An Anticipated Consequence
Updated: Sep 14
Even though Nihal and Neha have been in a happy relationship for three years, Neha was nervous to tell her parents about Nihal. It was because Nihal neither earned nor even tried to earn. With each passing day, her family, unaware, intensified their search for a suitable match for her, and Neha did nothing but worry.
Though the problem was serious, Nihal kept ignoring her warnings and did not care much about their future. One fine day, Neha’s parents presented her with two marriage proposals, and Neha, sticking to Nihal, refused both. She gave her parents surprisingly odd reasons, which, in fact, made them suspect the true reason for the refusal.
Unable to give her parents a proper answer, Neha decided to warn Nihal one last time. Meeting him in a cafe, she informed, “Nihal, my parents are pestering me to accept one of the two proposals they have chosen.”
As usual, Nihal just smiled before sipping his coffee. His smile enraged her, but she controlled herself and took a deep breath before asking, “Are you even comprehending the position I’m in?”
Nihal instantly replied, “Lucky me! I don’t have anyone to reject.”
Clenching her jaw, Neha stayed silent for a moment before saying, “That’s it. I don’t wish to be in this state of mind for long. If you wish to marry me, I want you to get a job within a month. If not, I would move on.”
Finishing his coffee, Nihal smiled as he asked, “What makes you think I can do it in one month when I couldn’t do it for the last one and a half years?”
Unable to hold it anymore, Neha yelled, “Because I’m leaving if you don’t!”
Finishing her sentence, Neha left. Though Nihal tried calling her back, she didn’t respond. That evening, Nihal called her, and she just repeated the same condition she had told him that morning. When told about it for the second time in the same tone, Nihal at last felt she meant it and feared he might lose her if he did not act upon it.
He knew the only way he could save their relationship was by getting a job. Fortunately, he had two interviews scheduled for the next two weeks. So for the first one, he visited a temple before attending the interview.
However, after the interview, he knew he wouldn’t qualify, and when Neha called to enquire, he shouted in frustration that he had screwed it up.
As Nihal expected, two days later, he was informed that he had not been selected. The next interview was in a week, and this time it was a start-up that called him. Though Nihal did not take much interest in the job, he still showed up and gave it his best shot.
Three days later, unlike last time, he was informed he had been selected. Thanking God for his grace, Nihal immediately thought of calling Neha, but he figured it would be more fun to meet her.
He reached her house on his bike, and she was in the living room all by herself. He walked towards her, and noticing him, she stood up. She assumed he must have been informed about the change in the events. Looking into his eyes, she said, “It was quite hard for me, Nihu. However, neither can I keep waiting for you nor can I stand with you when you aren’t willing to accept responsibility.”
Though Nihal couldn’t understand, he stayed silent as Neha continued, “It’s okay if you couldn’t get this job, Nihal. You would get another, but I’m afraid I cannot give you any more time.”
It took a few moments for Nihal to realise what she meant; the pain kicked in, and loneliness crept in as fear. He was crushed emotionally, and though there was a part of him that wanted to question Neha about the time given and the days left, he stayed silent.
Stammering on her words, Neha informed, “I got engaged to Srinivas.”
Looking into his eyes filled with tears, Neha kissed him on his forehead before saying, “I am sorry, Nihu...”
Unable to pay attention to Neha’s words, Nihal just whispered, “Congratulations.”
Credits
This story was written & photographed by R. S. Chintalapati, and edited by Sreekar Ayyagari & Tarun Chintam.
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