"Chhaya papa naashta maang rhe hai. Mai jaa rhi hu kitchen mai."
(Chhaya papa is asking for breakfast. I am going into the kitchen.)
She heard her mother shout from outside and quickly rushed out still tying her hair.
"Nhi ruko. Mai aa gyi. Aap baitho. Mai bna rhi hu."
(No wait. I am here. You sit. I am making.)
She said and entered the kitchen quickly taking out the ingredients she needed. She took out her phone and started the music.
Chali re, chali re
Junoon ko liye
Katra, katra lamho ko diye
Pinjre se uda dil ka shikra
Khudi se maine ishq kiya re
She had a habit of listening songs and dancing while cooking.
Two years back her mother had fainted in the kitchen while cooking. They were scared out of their wits. They rushed her to the hospital immediately.
The doctor informed them that she had a heat stroke. She could not bear heat and so from that time it was Chhaya who cooked for them.
She made the breakfast and lunch in the morning so that her mother only had to reheat it and made dinner after coming home.
She made upma with bread slices which was the only option because of the hurry and put rice and dal on the stove for the lunch.
They had their breakfast and Chhaya made the lunch and left for her work.
She was a software developer and worked in one of the very renowned IT companies. Her previous boss was a very sweet man in his late 50s. But the new boss is very mean and has pockets full of attitude.
It had been a year the previous boss had retired and she had started disliking her job. It seemed like her boss had a special vendetta against her.
She reached the office and quickly took her desk. She saw the sticky note she had put there to remind herself the work she had to complete.
She had just switched her laptop on when she heard someone clearing their throat behind her. Turning around she came face to face with the only person she did not want to.
"Good morning Ms. Chhaya. You are late i see."
She mentally rolled her eyes. Ofcourse you would see me only.
"Good morning Ms. Chaturvedi. I am sorry there was heavy traffic. Mujhe pta hota aap specially mera wait kr rhi hai toh mai sabse pehle pahuch jaati."
(If i would have known that you were waiting specially for me i would have reached first.)
She said smiling sweetly. Sonia Chaturvedi. Her so called boss. She is the daughter of her previous boss. Who could believe it. She was the complete opposite of that sweet man.
Narrowing her eyes at Chhaya she left making Chhaya roll her eyes. She was very happy that her contract was ending in a few days. She could finally apply for another job.
This is Chhaya Gupta for you. A simple, sweet and not so innocent girl. She is a complete patakha. Her theory in life is simple. 'Just relax. Jo hoga dekha jaayega'.
But then jo hota hai wo dekha nhi jaata.
**************************************
She went home and started preparing dinner after freshening up. She had her dinner with her parents and they sat together watching movie.
It was some South Indian movie. Her father was a big fan of South Indian movies.
"Chhaya beta shaadi ke baare mai kuch socha hai?"
(Chhaya have you thought about marriage?)
Came her father's soft voice. She sat upright and looked at him to confirm she had heard right. He paused the movie and both of her parents turned to her.
"Kya sochna hai?"
(What do i have to think?)
She asked confused. Her mother narrowed her eyes at her. She knew her daughter well. She was playing innocent.
"Shaadi kab krni hai. Puri zindagi hamara hi dimaag khaana hai kya?"
(When will you get married. Are you going to eat my head my whole life?)
She scolded her. Chhaya sighed.
"Mumma maine kaha tha na mujhe shaadi nhi krni. Mere baad aap logo ka dhyaan kaun rakhega."
(Mumma i told you I don't want to get married. Who will look after you after me.)
"Hum hai na ek dusre ko sambhalne ke liye. Beta shaadi isliye nhi ki jaati ki maa baap apni zimmedari se free ho. Isliye ki jaati hai ki aapko apni puri zindagi ke liye ek humsafar mile. Jiske saath aap apne saare khushi aur gum baato. Tu ready nhi hai toh koi baat nhi lekin hamari wajah se tayar nhi hai ye galat hai."
(We are there for each other. People don't marry so that their parents could be free from responsibilities. It is done so that you get a companion for the rest of your life. With whom you share you happiness and sadness. You are not ready that's fine but not getting married because of us is not fine.)
Her father said softly caressing her hair. She hugged him and said after some time.
"Thik hai. Jaisa aapko sahi lagta hai. Mujhe bas aap dono ki tension hoti hai."
(Okay. Whatever you deem right. I am just worried about you people.)
"Arre hume jyada dikkat hogi toh hum maid rakh lenge."
(If we will be troubled we will hire a maid.)
Her mother said explaining her. Chhaya nodded and her mother told her that she would start seeing alliances for her now to which she agreed.
She resumed the movie and enjoyed the rest of the movie forgetting the conversation they just had.
She was lying on the bed thinking about what her father had said. He was right. Everyone needs a partner they could trust and confide in. Who would be there with them in each step of life. Who would love them, care for them and remain loyal to them. Someone who could be a best friend as well as a better half.
The next morning she met her best friend Bhavna before going to office and told her the entire scene that happened. She also told her that she was planning to quit her current job and apply somewhere else.
"You sure. I mean about quiting the job."
Bhavna asked. Chhaya hummed and said.
"Mujhse inta negative vibes ke saath kaam nhi kia jayega. Wo chudail toh mere peeche hi pad gyi hai."
(I won't be able to work with so much negative vibes. That witch is after me.)
She said cursing her boss in her mind. One more week and she will be free to leave that place. She had already started applying in various companies.
One company that impressed her the most was AA Solutions. She was impressed with the company.
Applying for the post of software developer and submitting the necessary documents she shut her laptop and slumped down on the bed.
The day was tiring as hell. First her boss had given her a whole lot of work and then her mother started showing her bio datas that she collected of prospective grooms.
She slipped into slumber with her last thought being her new job. She just prayed to God that she get selected. ************************************** This was Chhaya. They will be meeting soon.
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