Engagement

Anika POV.

"Congratulations Anika" Niharika wishes me once I entered the college.

"Why ?" I asked with confusion

"Seriously you don't know" she asked with smirked on his face.

"Seriously I don't know" I said with same tone.

"Ok you are going to be soon my sister in law" she said with big smile on her face.

"What" I said totally confused.

"Your father visited our home yesterday and asked Rohan's hand for you" she told me.

"Daddy didn't tell me about that" I said with low voice.

"May be he wanted to surprise you" she said trying to understand my situation.

"Ok" I said with small smile.

"Our last semester exam is going to start soon" she said to change the topic.

"Yes" I said still districted by her news.

"I want your notes, Can I get it?" She asked.

"Yes" I said giving her my notes.

I don't want to get married yet. I want to pursue for higher studies. I am only 21 year old. I need to do something I know my father will not allow me go for further studies because of his conservative thinking. According my family girl should not study and they should get married at earliest age but because of my uncle I was able to study till my graduation.

I was my own world when I heard ring for class and I went to attend my class for Social Physiology.

I studies in Banaras Hindu University.This is one of the best universities in india.

*****

Evening at Anika house

"Anika you are getting married once your last semester exam over" my father told me when we are eating our dinner.

"Papa... I want to go for.... Higher studies" I stuttered and said with all my courage.

"What the hell are you saying, you are not allowed to study more and this is our final decision" he yelled at me.

"Uma, Make sure you done at time today after tomorrow her engagement" my father yelled at mother and she nodded.

"Anika go in your room I wil be there in sometime"my mother told me and I left.

"I don't want to get marry" mummy I said to my mother with sob when she back to my room.

"We all are get marry dear and it's your time to get marry, I can't help you. you know it." She said giving me milk for night to drink.

"Please drink your milk, You haven't eat anything during dinner" she said with pleading eyes.

"I want to study mummy" I said with sob.

"You know your father won't allow you" she said as matter of fact.

I cried whole night not knowing what to do. I have only one month left with me. I don't know what I am going to do.

*******

"I don't want to get marry right now uncle" I was on call with my uncle.

"You want to go for masters" he asked.

"Yes uncle" I said while sobbing.

"Fist don't cry, I will speak with bhaiya(brother)" he said.

"By the way what's your plan for masters" he asked.

"I have applied for scholarship" I said unsure I don't know if I should tell him university name.

"That really nice beta (son, Dear), any other backup" he said.

"Yes If I didn't get scholarship, I will continue studies in same University" I said 

"You will get scholarship and now you are studying on scholarship only" he said with smile.

"Thanks uncle" I said. I feel little bit good after talking with my uncle.

"Hey Anika, Mrs Singh is look for you" my classmate Ruchi told me.

"Ok, Thanks" I said and left the classroom to go and meet my one of the favourite professor Mrs. Singh.

"Hi ma'am, May I come in" I asked standing at her cabin's door.

"Yes Anika" she said.

"I have good news for you, Your scholarship approved from southern University of California" he said with excitement.

"Seriously ma'am" I said with shocked.

"Yes Anika, I am happy for you. You are one of the intelligent student" she said.

"Ma'am My parents wants me to get me marry" I said and started crying.

"What are you telling me Anika, You are bright student and you can achieve good career options for yourself and you are only twenty one" she said coming to me.

"Ma'am I don't want to get marry" I said and sobbing in her hug.

"You have scholarship with you now after exam you can go California on students visa and start studying once you submit your final results you will get your fully scholarship till date university will only afford partial scholarship" she said.

"I have few students there who will help in that time of periods, If you want I will help you" she said. she always help students and she is one of the kind women I have ever meet.

"My father have fixed my engagement for tomorrow ma'am and he said when my exam over. I need to get marry" I said.

"What you want Anika" she asked . She can understand my situation she also a clinical psychologist.

"I want to study more" I said.

"So you have to follow your d****e first, once you achieved your goal come back to India and asked for forgiveness to your parents, I know they will never allow you to study further" she said. She knows everything about me because she is also my neighbour.

"Your exam will be over within two week and I will help for flights and everything. When you done with your paper you have to leave india that time only.If you reach your home after exam. No one can help you" she said.

I know she is right but still I was hesitate to go against my parents for first time.

"I know what are you thinking. We all respects our parents but we should also respect our dreams" she said again when I didn't reply.

"I can give you one day Anika, Call me tomorrow if you are ready to go California for higher studies" she said and gave squeez to my hands.

"Thanks ma'am" I said 

"You don't need to because 30 years back I was on your place, that time no one was there to help me and I don't want history repeats itself" she said with warm eyes.

"I will let you know ma'am" I said and left.

My cellphone Ringed and flashed my father number and picked the call. 

"Hello" I said with thumping heart.

"I need you at home right now" he yelled on call. I know uncle may have called him to talk about my decision.

"Ok" I said in small voice and left for the home bunking my last class.

Author Note

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