12-11-2025, 12:47 AM
## Update 106: The Logic of Love (Avi and Meena Chachi)
After Mala left me at the temple, I walked back to the village lost in a whirlwind of emotional and practical thoughts. *It was neither my fault nor hers,* I concluded, trying to find a balance. *Whatever is written in destiny happens. Mala was ultimately right, though. Her parents are poor, and their primary concern is security. The sooner she gets married to a settled man, the better it is for them. The boy is reportedly good, he has a secure job, and he is known to their family. This is what's best for Mala's long-term security.* However, the ache in my chest persisted, and I knew I couldn't move on without one attempt. *I have to talk to Meena Chachi. I need her logic and influence.* I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even realize when I reached home.
I went straight to my room and called Meena Chachi inside. Whenever I called Meena Chachi to my room, she would immediately leave whatever work she was doing and rush to me. Today, seeing the deep distress on my face, Meena Chachi entered my room right after me, her expression instantly worried.
"What happened, Avi? Why have you made your face look like a withered flower?" Meena Chachi asked, closing the door and walking towards me.
"Chachi, that Mala..." I started, then paused, watching her reaction carefully. *( Mala had said that my Chachi wouldn't let me marry her until I was an adult and settled. Mala had said that Chachi would get me married after I turned 26 or 27. I have to see how much of what Mala said about my family's rigid plan is true.)*
"What happened to Mala? Did she say something bad to you?" Meena Chachi pressed, taking a seat beside me.
I decided to plunge straight to the heart of the matter. "I like Mala. I want to marry Mala," I stated, watching her eyes closely.
Meena Chachi smiled broadly, her face lighting up with genuine happiness. She laughed softly and clapped her hands once. "My son has grown up so much that he wants to get married already! Tell me, who is this Mala, the lucky girl my son likes?"
"She's Mona's friend, the one I told you I helped with her exams," I clarified.
Meena Chachi tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Is this the same girl who doesn't have any brothers or sisters? The one who is the only daughter of her parents?"
"Yes, Chachi, I want to marry that Mala," I confirmed, my voice earnest.
"Then we have to hurry before her parents make an irreversible decision," Meena Chachi said, already standing up, energetic. "Your age is less right now; you have to be at least 21 or 22 to marry her legally and securely. I'll talk to Suman didi and tomorrow itself, I'll go and meet Mala's parents. I'll talk to them seriously about your and Mala's marriage. I'll also tell them to wait for two or three years, promising them security."
*(My mouth fell open. I was completely shocked to hear what Chachi said. The sudden, overwhelming relief made my eyes burn with unshed tears.)* "Chachi, are you not angry with me for wanting to marry now? Are you not angry with Mala?" I asked, confused by her easy acceptance.
"Angry? What are you saying, Avi? Don't be silly," she scoffed. "Our entire happiness is found in your happiness. And anyway, you have to get married someday. It's a very good thing that you chose your life partner yourself, a girl you clearly respect. But there's one thing, I did want to make you study for many more years first, and then get you married at the age of 26 or 27." She paused, then shrugged. "But it's okay, let's get you married first, and then you can continue your education. Just like I studied after marriage, you can do the same. Education is always possible."
Hearing Chachi's words—the complete dismissal of Mala's fears—the barrier in my throat broke. I started crying uncontrollably, the tears of relief and deep gratitude flowing freely, and I hugged her tightly. Crying into her shoulder, I recounted the entire, heartbreaking conversation I had with Mala at the temple.
"You're such a big boy now, and you're still crying like a scared kid," Chachi said, holding me and stroking my hair. "Come on, wipe your eyes." She pulled my face up and kissed my eyes, stopping the flow of my tears.
After crying for a while, the tension in my chest eased, and I became normal again.
"Why didn't you tell me this before, Avi? Why did you wait so long?" Meena Chachi asked, her expression serious again.
"I was..." I began, hesitant to admit my test.
Meena Chachi finished the thought for me, her eyes sharp and knowing. "You wanted to see if Mala's words about our family's rigidity were true or not, didn't you?"
"Yes," I admitted, lowering my gaze.
"So what did you find out? Was Mala's assessment of us accurate?" she asked, leaning back.
Instead of answering, I asked my real question. "Chachi, why did Mala do that? Why would she make such a huge decision without trusting me?"
"Mala did something wrong with you, but she also did something right for herself, if you look at it clearly," Meena Chachi said, speaking with wisdom.
"I don't understand the difference," I confessed, shaking my head.
"Look, Avi, I don't know much about romantic love, but I know two or three things about sacrifice and partnership," Meena Chachi began, taking my hands in hers. "The first meaning of true love is sacrifice. Mala also did the same; she sacrificed her love for her family's perceived security. Mala thought about her parents' future *before* thinking about her own happiness with you. The second meaning of love is to trust your partner completely. That is where Mala failed you. Mala didn't trust you, Avi. Mala should have given you a chance to prove you could provide for her parents as well. Instead, she made a huge decision about her life with her eyes closed, based on her fear of our delay. She thinks that the person she is going to marry—the one with the government job—will take care of her parents' future. Can't *we* take care of her parents? After Thakur, we have the most land and resources in the entire village! I could still get Mala married to you; I could force her parents to listen to me and change their minds. But I honestly think Mala is not the right girl for you."
I stared at her, waiting for the explanation.
"Mala is too smart to see only one path, and at the same time, she is a fool to let fear rule her. You should forget Mala, Avi. You will find a much better girl than Mala—one who has faith in you," Meena Chachi concluded firmly.
"But how can I forget Mala? She was the first person..." I started, the image of her eyes still sharp in my mind.
"Mala had to think about her parents' safety along with her own. She agreed to marry him, thinking that her future husband's security was the only way to take care of her parents," Meena Chachi repeated, driving the point home. "Avi, you like Mala right now because she helped you when you were exiled, but you also helped her with her exams. That's why she repaid your favor. If you fall in love with everyone who helps you, then how many people will you marry? That's not how love works! You help everyone, and they all help you. So will you fall in love with everyone you share an exchange with? If you consider a simple favor as true love, how will you manage your heart? Listen to me, forget Mala."
"You're right, Chachi," I finally conceded, her sharp logic slicing through my emotional haze. "I have to forget Mala."
"That's like my boy. Rest for a while, and when you open your eyes, you should start a new beginning by completely removing Mala from your mind," Chachi said, kissing my forehead and leaving the room.
I also slept for a while, allowing the simple truth of Chachi's words to settle. When I woke up, I decided to focus on the future and forget Mala.
In the evening, I went to Mona's house. Today there were more guests than usual because of the ongoing mehndi ceremony. Mona was applying mehndi with her friends. Mala and Riya were also sitting with Mona. Riya had already finished applying her mehndi and was waiting for it to dry. Riya immediately rushed over to me and showed me her dark, intricate mehndi designs. The mehndi looked good on Riya's hands. I started talking and laughing with Riya, making a show of my attention.
Whenever I talked to Riya, Mala looked at me from across the room, her eyes following my laughter. But now, I had nothing more to do with Mala. Mala and my path had separated, decided by her own lack of trust. After talking to Riya for a while, I went and sat with Mona's brother, closing the door on that chapter of my life.
---
After Mala left me at the temple, I walked back to the village lost in a whirlwind of emotional and practical thoughts. *It was neither my fault nor hers,* I concluded, trying to find a balance. *Whatever is written in destiny happens. Mala was ultimately right, though. Her parents are poor, and their primary concern is security. The sooner she gets married to a settled man, the better it is for them. The boy is reportedly good, he has a secure job, and he is known to their family. This is what's best for Mala's long-term security.* However, the ache in my chest persisted, and I knew I couldn't move on without one attempt. *I have to talk to Meena Chachi. I need her logic and influence.* I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even realize when I reached home.
I went straight to my room and called Meena Chachi inside. Whenever I called Meena Chachi to my room, she would immediately leave whatever work she was doing and rush to me. Today, seeing the deep distress on my face, Meena Chachi entered my room right after me, her expression instantly worried.
"What happened, Avi? Why have you made your face look like a withered flower?" Meena Chachi asked, closing the door and walking towards me.
"Chachi, that Mala..." I started, then paused, watching her reaction carefully. *( Mala had said that my Chachi wouldn't let me marry her until I was an adult and settled. Mala had said that Chachi would get me married after I turned 26 or 27. I have to see how much of what Mala said about my family's rigid plan is true.)*
"What happened to Mala? Did she say something bad to you?" Meena Chachi pressed, taking a seat beside me.
I decided to plunge straight to the heart of the matter. "I like Mala. I want to marry Mala," I stated, watching her eyes closely.
Meena Chachi smiled broadly, her face lighting up with genuine happiness. She laughed softly and clapped her hands once. "My son has grown up so much that he wants to get married already! Tell me, who is this Mala, the lucky girl my son likes?"
"She's Mona's friend, the one I told you I helped with her exams," I clarified.
Meena Chachi tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Is this the same girl who doesn't have any brothers or sisters? The one who is the only daughter of her parents?"
"Yes, Chachi, I want to marry that Mala," I confirmed, my voice earnest.
"Then we have to hurry before her parents make an irreversible decision," Meena Chachi said, already standing up, energetic. "Your age is less right now; you have to be at least 21 or 22 to marry her legally and securely. I'll talk to Suman didi and tomorrow itself, I'll go and meet Mala's parents. I'll talk to them seriously about your and Mala's marriage. I'll also tell them to wait for two or three years, promising them security."
*(My mouth fell open. I was completely shocked to hear what Chachi said. The sudden, overwhelming relief made my eyes burn with unshed tears.)* "Chachi, are you not angry with me for wanting to marry now? Are you not angry with Mala?" I asked, confused by her easy acceptance.
"Angry? What are you saying, Avi? Don't be silly," she scoffed. "Our entire happiness is found in your happiness. And anyway, you have to get married someday. It's a very good thing that you chose your life partner yourself, a girl you clearly respect. But there's one thing, I did want to make you study for many more years first, and then get you married at the age of 26 or 27." She paused, then shrugged. "But it's okay, let's get you married first, and then you can continue your education. Just like I studied after marriage, you can do the same. Education is always possible."
Hearing Chachi's words—the complete dismissal of Mala's fears—the barrier in my throat broke. I started crying uncontrollably, the tears of relief and deep gratitude flowing freely, and I hugged her tightly. Crying into her shoulder, I recounted the entire, heartbreaking conversation I had with Mala at the temple.
"You're such a big boy now, and you're still crying like a scared kid," Chachi said, holding me and stroking my hair. "Come on, wipe your eyes." She pulled my face up and kissed my eyes, stopping the flow of my tears.
After crying for a while, the tension in my chest eased, and I became normal again.
"Why didn't you tell me this before, Avi? Why did you wait so long?" Meena Chachi asked, her expression serious again.
"I was..." I began, hesitant to admit my test.
Meena Chachi finished the thought for me, her eyes sharp and knowing. "You wanted to see if Mala's words about our family's rigidity were true or not, didn't you?"
"Yes," I admitted, lowering my gaze.
"So what did you find out? Was Mala's assessment of us accurate?" she asked, leaning back.
Instead of answering, I asked my real question. "Chachi, why did Mala do that? Why would she make such a huge decision without trusting me?"
"Mala did something wrong with you, but she also did something right for herself, if you look at it clearly," Meena Chachi said, speaking with wisdom.
"I don't understand the difference," I confessed, shaking my head.
"Look, Avi, I don't know much about romantic love, but I know two or three things about sacrifice and partnership," Meena Chachi began, taking my hands in hers. "The first meaning of true love is sacrifice. Mala also did the same; she sacrificed her love for her family's perceived security. Mala thought about her parents' future *before* thinking about her own happiness with you. The second meaning of love is to trust your partner completely. That is where Mala failed you. Mala didn't trust you, Avi. Mala should have given you a chance to prove you could provide for her parents as well. Instead, she made a huge decision about her life with her eyes closed, based on her fear of our delay. She thinks that the person she is going to marry—the one with the government job—will take care of her parents' future. Can't *we* take care of her parents? After Thakur, we have the most land and resources in the entire village! I could still get Mala married to you; I could force her parents to listen to me and change their minds. But I honestly think Mala is not the right girl for you."
I stared at her, waiting for the explanation.
"Mala is too smart to see only one path, and at the same time, she is a fool to let fear rule her. You should forget Mala, Avi. You will find a much better girl than Mala—one who has faith in you," Meena Chachi concluded firmly.
"But how can I forget Mala? She was the first person..." I started, the image of her eyes still sharp in my mind.
"Mala had to think about her parents' safety along with her own. She agreed to marry him, thinking that her future husband's security was the only way to take care of her parents," Meena Chachi repeated, driving the point home. "Avi, you like Mala right now because she helped you when you were exiled, but you also helped her with her exams. That's why she repaid your favor. If you fall in love with everyone who helps you, then how many people will you marry? That's not how love works! You help everyone, and they all help you. So will you fall in love with everyone you share an exchange with? If you consider a simple favor as true love, how will you manage your heart? Listen to me, forget Mala."
"You're right, Chachi," I finally conceded, her sharp logic slicing through my emotional haze. "I have to forget Mala."
"That's like my boy. Rest for a while, and when you open your eyes, you should start a new beginning by completely removing Mala from your mind," Chachi said, kissing my forehead and leaving the room.
I also slept for a while, allowing the simple truth of Chachi's words to settle. When I woke up, I decided to focus on the future and forget Mala.
In the evening, I went to Mona's house. Today there were more guests than usual because of the ongoing mehndi ceremony. Mona was applying mehndi with her friends. Mala and Riya were also sitting with Mona. Riya had already finished applying her mehndi and was waiting for it to dry. Riya immediately rushed over to me and showed me her dark, intricate mehndi designs. The mehndi looked good on Riya's hands. I started talking and laughing with Riya, making a show of my attention.
Whenever I talked to Riya, Mala looked at me from across the room, her eyes following my laughter. But now, I had nothing more to do with Mala. Mala and my path had separated, decided by her own lack of trust. After talking to Riya for a while, I went and sat with Mona's brother, closing the door on that chapter of my life.
---
![[+]](https://xossipy.com/themes/sharepoint/collapse_collapsed.png)