Amma and Appa dropped the bomb, and my world tilted for a second, not because of the word “marriage” itself, but because of everything that word carried with it- debts cleared, rooms emptied, my name erased like a line item on a balance sheet.
Life had already taught me the difference between living and surviving. For me, survival meant waking up to a list of needs that weren’t mine, carrying other people’s failures as if they were my own limbs, and learning to breathe through a mouthful of shame.
I had been handed the role of the sacrificial one so often that I had begun to mistake my value for their convenience.
I stood there, feeling the heat in my palms and the old grief tightening beneath my ribs. This was the moment, they wanted to solve everything with a name and a knot. And here, they weren’t asking for my opinion or if I was ready; they were simply informing me of their decision. My throat ached with the weight of never having a say in my own life. So I turned and walked silently to my room.
I could still hear their murmurs outside. They were talking, but I couldn’t care less. What more could they possibly do to me beyond this wedding? But was I ready? What was written in my fate?
The door opened, and Amma entered with a smile, a cup of coffee in her hand.
Wow. Coffee. That meant this plan was something precious to them.
“Meeru,” she began softly, sitting beside me, “I know you’re upset to leave us, but every girl has to leave her parents and home one day. You won’t believe it, but even I cried so much when my parents got me married. I have suffered enough in my life, Meeru, but I always wanted my children to be happy. Appa and his friend have already met the groom and his family. They say he’s well-educated, owns a travel business, and lives in the city. You won’t ever have to worry about money for the rest of your life. You won’t live a life like mine.”
I raised my head and looked at her. Her eyes brimmed with hope, all of it resting on this marriage.
“Amma, I’m only twenty. I want to become a lawyer. I’ve tried so hard to convince you, but you’ve never once listened to my wishes.” My voice broke as I turned my face away.
She caught my hand and stroked my hair.
“Oh, God… what will I do with you, Meeru?” she sighed. “You’re not marrying into some middle-class family. They are rich. You can always convince your husband to let you study if that’s what you want. And weren’t you the one always saying I couldn’t get a leash on your father? Now try to keep your husband under your control, and then you can fulfill all your dreams. Your Appa said they have maids for all the household work, so you won’t even have to lift a finger. My Meeru will live like a queen in her husband’s home.”
She smiled and waved her hand around me, warding off the evil eye.
I couldn’t wrap my thoughts around whatever she said because there had to be more to this arrangement.
“We have bigger problems now than my wedding, Amma. We have just a week to return the money you and Appa borrowed from people. They’ll come here next week demanding their money. That’s what we should be worrying about now,” I said and shook my head.
“Meeru…” Amma called softly, but she couldn’t speak further. I looked at her and saw her gulp before forcing a smile.
“Meeru, the groom has agreed to pay off all our debts in return for the wedding. He hasn’t demanded any dowry. He says he likes you a lot and is ready to take care of our family, even Akash’s education. He told your Appa that he would be like a son to this family and take care of us. Imagine, who else would say such words? He seems very kind, and once we give our consent, he will handle everything — even the wedding expenses. You are very lucky, Meeru, to have such a man as your life partner. Now get ready, and I will tell your Appa to fix the dates. Let the people see that we are marrying you off into a great family, to a good man. You should glow at your wedding. From now on, you don’t have to work anymore, just rest well and be happy,” she said before walking out of the room.
So that was it — the message was clear. They had already decided everything. But why would someone pay off debts, take responsibility for Akash, and also cover the wedding expenses? Why didn’t Amma or Appa, even for once, feel suspicious about this proposal? At twenty, I had already learned the harsh truth, nothing in life comes for free, and if it does, the price you pay will be heavier in another form.
Why would a rich man from the city want to marry a village girl like me? If he was truly educated and successful in business, he could find plenty of beautiful, educated girls in the city. So why me? And how did he even hear about me? Why didn’t they question any of this?
All they wanted was money, and since someone had stepped forward to save them, my parents decided to sell me.
I could hear Amma’s excitement as she spoke to someone over the phone. Appa was also busy, already discussing wedding arrangements. It had to be the groom or his family.
I lay down on the floor and shut my eyes. When I woke up, it was already late evening. I rushed out to prepare dinner but froze in shock when I saw Amma in the kitchen. She turned and smiled at me, handing me a plate.
“Have your dinner and go back to sleep, Meera. Rakesh ji and his family will be arriving tomorrow with gifts for you. They want the wedding to happen in two weeks, so Rakesh ji has already sent money to your Appa to book the wedding hall in town. Your Appa has gone to confirm it,” Amma said.
I looked at her, confused. Rakesh ji? So that must be the groom.
“I’ve called the girl from the beauty parlor to help you get ready tomorrow. You’re already beautiful, but a little makeup will make you look like a queen. Keep him wrapped around your finger,” Amma said with a smile, and I returned to my room after finishing dinner.
By morning, the lady from the local beauty parlor arrived, and Amma had invited the neighborhood ladies to welcome the groom’s family. She gave me one of her best sarees, and I was dolled up.
“Meera, consider this the end of all your pain. You’ve seen how your mother suffered with your drunkard father all these years, and now all your problems are over. You’ll live happily in your new home, without worrying about your father or this family. Be happy and focus on your life now. Smile — this is the new beginning of your life,” a neighbor aunty said, and I just nodded.
I didn’t know if I should feel happy. I wasn’t even sure if they had really found me a groom — or just sold me off to some old man for money. I didn’t want to gamble with my life, but I also couldn’t ignore the fear gnawing inside me.
I looked at myself in the mirror. I did look beautiful in the pink saree. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder what fate had written for me. Waiting in my room, I heard the cheerful voices outside as everyone gathered to welcome the groom and his family.
Kavitha aunty and the monster had arrived early in the morning, but I hadn’t spoken to them, pretending to be busy getting ready for the day.
I heard the screech of tires and peeked through the window. Three cars had stopped outside, and my Amma and Appa rushed forward to welcome the guests. People from the neighborhood had gathered, and I couldn’t clearly see the family.
I overheard Appa and the monster talking about the wedding, and I was stunned when I realized they had agreed to marry me without asking for dowry. A few minutes later, Amma entered the room and led me outside to meet the groom and his family. My eyes stayed fixed on the floor as I folded my hands in greeting. I wanted to look at the man who had agreed to marry me, but with twenty-five people surrounding us, I couldn’t.
“Do you mind if I talk to her?” a gruff voice asked, and I gulped, stepping back.
“Of course, Rakesh ji. Meera, take him to the backyard,” Appa said.
I nodded and walked toward the backyard, with him following closely behind. I stood staring at the ground until I saw his feet stop in front of me.
“Meera, look at me,” he said gently. I slowly raised my head to meet his gaze, then quickly looked away. I had expected him to be an old man, but to my surprise, he was young and handsome. I heard him chuckle as he stepped closer.
“You are beautiful, Meera. I can see you’re confused about why I want to marry you. The truth is, I want a wife who can stand by me, someone responsible enough to value my hard-earned money. I know how much your family has suffered without it, and that’s why I believe you’ll be a responsible partner. You can be assured I’ll give you a better life and fulfill all your wishes as your husband,” Rakesh ji said. My shoulders instantly dropped from the weight of tension I had been carrying.
I looked at him, and he smiled warmly before slowly holding my hand.
“I saw your photo, and you looked beautiful with a smile. I hope to see that same smile on our wedding day. I’ve personally chosen the saree and jewels for you. See you soon, Meera. Take care,” he said before walking back inside.
I sat on the rock, staring at my hand, his words echoing in my ears.
Did he really promise to take care of me and fulfill my wishes? Was Amma right — could I speak to him about continuing my education? Should I dare to hope that my life might finally change for the better? God, please don’t raise my hopes only to crush them.
When I returned to my room, Amma and Appa were serving food to the guests. I noticed the gifts placed neatly on my bed. I touched the saree — it was stunning. He had said he personally chose these for me.
I opened the jewel boxes, and they sparkled beautifully.
For the first time in my life, someone had given me gifts — not just gifts, but expensive ones. His words had been kind, and he had actually smiled at me. Did that mean he truly wished to marry me because he liked me?
From the hall, I could hear laughter and cheer. Everyone seemed happy about this wedding. His voice carried clearly as he spoke to Appa and others. Just before leaving, Amma called me out, and in front of everyone, he called me by my name and bid me goodbye.
The ladies immediately began teasing me, saying I was lucky to marry such a handsome and rich man. Appa couldn’t stop bragging about his son-in-law.
The next day, I saw Appa and Amma splitting money to repay the borrowers. That’s when I realized Rakesh ji had already given them the money to settle the debts.
Maybe he really was a good man. Maybe, after the wedding, I could ask him about joining college.
Maybe Appa had finally done something good for me — for the first time.
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