The last straw

Meeting Kala did help Reema to understand what could happen. Reema knew that she did not want to live a life that was governed by her parents. She had found her freedom and intended to live freely. She knew she had to take a stand. She knew it may require her to fight with her family or even break away from them, but she had to do it to stay free.

A few weeks went by. Reema continued to meet the potential candidates to not attract her parents attention to her rebellion, but quietly she kept building an escape plan.

Finally the weekend arrived when Reema was going to deliver the final blow. She went home and started packing her bags. She started to pack all her belonging from her home. Her parents were confused. Her mother asked, "why are you packing Reema? You need your good dress to meet Ravi tomorrow, we have fixed the meeting".
"I am leaving. I am not meeting Ravi or any other man. There is something I want to tell you," Reema was calm spoke with determination.
"There is no discussion. You are meeting him tomorrow. That is final," her dad spoke with equal determination.
"I will tell you what is final. I have received an onsite work opportunity. I am leaving on Monday. I will be in Austria for the next 3 years. That is final," Reema responded.
"But how? When? You kept us in the dark. How could you do this?" Her mother cried.
"You cannot do this. I will not allow you to go," her dad screamed.
"I am not asking you, I am telling you. I am going and you cannot stop me," Reema said while moving her bags out of the home.
"But you have not thought about it. If you go, by the time you return you will be 28. Who will marry you?" Her mother expressed her concerns.
"See, this is where you are stuck. I am the first in this bloodline to get this opportunity, but none of you congratulated me. Instead all you care about is marriage," Reema responded.
"But you cannot do this. You need to get married. That is the priority. You can go after you get married," her mother continued.
"This is once in a lifetime opportunity. I am taking it," said Reema.
"Marriage is happiness. See how happy your cousin, Kala is. You don't need this job to be happy," her mom was not backing down.
"About Kala I know better. Say what you want I am leaving," Reema continued with her packing.
"The city ruined you," that was the last accusation.
"No mom. Small town did not help anybody to grow. It kept everyone stuck," Reema was still calm.
"Reema if you leave, never come back here," her dad threatened.
"Gladly," Reema said while leaving.

Reema left to Austria and stayed there. She contacted her parents once but they decided they wanted to go no contact. She agreed.

As of today, Reema is successful. She started her own business at the age of 39, which has been growing. She is still unmarried and in no hurry to marry. Her family still remains angry.

Reema may have been one of the only few people who could escape the family pressure to marry. But most crush under the pressure and get trapped in bad marriages. I believe in current times, parents should not pressurize their children to get married. Let the youth decide themselves. Let everyone find their freedom.

- THE END -