The sky had other plans that particular morning. It was, as if the sky was venting out its anger. Rehan woke up to the sound of thunderstorms. The heavily clouded sky reminded him of his life, which is too heavily clouded.

The thunderstorms seemed to have a conversation with him, which he was unsuccessful in deciphering.

Taking a deep breath, he rested his head on the bed rest , going through yesterday's happenings. Meeting Maya, and then thinking about what she said, he loved Maya but a marriage that was too soon.

Maya and Rehan, of course, were in  their dating phase, and he loved her and wanted to marry her , but this was soon. 

He recalled yesterday morning's meeting with her, like always, he was late to reach the cafe.

"Sorry yaar  late ho gaya." Making a puppy face ,he exclaimed. 

"Ismein kaunsi badi baat hai, you always arrive late."

He sighed, thinking what had gotten into her early in the morning. 

Ordering a light breakfast for him , Maya sipped her coffee. " Yeh khatta kaise piti ho?"  he scrunched his nose as if epresso was poison.

" Baat karna hai."

" Bolo na."

" Serious hai."

Munching on his double cheese sandwich, he bobbed his head for her to continue.

" I told my parents about us."  Maya said , picking up her coffee cup.

"What? What!" Rehan coughed the food that got stuck in his throat.

Coughing and sneezing,  his tears to found its way making a full out of him, when he settled down, once confirming, he was okay, she said, " I told my parents that I want to marry you."

"It's too early to talk about marriage, Maya."

" What ?"

" Yaar, Maya, shaadi ke baat abhi bahut jaldi hai . Thoda aur wait kar lete the ya phir unse baat karne se pehle mujhse puchti." Rehan voiced out his concern,  hearing the word marriage,  felt like someone dumped their hot coffee on him.

"We were in the middle of talking,  and Maa said , "mere liye rishta aaye hai," I couldn't do anything,  aur meine bol diya.  "  Maya said, holding his hand.

Rehan pulled back his hand from her , and this small act of him hurt her badly.

"So, you don't have any plans of marriage?" She said, disappointed. 

"Arrey baba, I do. But isn't it too early."

“ Maine ghar mein baat ki hai, abhi shaadi nahin karni toh just come home and meet my parents. Main kaun si tumhen shaadi ke liye pressure kar rahi hoon.  I'm just saying ki aap aake mill lo.” Before,he could say anything,  she continued, " I had got several proposal since last few years and meine saare reject ki hai , you just come home once and talk to my parents, unke taraf se koi pressure nahin hai."

“ You are not understanding, Maya.I need time."

“Alright."

Maya looked hurt and disappointed, but he could do nothing. When it comes to her, he can't do anything. Maya , paying the bills and stood up, and walked away, exactly like a queen, head held high.

Rehan sighed, it's been exactly 24 hours and Maya didn't respond to his texts and calls.He  called, Maya's sister,  Masha too, but she skillfully avoided whatever he had to say and put an end to it.

After thinking about the pros and cons,  Rehan, with a new determination and energy, walked over to the dining , where Mr Mahendra Kapoor and Mrs Janki Kapoor were having their breakfast.  He took a seat and awkwardly sat there until he was served. The house helps serve his breakfast.

Mrs Janki Kapoor looked at her son, who was sharing the space with them. Rehan never cared to talk to the river, spare a glance at them, and today, he was sitting with them ,having breakfast together, like a family.

After finishing his food in a hurry, he took a deep breath and said,  “ I need to talk to you."

“What?"  Mrs Janki asked skeptically.

Rehan royally ignored his mother as if she didn't even exist and looked at his father and continued,  “ I love someone and want to get married to her. I need you both to visit her family." After a pregnant pause, Mr Mahendra Kapoor said,” Alright. When?"

“Maybe, today.." he too seemed confused .

“ Over lunch?  I'll be free. Is it okay with you?" Mr Mahendra Kapoor said and inquired his wife. She, too, nodded her head as she did not want to say anything , where she was not asked.

“I'll let you know. " With that, Rehan silently walked out from there. The space that he shared with his parents suffocated him .

Running a hand through his hair, disheving it, he texted Maya, informing her that he would drop in  with his family to meet her and her family. 

Before he could take a breath, his phone rang. Attending the call,  he said nothing. The other end seemed to understand it and stayed quiet as well. A while later,  Maya whispered,  “ I'll wait."  and then she hanged up.

Rehan stood there until his phone pinged. It was Maya's address,  as if he didn't know her address , he muttered. 

He just wished that the day would be normal , unlike any other day , where he had to involve his family and then clean the mess that they created. His family was a chaotic one, and they never did any good to him.

Rehan was skeptical, but he couldn't proceed without them, and he couldn't lose Maya as well. 

To be continued.......
Ashwani