CHOICE FOR A REASON

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The five girlfriends met for coffee dates; a ritual to be followed once every month, preferably on Sundays.

First Sunday of August.

Sunita was the last one to join today, ‘hey! My pretty ladies, wazz up?’

‘Huh. You are late’, Lata retorted.

‘I am so sorry, girls. I was stuck with this long board meeting. I don’t have rest on Sundays, too. If not office, then video calls. I am just stuck with my job. It rules my life.’ Sunita spoke with this unceasing array of complaints that had engulfed her life for the past few years.

‘At least you have some productive thing to crib about. Look at me. I am this MTech from NIT and still slogging my ass from dawn to dusk taking care of each need of my in-laws, husband, and two children. Nothing pertains to me. It's only about them. And now if I tell him about joining a company, my husband recommends me a teaching job rather. I did take up a job a few months back. It offered me relaxation as I was working from home. But once I started my day, something or else always came up in the house. One cannot work loaded with household responsibilities, and, there is nobody to share it.’ Meher burst into tears as she spoke.

Lata impetuously said, ‘Then, I and Sunita; are lucky that we did not marry. But yes, I have reasons for not doing it. If the societal standards are slightly liberal then I could marry my long-term partner, Aprajita. As it is not happening, we chose to live together though she insists we get married in the US and settle there.’  

‘I am actively looking for the man of my life. But the more I meet them, I am only left with certain conjectures. And this is delaying my marriage plans. Maybe I have set higher standards for my position and expectations.’ Sunita smacked her lips as she took a sip of coffee simultaneously.

Ashmita resented. Her heavy, masculine (like) voice spoke, ‘I disagree with Lata. Look at us; me and Alok. We are so content in our lives. We still have this individualism in each other’s life and none of us invade it. We love the way we live our lives now. I don’t want to have kids. But my mother-in-law has made my life hell with her constant banter. Even after telling her this repeatedly, she wants us to try. I have turned a deaf ear to her now.’

‘Huh! See the irony ladies. Here I am running from one door to the other in search of a good IVF center that would make me a mother. And the final verdict is the same. They questioned me for not saving my ‘eggs’ earlier. How was I supposed to know my medical condition? After 28, I started producing fewer fertile eggs. I was oblivious as I had normal periods back then nor wanted to be a mother. I was not even married. I discussed with Suresh if I could conceive with donor eggs which I think is an absolute solution for my problem as my uterus is completely fine to carry a baby. But the entire family has stood against me at this. Forget about adoption. Even Suresh seems orthodox to me now even being so much educated. So, I have no solution unless I divorce him and then be a mother. Girls, this is tough.’ Miraya sobbed with the heavy tears rolling down her beautiful fair cheeks.

There was silence for a very long time.

Meher interrupted the silence, ‘I think we should leave now. Let's meet in the coming month girls at the bar. We will party.’

The five women parted with hugs and smiles, ditching the problems where they belonged, unconcluded and unresolved.

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