2. Chapter 1

“Not again, mom” I groaned. No way in hell was I going to meet another high-class businessman who bores me to death about his achievements and stock prices. “Mitali, at least meet him once. He is different from all the other guys you have met. He is very smart and understanding, I heard it from Sheetal Aunty.” My mom tried to explain it to me.

Sheetal Aunty! Obviously it’s her idea. If devil had a female face it would be of her. Apparently for the past whole year she had been trying to get me married to one of the rich boys, or rather men in the town. There’s nothing wrong in suggesting boys but she has started to dominate and affect my mother’s mind. Her craziness level is so high that I had met 7 high class studs of the town. And now we have got another one in line.

“If Sheetal Aunty has suggested him, then I am definitely not meeting him. Mom, I am 25. It’s not that old for a girl nor is it too late to be married.” I tried to show her my point as usual. “Exactly! You’re 25. Now is the perfect time to marry a rich guy and settle down otherwise you won’t get any good options. This is the perfect chance for you”, she said worryingly and thoughtfully both.

I know I am the reason for all her worries. My lack of interest in makeup, shopping, boyfriends, marriage etc. has been a big shock for her. She couldn’t understand what’s wrong with her daughter. Why can’t she also walk in high heels like other girls or go to late night parties? Why can’t she be also excited to meet a rich guy and getting married? Don’t get me wrong. I am ok with makeup and all but it’s just not my thing. I admire others in heels but I would rather wear my flats. Shopping and partying are more like punishments for me. Also, being a professor of English Literature makes you a bit boring towards the outer world. But being a mother, she made her own theories, from me having a secret boyfriend to me being a lesbian.

“Mitali beta (daughter), you know I just want you to be happy. I just worry you will be left alone and life cannot be lived like that”, she sobbed and with that a drop of tear rolled down her eyes. And this is where I lose. No way in hell will I let my mother cry. After dad’s death she had cried her stock of tears and I can’t see more of it.

“Mom, I love you, you know that. Please don’t cry. I will marry soon and will make sure the guy is hot and up to your standards.” I joked making her chuckle. “Then you will go to meet this boy Sheetal suggested?” she smiled happily. Here we go again. “Ok fine! I will meet him but I am not going to say yes to him if I don’t like him.” I made my point clear. “Yes, yes,” she replied cheerfully giving me an envelope. “Here are his photos and details. I will tell Sheetal to fix a meeting for you” she said enthusiastically leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

I placed the envelope on the table and fell on my bed. Marriage is a very big step in any Indian family. Your marriage affects your status, position and respect in the society. Even after all these years, we are still gossiping about others lives. I, being a boring professor with no fun life, am actually the topic of all gossips. Every gossip starts with any other topic but ends with me. It doesn’t affect me much though but my mother has to face those weird aunties who constantly remind her that her daughter’s life will be ruined if she doesn’t marry soon. And so my mother’s mission in life is just one – to get me to marry a rich guy.

My phone started ringing showing my best friend Pooja’s face. “Hey girl! What’s up?” she asked. Pooja is the complete opposite of me. She loves shopping, works as an air hostess and is marrying her businessman boyfriend. But still we have been best friends since childhood. We went to the same school and have been inseparable since then. Our differences have never affected our friendship.

“Nothing. Mom found me another guy to meet,” I groaned. “Oh come on! Don’t sound like that. Maybe he is the one.” she said as usual her bubbly self. “You have told me that for all the seven others.” I replied chuckling. “I will always say that for you. I know you will find your perfect man soon. He will be the only one for you and will make you feel loved. At least just try to find him.” she gave a small motivating speech.

“Anyways, I called to tell you that I will be back in Delhi on Sunday i.e. three days later. I am meeting Kunal for some wedding shopping later but I want to meet you soon too. So don’t make any plans on Sunday.” She gave me the orders. “Pooja, when do I ever make plans? Of course I will be free. See you soon.” I replied rolling my eyes. “Love you, girl, bye.” She ended the call.

I am happy she will be back soon. At least that way, I will have someone to spend more time with and stay away from my mom for a bit. Otherwise she will find me a no. 9 soon. I got up from the bed and walked to the floor length mirror in my room and watched my reflection. My hairs are jet black which fall a few inches below my shoulders. My eyes are honey brown and look kind. Even my complexion is fair and I am tall for an average girl. Overall I am an ok looking girl. But maybe this is not enough for boy’s standards these days. They need more pretty, fashionable and short dressed girls.

I sigh and walk to the table and pick up the envelope. Let’s know something about No. 8. On the envelope was written a name – VANSH AGGARWAL. He is 28 and runs his own business. Yeah, the exact information was written for the others too. I opened the envelope and pulled out the picture only to get my heart stop beating.

How in the hell can this man be a businessman. He looks like a fucking model. His dark hair is cut short but also has some spikes in it. His eyes are golden-brown and his complexion is like tea-brown. He looks like he could be advertising the suit he is wearing. And this guy wants to meet me for marriage? Either he is a psycho or maybe he is just taking pity on me. Has he even seen my picture before agreeing to meet? Shouldn’t he be marrying a model or an actress? Whatever be the reason I am definitely going to meet him.

Suddenly, it felt like an urge to get to know everything about him. This could be done in only one way. I logged in my Facebook and started searching his profile. If my mother would know what I am doing she would have had a heart attack. No way in hell can her daughter stalk a man’s profile. But, I can’t stop myself. Finally, I land over his account. His profile picture should be banned for being so hot. It is a picture of him in a black full sleeved shirt and blue denim jeans. He is sitting on an office chair. He looks delicious.

Why is this devil going to meet me? What can be his motives? I don’t even know whether I should meet him or just disagree on going. His profile had his pictures with friends in parties, with family in functions and with coworkers in offices. So, he was one of those guys who didn’t live different lives with different people. It really made me like him more. Guess I will have to meet him and see everything for my own self!

I walked out of my room to see my mother on the phone talking to someone and my brother, Mayur watching a Captain America movie. Now was the perfect time for it. The scene was of high importance and Bucky’s face was about to be revealed when I picked up the remote and changed it to a music channel. “NOOOO!” he screamed.

Perfect! Just the reaction I had wanted. I gave him a cheesy smile and made myself comfortable on the couch. “Give me back the remote di(sister). It was a very important scene.” he said while trying to wrestle the remote out of my hand. “But you have watched it before”, I stated. “It doesn’t matter give me the remote. It was the best scene” he said nearly climbing my head for it.

“Stop it both of you.” My mom said giving a glare enough to burn us. “How can you both fight like a bunch of toddlers when you are both legal adults!” she scolded us. Mayur was ready for his defense, “She started it, mom. She took my remote and changed the channel and I was watchi..”

“Enough stop it. Mitali, Sheetal talked with the boy and he agreed to meet you at lunch tomorrow. Make sure to be there on time and dress well.” My mom said the last part narrowing her eyes on me. “She is meeting a guy, again. How boring! Who on earth has an arranged marriage in these days. Find yourself a guy, sister.” Mayur said earning a glare from mom again.

I don’t feel bad by these words. I have heard them a lot but having a love marriage requires you to love someone. And that has never happened to me. But I am sure of one thing. Tomorrow, I will surely dress up my best and willingly go to meet Mr. Vansh Aggarwal.

Maybe, Sheetal Aunty isn’t really so bad.