“You’re so pretty, how are you not married yet?”
“Wait what? You’re 24 and you’re still single? Girrrrlllll your biological clock is tickin’!”
“I know a guy, want me to hook you up with him? He’s pretty rich!”
People never fail to pass their unsolicited opinion on my decision of not tying the knot – yet.
And my people-pleasing self always has to explain myself and my life choices instead of brushing it off.
When I was young, I used to imagine myself getting married to some knight in shining armour. Somebody who would sweep me off my feet and rescue me from all the rishta aunties trying to single-shame me.
But this ain’t a Disney movie now is it?
It’s real life. And no one’s going to wake me – sleeping beauty- up and save the day.
Truth is, the concept of marriage in our desi culture is pretty messed up.
“Ab larkay tou aisay hi hotay hain, khud theek hojayenge shaadi ke baad… tum theek kardogi usko.”
Do I look like a baby sitter to you…
A head of PR at a publication house has to baby sit a man child?
Yeah, no…
“Ziada parha likha liya hai na beti ko, tabhi shaadi nahi kar rahi.”
“Aur bhejo bahar dostoun ke saath, ye tou hona hi tha.”
Bhai aap examples tou achi set karo shaadi ki, khushi khushi karlenge!
You all know how it is in our desi families.
You’re not living with your husband, you’re living with your husband’s entire family.
Don’t get me wrong, joint families are fun and all… but at the cost of what?
An invasion of privacy?
“Darwaza kiun band hai? Aisa kia kar rahay hain andar?”
…. I mean….
Not only that, but I don’t want any third person interfering in my parenting approach?
Hell nah! My baby my rules.
Sadly, that’s how marriage is portrayed in all of the dramas our mothers watch on a daily basis! You can’t just blame me for thinking this way?
And to top it all off, I have seen way too many unhappy marriages in my life.
I don’t want to end up in a loveless or an abusive relationship and get divorced?
And then go through the pain of divorce!
And then go through the pain of being rejected because i’ve been divorced!
Wait i’m spiralling…
Welp… so there’s that. I guess for society to accept me, I’ll have to go back to waiting for my knight in shining armour.
