Opposites attract

Chapter 5(Ashika)

"It's okay" that was the only response I could manage.I thought our conversation was over just as he spoke.

"I have signed a contract today. I wanted to celebrate it with someone but Yakshi had already left for the airport and all my friends were in office."

"Is that the reason you didn't ask me before ordering food for both of us and deciding we should eat together."

"Yes, I didn't want to be alone at such an event. But I also wanted to stay and make sure you were okay."

"Thanks for your help I'm all good now....and also congratulations for your contract."

"Hmm.... Thanks." Our lunch was short and we avoided our usual banters and arguments for the sake of my health and his happiness.

By the time he had left it was early evening and I decided to call my assistant and see whether everything was going good at office or not. My assistant informed me that she had parked my car in the office building's private parking lot and rescheduled all my meetings for the day. 

Did I ever mention how good she was at her work? Well I am doing it right now. She is the best assistant I have had in a long time. My medicines kicked in and I decided to take a nap to lay off all the heaviness in my body. The last 24 hours have been extremely weird and I want to erase them from my memory.

 When I woke up, my phone was full of texts from Yakshi, my assistant, Neil and my father. Why is my father texting me? He never texts me. "Texts are waste of time. Why should I wait for minutes or hours for your reply when I call you and get them in seconds" his words not mine. 

"Your friend's mother called to invite us to the wedding. Talk to your mother. NOW"

Shit! I know what that means. My mother is furious because another person from my age group is getting married before me. This happens every time one of my friends or cousins or neighbor's kids get married. I try to avoid the inevitable for a few more minutes by replying to the other texts first. 

I give my father a quick "ok" and move towards the second most important text, Yakshi.As expected, it was just a text to inform me has safely landed in Kolkata and I can call her anytime I want as her phone is now on. Next was my assistant who had sent me my new schedule for tomorrow with all the meetings that I missed today and there was still window for me to teach dance to Neil. 

I expected Neil's text to be something about our dance practices or another blame, but I was shocked to see had texted to take care of myself text him if I needed anything. He even offered to take me to doctor. I replied him by saying I was fine now he didn't not to worry about me anymore.

With a deep sigh, I called Mumma and she picked up at the third ring. "Look who got time to call. Thank God you at least remember that you have got parents.", she started shouting as soon as she picked up my call.

"Mumma, you know I am busy, it's not like don't call you at all."

"Oh yeh you just call us when you need something."

"That's not true! I also call you to tell the important events of my life."

"You mean those deals you crack every month now."

"What else do you think is important."

"I don t know..... maybe your best friend getting married."

"Oh yes! Yakshita is getting married."

"And you aren't"

"Mumma please don't get started again. You know I am not interested in marriage right now. I need to make a career first."

"You have already made your career, Ashu"

"It's not strong enough."

"That's a lie and you know that. You just want to avoid the topic."

"Okay fine! I don't want to get married, atleast not now. Period."

"Ashu all men are not like him."

"Yes, I know that, but if didi wasn't lucky enough to get the right one. How do you expect me to be."

"What your didi faced was our mistake not—"

"Mom please I don't want to have this conversation right now. I will talk to you later, bye."

 This was not the first or last time I hung up on my mother, this is going to happen every time she is going to force me towards marriage. It's not like I won't get married ever, I just don't want to do it right now. I want to build a good name and career so that no one, not even my own husband can make me feel small.

"What happened to didi won't happen to me." I told myself for what I think is the thousandth time since the incident.

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