It's been 3 months that Mr. and Mrs. Sen have been nagging for Uma to meet their son, Aditya. Honestly speaking, Anupama and Uday don't have any idea how to discuss this with Uma, as she was just a kid. Especially now, when Anupama had said Uma that she was a mistake. She didn't mean what she uttered; what she meant was that Uma's birth wasn't planned.

Anyway, Mr. Sen had again called today morning. Anupama and Uday were in a dilemma whether to tell her or not.

-"I think we should tell her. After all, she has a right to know, it's about her.'' said Anupama.

-"But.. She's too young to get married!'' exclaimed Uday.

-"I'm not talking about her getting married. It's just about telling her."

-"Ok then. But, I don't know how she will react. Let's hope for the best.'' saying this Uday got up from the couch.

Uma, though was the only child of her parents, was never a spoiled brat. She was stubborn, but not impractical or demanding. She always used to have very few friends. Rayna, Saheel and Dona understood her the most. They were childhood buds. Uma always had been in her own world, her Utopia.

It was 6.30pm on the clock when the doorbell rang breaking the silence in the house. It was Saturday and her parents have gone to the Kali Temple, since it was Amavasya. Uma came down the stairs and opened the door to reveal a couple standing. She couldn't recognise them.

-"Namaskar, I'm Adhiraj Sen and this is my wife Snigdha Sen. We came here to meet Mr. and Mrs. Roy.'' said the man. Before Uma could say anything, Mrs. Sen asked,

-"Aren't you Uma?"

-"Namaskar uncle, aunty. Yes I'm Uma. I'm sorry but do I know you?" , Uma asked smiling lightly.

-"No dear, you don't but we do.", Snigdha replied smiling.

Uma was about to say something, but she saw her parents coming in through the gate. Mr. and Mrs. Sun turned back which left Uday and Anupama stand numb.

-"Namaskar!", said a cheerful Adhiraj while Snigdha smiled at them.

-"Namaskar! Apnara ekhon ekhane?", asked a confused Uday.
(You...Here... Now?)

-"Please come in!", saying this Anupama ushered all of them inside the house.

All were seated in the living area. But Uma was busy in the kitchen arranging snacks for the guests. It may sound that Uma is a true 'Indian girl' who loves to do the house chores, but isn't true. She has always avoided talking to strangers; especially the ones who've been giving awkward smiles to her.

She brought the tray filled with snacks and placed it on the center table. Anupama asked her to sit with them. She sat down; more like had to.

-"Mampi, we wanted you to know something. Umm...We should've said this earlier but....", said her father.

-"Aro kichu baki ache?", this word stumbled out her mouth, in a whisper, even before she could think.
(Is there anything left yet?)

Uday and Anupama heard her but didn't know how to react.

-"Did you say something dear?", asked Snigdha.

-"No aunty.", came Uma's brief reply.

Anupama started off,

-"Actually, it's been 3 months that Mr. and Mrs. Sen are in contact with us... Uuummm...The thing is....."

-"They want you as their son's wife, Mampi", said her father in a single breath.

It took Uma few minutes to decipher everything.

-"We aren't forcing you into anything dear. The decision will always be yours. We just want you to meet him once." said Snigdha.

-"We too have a daughter, who's younger than you. We understand you beta. Just think over once.", said Adhiraj politely.

Uma couldn't understand what to say or do. She was too stunned. She simply nodded her head and went to her room after mumbling an "Excuse me".

It was dinner time, when her father went to call her. Without saying anything she came to the dining room to see that they have already left. She sighed out of relief.

While having dinner, Uday asked her,

-"I know it's too early, but have you thought of anything?"

-"No baba. Give me some time please. It's too new for me.", Uma gave a curt reply.

Anupama and Uday sensed her inner turmoil and decided to keep mum for the time.

After finishing dinner, she left for her room after kissing her parents 'Good Night'.

She brushed her teeth and opened her book to study. But she was unable to concentrate. Realising that there's no use of sitting down with the book simply, she arranged her bed and laid down. With so many queries around her mind, age eventually fell asleep.

❄️❄️❄️

Amāvásyā means the lunar phase of the New moon. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Kali is worshipped in this TITHI or date.