Reema and the family

It was a regular Friday for 25-year-old Reema. She was happy because today she was going back to her home. This would have been her routine. From Monday to Friday she would stay in a big city for work. In the frety evening she would commute to her native town and spend the weekend with her family. This time would keep her fueled to work through the week.

It was 4 o'clock in the evening when Reema received a call from her mother. Reema was surprised because in couple of hours if she was anyway going to be home. She could not understand why her mother had been calling her at this time. She answered the call, "hello, mom. Anything urgent?"
"Nothing urgent. I wanted to check with you that you are coming home today," her mother replied.
But Reema had sensed discomfort in her mother's voice, "mom, is everything okay? Are you unwell? You do not sound fine to me".
" I am fine, Reema. Tell me when are you coming home," Har mother was clearly keeping a secret but continued mentioning that she was well.
" Yes just like every weekend I will leave by 6 o'clock and will reach around 8 o'clock. Do you want me to bring anything?" Reema knew that something was going on.
"No, nothing is needed. You just come here. Don't worry, everything is fine," Reema's mother said while hanging up.

The last sentence said by her mother made Reema little anxious. Why would my mum say not to worry if there was nothing to worry about? What is happening at my home? Is dad unwell? If my grandfather unwell? Something is wrong for sure. Reema kept thinking about the possible outcome during her entire journey home. She was so engrossed in thoughts that she forgot to read the book she had bought with her. Her mind kept going back to her home and wondering what was going on.

Reema reached her doorstep. Her mother answered the door. Reema felt relaxed looking at her mother who looked completely fine. As Reema stepped inside she started asking questions, "why did you call me in the afternoon? Is everything okay? You got me so worried. I had been thinking through out the journey".
" Everything is fine. You freshen up and I will set the dinner," her mother told her smiling. Reema still could not believe that everything was fine at home.

Reema joined her family for dinner. Her parents and grandfather was with her on the table. Her father decided to start the discussion, "Reema it is the time for us to decide the next steps. You are young and we think that you should get married now".
Reema was shocked that she choked on the food. She coughed and finally settled, "dad, I completed my masters last year. I have been working for just 2 years. I have not yet enjoyed anything. I am not yet ready to get married".
Reema's mother pitched in, "we think it is the right age for you to get married. I got married when I was 21, much younger than you. We will start searching now that is when we will find someone good enough in next couple of years".
Her grandfather too joined in, "I am getting old Reema. I want to see you with a good man before I die".
"I am not ready yet," Reema spoke through her tears.
"You do not have to be ready. You are not getting married tomorrow. You have plenty of time", her mother tried to console her.
"Your mother is right. We have started looking for a good man for you. You will meet a very nice gentleman tomorrow. He is from a very good family. He will take good care of you," her dad added.
"You did not even ask me if I am okay with this. How could you do this to me?" Reema retaliated.
"Reema just meet him tomorrow. He is a very good boy. We have already informed him that you will meet him. Do this one thing for us. I promise next time we will ask you," Reema's mother kept insisting.

Reema felt betrayed. She now understood the purpose of her mother's call. What Reema did not know was that this was the beginning of the end of her dreams and ambitions.