Priya's father looked restless. He got off the chair and paced slowly across the living room. He looked at his daughter. She was terrified and obviously weeping, partially hidden behind the door. She was aware of all that has been happening. But, she has been keeping silent. Priya's dad could clearly figure out that this guy has been saying all the truth. He wished that Priya would deny the claims. But, she did not. Her silence confirmed that all that's Raj saying is true.
After a while, Priya's father sat down, to continue talking with Raj.
“By the way, where are you working?”
“Sir, I run my own business. I export idols made of stones. This is our family business and we have been running this for generations”
This had certainly put off Priya's father.
“You know what, we have been receiving marriage proposals from grooms all around the world - Software Engineers, Scientists,Bankers, and similar prestigious professionals. And you are claiming that you sell statues. If I could get my daughter married to any such professional, imagine how royal her life would be. She will not have to worry about anything really”
He seriously got Raj on his nerves. His anxiety can now be clearly seen on his face. “Yes, Sir. True that Priya will have all the riches on her feet, if she marries any such guy. She will go to Swiss for holidays and Dubai for shopping. She will call you everyday from Seattle or Washington over Skype and you will visit her virtually everyday and would go 'wow!’ at her 5000 sq. Ft. mansion. She will be driving around with that guy, in Audi or Rover. She will get diamonds for her birthday and wedding day, every year, without fail. You will have million plans when she comes down once in every 2 years, for 10 days. And the remaining days, you will be busy boasting about your special son-in-law to your friends and relatives. But, my question is will she be happy at the end of the day? Will she get a peaceful, night’s sleep? Will she be alright to share her life with someone, whom she doesn't like? Will she really want to wake up alive every morning? Do you really think she would ever smile thereafter?”
Raj is now breathing heavily and the intensity of his emotional strain was all over.
Raj's father, grabbed his hand and tightly held it. It is his indirect gesture, to calm Raj down.
Everything, everywhere and everybody went silent for a while.
Tears accumulated at the verge of Raj’s eye lashes. His anxiety, anger, fear, insult and humiliation were all eating him up. He was in huge distress and agony.
Raj's father took over the conversation and continued.
“Sir, please don't find him rude. He was only trying to prove to you, how much he adores Priya. I think you will agree that someone's salary is definitely not proportional to their satisfaction. Raj is living his passion and is working hard every day. Soon he will reach heights and the world will inspire from him. As a parent myself, I understand your argument. We always strive to provide the best, to our kids. But sometimes we forget to understand whether it makes them happy. Wealth doesn't give any joy. Wealth is perishable. Happiness should come from within. Priya will be happy with Raj”
Priya's father did not speak a word. Raj's father extended a visiting card to him.
“This is our business unit. We have a unit at our native town. It was Raj, who took our business a step ahead. He opened another unit here and started the export. His vision is vast and dreams are big. You can trust him”
Priya's father listened to everything and gave absolutely zero reaction. He looked at the visiting card and his face turned a bit brighter. He enquired about their nativity to Raj's father, as the place was familiar to him. Raj literally stopped involving in the conversation and stayed calm. His head was bent low and was deep in his thoughts. Priya stood still behind the door, listening to the conversation. She didn't even move a muscle. Her mom was still in shock and didn't bother coming out of the kitchen. She was panicky and shivering. She was both crying and praying.
“Ok! Please give us sometime to think about it. We are not in a position to say anything now. Give us sometime”, said Priya's father. With those words as the end card of a sensitive long conversation, Raj and his dad left.
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