Chapter 21 Parent’s Consent

Anandhi's PoV

I was very happy to talk to Prakasam anna. Well he is my mama (uncle's son) actually but I used to call him anna since my childhood. He is a very good man at heart but I don't know why this has happened to him. Anamika was 3years elder to Anika. She was a very beautiful woman. She was such a polite and soft girl that all our relatives adored her. I used to scold Anika, comparing her to Anamika whenever she does some mischievous thing. I can bet that it's not just me who did that, all our relatives who knew Anamika, did the same thing.

Though his daughter has gone, he tries to help us now with this unexpected situation. I would not say this is totally unexpected, we know that this will happen sooner or later. We have always known my husband's health condition. I am grateful that he is at least alive. Prakasam anna has asked for Anika's horoscope and biodata as he knows someone who is looking for a bride. If my husband was alright, we would be doing the same by now. If Anika is sent out, it would be just Advay that I have to worry about. Advay has scholarships available from his school correspondent, so I think his college wouldn't be a problem. I pray to god that he should enter a college in counselling.

"Ennanga (an endearment to call a husband), Prakasam anna called me today. He said there is someone in our relatives looking for a bride. He asked for Anika's horoscope." I told my husband.

"We are not in a right position now, Anandhi. All our savings went in the drain. You should have left me to die!" he spoke with strain and I understood him just fine.

"Please, don't talk like this. You are the most important person in our lives and we need you with us always, at least as a moral support. Prakasam anna said that they don't demand anything from us."

"No... We should not send our daughter empty handed. Her life won't be good if we do that."

"He said that they are rich and won't expect anything from us. You have to consider our current situation too. We have a son ready for college. The little income I get from flowers will be enough to feed us but it will not be enough to pay his college fees. His scholarship will cover 50% of his fees and the rest will fall upon our shoulders. Even if Anika goes to work, her salary will be just enough for her to survive in Chennai or Bangalore wherever she gets her job. Besides, it is not good to make our daughter earn for our whole family. She doesn't need to sacrifice her life for us." I said.

He stayed quiet after that. I know he is feeling guilty that he could do nothing to help us. He has done enough for us already. My kids are grown to take care of themselves. Anyways in another four years he will be retired. I just think that he retired some years earlier.

"Shall I send him Anu's photo and horoscope? I am not asking you to compromise Anika's life. We are not going to fix her wedding right away. If everything goes well and only if Anika is ok, we can proceed. Let's start her wedding process. We don't want to delay her life because of our financial needs." I told him for which he nodded his head yes.

"But Anandhi, Anika is in love with somebody!" he tried to tell me when I was about to get up. Oh yes, that! How did I forget about that?

"I totally forgot about that. You are right, what shall we do now?" I asked him. He looked at me and his paralyzed hand.

"Please, Don't do this to yourself. I will be with you till death do us apart. This disability is nothing compared to the love and life you gave me. We are not going to compromise anything in Anika's life just because you are in this state now. Shall I ask her to bring Arun home? Let's see if he is good for her. If not, we will send him away and will marry her of our choice. If he was good, then we must give them both enough time to settle themselves. Is that ok?" I asked him. He nodded his head yes.

I picked up my phone to call Anika, she went to college for her work. Just when I picked it up, my phone rang.

"Hello Prakasam anna, tell me." I attended the call.

"Anandhi, Did you talk to Saravanan? What did he say?" he asked me.

"I just spoke to him anna. He said ok. But whom are we talking about? Do I know the groom's family?" I asked him.

"Yes you do. I just spoke to the groom's family. They asked me to give them the bride's photo and biodata. I don't want to tell you who that is now and give you hope. But I assure you that if that family accepts Anika, then all your problems will be solved and she will live a very happy life." he told me. I can understand what he is trying to tell me.

"Even we don't have high hopes, anna. It is the first alliance we are going to look for Anu. We won't be disappointed if it doesn't work out. Also we don't like to solve our problems using her life. All we want is her happiness." I told him. He should not think that we will say yes to a rich man just because he is rich.

"Good! But give me Anu's details as soon as possible. I will tell you when the groom's family says ok." he said. He is determined to not tell us who that is. Probably for a good reason.

"Will send you soon, anna." I told him.

After I hung up on him, I called Anu.

"Tell me, Ma." She asked me as soon as she picked up the call.

"Anu, you are getting wedding proposals from our relatives. They are asking for your horoscope."

"Ma, you know our situation now. How can you possibly talk about this right now?" she asked me unbelievably.

"Relax, Anu. We are not going to marry you tomorrow. Our relative says that the groom's family will expect nothing of us and will also take care of the wedding expenses too. Fortunately, we have enough gold for you and enough money to get you married now."

"Listen to yourself, you are not making any sense. You said you will ask Arjun to help me get a job yesterday and today you talk about my marriage? Are you serious? Ok, let's say you married me off with the little money we have now. What will you all do after that?"

"Don't get mad, Anu. I am earning. Advay has a scholarship to finish his studies. With what I earn, your dad and I would be fine." I told her.

"Ma, you are hurting me. Will you all be suffering while I get married happily? I am already guilty and please don't do this and make me kill myself."

"Shut up, Anu. Are you guilty? Why? Because your dad got sick? That is not your fault. Your dad forgot to buy his pressure medicines two days before that happened. He was not taking his medicines for two days straight and that made him paralyzed. Not you!" I tried to ingest that into her thick skull.

Ever since her dad got sick, she has been the one that takes care of him whenever she is at home. She even takes him to restrooms and helps him bathe. She helps him do all his exercise twice a day. She is never seen laughing after that. She doesn't eat properly and sleep properly. She is punishing herself for a mistake that is not hers.

"Maybe, but I aggravated the situation that resulted in this disaster." she said.

"God, we all know your dad's health was not good. Don't take up the blame. He tells me to leave him to death because he thinks that you are taking up all the blame and hurting yourself. He could not see you like this. Shall we do that?" I asked her in a fit of anger.

"Ma, please don't say that. Did he really say that? If he thinks that way, I would not show him that I feel guilty anymore." she said with a low tone, I know she is crying.

"He is your dad, Anu. He would know if you are acting. You are in no way responsible for this, Anu. Besides, dad said that it was ok to have feelings at this age and it was normal. Didn't he?" I asked her to ease her mind.

"He did!" she said.

"Now let me tell you why I called you. I spoke to dad about the alliance and dad reminded me about your love. Are you still in love with that boy?"

"Ma!" I couldn't hear her voice and I know she is struggling to talk.

"Dad asked you to bring that boy home, Anu. Let's talk to him. If we don't find him fit, you should let it go!" I told her to give her some courage to let her heart out to us.

"Thanks, ma. I will ask him to come to our home. But if you like him, which I am sure you will, we are not going to marry anytime soon. I will go to work and will help you run our family and help Advay to finish his studies." she said with a little joy in her voice. I am so proud of my daughter, she talks with responsibility. But as a parent, it is our duty to let her live her life and not burden her.

"Ok, dear. Let him know and tell us when he will be coming to meet us."

"Ok, ma." She hung up happily. After months, it is now that she is happy and enthusiastic. I wish this happiness stays with her forever.