11. A small clash again

CHAPTER 11

A small clash again

Shermi got down from the auto outside her house at night at 9pm. Madhavi was watching TV. She looked at the watch and thought, “What computer class. Earlier she used to return early in the evening. Now she comes late at night. Her marriage is being settled and she does not even care.”

Shermi entered the hall and threw her vanity bag on the sofa. She went to wash her face in the wash basin. Her mother picked up the vanity bag. “How careless she is.”

The bag felt heavy to Madhavi. She was suspicious. She opened the bag. There was a black cloth inside the bag. Madhavi removed the cloth and was surprised to see the burka. She looked towards Shermi, who was washing her face in the basin. Shermi turned back and saw her mother holding the burka.

Madhavi asked, “What is this? Burka?”

Shermi was shocked. But she recoverd quickly and thought of a story to tell her mother. “It belongs to my friend, Haseena. She kept it in my bag by mistake. You see, her bag and my bag look similar. Poor girl. I wonder what she is now doing without her burka.”

Madhavi believed her words and changed the topic. “Your uncle Jaidev had come today.”

Shermi sat on the sofa. “Why?”

“He came to talk about your marriage. Your engagement has been fixed for the 20^th of next month.”

Shermi, who was watching the TV became serious. “I told you that I don’t want to get married so soon.”

Madhavi was surprised. She came near Shermi. “Why are you talking like that? You are lucky to have got such a good alliance. Not only that, your uncle has given dowry money and engagement ring.”

She went in and brought the suitcase. She kept it in front of Shermi. “You are lucky to have such a good uncle. He is treating you like his own daughter. He has given 50 lakhs worth of gold and 30 lakhs cash to be given to your husband-to-be.”

Shermi increased the volume of TV and continued to watch TV seriously.

Madhavi observed her. “What has happened to you? You have changed since last 20 days.”

Shermi said, “Nothing has happened to me. I just don’t want to get married now.”

Madhavi asked with expiration. “Why? You don’t like the boy? Why are you saying no? Tell me.”

“My computer course will get over only after 2 years. I want to complete it before marriage. “

“Your husband has 20 computers in his jewellery shop and there are 50 employees. For what are you learning computer? You will not need the knowledge after marriage anyway.”

Shermi tried to got up and leave. Her mother caught hold of her hand and made her sat again on the sofa.

Shermi protested, “I don’t want, I told you.”

Madhavi looked at her seriously. “Just tell that to your uncle. He will skin you alive. He is such a great man.”

As soon as Shermi heard the name of her uncle, she got scared and calmed down. Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I want to first finish my computer course, mommy.”

“Is that all? Don’t worry, after marriage, you can request your husband to send you to computer class. Now come and have your dinner.”

“I am not hungry.”

“I am observing you since 10 to 15 days. You always say that you aae not hungry and sleep without eating. What has happened to you? I just can’t understand you.”

Shermi climbed the stairs to her room.