50 Percent

In the pre-Nick era, her steps followed the road without much care of destination and her smile was forged. She was living the life for the sake of living.  Now she knows the direction where she wants to go. She wants to smile and live her life with him. According to zodiac sign she is under the rule of moon but her mind, her heart is now ruled by sweet words. Every 9:30 pm the hostel phone is reserved for Maria for at least 30 minutes. She has learnt to talk sweet nothing and feel the heartbeat of the person at the other end of the line. She knows how it touches your heart when someone cares for you. She is experiencing all the mixed feeling which was supposed to be in her teens. Jealousy was there when he talked about other girls. Stream of tears washed chubby cheeks when there was small meaningless fight. Happiness knows no boundary when he gave even the cheapest chocolate. The wrappers are also preserved. On the whole she is madly in love with him. In him she got the person whom she can rely and she wanted to share everything with him. She was waiting for the right time. And the happiest moment was when she was introduced to his parents.

It is said that happy moments do not last long. And it is true. Maria was so much in love with Nick that she could never realize that he had not uttered the three precious words “I love you”. It came into light when Nick’s parents started searching an alliance for him.

“My parents are searching girls for me and I am asked to get married by next year”. Nick said with heavy voice.

“Next year? It’s too early. I can’t marry next year.  I have to complete my course and I need a job before marriage” exclaimed Maria.

“And what do you mean by searching girls? They know about us, right?” added Maria.

Pin-drop silence followed next few seconds. Worried Maria continued “Tell me frankly, what is going on?”

“Maria, it’s very simple. I have to get married next year and my parents are searching a suitable girl from our caste. That’s it”. Nick clarifies.

Unable to believe her ears, she asked “Caste? From where, this word has erupted suddenly? Didn’t you know that we are from different caste? If yes, why all this drama in this last few months?”