Mom's Decision

By the miracle of God, Anil did not hit his head. He somehow managed to catch the handrail with his left hand. However, he had fallen more than three flights of stairs and suffered a fracture in his right elbow. Ria and Leela's parents had to pay for his medical surgery.

Both Ria and Leela were now grounded. They could only go to school and come back home. They could no longer attend any party or watch movies together.

Leela's mother was convinced that Ria was a bad effect on her daughter. She told Leela to stay away from Ria but they continued their friendship.

Ria's parents on the other hand were furious with her behaviour. They had stopped talking to her after Anil's accident. They would leave out text messages and notes to communicate with her.

After a whole horrific week, finally, her parents relaxed on Sunday. They took Ria to an Italian restaurant for lunch.

They sat in corner of the restaurant. Ria kept her cellphone on the circular table and adjusted the napkins on her knees.

"Two pasta spaghetti napoletana and Ria what would you take?" asked Mrs Singh.

Ria looked at her mother's black eyes and smooth face with a sharp nose.

"The usual mom," replied Ria.

"Fine one classic Italian lasagna," said Mrs Singh to the tall, handsome waiter. 

"Please wait for fifteen minutes, your order will arrive soon." said the waiter before he left for the kitchen.

She turned and looked at her husband, who had a chubby face with short hair.

"This week, we have been very busy. Do you want to go somewhere after eating?" asked Mrs Singh.

"Honestly I would love to go to the bowling alley."

"I would love the same. Let's go there."

"What about Ria?" asked Mr Singh.

"She is still grounded and her exams will begin soon. She has to stay at home," replied Mrs Singh.

Ria looked at her parents shocked. Never in her life was she grounded for more than a week. 

Mr Kunal Singh and Mrs Natasha Singh were the richest couple in the entire Singh family. Mr Kunal was a famous paediatrician and Mrs Natasha was a well-known gynaecologist. They lived in a huge Mansion in a well known gated community of California. They owned several flats, which they gave on rent. Also, they owned a yacht which they used only during Ria's vacation to travel to other countries.

Throughout her life, Ria was pampered with love from her parents. Even though she would often play pranks on her Indian relatives, she was always forgiven by her parents. Although, this time her parents did not forgive her.

"My exams will start soon. Can I also go along with you for bowling? One last thing before the exam?" asked Ria, politely 

"No, you will not. We have been very lenient with you. You will pass this exam and straight start online coaching for neet." replied Mrs Singh.

"What's neet?" asked Ria.

"Indian Medical entrance exam."

Ria looked at her mother shocked.

"Mom, what are saying?"

"I and your father decided that you will study for medical education in India and become a good doctor there like us."

"Mom, I was born here. I cannot study there. I have my rights here. If you force me, I can leave the house."

"Ria, we made you a spoiled brat. Neither you respect us or any elders in our family. Moreover, now you are threatening us?" said Mr Singh, shocked.

"Wait a minute Kunal, why should we feel threatened? We can easily write her off the will. Let her go and stay on her own. She is sixteen and she can start earning soon. She can live on the street as a homeless girl or struggle daily to live in a flat shared by others. We gave her everything and she disrespected us. She damaged our reputation. Let her live without us and know the real world."

"Mom, how can you be so cunning?"

"I am cunning? What about you? Anil was Anita aunty's nephew. So you made him a target and he could have been seriously hurt but you didn't think about that?"

"Okay, firstly mom, I did not plan to hurt him that way. I only planned to scare him because he gets afraid very quickly and easily. I and Leela had no idea that such a thing could happen."

" What about the prank you played on Anita aunty last new year. You blew trumpet just when she was sitting on a chair. You stood right behind and blew it so loud that she almost fell."

"Well, you know that I dislike her."

"Ria, in every family there will always be someone who has thoughts like her. She is old and she has thoughts that were very prevalent when she was young. It does not mean that you disrespect her." said Mr Singh.

" Even Leela's mother told me that you were rude to Jyoti. Is this what we teach you?" asked Mrs Singh.

"Mom, why don't you stop taking me to any Indian event?"

"Why Ria? It happens occasionally and you don't even want to adjust for that one day. You are an Indian yourself and you hate these events."

"Yes mom, I hate any Indian festivals or weddings because I have relatives who hate anything modern. They are filled with patriarchy."

"This is the reason why we have decided to send you to India. You know nothing about your own country and you are filled with prejudice against them," said Mr Singh.

"Please look at our relatives. When it comes to girls, they always talk about the kitchen and marriage. Guys can wear anything they want but girls cannot do the same. Almost everyone is like that and that suffocates me."

"Are we like that? Have you heard me and your father saying something like this?" 

"No, but-

"You heard this only from certain elders and you are judging the whole country on this?"

"Even my cousins are like that, Dad."

"Is Leela or Nithin like that?" asked Mrs Singh.

"No, but almost all have that old mindset. I do not even wish to marry an Indian. All the boys even Nithin only listen to their mother and follow their mother's blindly. They are all their mother's puppet."

"Marriage is not important now. Graduation is important. We don't care about marriage now. We want you to know your country and accept certain values. Festivals are indeed important but respecting all the elders is the most important thing in our country." said Mr Singh.

"In the last party, you didn't wish Aunt Anita and you were rude with Jyoti. She was just a new bride who left India and came to California. Everything from food to the clothes may seem new to her and probably she is trying to adjust but you had to make a sarcastic comment. Anil just came from his trip. He was tired and resting peacefully before you played your prank. You are no longer a small girl, Ria. You must grow up." said Mrs Singh.

"FOR GOD SAKE, I DON'T WANT TO GO TO THAT SHIT HOLE POVERTY FILLED COUNTRY." Bellowed Ria.

The look on her parents immediately changed. They were angry before but now they seemed to be furious. Mrs Singh lifted her right hand and slapped Ria's face. The people sitting closer to them turned and looked at them curiously. 

"Yes you will or else we will throw you out," said Mrs Singh looking at Ria, straight into her eyes.