WHEN IT RAINS...

Part 10

April 2013

I can't believe that you did this to us Divya...

How dare you be in a relationship with that driver boy...Do you even know his caste?

Mr. Shivaraman shouted at top of his lungs.

I can't believe that you're living in the 21st century and telling about caste ...Grandpa, Siddharth is a nice guy... And he is a software engineer grandpa... You can't treat him low just because his father was our driver... moreover he is not a stranger...everyone knows him...

Divya said controlling her tears.

Exactly... everyone knows him that he was our driver's son and he even worked as our driver for few months... What will people say when they come to know about this?

This time it was Divya's father who snapped at her.

Divya made a mistake...she won't contact that boy again... I'll make her understand...

Divya's mother interfered, sensing the tension in the room.

No Mom...this is not a mistake... and I won't change my mind...

Divya said aloud for which she earned a tight slap from her father.

You'll talk back to us now for him ?? Divya we gave so much freedom in all these years... But that doesn't mean that you can play with our reputation...

Divya stood there numb for a moment. It was the first time her father slapped. She felt dizzy and her vision blurred with tears. Divya ran towards her room and locked herself in. She could hear her grandfather and father shouting from downstairs.

Everything was going smooth in all these years in Divya's life. A nice job in Mumbai, an independent lifestyle, a loving man though he was a little away from her, everything was perfect until her family started looking for marriage alliances.

Divya wasn't ready for marriage, neither Siddharth. And on top of it, Siddharth quit his job as he wanted to do a start-up, which was his dream. And Divya supported his dreams just like he supported hers. Divya thought everything would be better in 2 more years and they can finally approach the family. But Divya had to spill the beans as her family tried to force her alliance with some NRI guy. And their reaction was obvious as Divya expected. Divya spent the whole day crying. She didn't talk to Siddharth or let him know the things. She didn't want to hurt him and was ashamed to tell him how her family treated him. Divya knew how insecure Siddharth was before. He worked so hard to build a better life for them, still trying. He was so perfect... So perfect for her. Divya was sure he was the one whom she wants to be with lifelong. And she didn't want to lose him no matter what.

********

5 days passed since that fight. Divya was kind of house arrested. She wasn't allowed to go back to Mumbai until she agreed to the marriage. Divya was helpless. She always thought her family made her independent, confident, and gave her enough freedom for everything. But their ego and pride were too high which Divya couldn't see before.

Divya heard loud shouting from downstairs as soon as she woke up. It was around 6 in the evening. She was weak and weary without proper food. Divya dragged herself down and headed towards the veranda. She was stunned to see Siddharth, standing outside and her father and grandfather yelling at him.

How dare you to stand Infront of our house you bloody....!!! Do you even know your standards to stand here and ask for our daughter's whereabouts?

Grandpa...

Divya shouted.

Why did you come here Divya...? Go upstairs...

Divya's father glared at her and commanded.

Divya? Are you okay? Where were you all these days?

Siddharth asked with so much concern, ignoring everyone in the room, as soon as he saw Divya. He was scared when she didn't pick up the calls. He didn't even think twice to go to her house and check when he sensed something is terribly wrong.

Boy, I'm warning you...just get lost from here before I do something... Let me make this very clear, We can't accept you as our son-in-law... If your father would have been here, he would understand this... Forget everything and move on... Divya will be marrying the guy we selected...

Divya's grandfather said controlling his anger. Siddharth stood numb without knowing what to say.

I WON'T MARRY ANYONE OTHER THAN SIDDHARTH... I'm an adult, you can't force me like this... I have the right to choose the person whom I want to be with... And it is Siddharth... I don't care about your so-called society or your caste rules...

Divya spatted back pouring all her emotions.

Her family was stunned by her. Even Siddharth didn't know how to react. He had respected her family from childhood as much as his father had for them. After a moment of pause, Divya's grandfather declared.

I don't want anyone who disrespects our family name and reputation. The choice is yours Divya, if you want to be with us, you'll marry the guy we selected.... otherwise you can leave from here, right now, cutting all the ties with this family...

Divya looked at her grandfather blankly, then at her father who just turned his head against her. She saw her grandmother and mother silently sobbing, but didn't utter a word. Divya felt her whole world crashing down. She wished this day would have never happened.

When she held Siddharth's hands, a lone tear dropped from her eyes...soon it blended with the rainy night...