Creative Writing Our Kajol has just finished university.

She graduated at the top of her class you know. But that doesnt mean that shes one of those modern types oh no. My mother was gushing out my praises to Mrs Sinha, a woman who I had never seen before this day. Looking around I saw my father talking to Mr Sinha a jolly man who looked a lot like Santa. I smiled at that thought. My beti loves cooking her mutton pillau is the best my husband has ever tasted. Through the corner of my eye I could see Mrs Sinha looking at me and then smiled at her husband. That one action reminded me of the day eleven years ago when I had walked in on a very similar yet different scene. Mama Mrs Thompson says I need a costume for the Christmas play! I always used to tell mummy what happened at school as soon as I stepped home. She always used to run and hug me and ask me all about my day. That day she didnt and as I turned around I saw the reason why. A man and a woman who I vaguely remembered from a community event a few weeks ago were sat on the sofa next to a lady. As I walked up to my parents and said namaste to our visitors I recognised the lady. It was my Kiran!!! I had never seen her dressed so traditionally she looked like a princess in her violet sari. She used to always wear western clothing. As I stared at her with awe my mother remarked that this was the quietest I had ever been. Everyone laughed, well everyone apart from my sister she just sat there as though she hadnt heard. The woman sat next to her said how lovely she was and from their side it was definitely a yes. Papa replied that it was a yes from him too. Whatever that meant. Everyone got up and started hugging. Back in the present things were going very well. Mr and Mrs Sinha said they were agreeable to the match. Mr Sinha phoned his son. Rahul Sinha would be coming outwardly to take his parents home but the real reason would be so that we could meet and let our parents know of our decisions as soon as possible. This way arrangements could be made and preparations started. I ran upstairs to check my appearance. I was so excited this could be the man I would be spending the rest of my life with. I wanted to make a good impression. I heard the doorbell ring and my heart skipped a beat he was here!!!! I waited until mama came upstairs to get me and I noticed that she was taking me to the large sitting room. I could here the parents voices from the opposite end of the house. Listen Kajol Rahul is sat in here. We are giving you time to speak to one another and get to know each other before we ask you of your decision. I hope to God that the outcome of this day will be better than the last time this house looked forward to a wedding shehnai. I could see the tears in my mothers eyes as she turned to leave. Stood outside the door I was so nervous my hands were shaking and I couldnt get a proper grip on the door handle. Taking a deep composing breath I entered the room hoping for the best. Hes gorgeous. That was the thought that kept spinning around in my mind. He looks exactly like my dream prince! For an hour we sat talking, getting to know each other. I wouldnt have thought Mr. Sinhas son could be so handsome and oh so charming. I could very easily fall in love with him. The time flew by and by the time he left I knew that from me the answer was YES!!!!!

The rest of the day went by in a daze. Once alone in my room I began to get nervous. Did he like me? What would his answer be? My mind once again drifted back to my sister. Kiran are you excited? I cant wait! Youll be all dressed up and so will I and the house will be decorated from top to bottom. Kiran just sat there while I went on and on about he arrangements. Mama had explained everything to me earlier and I was bursting with happiness for my big sister. Mama, look Kiran is so excited and shocked she hasnt spoken in ages. I started talking about the wedding and how if Kiran got married I could be an auntie soon and wouldnt my friend Bindiya be so jealous. Kiran got up and ran to her room. Kajol youve embarrassed your sister with all this talk of babies, she isnt even married yet. That night I heard Kiran crying herself to sleep and in the morning all hell broke loose. The arrangements for my own wedding had come along very quickly. Rahul and his parents had come the day after their first visit and we had become engaged. The following weeks Rahul and I went out and got to know each other better while our parents went over the wedding arrangements. Now in a few hours Rahul and I would be married. I was the happiest Id ever been. There was only one thing that could have made this day perfect but that was near impossible. Her father would never allow it. Papa Kiran isnt in our room. All her clothes have gone. Where is my Kiran mummy?!! I cried and cried. My mother couldnt stop crying and repeating the same words over and over again. Oh the shame, oh God the shame. My father sat on the sofa, blank faced as he told me, Your sister has left us. Left the family name in tatters to run away with some no good school drop out. She is no longer my daughter. After today I do not want to hear her name mentioned under my roof again.