“India spent ₹6 lakh crore (6 trillion rupees) in weddings in 2024” was the news which popped up in Nisha’s laptop while she was working on it. Every time she hears the word wedding, it creates a gaping hole in Nisha’s heart.
Nisha is a young independent working lady in her 30’s who got married 5 years back and got divorced 2 years back. She is successful, confident and happily living with her parents, loads of plants, closet full of books and a pet dog.
Nisha has always been a sweetheart, kind, cheerful, compassionate and everyone’s favourite. Once she completed her studies and worked for a couple of years, her parents wanted her to get married. Nisha was fine with the idea and agreed for an arranged marriage.
There was an array of perspective grooms for her. After proper research and analysis, they zeroed down on Rishi who was well educated, worked in a multinational bank and from a good family.
Both the families decided to meet up in a poolside restaurant. Nisha was dressed up in a yellow salwar suit and looked elegant. Rishi’s eyes lit up when he saw Nisha.
Amidst stories, food, conversations and smiles, Nisha and Rishi did manage to steal a few glances here are there. They liked each other and agreed to proceed further. Families were progressive and suggested them to meet a couple of times before taking one of the biggest decisions of their lives.
Just before leaving Nisha’s future mother-in-law said, “We are open-minded and modern. We suggest Nisha to have a nice haircut and wear western clothes. Braids and salwar suit are too old fashioned.” – ALARM 1
Nisha and her family were fine with the requirement as this was hardly an issue for them.
After a couple of meetings Nisha and Rishi agreed for the wedding. Grandeur of the wedding was a treat for the eyes. Friends and families were elated and blessed the newlyweds. Nisha was happy and very comfortable in her new house.
Once the wedding festivities were over, Nisha came back to her regular dressing style, simple yet sophisticated. Her bangles and red bindi made her look alluring. Mother-in-law chimed in “The bahus in our house should always wear makeup with bright lipstick.” – ALARM 2
Nisha was hesitant and confused with such a demand. How she wants to dress up is her personal choice. Her dressing was neither indecent or inappropriate in any way. Nisha’s mother hushed her by saying every family has some traditions and Nisha will adjust slowly. Relationships do take a little time.
There were some hiccups here and there but overall things were going fine in Nisha and Rishi’s new household. After 6 months Nisha’s best friend was getting married and Nisha was determined to attend it. She had already applied for leave, her dress and jewellery were ready, even her sangeet performance was choregraphed. An urgent meeting came up and Rishi had to cancel his leave.
Nisha’s mother-in-law chimed in, “In our families bahus do not go to any weddings alone. And it is not possible to maintain old friends. Make friendship with Rishi’s colleagues’ wives. They are your friends now.” ALARM 3
Nisha was ready to go alone. Her friend was nothing less than a sister for her. Still, she could not attend the wedding. Even her mother could not console crying Nisha. A rift was created in Nisha’s heart.
On the first anniversary of Rishi and Nisha, Rishi’s parents threw a grand party for family and friends. Nisha’s parents were also invited for the party. Everyone enjoyed and the party was a great success.
After Nisha ‘parents left, her mother-in-law said “Your parents brought clothes and jewellery only for the two of you. They should have brought gifts for the whole family as well as relatives. And your mother did not even look into attending and settling the guests. Your parents were just sitting and talking.” ALARM 4
Nisha was surprised and agitated at the same time. She discussed this with Rishi. How can her mother-in-law expect such things. The party was organized by Rishi’s family and her parents were invited as guests. Why would they be attending other guests? Nisha was dumbstruck when even Rishi supported his mother and said maybe they could have; it was not such a big thing.
Every day something or the other topic would come up to demean Nisha and her parents. Every night Nisha slept with a heavy heart and tears in her eyes; Rishi was unscathed with everything. Nisha’s love, respect and attachment with the family was breaking one brick at a time. In spite of everything, Nisha was trying to keep up with the family.
Nisha a generally cheerful girl was quite upset nowadays. Her parents sensed it and to cheer her up, they wanted to surprise her on her birthday. Rishi was aware of the plan that they wanted to come to Mumbai to meet Nisha.
A week before her birthday, Nisha came home early from office. Rishi and his parents were discussing something which Nishi overheard.
The conversation goes like this -
“Rishi: Mom, my in laws are coming next week to surprise Nisha, it’s her birthday.
Mother-in Law: Don’t you dare bring them to this house. I will not be serving and treating them. They do not deserve this kind of a house.
Father-in-law: Nisha is their only daughter, by now they show given all their property and assets to you.
Mother-in-law: It was a blunder to get that girl here. She is such a plain jane. Her parents are worse.”
And in this whole conversation Rishi was fine, he was fine with the insult of his wife and his in laws. – ALARM 5
This was the last nail in the coffin. Nisha packed her bags and left Rishi’s highly sophisticated and modern house. She went to her house in Jaipur, back to her parents. Within 6 months they got the divorce. Nisha never asked for any alimony and Rishi’s family was happy to get rid of her.
The only thing Nisha did was put the whole story in every social media known to Rishi’s family. Even the world should know the real face of the high-profile Kapoor family.
It took 3 years of tears, heartbreak and struggle but finally the bird is free of every bondage.
This is the story of an educated, financially independent, smart woman. If this is her state, what about women who are financially dependent on their husbands.
As a society we need to change our view about women and marriage.
“Our Women deserve better than this”, quote mentioned in famous series on Amazon Prime, Made in Heaven.
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