|04 Talk|

...“She preferred most of all to live with flowers and music and to have a book, in quiet solitude. She is this type of girl.”...

^^^-Herman Hesse^^^

....༆....

Aratrika was sitting near the window of her room. The decoration of her room reflected her personality. A combination of simplicity, elegance, and sophistication. Her rooms' windows and balcony were reserved for her stunning plants and flowers, and one of her four walls was designated for her artistic talents.  There were a lot of paintings, including Mandala Arts. All of her dance achievements were displayed on the other wall, including medals and trophies. Her room represents her talents, it represents who she is.

When the winds blow, her eyes slightly crease, and she always finds the sound of the wind chimes to be pleasing. As she gazed at the flowers, she smiled. The memory of today's conversation with her brothers and masi drifted into her mind.

_______________________

“Aru, how's your work life going on?” Vagmi asked with a concerned voice.

Aratrika, who had been playing with her pet dog Oreo, paused and gazed at Vagmi with confusion. 

“Maa, you're making your acting too obvious.” Said Eklavya

“Just jump straight into the main topic. The atmosphere for the upcoming discussion doesn't need to be set.”  Said Saraansh

Vagmi squinted at her sons and decided to ignore them since they would distract her with their nonsense. 

To stop her brother from speaking, Aratrika slapped his head and let her Masi continue talking. 

“Everything is going well with my work life.” Aratrika replied to Vagmi in her sign language. 

Everyone acknowledged their understanding by nodding their heads. 

After hearing this from Aratrika, Vagmi nodded her head and felt relieved.

“OK, so now I wouldn't talk in a circle. I'm content that your work life is going smoothly. Now we can concentrate on other things and give her complete attention. You are already a legally working lady according to the Law-”  

“Oh, our dear Advocate Mother, hold down your professional mode.”  With a sigh, Eklavya spoke.

Others also let go of a relived breath when Vagmi cleared her throat awkwardly after hearing her youngest son's complaint. Vagmi is a renowned Advocate, and sometimes, actually most of the time, whenever it comes to have some serious discussion her Advocate always comes out from her, and she starts talking as if she is explaining a case and handling the client.

"Old habits are always a part of life, haha." Vagmi smiled sheepishly and cleared her throat again, “Look, you brats are once again making me forget about the main topic!”

“Ignore them Aru, I wanted to ask you about your marriage. I mean, now you are completely settled down with your job and with your studies. It's time for us to discuss your future plans and your thoughts on getting married.”

Aratrika stopped what she was doing upon hearing her Masi's voice. She stared Vagmi before walking towards her and taking a seat beside her. Without any further response, she laid her head on her Masi's lap.  

Vagmi silently started to run her her hand gently through her hair and combed her tangled hair with her fingers. 

“Aru, I'm not trying to implement my wish and desire on you. But you are growing day by day, although I want you to always stay a little girl, but it's just a delusional wish of mine. You are 28 this year, there are many proposals I'm getting for your marriage. But I don't want to make any decision regarding your own life. I know, you youngsters of these generations doesn't believe in getting tied down in a marriage. To you all, it's a forceful lifetime agreement which we forcedly implement on you all. You all believe in MY LIFE, MY RULE motto.”

Aratrika chuckled after hearing Vagmi's last sentence. 

“But as traditional and as old ideas it sounds, but there are always a justified age for everything. Marriage is also an important part of life. It's not just about getting tied down with a Human. You are already in an age where you should start thinking about settling down with your partner and start a new family. I wouldn't force you, In fact, no one will force you to just marry any random man. But I want to ask your opinion about this whole Marriage talk. Once you agree, we will decide further and if you are not ready, then also I want to know your reason and try to understand you and see if it's something good or just a stubborn decision of today's youth.”  Vagmi stared Aratrika and her Three Sons. 

Whatever she said just now, was just not for Aratrika, those words were for her Sons too. As an adult, she must make some things clear to her children. Although, they are old enough to have such knowledge, still she can't ignore her responsibility as their Mother. She has to make them realise some things and about some topics where they don't think as a part of life experience. 

Aratrika stare her brothers, who were also staring her back, and trying to understand her. 

“Masi, can I reply to this once I'm done giving my complete understanding towards all these?”

Vagmi chuckled and ruffled Aratrika's head lovingly. “Don't be nervous. I didn't mean to scare you. I just want to remind you that you should prepare for this phase and make plans because once you agree to this, I will start hunting for the best out of best for you, and you'll have to cooperate with me.”  

“Looks like you are fully prepared to implement your hunt once I give Green signal” Aratrika joked while standing up and stretching her arms in air. 

Vagmi laughed and shrugged her shoulder in agreement.

“Our turn will soon come too” Rishabh mumbled slowly to his two Brothers. 

“I'm already suffering from all the dates she arranged for me. Now poor our little sister will also join us in this suffering.” Saraansh mumbled back slowly. 

“It proves that you 3 are growing old. I'm still young to ponder my life on this.” Eklavya said proudly. Feeling young among his all siblings at this moment. 

“You are 23, a partially old man!” Both Rishabh and Saraansh snapped back after seeing the smug look on their youngest sibling. 

Vagmi and Aratrika laughed hearing the battering between the boys. 

____________________

Aratrika took a deep breath and silently watched the butterflies flying and roaming around the flowers she grew in her balcony.

Her mind was running with all the messed up thoughts. She understood what her Masi meant, and she was not wrong, but she still hasn't met someone who can make her thoughts ponder.

She is not against of the Idea of marriage, but there is a hidden fear in her regarding getting married. She knows that not all the marriages are failed marriage, and not all the families are partial towards their daughter-in-law, but blame her overthinking issue. Moreover, she is not self-confident. No one would wish to tangle with a mute headache.

But she has to overcome such overthinking and worries which are just formed in her mind based upon her own imagination.

'It's really hard to imagine myself in a married lifestyle.' 

'Logically, I have no reason to not accept this plan as a part of my future, unless I wish to die single.'

'Aratrika, what are you going to decide now?'

...

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