"Mummy! Are you trying to make me look fair?" Sneha exclaimed with hurt clear in her tone as her mother put on some foundation on her face.

It was finally the day when she was supposed to meet Shashank. It was already 9 am and they were supposed to meet at 11 am. She had initially decided to wear her blue jeans and a cute white top that she had bought for the purpose of outings. But, her mother insisted that she wear a proper traditional kurti with matching leggings. She couldn't argue on that and thus, to let her mother stay at peace, she wore her light blue kurti and matching leggings with a scarf. To make her look more presentable, she even let her mother do her makeup.

"No, Sneha! Why would you think like that?" Her mother lied as she continued to pat lightly on her face to spread the foundation evenly.

"Then why are you using Priya's foundation on my face?" Sneha complained and held her mother's wrist to stop her from doing it further. She knew that she had inherited her darker complexion from her father while Priya had a fair complexion, just like her mother. And, despite what others said, Sneha liked her complexion. It reminded her of honey. It was a part of her!

Sneha's mother sighed.

"It's just for today, Sneha. What if he says no just because of your complexion? I mean, I know my daughter is no less in anything...but, I don't want him to say no just because..." Before her mother could complete, Sneha stood up angrily.

She couldn't fight or argue with her mother on this topic. She couldn't change her mother's thinking and make her appreciate her complexion.

So, she took the micellar water and with the help of cotton, removed the foundation off her face.

"I don't want a man who doesn't love me for me." She sternly mumbled and applied her own foundation herself.

"But Sneha..." Her mother tried to object gently, when Sneha turned to look at her. Her mother froze when she saw tears clouding her eyes.

"I know what your standard of beauty is, mummy. And, I am sorry that I don't pass it. I know I am not fair as girls are expected to be...especially of our region. But I am fine...really fine, just the way I am. I want a man who can appreciate my colour...and not tell me that I don't fit the beauty standards or I should change myself." Sneha said and turned back to the mirror to finish her work.

At that moment, Priya entered their room with a plate full of instant noodles.

"Didi, breakfast. And, papa told me to inform you that he is ready." She said and placed the plate in front of Sneha. Seeing the tense mood between Sneha and her mother, she couldn't help but ask.

"What's the matter? Did you two fight?" Priya asked, knowing very well that her sister rarely argued with their mother.

"No." Sneha mumbled quickly and took the kajal pen.

"Here. Apply this on my eye." Sneha said, and just like that, Priya got distracted. After all, Sneha couldn't let herself be a bad example for Priya.

.

.

.

"I'll pick you up from here, okay?" Sneha's father told her as she jumped off the scooty.

"Okay. I'll call you once we get done. Bye." She told him and patted her dress to remove any creases that might have developed during the ride.

Sneha finally entered the huge hotel after a quick security check. It was even more beautiful than the pictures and she didn't waste a second to admire the beauty of the place. Shashank had informed her father on the phone that he'd be waiting for her outside the entrance of the restaurant. So, she walked in the direction of it and noticed a man standing a few feet away from the doors.

Her father had given her Shashank's phone number just in case she won't be able to find him on the premises. But, when they both shared a knowing look, she gave him a gentle smile.

"Sneha?" He spoke first to which she nodded.

"Hi. Shashank?" She asked to confirm.

Shashank nodded.

"Hi. Yes. Please come." He spoke gently with a soft smile and led the way. He opened the doors wide for her to enter.

"Thank you." She mumbled and entered the lavish place.

As he walked slightly ahead of her, she didn't miss the opportunity to check him out.

Shashank was about two inches taller than her and had a fair complexion. He was wearing a light green checkered shirt and blue jeans. It suited him. His hairstyle was disciplined with no hair scattered unevenly. He didn't look 30.

'Am I overdressed?' She wondered when she noted his casual attire.

Shashank spotted a vacant table for two in the corner most area. He pulled the chair for her to sit. Mumbling another 'thank you', she sat silently.

"So, let's start the interview?" Shashank said with a light chuckle to lighten the awkward mood. Sneha smiled but nodded.

"Why did you choose this place?" She asked curiously while looking at the ceiling and the various antiques. Not many customers were present there.

"My uncle ordered me to treat you nicely. He is very fond of you and told me to take you to a nice place. So, I thought this place would be the best." He said to which she nodded. She knew who he was referring to. He was talking about her father's friend who had initiated this proposal.

"Papa told me that you are posted in Dehradun?" She asked to change the conversation.

"Yes. It's been almost a year now."

She nodded with a smile. However, internally she was panicking horribly. Her right palm was almost crushing her left palm as she tried to suppress the anxiety.

"You are in the final year, right?" He asked.

"Yes."

"Which stream?"

"Geography."

"Okay."

"What about you?" She asked curiously.

"I did B.com. After graduation, I decided to give UPSC a shot and luckily cleared it. So, I am not that educated." He answered with another chuckle.

Sneha smiled at his humble nature. She knew UPSC was no joke.

"So, how many siblings do you have? Uncle didn't tell me much about you. He told me to ask you directly." He said.

"I have a younger sister. What about you?" She asked.

"I have an elder brother." He said with a smile. At that instant, a waiter came to take their orders and they both agreed on the latte.

"So, can you speak Kumaoni (one of the languages spoken in Uttarakhand)?" Shashank asked curiously.

"Yes. You?"

"No! My parents, unfortunately, didn't teach me." He said with a frown.

"Oh!"

"Yes...So, is there any specific questions that you want to ask me?" He asked when he sensed her discomfort. Sneha was thankful that he said so. Now, she can easily shoot her arrows at him.

"Well, there are many." She smiled.

"So, my friends were right. It really is an interview!" He said with a chuckle and just like that, she could feel her awkwardness go. He made her feel as if he was her friend. He sure had good interpersonal skills, she concluded.

'+1.' Sneha internally playfully calculated.

"Is this your first meeting?" She asked.

"Yes. I was running away from marriage till now. But, I think I am settled enough now to enter this phase too. What about you?"

"This is also my first meeting. So, I hope you won't mind me asking..."

"Ask anything you want, Sneha." He said with a smile. She got goosebumps when he spoke her name so gently.

'+2' She told herself. She would definitely want to hear him say her name again.

"Okay....So, do you have...any addictions? Like..."

"No. I don't smoke or drink." He answered quickly to which she nodded.

'+3'

"What about you?" He asked. She was taken aback for a second but nonetheless shook her head.

"No."

"Any boyfriend?" He asked gently to not make her feel offended.

"No." She answered with a chuckle.

"I am not in any relationship either." He said before she could ask him the same.

'+4.'

They both remained quiet as the waiter placed their coffees in front of them.

"So, what are your hobbies?" He asked to initiate the conversation again.

"I am enrolled in karate. So, my sister and I practice it in our free time. I do try my hands on some new cuisines...bake occasionally...that's it. What about you?" She asked.

"I like to play tennis. Currently, I am also learning German, as a skill enhancement."

"Wow! That's great." Sneha praised the language hobby.

'+5.'

Shashank smiled while taking a sip of his coffee.

"So, what are your expectations from your future partner?" He asked.

Sneha really hoped he hadn't asked this question. Because she didn't know how to reply to that. How can one describe a person in a sentence or two!

"I...guess, he should be understanding... more mature than me in tackling tough situations...Be kind...Take responsibility and umm... shouldn't have short temper." She tried to conclude.

"So, you want a sweet guy." He added with a smile.

"Uhh...yeah!" She answered. "What about you?" She asked.

"I just want one thing in my wife. She must take her responsibilities seriously." He said.

Sneha nodded but then got confused.

"Uhh...What sorts of responsibilities?" She asked slowly.

"Responsibilities as a wife, as a daughter-in-law, sister-in-law and of course, as a mother." He explained.

She nodded while thinking about it.

She had no idea what specific responsibilities he was talking about, neither did she ask him to elaborate. There would be plenty of time to discuss this later if they pass this first phase.

.

.

.

"Let's order something to eat?" Shashank suggested after they discussed their village. Sneha looked at her watch and realized that it had been 2 hours! Time flew past so quickly and she didn't even realize it. Her father had told her that he would be at his friend's home till they finish their conversation.

"Uhh... Okay." She nodded.

"So, what do you want to have?" He asked as they scanned the menu.

"Paneer paratha." She decided and kept the menu back on the table. Shashank nodded and gave the orders to the waiter.

Soon, their food arrived and she felt her belly grumble with hunger.

"I didn't know I was this hungry." She said sarcastically as she took a bite of it.

"Do you want some?" He asked while offering the dosa he had ordered.

'Oh no! I should have asked him first too! Now, what would he think of me?' Sneha thought and looked at him sheepishly.

"No, thank you. Do you...want some?" She asked hesitantly.

Shashank chuckled at her expression.

"No. I had paratha in the breakfast. Thank you." He said and resumed eating.

"I had this question in my mind when uncle told my father about you..." Sneha initiated. Since almost all their topics of discussion were done, she felt like she could ask her one last query.

"Okay?" He urged her to continue with curious eyes.

"Please don't be offended by this...But, I wanted to know why you are meeting a person who is completely different from your field of service?" She asked. However, seeing his confused eyes, she decided to elaborate.

"I mean...Mostly, people in administration or government service marry someone from their own departments or something similar to that. I have no connection whatsoever with the administration." She explained.

"Oh!" He chuckled at her question. "I...have different expectations for my married life, actually. My friends who are married right now, have chosen, as you said, someone from their own circle. And, they often complain about how they are not able to manage their home-life, you know, children...parents...in-laws...etc. They tell me about their frequent fights with their partners and other upsetting issues. So, I decided that I would marry a girl who would focus on the home more than her career. It will not cause us trouble in the married life." He explained.

Sneha's food got choked in her throat as she heard him.

"So...You don't want your wife to work?" She asked to verify.

"Outside...No. She may do freelancing...But, I want her to fulfil her responsibilities at home." He explained as they continued eating.

She went speechless at that.

She really liked Shanshank...up till now.

'-1000' Her mind rationalized.

"But, I want to work after marriage." She added softly, so that it won't sound rude.

He was taken aback by her response.

"Of course, you may." He said.

"Out of home too." She added.

Shashank looked at her with doubt.

"Sneha, I just told you my friends' experience with this. Their partners work and then it later becomes a mess... It is unfair for the woman to focus on the home as well as her career. She is also a human. I don't want my wife to juggle between too many things and stress herself out." He clarified.

"What if she wants to work?" She asked.

"Let's just take our example. If we say yes to each other, then I can assure you that I'd take all the financial responsibilities. My wife would take care of the home. It will be a balanced home. But if both of us would work out, then who would take care of the children...or our parents? Nothing would be balanced in this case! It will only lead to fights, which I don't want." He explained gently.

Sneha couldn't find an appropriate argument for that. She just knew that she wanted to earn and live the world too.

"What if the girl assures that she'd take care of both the things...home as well as her career." she proposed.

"As I said, I don't want her to stress herself out and affect her health negatively. I will take care of the finances." He insisted.

"It's not just about the money. It's also about the...independence...the feeling of being something on our own...the feeling of...having one's own identity." She placed her argument.

"Sneha, I am not against women being independent. I support it too. But, in my case, I want a stable home, where I don't have to fight with my wife for things...like who will cook or take care of our parents! I don't want my children to be alone in their childhood. Look at us...Our mothers are homemakers. They took care of us since childhood and had been in front of our eyes 24*7. And then imagine our children not getting that privilege."

"We never asked what our mothers wanted. We never asked what their dreams were when they were kids too. We take them for granted, don't we?"

Shashank heaved a sigh. This conversation was going entirely down the lane.

"So, what do you propose?" He finally asked.

Sneha nervously chuckled at the direct question.

"I don't have any proposal. I mean, everyone's life is different. And, everyone has to strike their own kind of balance. There can't be a particular generalized way for everyone. I have seen examples of couples who are living happily together despite pursuing their own dreams. And I have also seen people who are living in an unhappy marriage where they have the division of work as you suggested. It depends on the individuals too, as to how much they want to respect each other's dreams and responsibilities. I am aware of my responsibilities towards my children and I may even take a break of a few years to take care of them. But, I also want to explore the world and challenge myself to see what my potential is. I want to know myself too because I...am an individual too, before I am anything else." She finished her speech.

Shashank heard each and every word. She got scared when she saw his serious face.

"What if problems arise because of this later...if we get married?" He asked.

"Because of what?" She asked.

"Because of your career."

"Then I expect us to solve it together. Problems will always come. It might not be because of career only. Problems may arise between in-laws, between families, property and whatnot! It is up to the husband and wife to sort out their matters. I just want to say, it is neither ethically nor practically right to curb someone's freedom for the sake of the family's happiness." Sneha suggested.

Shashank nodded and then stared at his food.

'Did I say too much!' She wondered.

One thing was sure to her now. If not her, he'd definitely say 'no' to this proposal.

'Well, good for everyone.' Sneha thought sadly. She liked him, but she couldn't negotiate with her freedom of choice.

When their food got finished, they began another round of light conversation before they bid their byes.

"I only once participated in dance and I know, I am horrible at it...Oh my..." Sneha was sharing a memory when out of nowhere, a passing waiter stumbled in front of her and threw the entire content of wine on her dress.

Sneha immediately stood up in surprise.

"I am so sorry, ma'am! I am so sorry!" The waiter repeated apologetically as he removed the tissues from the nearby table for her.

"Are you alright?" Shashank stood up as well and looked at her in concern.

Sneha looked at her clothes. The right side of her kurti was now drenched in wine, making her feel cold.

After getting the realization, she couldn't help but chuckle.

"Yes!" She told him.

"It's okay, bhaiya (an endearment for brother)." She told the waiter who passed her the tissues while mumbling another apology.

"I'll go and get this cleaned." Sneha informed Shashank who only nodded in concern.

Walking in the direction of the washroom which was at the corner of the restaurant, hidden from everyone's view, she opened the door and entered in. Luckily there was no one inside the ladies' washroom. So, she removed her scarf properly and with the help of tissue, tried to remove the wetness.

'Damn! This dress is ruined now. Priya is so going to kill me.' She mumbled to herself as she tried to remove the stain using water. The sisters shared their clothes and this particular dress was Priya's favourite.

After 5 minutes of hard work, she looked at her reflection. The stain had faded but her dress had a clear wet mark.

'Great!' She muttered sarcastically. But, then she got an idea. She took the scarf and wore it side-ways such that the wet area becomes least visible.

Satisfied with her work, she decided to come out. She looked at her wristwatch to note the time as she closed the door of the washroom.

Lost in her own mind, she didn't note the presence of another being in front of her and collided with it.

"I am so sor..." She mumbled but froze when she saw who the person was.

Her mouth opened and closed like a fish in fear and confusion.

'Why is here? What is he doing here? Did he find out about me? Does he know that I saw him murdering that person? Is he here to kill me?' She thought frantically as she looked at him with a fear-struck gaze.

She finally stuttered his name when he continued to look at her with absolutely no expression on his face.

"V.Viraj?" She stuttered while indirectly asking for the reason of his presence here.

"Who is he?" Viraj asked straightforward.

"What? Who?" She asked, unable to understand his question.

'Is he talking about Shashank? So, he is not here to kill me!' She thought as Viraj replied in irritation.

He was just an inch closer to losing his calm.

"The man you were sitting with, outside." He elaborated.

Sneha gulped in fear before answering him.

"Uhh...he is my...friend. Why... are you here?" She asked while still thinking that he was here to kill her.