“Bhut confused hu mai mumma. Ek taraf dil kehta hai ki haan krdu. Abhimanyu bhut achhe hai. Aur Abhijeet uncle Manya aunty toh achhe hai hi. Pr dusri taraf…New York bhut dur hai mummy.”

(I am very confused mumma. My heart says to say yes. Abhimanyu is really nice. And Abhijeet uncle Manya aunty are nice. But on the other hand…New York is too far.)

Her mother smiled understanding her dilemma and said.

“Distance mat dekh, Aanya. Apni zindagi ke baare mai soch. Hum aaj hai…kal nhi rahenge. Tere paas rahega toh tera life partner. Aur agar partner achha milta hai na…toh kahi bhi raho zindagi bhut achhi ho jaati hai.”

(Don’t look at the distance. Think of your life. We are here today…we’ll not be there tomorrow. You will have your life partner. And if your partner is good…life becomes beautiful wherever you live.)

Aanya was still in doubt. Her mother caressed her hair and said.

“Kuch ghanto ki duri hai. Tujhe lage milne ka mann hai. Flight pakad aur agle din tu hamare paas. Lekin sirf iss wajah ki dur bhut hai…mai nhi chahti ki tu puri life regret kre. Agar Abhimanyu pasand hai…toh ye sab mat soch. Sab manage ho jaata hai aaj kal. Itni facilities hai. Means hai travel krne ke.”

(It’s just a few hours away. You want to meet us. Get a flight and you’ll be here the next day. But I don’t want you to regret only because…it is far. If you like Abhimanyu…then don’t think about all this. Everything could be managed. There are so many facilities. Means to travel.)

When Aanya still did not say anything, her mother continued.

“Hum insaan na…apni confusion mai…in sab chhote chhote reasons ki wajah se apni life ke bade bade moments gawa dete hai. Tere papa ka bhut mann tha…abroad settle hone ka shaadi ke baad. Par tere dada dadi nhi maane. Unhone bhi yahi kaha ki bhut dur hai India se. Tere papa aaj tak regret krte hai ki kyu unhone apne dil ki nhi suni. Agar uss din wo decision le lete toh aaj shayad hamari life kuch aur hi hoti.”

(We humans…lose so many important moments in our lives because of these small reasons…our confusion. Your father wanted…to settle abroad after marriage. But your grandparents did not agree. They also said that it is too far from India. Your father still regrets why did he not listen to his heart. If he had taken a decision then, our lives would be different.)

Aanya had no idea about this. Was that why her father had agreed so easily when her brother had wished to settle abroad?

“Mai ye nhi keh rhi ki tu galat hai. Tu sahi hai apni jagah. Mai bas itna keh rhi hu ki hamare baare mai soch kr decision mat le. Career aur shaadi do aisi cheezein hoti hai jaha insaan ko thoda selfish hona chahiye. Puri lives ka sawaal hota hai.”

(I am not saying that you’re wrong. You are right at your place. I am just saying that don’t take any decision because of us. Career and marriage are two such things where people should get selfish. It is a matter of all life.)

Aanya thought about her mother’s words the entire night. Would she regret if she denied marrying Abhimanyu? A huge part of her said yes. She would. And then she considered the other possibility. If she married him and moved to New York. Things would change but not so much that she wouldn’t be able to manage. Sure, her parents would be hours away but they could manage it.

The next day, Aanya made her decision. She was going to say yes to the marriage. 

Aanya fidgeted with her fingers in nervousness. How was she going to tell her mother she was ready? It would be very embarrassing.

“Mumma…”

She started when she saw her mother in the kitchen. She hummed absentmindedly, her mind and attention on the food she was making. Aanya pretended to stir the vegetable and gathered courage. Why was she so shy?

“Mumma…mai na wo…mai taiyar hu.”

(Mumma…I am…I am ready.)

She mumbled the last three words in such a low voice that her mother didn’t understand.

“Kya bol rhi hai? Muh ke andar hi bol jaayegi toh kaise samajh aayega?”

(What are you saying? How will I understand if you speak in your mouth itself?)

Aanya gulped and cleared her throat.

“Wo mai…mai taiyar hu…shaadi ke liye…Abhimanyu se.”

(I…I am ready…to marry…Abhimanyu.)

She said and was sure that her face was red by the end of it. Her eyes were lowered, not being able to meet her mother’s eyes. 

“Kya?! Sachi! Hayee mai bhut khush hu. Mera bacha! Tere papa bhi bhut khush honge. Mai batati hu unhe abhi.”

(What?! Really! I am so happy. My baby! Your father will be too happy. I am tell him right now.)

Her mother gushed and left the food behind to give her father the happy news. Since Abhimanyu and his parents were in India for some time, they decided to get the roka done before they left for New York.

Abhimanyu and his parents left for New York soon after and in the meanwhile Aanya’s parents met the priest and got the wedding dates finalized. 

Aanya was lying on her bed and staring at the ceiling. She will be a married woman in the next two months. Abhimanyu called her almost daily. And if not call, he made sure to text her. Ask her about her day and tell her about his.

Aanya had realised that he wasn’t lying when he said that he wanted to give this a chance. He was making efforts for it. And she should too. With that thought, she picked up her phone and video called him.

Abhimanyu had just reached his penthouse. He was surprised to see her video call. He picked it up and her nervous face came into picture. 

“Ummm…hi.”

She whispered and he smiled at her.

“Hi, sweetheart. I’m surprised. Aaj video call kaise kr dia tumne?”

(How did you video call today?)

“Haan…wo mai…bas aise hi. Aap busy the kya?”

(Yes…I…just like that. Are you busy?)

She asked seeing him walking and shuffling around.

“Nah! I just got home. Give me just 10 minutes.”

He set the phone on the side table and rushed to change into his sweatpants and tshirt. It usually took him a good time to freshen up because he also showered but today, he came out in just two minutes.

“Hey! Sorry to make you wait.”

“Nhi, it’s fine. Kaise hai aap?”

(No, it’s fine. How are you?)

“Absolutely fine. Tum batao.”

(You tell.)

He kept a hand under his head and rested back casually. His bicep flexed and she bit the inside of her lip.

“Mummy puchh rhi thi…ki hum shaadi ke baad…kaha jaa rhe hai…you know…”

(Mumma was asking…where are we going…after marriage…you know…)

“For our honeymoon?”

Aanya looked away not wanting him to see her blush and nodded.

“Maine mana kr dia. Mere liye toh New York bhi nayi city hai.”

(I denied. New York is also a new city for me.)

Abhimanyu nodded and said.

Don’t worry. Once you get used to life here, I’ll take you to other places, cities and countries. We can roam the world together.”

He promised and she smiled. They talked for some time until Aanya heard her mother call her saying that her father was home.

“Abhimanyu mai na aapko baad mai krti hu. Papa aa gye.”

(I will call you later. Papa is here.)

“Haan ok. Take care. Good night, sweetheart!”

(Yes ok.)

That endearment in his accent sounded so hot. Actually, whatever he said in that accent sounded extremely hot. 

Things happened at a very fast pace according to Aanya. It felt like just yesterday when she had said yes to the marriage and today, she was going to New York with her husband forever.