The Forced Commitment

Chapter-9

We chatted for hours after that, before we all went to sleep.

.

.

.

Today, today was the day.

I wore my favourite blue T-shirt with black jeans. I had washed my hair and slicked it back - have to look my best today, letting a curl fall over my forehead - just the way she liked it in college. 

I left after having breakfast and taking my parent's blessings.

I drove to Noida - Rankhira Apartments.

This is where her parents live. Ishu had told me one day about her new society. Luckily, they haven't moved since then.

I rang the bell.

Her father opened the door. Her father was not a very tall man, almost the same height as me. He was wearing a red t-shirt with cream coloured dhoti. A long tilak adored his forehead. 

I knew Ishu came from a religious background. His father gave off the vibe of a pandit, but his dark eyes and the way he was almost glaring at me, was nerve-racking. 

Shit!

Girl dads are honestly kinda scary.

"Namaste uncle." I joined my hands.

"Namaste beta." he nodded, "You are -?"

"Kabir, Kabir Arora. I wish to marry your daughter."

There, I said it. Uncle looked at me for a moment, scanning me, as if trying to gouge out my character.

"Come in."

I removed my shoes and entered the house.

It was a duplex apartment, with stairs at the other end of the living area. It was quite simple for a duplex. Uncle guided me to the couch and called out, "Devi ji ! We have another proposal for Ipshita."

[Devi ji = Goddess.  (my father actually call my mother this, so why not use the same?  :)  )]

Her mother looked the opposite. A sweet lady, wearing a yellow coloured kurti with salwar. Her hair was long, the braid reaching a little below the waist. 

She came to the living area. Seeing me on the couch, she greeted me with a smile and disappeared into the kitchen. She then came back with a tray in hand - a glass of water and some biscuits.

"How do you know Ipshita?" Uncle started the inquiry.

"I was in college with her. She must've told you about me."

"You are Kabir?" Aunty asked, a look of recognition on her face, "The one who left her two years back?"

My face fell.

They knew. Ipshita must've told them.

"Yes, but I had to." I tried to explain, "I know it's my fault, and I am here to apologise to her."

The both looked at each other. Aunty nodded her head. 

"What do you do?" Uncle asked, turning back to me.

"I have my own company - The Nexsite Technologies."

I opened the company website on my phone and showed them.

"Ishu told us you eat meat." Aunty said.

"I quit."

"When?"

"Two years ago."

"Do you smoke or drink?"

"Drank a few times in college. Quit completely after graduating."