Game Called Love - Part 5

It has been 5 months since she joined the office. She was performing well in the Job. One fine day, when she started to office from home, she heard her dad talking over phone about horoscopes, matching, her profile, etc. She had a mild doubt as whether her parents arranged for her marriage. Immediately Arun’s thought raced through her mind. She became restless. She was disturbed in the office too. Arun had enquired her at least 5 times whether she is not feeling well or had some issues in office. She said nothing.

Later in the evening, at home, Mythili enquired her mom as whether they had fixed any for her. Her mom smiled and told her that they have started searching groom for her and got few good proposals. Mythili wanted to shout at everybody at home. She disliked hearing the very word ‘Marriage’. But, she kept quiet as she noticed a ray of happiness in everybody’s face. The very thought of Arun killed her. She is afraid to disclose her wishes even to Suchi. She cried herself to sleep and this happened every night.

Her family and friends noticed that she is not enthusiastic and active. They found sorrows in her eyes. But Mythili managed to convince them that her job is bit hectic. People consoled that soon she will get married to a good guy and can give up this job. But, she felt that her liking towards Arun had changed into love. She failed to listen to herself. She failed to convince herself. She failed to concentrate on her life. It is the love towards Arun, tore her into bits and pieces.

Few months passed by and on one fine day, “Hi dear! Good Morning” said Chinnu. Mythili was partially awake and was astound to see Chinnu at home.

“Hey Chinnu how come you are here? When did you come?”

“Jus 20 minutes back”

“Wassup man?”, smiled Mythili at Chinnu with a teasing look.

“I should asking you that?”, continued Chinnu.

“Enough people! Mythili get ready for office and Chinnu go and take some rest”, interrupted Lakshmi.

“Mythili, you need not go for work any further. Stay back at home. Learn cooking and household activities. No one is dependent on you.”, said Muthammal.

Mythili stood staring at her granny with no clue about what is happening around her.

“Granny what do you mean?”, stared Mythili.

“Dear, we have received good proposals for your marriage and a groom’s family will be visiting us tomorrow. We are planning to fix your marriage”, explained Lakshmi in a soft tone.

Mythili has been mounted with shocks from dawn. She was unable to reflect on what her mom said. She stood still for some time. It’s the ray of happiness that had struck every body, controlled Mythili and she said, “Ok mom. Things are planned for tomorrow only right. I shall take a day’s leave tomorrow. Today I have got important schedules at office. I can’t spare them” and rushed into her room to get ready for the office. Her granny kept shouting at her, but Mythili had gone numb. Its only Arun’s thoughts that were flowing through her mind.

She was numb for the whole day. She didn’t speak with anybody, not even with Arun. She avoided looking at him. She was highly emotional too. Arun was puzzled by her abnormal behaviour and kept asking her if something went wrong. But poor boy didn’t receive any response. While leaving for the day, Mythili informed him that she won’t be able to turn up the next day and rushed off not even bothering about the response from him.

The whole night was dreadful for Mythili. She felt that she is no more alive. She could not digest the fact that Arun had slipped away from her hand. She started talking to herself. “Dear, what had happened has happened and no one could reverse them. You adored your family more than anything else. Your family had provided you with everything you wished for. This is the right time to exhibit your gratitude. Stay calm. Jenny is lucky enough and you are not. Don’t bother. Things will change, time will pass by and current tortures will become long forgotten memories. So stay calm and make your family happy. Your decision will not only make your family happy, but Arun too. He will Jenny and will live a happy life. If your ‘Love’ for him is so true, then you should be bothered about Arun’s happiness and never about yours. So calm down and sleep now”.