A page from Janani's diary

South indian place - where culture and heritage matters a lot. I am a typical south Indian girl. If you want to act independently, then you are named as rude. You have to act as the world expects you to act. You have to satisfy others to earn a good name. Yeah, society matters a lot than your own world.
And being born as a girl, you have to strictly fall into your boundaries. You will have to obey all these in order to get a great future. This is how a typical south indian family will be. And I always question if you are always thinking of what others might think, then how will you live your life? Without living for you, what is the point of satisfying the needs of others? You have to live your life independently. Be happy and make others happy.
My parents. They bought me up well. I am not exaggerating it. Because I feel proud enough to say this. I haven't regret for whatever I have done. I am good in making friends and I know my limits. My life was soo far good with all the precious time I had with my family and friends. My world is not that small. I have a big family and quite big friends circle. I am open to everyone. And I don't get attached too much to people. This is what I am. I donno what people will think of me, but I love everyone who loves me back.
I am happy and glad with this world of mine. I have always been enjoying in this heaven. But there comes a situation where parents think it is a duty to get their child married and send them off. Seriously!
I donno how they can make plans for wedding all of a sudden. I wonder what a custom is this to suddenly get bonded with a stranger. May be I could just limit to my thinking.
Wedding is a such a holy thing. Generally, girls are treated as goddess who bring happiness to a family. In a point of time, they are sent to another family to light their home with charm and happiness. There is a traditional Indian custom stating that Kannigadhaan is the greatest charity one can give. Kannigadhaan is generally done by the bride's dad to send his daughter to the groom's family. Nothing can be compared to Indian wedding. So traditional. So loving.
The point is that how that bride feels during her wedding. It is going to change her life.she is gonna change her surname, change her family, change her living.
So far, she has been the princess of her only home. Her dad and mom being the king and queen with her siblings to play and laugh with.
This is what her heaven was. How can she leave such a happy place. And even though the groom's family will treat her like the queen of all this world, her small heaven all she lived till now, it holds a lot of memories. How can she even think of leaving her small little happy place?
All these years, she doesn't even have a crush on anyone, waiting for her prince charming to come and hold her hand. Yeah, she would love her prince and his family with all her heart.
She will have to fall in love with that Prince, ready to do anything for him as he loves her dearly. She should feel like she is the angel for both the houses and bring joy. That is when both the Prince and the princess will fall in love all together and get ready for wedding.
That is when the bride will feel confident to leave her small heaven and head towards her Prince's kingdom.
That is when she feels loved by everyone and feel no difference between the two heavens and see both the kingdoms as a same family.
That is when she is completely and madly in love with the Prince and is ready to fly over the sky with him.
And all these are not planned to happen, they happen and alter your life suddenly, like a boom!
You have got to wait for it until then. ;)

Starting of my independent life

Sunday has never been this busy in all my life. I used to wake up late and getting a stare from my Mom during breakfast has become a habit. But today, I am running around my home, packing my dresses and my books.
"Hey Mom, come have a look whether I have packed everything." I call for my mother.
"Are you done with your packing, Ammu ?" her voice reaches me before her. She opens my bedroom door wide open and comes near me. My mom is in her yellow saree with a spoon in her hand. Obviously, she is preparing something I would love to eat.
"Where are your toiletries?" she examines my travel bag and a concerned look appears in her small face.
"I have it packed in my other bag, Mom" I say.
"Fine. Make sure you have packed all your files and documents. Now, it is getting late. Join your Dad for breakfast." I nod and place a small kiss in her cheek while rushing towards the kitchen.
"Its getting late." A silent reminder from my Dad. I see him in his ironed shirt and formal pants ready to go.
"Yes Dad, let's leave in few minutes." Unlike my Mom, my Dad loves me in his own style. He doesn't say it in words rather his action speaks. Whatever he does, it makes me feel he is so proud of me. I hunt for my breakfast in the next few minutes and wave a goodbye to my Mom and sister.

This is the first time I am leaving my house packing all my stuff with me. I can feel my parents and my sister missing me already. I am going to miss them a lot. But my curiosity of living independently and my first job makes me take this big step. I have a got a job offer from a well known corporate company some 300 miles away from my hometown. And I have got to report to them this Monday. I secretly pack a childhood pic of my sister and me sitting together inside my bag and God, I am really excited. My Dad is coming with me to help me find a home near my work place.

Later in the evening, we reach my workplace and my Dad is happy to see my office. We find a home nearby and my Dad pays the initial rent for me. The moonlight reflection falls into my new home through the side window. I look at my Dad and smile for everything he had done.
"Janani" He calls towards me from outside.
"Dad" I reply with a smile again.
"Sleep early. You have a big day tomorrow. Take good care of yourself. Call me once you reach your office." My Dad is such an organized person. I can see his care, his love for his beloved daughter.
"Sure Dad. Have a safe journey back to home." I wave him bye and go upstairs for my dinner.
I love my Dad. I love my small little family. I am missing my happy place.
Later that night, I get a call from my cousin asking about my stay.
"Hello Bro" I wish him.
"Hi Janani" He speaks in a calm way. "I met your Dad in the train station now."
"Oh yeah, he was just leaving after settling things here." I assure him I am set in this place.
"That's Good. Welcome to corporate world. Have a good start." I can hear him smile and wishing me from the other end.
"Thank you Bro" I answer. "Did Dad boarded Train safely?" I enquire.
"yes, I was with him when he boarded. He looked more worried about you. Don't know how he is going to make when you get to marry someone and leave. " I just smiled at that but my heart aches. Suddenly I feel thankful to God for having blessed with a lovely family.