any Campus placements.Her interest was finance and she wanted to do MBA.Convincing her parents for the same was not an easy task.But first she had too find out whether she was able to get into a good MBA college or not.
That day Shital was nervous since morning,her CAT results were supposed to be out at 10:00am and it was already 10:05am.Her phone rang.It was Pari.She had also given CAT.
“Hey,Congratulations!!You got 98.7 percentile.”Hearing this Shital was on cloudnine.But she had a new problem now.Her father was an honest Government employee and earned just enough to takecare of the family.Plus the fees of engineering college was a hefty one and after that he was not able to pay for her MBA too.
She went to give the happy news to her parents.Being a holiday,her father was also at home.
“That all is great but we told you we can’t afford to pay for your MBA.We have already spent enough on your education.But that was only because good boys also want an educated girl for marriage.My retirement is also nearand I want you getmarried.Stop thinking about further studies and focus on your future.Tomorrow boy’s family is coming to see you.Go and get prepared for that.”
She was devastated.She tried convincing her father but he was adamant.
“Studying MBA is also formy future dad.Please try and understand and as for the fees we can always take loan from any bank.Since the percentile is good I am fairly sure I will get admission in a good college.As for marriage I can get married after three years too,that too with the boy of your choice.Please”
“I don’t want any arguments here just go.I have lots of preparation to do.”
Shital’s mother took her inside.Her father always had the final say in all the decisions related to the family.Her mother also convinced her to listen to her father and not to create an issue.
Next day the boy whom her father had chosen for her came to their house.After initial discussion they were given some time alone to get to know each other.The boy’s name was Nikhil.He was smart,handsome and in a good job.Shital had her mind still stuck on MBA when Nikhil asked her something.
“Uhh I am sorry….What were u saying??asked Shital.
“Nothing…..I just want to know are you happy with this marriage or are you being forced into this?”
“Ummmm...No no it’s nothing like that.It’s just that I want to study further and my parents are not so happy with the idea.”She told him the whole story.Sometimes you are able to share things with a stranger without being judged.Plus she sensed a good vibe from Nikhil.
“That’s great.Listen I have a plan to get you out of this situation but only if you are up for it.”
That time Shital was only thinking about MBA plus there was no harm in listening to his plan.
“See if you like me we can get engaged now and married later and as a demand I would ask your father to permit you to pursue higher studies.It’s really sad that girls in our country still have to take permission for studying.Even if after 2years you think you don’twant to get married with me I will be fine by it.”Shital was not able to believe her ears.Little did she know that Nikhil had already fallen in love with her after seeing her and talking with her.He wanted to help her.
Soon they came out to the living space and told their parents about their decision.It was a yes from both of them.Shital’s parents were not able to believe their ears.
“I have a demand uncle.Me and Shital will get married but only after three years.She wants to do MBA and I think that she has made the right decision.Plus I would love to have a MBA wife”Nikhilsaid.Shital’s parents agreed to his demands.After all this was a very good rishta in their eyes and they can’t afford to lose it.
After 3 months Shital got admission in IIM Indore and she couldn’t be happier,Plus Nikhil was also a great guy.After spending time with him she had realised what a gem of a person he was and she was really glad to have him in his life.
Two years later Shital got placed in one of the top firms of the country.At her convocation there were her parents,beaming with pride and Nikhil,her support system,the person who had been with her at each and every step of her life since the past two years and was now the love of her life,although she hadn’t told him this.
After convocation,she and Nikhil went for a quite dinner and Shital confessed her feelings for him.They celebrated and soon in a span of 6months they were married happily.It had been 3years to that and she couldn’t had been more happier.In the past few months,like many married couples,she had also started feeling that she and Nikhil were not able to spend enough time together with each other and that’s why she wanted him to be with her on this trip.It was as if her happiness didn’t mattered to him now so much as it used to before.He had cited some important office meeting and so was not able to join her.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t realised she had reached her destination.As she was standing for the security checkin on the airport her phone rang.
“Hey beautiful.Look behind”.And there he was,with all his luggage,smiling his boyish smile and with that all the anger melted away from her heart.Giving her surprises was one of the great things abount Nikhil and she absolutely loved it when he did that.
“Your smile is still most important for me”Nikhil said.Shital smiled and with that they both went hand in hand to celebrate another love story.
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