Ananya

The interview at Aurum Dynamics was over, but the adrenaline coursing through my veins hadn't dissipated. The pristine, glass-walled office had felt both overwhelming and inspiring. Every detail, from the chrome accents to the perfectly organized desks, screamed perfection. Had I done enough to secure a place here?

Walking out of the building, I squinted into the sun, the late afternoon breeze doing little to calm my nerves. As soon as I was out of earshot, I grabbed my phone and called Pooja. She picked up on the second ring, as if she'd been waiting for my call.

"Well, well, well, Miss Corporate Superstar. How did it go? Are we celebrating tonight or wallowing in existential despair?"

"Neither," I replied, a nervous laugh escaping. "I didn't embarrass myself, so I'll take that as a win. But I think I was too technical when they asked about handling team dynamics. I might've come off cold."

"Cold? You? Impossible. You probably charmed them into drafting the offer letter right now. They're probably fighting over who gets to work with you!"

"You always know how to make me feel better," I said, smiling despite myself. "Anyway, I need coffee. Café Bliss in thirty?"

"Perfect. And yes, you're treating. See you there."

---

Café Bliss had always been my sanctuary. The warm aroma of coffee, the cozy corners, the comforting hum of chatter-it was the kind of place that made everything feel a little more manageable.

Pooja was already there, perched in our usual spot by the window, waving dramatically to get my attention. Her bright yellow top made her look like a beacon of sunshine, an accurate reflection of her personality.

"Here she comes!" she announced loudly as I slid into the seat across from her. "The future Aurum Dynamics star!"

"Stop it, Pooja," I said, rolling my eyes. "You're going to jinx it."

"Never! Now, tell me everything. Was the interviewer cute? Did they ask any of those weird situational questions, like what you'd do if your team got stuck in an elevator?"

I burst out laughing. "No cute interviewers, and thankfully no elevator scenarios. Just the usual questions about managing stakeholders and optimizing project timelines."

"Boring!" she declared, throwing her hands up. "Ananya Kapoor, you need some spice in your life. Like, a forbidden office romance or a dramatic team rivalry."

I laughed, grateful for her ability to make me forget my worries, even for a little while. We fell into our usual rhythm, gossiping about college friends, debating the merits of different coffee blends, and exchanging exaggerated tales of our day-to-day lives.

"So," Pooja said, her tone turning slightly serious, "what's next for Ananya Kapoor? Big job? Big love? Backpacking across Europe to 'find yourself'?"

I stirred my latte, looking down at the swirling foam. "I don't know, Pooja. One thing at a time, I guess. Job first, everything else later."

"Fair. But promise me one thing." She reached across the table, her hand resting on mine. "Don't settle. Not for a job, not for love, not for anything. You deserve the absolute best."

---

Later that evening, my parents called me into the living room. The serious expressions on their faces set off alarm bells in my head. I sat down, bracing myself for whatever was coming.

"We've been talking to someone about a marriage proposal," my father began, his tone measured. "The boy's name is Arjun Malhotra."

My heart sank. "Proposal? As in...marriage?"

"Yes," my mother said, her voice softer. "He's from a good family, beta. Well-educated, successful, and...we think you should meet him."

"Meet him? I-I don't want to get married right now," I said, my voice shaky. "I just finished my master's degree. I'm trying to build my career. Can't I just...stay as I am?"

My father sighed, his tone firm but not unkind. "We're not asking you to get married tomorrow, Ananya. Just meet him. See if there's a connection. You're twenty-five; this is the right time to start thinking about these things."

"But why now?" I pressed. "Why can't I focus on my career first? Why does it always have to be marriage? Can't I just be independent without being tied to someone else?"

"Beta," my mother said gently, taking my hand, "it's not about tying you to someone. It's about finding a partner, someone who'll support you and walk with you through life. You deserve that."

"Do I?" I whispered, more to myself than to them.

"Just meet him," my father said again. "One meeting. That's all we're asking."

I hesitated, every fiber of my being screaming to say no. But their hopeful faces, their unwavering belief that this was the best thing for me-it was too much.

"Fine," I said finally, my voice barely audible. "I'll meet him."

They smiled, relieved, but I felt like a piece of me had just been signed away.

---

Back in my room, I collapsed onto my bed, hugging a pillow to my chest. My thoughts spiraled.

Marriage. The word made my chest tighten. It wasn't that I didn't want love-I did. I wanted it desperately. But the kind of love I wanted felt like a fairytale, something that existed for others but not for me. A love where I wasn't just an obligation, a checkbox to be ticked off.

The truth was, I didn't want to get married right now. The thought of it made me feel...trapped. Society always expected girls to be dependent-on their fathers before marriage and on their husbands after. I didn't want that. I wanted to build my own life, stand on my own two feet, without relying on someone else to complete me.

But another truth lingered beneath the surface, one I was too afraid to confront head-on: I wanted to be loved. To be someone's first choice, their priority. But did that kind of love even exist for me? Or was I doomed to be an afterthought, like I'd always been?

I grabbed my phone and called Pooja.

"What's up, drama queen? Missing me already?" she teased.

"Pooja..." My voice cracked, and she instantly picked up on it.

"What happened?" she asked, her tone serious now.

"My parents...they want me to meet someone. For marriage."

There was a pause. "And how do you feel about that?"

"Scared," I admitted, my voice trembling. "I don't know if I'm ready. I don't know if I'll ever be ready."

"You don't have to decide anything now," she said firmly. "Just meet him. If it doesn't feel right, you walk away. You're Ananya Kapoor. You don't settle."

"I'm just tired of being scared," I whispered. "I'm tired of feeling like I'm not enough."

"You are enough," she said fiercely. "More than enough. And if this Arjun guy doesn't see that, then he's the idiot, not you."

I smiled faintly, her words soothing some of the ache in my chest. "Thanks, Pooja."

"That's what I'm here for," she said lightly. "Now, go get some sleep. You've got this, Anu. I believe in you."

I hung up, the room falling silent once more. Her words gave me strength, but the fear lingered, coiling in the corners of my mind. Could I do this? Could I take this step without losing myself in the process?

For now, all I could do was hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, I'd find the courage to face whatever came next.

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