Appreciation (Part 7)

Continued from part 6...

Neetu's family was shocked to listen about it. There was complete silence. They didn't see this thing coming. They didn't know what to do, what to say, whom to say. For one second, they saw their daughter's face, next second, they were looking at Sahil's family. Then, they felt the need to rethink their decision.

 Wouldn't it be wrong if they said yes to this proposal? There was no guarantee, no security, that their daughter would be safe and happy. What about her future? If Sahil lost his love for her, would he leave her? What if Sahil did not marry her? Even if they said no, would Neetu be able to marry someone else? Then also, what about her happiness? What would happen if society and relatives come to know about this? 

They were busy thinking when Neetu asked him what had happened? Her father simply answered they need some time to come to any decision. Neetu got scared a bit. But her mother hold her hand tightly but smoothly, she felt secure. She felt as if her mother was assuring her. She winked at him while leaving. He blushed. They left. Although her parents were modern, still accepting live-in, was something that would still take some time.

 Her father was furious when they reached home.

"How could they expect such sort of thing from us? It's about our reputation. Even they have a daughter, how they can be so insensitive? If they would be here, in place of me, will they say yes to such a proposal? What would I tell all our relatives........"

He was going on and on when his wife interrupted him," let's talk about this later on."

 He was furious but still, he accepted to keep quiet. Both Sahil and Neetu couldn't sleep. They were afraid for their life ahead. Only there was one barrier, that was her father's agreement on their alliance. They didn't know how to convince him. But her mother had no problem with this. Even she tried to convince him. 

He was having tears in his eyes. He asked his wife to have a talk. She knew what he was going to say. She sat and switched on the lamplight. She clearly asked him, what he wanted.

He told her, he couldn't let this handsome hunk go off his hands for his daughter as he knew very well that he really loves her. And even he can't see tears in Neetu's eyes.

She asked him," Then, tell me, what's the matter?"

"I can't even say yes to this relationship on the stake of our family's reputation.

 You know, how much we had suffered, just to earn this reputation. Only one second is enough to spoil all our hard work. I don't want that anyone wrong decision of mine, would make me regret."

"So?"

"I am in a dilemma, whether to prioritise my daughter's happiness or my reputation."

She replied," You had always trusted her, trust her one more time, please."

"I understand what you are saying, but what if he cheated on her? If he left her after using her? Do you know how emotional she is? She won't be able to handle it. Even this relationship doesn't have surety that he would marry her. Then, whom we would blame? Our destiny or us ?"

"Which future security are you talking about. Financial.... emotional .... physical... ??Our daughter is capable to hold her own expenses. Are you sure another guy (whom we gonna choose) would love her? What would happen if he cheated on her? What if it turned into an unsuccessful arrange marriage? Even arrange marriage is not proof of a secured future. At least our daughter would be happy with this. And, so-called society always has a topic to talk. You can't shut their mouth. Listen, our daughter would be happy. And Sahil is a nice guy. I am sure he would fulfill his promises. He won't break our trust."

"I really need some time." He slept.

 Neetu heard some of the conversations and told it to Sahil.

To be continued.......