Strong Rishta

 “Anubhav turned 30 years old. He needed to get married.”- that’s what they all said. No one actually asked me who I am interested in or whether I even am. I’ve lived a pushover life all my life, education, jobs. Even my clothes sometimes are bought by my family. My younger sister is completely different - she charted her own course. She was brash teenager, Oxford educated on a scholarship, owned a kick ass securities exchange firm,  even had a so-so influencer gig.

I was proud of her, intimidated by her, and even a bit jealous. I exhausted all my parents’ friends’ advances (rishtas) for proposal to get married to their daughters. They were all standard issue, arts majors or teaching professional house wife material girls. Sometimes they were so pretty that I regretted saying no, and kept their pictures for my after dark use. Deep down, it’s weird, but I wanted to be with someone headstrong like my sister. I asked my parents to ask her if she knows any of her friends who would wanna marry me. She laughed in their faces much to my embarassment. So it was a surprise when she called one day saying, one of her friends, sneha is interested in a rishta talk. 

I was shocked. Sneha was my sister's month athletic school friend. She was 5 years younger than us but was the fastest person in the school. She ran track and was so fit. She went pro but didn’t get too many sponsorships to compete. Her parents married her off to an NRI. Sadly, I heard that she had a divorce. My parents didn’t like the idea but I was very excited . We went to see her, I wore my best suit. As a skinny guy, I find it best to suit up even in hot temperatures so I don’t look too small. 

We entered their house and were greeted by her parents. Her dad had a typical Indian dad look (balding, mouchtache , blue shirt, goofy smile) but her mom - she had total Bengali goddess features. She even looked quite fit in her salwar kameez. We sat down, had chai. Talked about cricket, weather, when she arrived. Her beauty and aura was out of this world. She wore a yellow saree and came and did a namaste. I somehow just stood up at the sight in awe. She was not my sister’s friend I knew. She was a goddess. My jaw dropping awe came from the fact that she was so thicc. Not fat, thicc . Her shoulders filled my view as much as her chest filled that blouse. Her midriff was so toned, her 8 pack was peaking out from her draped saree. My mom pulled me off my trance and asked me to sit. They talked more but it sounded all muffled as my eyes could not get off her forearm veins. What is happening to me. They again, pulled me in conversation about hobbies and goals. I looked at her as she winked. 

I spoke as eloquently as possible. When my parents asked - she simply answered “time pass”.  Everyone laughed but she seemed serious. She said she doesn’t cook, she doesn’t like cleaning, and when my mom asked saracastically, what she likes , she answered “Giving orders”. That stopped the laughter as she smiled at me raising eyebrows. I started giggling. My parents politely wrapped up conversation in hopes of leaving because they totally didn’t get the appeal of this sassy divorcee . Do they not see that ripped arm and veins ? I suggested “can we speak in private ?” Bravely. My parents were speechless because that’s the most I’ve ever stood up for myself. Before they could answer, Sneha got up and came to me and took my hand and led me to another room as we left the adults in silence. She walked so intently as I followed, her grip was strong but not hurting. I really felt led, like if I stopped my legs, she’ll just drag me and we’ll end up at the same place. She led me in the room, closed the door, locked in, pulled my arm and spun me around and made me run into a wall really hard . I just let out a aaaahhh . She parked one hand over my shoulder as she got really close to me. I was so turned on. All I saw was her arm with that vein like a highway leading to her piercing brown eyes as she said “you smell nice”. I said “thank you” . 

“So, if I marry you , will you ever try to control me, make me do typical housewife activities, stop me from doing what I want ?”- she asked commandingly . I nodded my head no . She smiled and took her hand and put it on her waist (her popping obliques made for a tapered handle). She asked “what about your parents , can you keep them in line ? Not put pressure on me to be a maid-like bahu ?” I hesitated. She said “I don’t like joint families, your parents seem nice people. We can live in my flat if you want but what I don’t stand for is when my husband teams up with his family to talk shit to me, will you do that?” I nodded my head. She took my other hand and put it on her waist on the other side. I felt like I was holding a trophy. She asked “do you have any questions ?” I gulped  little afraid . I asked “you said you don’t cook or clean , and I know you don’t have a job, what would you like to do all day ?” She smiled and answered “take care of you!, love you! Make you better” with that she took a step back as I felt drawn to her like I couldn’t let go of her, she stepped to the right and as did I , stepped forward and just like that we were dancing. 

“I know you always like me” she said commandingly. Her hands were around my shoulder and neck as we were dancing. “How so ?” I asked flirtatiously. She pushed me grabbing my hands and spun me around with my arms across , she kissed my neck from behind. “Because your eyes always followed me, you like me, my strength, my power”. With that she let of off my hands and took off my blazer and threw it on a chair. She pulled me by my tie and kissed me deep and pulled away and said “I need that, I want someone to see my value like I do in your eyes.” I said “I do”. She said “I know” and with that she tucked her saree into my pant and spun me around a couple of times as i fell in her arms draped in a saree. She dipped me real low as I had my one arm around her jacked shoulder and back . The other on her arm feeling her pumped biceps. She kissed me again. She got up and took my blazer - now only in her blouse and petticoat - her abs were more magnificent than I thought she looked so powerful. She put on my blazer which couldn’t accommodate her giant shoulders or biceps and made tearing noises . She laughed and said - “see how much stronger than you I am”. I nodded in agreement. “Whose gonna call the shots” she asked. I just fell on my knees. It should’ve hurt but she caught me by my shoulders. She picked me up in a cradle. And walked to the mirror. I saw myself in the arms of this tight suit jacket , blouse , and petticoat wearing goddess clad in her a saree . “I guess we look good together “ she proclaimed. She walked to the door and I unlocked it . She walked to our parents with me in her arms and said “I’ll like to marry him”.

“Any objections” 

That display of strength just got a nod from everyone as she sent us home . Wedding is on December 1, in mariott . I’ve the bridal suite. This will be amazing ! Yay arranged marriage .