Jhanvi

''Why do you need to work....end of the day you have to handle the kitchen of your husband's house'' Mom taunted peeling potatoes . ''then why did you send me to university to get higher degrees'' Hurt pained I questioned her...as expected without looking at me she answered again all taunting; ''Boys these days demand educated house wife...'' That shocked me, in short   I was a sacrificial lamb who is being fed to prepare it for sacrifice...''I want to work and I will work....Mom I have a job of 10 LPA...'' (1 million INR)

That gained her attention..changing her tone she replied ; ''Ok but only till your marriage gets fixed...after that you are not allowed to work a single day more''.... I felt relived . Later that day I got to know why my mom allowed me...My salary would be used as a fee for my brother's engineering course and whatever is left would be used to buy my dowry. Wow just  wow this is Isn't for me , she agreed so that my brother doesn't have to live under a burden of student loan...

Born into a middle class patriarchal family I have always been treated as  a second class citizen of this home. I am girl so I just have don't attached to my list...I have grown up feeling the indifference every day....my brother was being pampered like a king whereas no one cared what I felt or wanted...what hurt most was a constant reminder; 'you are a girl' . I started adjusting ....as along as they allowed me to study I was fine...

On every salary day I would hand over 2/3 of it to my mom, 1/3 I decided to save for my own personal emergency and soon the emergency arrived. One fine morning when I reached home , there was a huge gathering . My parents uncles their families all were gathered around something or rather someone ....my heart started thudding ...my sixth sense screamed danger...walking around my gathered family I stood at place where I could get the best view; ''there she is...this is our lovely daughter Jhanvi''  Since when did I become lovely....turning my eyes to the addressee I found and young good looking guy seated with a middle age couple...may be his parents...he got up and extended his hand; ''Sambhav...'' I took his hand giving him a friendly smile...in next half an hour my fate was decided ...I was engaged to be married to this Sambhav whom I had know for just few minutes...later I got to know that he was MBA from abroad and was working with some MNC...

That night I couldn't sleep,  finally confiding in my friend of my ordeal...she asked me to be positive. May be Sambhav allows me to work. I found a hope in her words. We started meeting for coffee and movies . He seemed to be a nice guy and my hopes increased to be shattered . With moving time I realized he was possessive he didn't like me talking to other guys...I had to regularly update him on my whereabouts. My friends thoughts that was romantic....but my mind was already sending warning signals.. One evening I decided to discuss regarding my job and when I did his expression changed; ''But your Mom said you wouldn't be working after wedding...plus I never wanted a working wife. I wanted someone who could cook and look after my house...plus girls don't work in my family''

''We can hire a help...I will pay. And even your sister is a working women'' I reasoned...before I could understand he slapped me hard...leaving me shocked shattered ...holding my cheek i could feel my vision blurring with tears...he slapped in a restaurant..infornt of so many people ..coming close he warned; ''My sister belongs to her husband's family not mine....plus don't compare yourself with her'' Dropping me home he drove off...when I told my parents...rather than sympathizing with me they blamed me purposely trying to sabotage the proposal...it didn't stop there...my uncle said it would good to pre-pone the wedding as they doubted me of having an affair...That night I was done...they just wanted to get rid of me....I was the only girl of the family..or only black mark on my family...I had been getting a call for a for a job in Mumbai...I have been refusing because of this marriage thing, no more. Next day I took the interview and gave my best...

In 2 days I got the offer letter, when I informed my family they reprimanded me calling me an ungrateful child...by now I had turned deaf...may be the effect of slap.  late  night I left Sambhav a message breaking off our engagement, morning I left before my family could wake up...

Watching the sea I said; ''So this is my story Rohan'' Rohan watched me for sometime...''why were you crying that day ''  He asked me unfazed.. this guy is one investigator...walking little ahead , I shared my ordeal; ''I had called home after two weeks...when ever I would call they would disconnect hearing my voice....that day my mom gave me a last warning. She said if I didn't chose to return I will be dead for them...well more than this what hurt me was that Sambhav told my parents that I had 2-3 affairs in my previous job and this was the reason I broke off him and guess what my family believed him because he is a guy''

I could hear Rohan taking a deep breath...he took steps towards me and stood infront of me; ''So what are you going to do about it'' I blinked...Rohan repeated; ''you jut can't sit and shed tears...they rode your head because you compromised ...trying to keep the peace..'' Holding me by shoulders he said; ''Jhanvi peace is always good...but if war is needed to curb the wrong. Go for war...running away isn't a solution...make yourself clear and then if you want walk off''

''There is a lot of difference in preaching and following Rohan'' my voice was harsh...he smiled leaning closer; ''I will come with you....but this time you have to speak for yourself''

Rohan

Jhanvi frowned at me when I asked her to take astand for herself....she looked cute. Well frankly I am bestowed by her, the first time I saw her was in Delhi...she was following a man out of the restaurant with her head hung low. I was entering that time to meet one of my vendors...something about her struck my heart...my eyes followed her till she drove off with that man.

I couldn't take the my mystery girl out of my head ...frankly its for the first time that was so taken by someone at first sight. My parents who have made Singapore their home with my elder brother were hell bent on getting me married . But I liked none...how it would be to have her as my wife...I thought 'Idiot you don't even know her name' chided my mind...I smiled guess this what it meant see stars in daylight.

My Delhi trip was for a week, I was there to discuss on few start-up ventures looking for funding. I wanted to sure of their growth plan before putting my money into it. I had come down to Delhi with my friend Jayant, he was the CEO of Star Communication and I hold 20% in it . In short I am just a sleeping partner. They were about to premier a daily soap on their channel which had its story based around Delhi and Punjab.Hence, they were here for promotions. Jayant also wanted to interview and check few people for some senior posts available with the organisation.

I was standing at the hotel reception waiting for my vehicle when I heard a voice; ''I am looking for Jayant Marathe , I have an interview scheduled '' Turning to the source of voice I froze...am I dreaming. I blinked , rubbed and then re-rubbed my eyes but she didn't vanish. Before I could utter a word she was escorted to the board room of the hotel and I was informed about the waiting vehicle...such a bad luck.

Evening I inquired Jayant about her ...he squinted then narrowed his eyes at me...I kept telling him her features and he said he found all girls who came today looked similar to him...even some of the boys. I knew there was no point asking him...but this small coincidence had left me hoping for more and then she entered as my neighbour.

''Do you think its that easy ...I will lecture and my parents will realize their mistake '' Jhanvi's voice bought me back..smiling at her I answered; ''No. But they will definitely realize that they can't bend you the way they want to...Jhanvi sometimes its important to let people know what you feel. even if it hurts them...because living a fake life is as good as not living one.. .How long are you planning to sulk on the same issue'' She watched me silently...holding her shoulders I made my point; ''Look Jhanvi this can go for years ...you will call them, they will refuse...call you ungrateful or a bad daughter . Then again you will cry and cut the contacts off with your family for another few weeks...then the cycle continues...''

Jhanvi turned away; ''I want to ..trust me but I am scared...what if they lock me up and forcefully get me married '' I could understand her fears; ''No they won't I said I am coming with you''

''As what'' she shot back..closing the distance between us I patted her cheek; ''As your friend...get ready we leave tomorrow morning'' I could read worried lines across her , yet she agreed.

Once we boarded the flight, I leaned on the headrest closing my eyes. We were about to take off, Jhanvi kept fidgeting in her place . Moving my fingers between the gap of hers I squeezed her palm gently. She stared at me and then our joined hands for few minutes..smiling she closed her fingers around mine. That felt awesome...

After about 2.5 hrs of journey we drove together to her house..Jhanvi rubbed her palms nervously staring at the iron doors...moving closer I whispered; ''see them as the doors stopping you from being you...break them down once for all'' Looking into my eyes she nodded and lead the way in

''Look the runaway bride is back'' came a snide remark from a middle age lady...that made be frown. ''Hello to you to chachi'' replied Jhanvi equally cold...proud of her. A plump woman walked into the room she stared at Jhanvi and then at me; ''who is he'' ''Rohan'' her reply of curt...she refused to explain herself.WOW! score 2... ''Mom , I am here to make myself clear ..I will not marry Sambhav nor will I come back''

There was silence all the members of her family were looking at each other..then her chachi spoke; ''Such a shameless girl you are...see didi this why sons are better''

''Really Chachi did your mom too said that to you....may be yes because being a female yourself you couldn't respect your kind'' ''Such a ungrateful child your are'' came her mother's voice

''Such an incompetent mother you are..'' Jhanvi replied in same tone.. she was angry now...I could hardly control my own anger...taking a step Jhanvi looked into her mother's eyes; ''if you hated me ,my existence you should have left me in an orphanage...I would have been happy growing dreaming of a mother than having one like you. Do you know how it feels being humiliated and hated by my own family for past 2 decades ''

''Dare you Jhanvi'' that was her brother...younger brother. Jhanvi raised her palm to silence him; ''you better be quite looser ...you wasted my hard earned money in those expensive coaching and couldn't even clear your boards...first be something and then talk''

Turning to her mother she opened her heart; ''All my life I did everything to make you guys happy...I wore what you chose, I ate what your son liked....I agreed to all your terms and what did you give me in return..disgust negligence just because I am not your son....you couldn't take a stand for your own blood when an outsider assaulted and insulted her...you blamed me. '' wiping her angry tears she turned to her father; ''Ungrateful child... am I??? fine but you are the worst parents anyone can ever have...not just to me but to Jeetu too...you never stopped him from doing wrong...and now the result is right infront of you...a failure''

Jeetu stomped his foot and went back from where he came....''If we are so bad .why are you here...to show us your boyfriend..or to hurt us by bringing shame to our family'' Turning to me her uncle pushed me; ''Get out of our house ''

Jhanvi held her uncle's arm pushing him aside; ''Don't worry uncle..your sons will definitely bring the family down...as far is Rohan is concerned I don't owe and answer...AND hence forth I won't be providing any financial aid....''Turning to her parents she smirked; ''you said if I don't abide by your rules I am as good as dead...consider me dead then. Since I am no more your blood your don't deserve my help'' All the members were stunned...and I smirked..With that she turned around; ''let's leave...''

Once we reached our hotel Jhanvi broke down...she cried for hours and I sat there giving her silent support; ''Thank you...your presence gave me strength'' This all what she said .I am glad to be on her side..I always wanted to be there

Once in Mumbai she stayed sad and gloomy for weeks but gradually she started coming out of the shell.....she had her closure

We met quite often. Sometimes we would hang out together or just have a causal dinner as friends , but I could never bring myself to confess my feelings. One weekend Stella had invited both of us to her apartment. She had secured a big banner project ...we had a blast . I watched Jhanvi , she looked free happy content....moving to the balcony I stared at the night sky when I felt a presence; ''You like me don't you ?''

Turning to her I answered; ''Yes a lot...may be more than like'' Jhanvi lowered her head; ''Rohan I always considered you a friend...the best I had till date...but I don't know about more'' Fidgeting she looked uncomfortable; ''I am sorry didn't mean to hurt you''

Taking her hand in mine , I stared back into her eyes; ''did I ask you to commit...its my feelings and I am ok if you don't feel the same'' Closing her eyes once she opened them ...she looked pained . She wanted to say something but couldn't...I could sense her turmoil ..cupping her cheeks I asked; ''Are you willing to give me a chance...may be we both will find our answers'' She stood there watching me, then nodded...Holding her hands I kissed her knuckles and she giggled...

I know this is a new journey making her believe in our bond and take a chance but I am sure ...I will be able to do that. Someday My beautiful Neighbour will be my partner for life....fingers crossed.

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Done with one more . Do let me know how was this

This story is on someone I know as a friend from long...sometimes you just need a friend to overcome all that scares you. Rohan represents the same friend.