It Started With a Bet

Chapter 9

Shruti's POV

I went home,  my papa was reading a newspaper sitting in the living room and was very happy to see me all of a sudden. He called my mom's name in a very excited voice. She came out of the kitchen wiping her hands on the towel.

" What happened ?? "

" Our daughter has come.... "

" What ?? Oh my god!! All of a sudden?? Is everything all right? "  My mom came to me with happiness and concern on her face at the same time.

" I am fine ma... I came back for Holi. We had gone on a trip to Rajasthan from the hospital and I met Vidhi. She was coming to Delhi so I came with her. "

" Oh, ok !! I am so happy that you are here. " Mom said with a broad smile.

" I thought that instead of going to Chandigarh, I should come home as I had not come for a long time. I missed you and knew that you would be surprised." 

" Of course, we are. We will discuss all this, later on, go and get freshened up. I will make something nice for you to eat. "  Mom said. Both my parents were very pleased to see me.

I went to my room, everything was in its place, where I had kept it. As if I had never gone out to the medical college.

I still remember when I told my parents that I wanted to be a doctor, they discouraged me. They believed that once my graduation was done, they would get me married to some man who was well settled.

I had to fight with them that I would not do that. Every elderly person tried to put some sense into me. But I paid no heed to whatever they said.

This room and everything in the room had seen how much I had cried, argued and struggled.

That pillow had absorbed many of my silent tears and had tolerated my frustrated punches.

I used to get so frustrated at times that I slept even without eating.  My parents tried to persuade me to drop that idea. But I was hell-bent.

Finally, my parents had to agree with me. So when I got selected, and I got admission in Chandigarh, my dad allowed me to go only if I stay at my Tauji's place. They thought that I would be safer under the scrutiny of Tauji and his family.

I agreed to it as I had no problems as far as I was going to fulfil my dream.

I promised myself that I would make full use of this chance and never indulge in anything that could offend my family.

I had already made up my mind that my future would not be like my parents had thought of. My fate would not depend on others and for that I had to concentrate only on studies not on anything else.

So when Dr Jindal asked me out for the first time, I refused instantly.

Nothing was ever going to come between my goal and me... No distractions at all.

" Shruti !! Beta where are you? Come, Your lunch is ready. "  Ma called me from the kitchen itself.

I washed my face and hands and changed into something comfortable.  My mom and dad were waiting for me at the dining table.

We all started eating food. My father Sh. Jai Prakash Singh had a big and successful departmental store. He had one more branch of it in Delhi. Both were running very well.

My father was doing very well and we had everything one could think of.  My elder sister was married to a businessman and was happy. She had 1 son.

My father was contended that his elder daughter was well settled., all he wanted now was to settle me with some suitable man as well.

" Finally you have become a doctor. Now,  you are happy?? " Papa asked me.