Ramaa (रमा) - A journey of a Girl - Part 1

It was one of the best evenings of her life. It was a farewell party of her graduation. So many mixed emotions were bunched up in her mind, right from the first day of college till the day she got her first dream job in campus recruitment. College life was over and the next day sun was going to add different brightness to her life now. 

She had a perfect plan for next whole month, golden period between passing out from college and entering professional world. She was lucky to be placed in the same city of her residence. She had reserved 10 days for a tour which she was planning for so long. Rest of the days, she was just going to hang out with friends, read lots of books, enjoy an afternoon nap. Basically live few unplanned, unscheduled days which will be distant dream in future.

Her mind was cluttered with random thoughts.  She was standing alone, a little away from the dance floor. She was waiting for her buddies to return from dance floor, so that they can have dinner and reach home on time. She remembered that she had promised her mother that she would return home before 11.00pm

Everything was going perfectly as she had imagined. The evening was enjoyable and pleasant. While she was on train of these random thoughts, one thought made her feel empty, upset and low. She blamed herself for having good memory. It was the conversation between her mother and Sunita aunty. Generally she would have walked away, but mention of her name forced her to eavesdrop. Sunita aunty was suggesting or rather compelling Maa to find groom for her. Maa was not easy nut to crack, she kept telling her that it was too early.

"I understand your concern Didi, but Rama just graduated and she is just 21-22.She has been a very bright and smart student, we want her to be independent first, build a career. We both have decided to support her if she wants to do a job or even study further."

It was such a relief for her to know that her parents respect her decisions, support her dreams. However, today was day of eavesdropping, she later overheard the conversation between Maa and dad.

“Sunita didi had called today.”

"Oh great! How is she? Isn’t it strange that she is my sister but she calls you instead of me? Tell her to call her brother once in while at least for weather talk. Now tell me main part – The Family Gossip!”

"Men always think that all we do is, gossip, don’t you? Sunita Dadi was talking about Rama"

"About Rama?”

"She was asking me to start searching suitable match for Rama, she wants us to at least think on this. I told her what we think. We want Rama to be independent and pursue her career, the way she wants to"

"Good you told her clearly. Rama is capable, talented and hard working. We must support her in any way we can. I think we should not put her through marriage burden right away.”

“That’s right. But…”

“Why are you so upset Malati? You know that some or the other relative will suggest us about getting Rama married. We are part of this society, so can’t avoid these topics. Answer them calmly or simply ignore. Don’t be so serious. Who knows, Rama might find her life partner on her own or we might have to help her."

“Actually, it was not marriage topic which bothered me.”

“Then? Don’t keep it to yourself Malati, please tell me what’s going on in your mind?”

“Didi was not suggesting marriage only because Rama graduated, marriages are fixed with different criteria. She was more worried about Rama, because she is taller and not much fair so it would be tougher to find a suitable match. These things matter even now. I still think we should support her career, but I could not completely ignore the fact Didi mentioned. It may take 5-6 years for us to find a suitable groom. We can’t ignore her dusky skin and height which are kind of hurdles in the marriage process. I am feeling bad about it. I told Didi clearly about our opinion, but still, I want Rama to get best of everything in her life including life partner”

“Malati, I can understand your concern as a mother but please don’t think much for now. We are proud of having a daughter like Rama, aren’t we? It is our duty to support her to follow her dreams and as of now marriage is not her dream, right?”

“Yes, Manohar. You are right. We are lucky to have Rama. We are.”

The whole conversation played in Rama’s mind again and again in that farewell party.

“Miss Rama, are you lost somewhere in your deep thoughts? Let’s go for dinner, I am so hungry and tired”, Ankit, her best friend reminded her that she was in a party.

.

“Ankit, tell me a time when you are not hungry and tired. Let’s give you an energy boost, let’s eat”, Rama started to walk with him towards dinner table.

Ankit, Mona, Rama and Rajiv were best friends. Ankit and Rama were schoolmates whereas Mona and Rajiv joined them in 11^th standard. Rajiv couldn’t be at this party as he was on world tour with his family.  They were best buddies, any of them could not even think of not meeting each other for more than a day. 

Rama had got placement in the same city. Rajiv had decided to join his family business so he was going to around. Ankit was going to prepare for post grad entrance exams, so he was also going to be there at least for a year. Mona was yet to decide about her future. She was staying here with her brother and sister in law. She had options to do a job, join family business, study further or get married. She was still confused.

Mona and Rajiv were from elite business families. Rama and Ankit belonged to well-educated higher middle class families.

Four of them, were lucky to have family support and freedom to decide their path. All of them had lived a perfect life till now under guarded shield of family love and support. Four of them were now going to walk on different paths with a promise not to ever leave each other’s hand in this journey. 

Party was over. Mona’s brother picked her. Ankit was going to drop Rama. He had been noticing throughout the evening that Rama was upset about something. He guessed that she, like any other senti girl, was little emotional about college life getting over. He dropped Rama at her place and also reminded her about movie plans tomorrow.

Rama checked the time, it was just 10:15, she was able to keep her promise. She told maa and dad about party. She didn’t forget to tell Maa that she wanted to sleep till late next morning.

She could not sleep even though she was so tired. The conversation was still lingering in her mind.

There was a call on her mobile, it was Rajiv.

“Hey, what’s  up? How was the Party? I hope you guys missed me.”

“So many questions! First tell me how you are! And of course we missed you. Party was good. We are going for a movie tomorrow.”

“Hmm, I know, I am also missing you guys so much. I am having so much fun here but still. By the way, why are you still online, it’s almost 12.30 there. I saw you online so called you up. Is everything alright dear? Or you were reading some novel as usual?”

“Don’t worry Rajiv, I am fine.  Just feeling little empty since all stress of exams is over now. Anyways, when are you returning back?”

“Umm, I will be back on Monday, still 5 days to go. Shall meet you guys on Tuesday. Don’t go anywhere. Let me come back and then we will go anywhere you want”

“Alright! Bye for now, enjoy your trip!”

“Pass my Hello to Mona and Ankit. Good night”

Rajiv had given her an idea to pick up a novel. She tried reading but went to sleep quickly due to tiredness.

"Rama, got up now beta, it’s almost 9.00"

"Two minutes more Maa, Please …"

Rama, was not at all in the mood to walk out of the cozy bed, but then, she had this stupid movie to go to. Yummy breakfast was definitely a good start of the day.

She was waiting at the movie hall for others to join. She just stopped in front of one mirror while passing time by window shopping. She looked at herself and thought, “Well, this dress looks really good on me. Mona was wrong that this color won’t suit my dusky skin". The second thought reminded her about that conversation again and made her sad.

Part II - Start 

"No, we can’t cast her for this role", a school teacher was telling Rama's mother.

"But rama said that she was the best while script reading according to you."

"Yes, Mrs Malati, but you know the reason why we can’t cast her in this role , don’t you ?"- Teacher 

"I understand, but I don’t know how to make Rama understand.

“Why didn’t Rama, get the role?” know more in the next part of ‘Rama- A journey of a Girl’.

 -Sheetal Joshi