A warm sunny morning in the month of March, making the Chennaites worried about how the summer would turn out in the mid May.

Indhra a twenty four year old architect,  did her specialisation in interior designing from a top most University in India. She was the only daughter to her parents and she lived with them in a three BHK house which was exclusively designed by herself. Her father had proudly said this to every single person, whom he had met or even spoke over phone.

Indhra was sipping her filter coffee as her eyes scanned through the newspaper. Her dad was sitting opposite to her and reading a magazine.

"Indhra, what breakfast do you want?" She hears her mom's voice reaching her out from the kitchen and turns towards the direction in suprise.

"Breakfast of MY CHOICE?" She says aloud and hears a chuckle from her parents.

"Yes! Today I'm gonna make a breakfast of your choice. Tell me quickly!" Her mom says and Indhra starts thinking about why this sudden change had occured.

"I'm fine with anything other than upma or idly." She says with a grin and turns towards her dad.

"Dad, is there anything special today? Did i miss out something?" She asks curiously.

"Nothing Indhra. You mom is getting better right, so she wants to do something for you." He says and averted his glance to the magazine again.

Indhra sighed as she thought about the worst phase that they had gone through due to covid. Her mother was infected with covid and hospitalized for a week. Though she got recovered from it, the pain and struggle was unimaginable. It still gave her nightmares. She shrugged off her thoughts and went to take her shower.

She got ready for her day in a simple sky blue salwar and had tied her hair in a french braid. As she nears the dining hall, she was able to hear the whispers of her parents.

When she reached there, her parents became silent and smiled at her.

"What were you both discussing about?" She asks them as she took her seat in the dining table.

"There is a guy..." Her father starts slowly but she interrupted him.

"Paa??? Are you serious?" She asks him shocked.

"Indhra... Please listen to me."

"Two weeks before I said I'm ready for the marriage. But you have already suggested two grooms. Now the third one huh?" She asks them exasperated.

"You're getting old dear..."

"Old? For god's sake I'm just 24!"

"Marriage should happen at the right time. Even if you say yes for this proposal, it would atleast six months to get everything ready..." Her mom reasons her.

"We are also getting old dear. Shouldn't we enjoy your wedding wholeheartedly?" Her dad tricked her with his words.

"Fine!" She gave up her protest.

"I'll share you his photo. His name is Akhil, he is working in an IT company." Her dad gave her all the details about the guy.

"Okay fine! When should I meet him?" Indhra asks her dad, as she had told make changes in her schedule.

"I'll give you his number. You both talk and decide about it." Her dad replies and she left for her work.

It was around afternoon, when she got a call from an unknown number. Curiously, she attended the call.

"Hello?"

"Indhra?" She hears a voice from the other end.

"Yes. May I know who is this?"

"I'm Akhil. Hope your dad had told you about me.." he says and she slapped her forehead on hearing it, as she completely forgot about the proposal due to the workload.

"Hey hi! Dad told me about you.". She quickly replies to him.

"Were you busy? Did I disturb you?" He asks her.

"Ah no... You didn't disturb me.."

"Indhra, are you free this evening? Shall we meet?"

"Evening... Can't we meet tomorrow, Akhil?"

"Ohh.. I am flying to Delhi tomorrow morning and I'd be back only after a week. My mom said today is an auspicious day... If you are busy today, we can change our plans."

"Give me some time, Akhil. I'll check my schedule and get back to you." Indhra replies and ended the call.

She met her manager to check whether they can postpone the meeting with the client to the next day. It was an important meeting though. She decided to give it a try before replying to Akhil, and finally her manager agreed to change the meeting timings with a warning.

Feeling relieved, she calls Akhil and informs him that she was free in the evening. He texted her the venue for their meet.

Indhra called her dad and informed him about their meet. He was happy that she finally agreed to meet the groom.

Indhra winded up her work and did a quick touch up in the office before going the coffee shop. She was anxious to meet this guy. Even when she met the other two guys, her feeling was the same. Those proposals didn't work out, as their tastes and preferences were different. She wanted to fall in love with the guy before agreeing to the marriage, while her parents were finding her a guy one after another. She knew that even if this proposal didn't work out, they would be ready to find someone at the earliest.

She parked her scooty in the parking area and walked inside the coffee shop. All the tables at the entrance were occupied, so she went back to the corner and waited for Akhil. She sent him a message that she has reached, but he didn't see that.

Indhra was waiting there for more than half an hour, still there were no signs about Akhil's arrival.  Tired, she called him and he attended the call at the last ring.

"Hey Indhra!" He replies casually.

"Hi Akhil... Where are you? I'm at the coffee shop..." She tells him.

"I'm sorry Indhra... I got held up at my work and just came out of my office. Right now I'm struck in the traffic and I don't think I can make it up today... Shall we meet later?" He asks and her eyes went wide.

"You could have told me that earlier, Akhil." She tries her level best to control her anger.

"It just slipped out of my mind. I'm sorry..."

"Hmm.." Not knowing what to say further, she ends up the call. She gulps down a glass of water to calm herself down.

"Is this seat taken?" Indhra looks up hearing a voice next to her.

To Be Continued.
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