In a Quicksand

Shivay sat down with a cup of tea on a chair in his study room. He had returned from the office 40 minutes back.



Shivay opened the newspaper and started going through the news. He liked this late evening newspaper reading time with a cup of tea. He even left his smartphone in his bedroom during this time. There was complete peace contained in that room.



The door of the study room opened and Shivay’s mother stepped in with the smartphone in her hand and Shivay knew from her expression that his time of peace had been disturbed for no reason. Mrs Kansal was one of those people who liked to share anything interesting she found on social media in person rather than just forwarding the link, especially with her family, but she was a lovely woman always ready for a bout of smiles and laughter.



“What is it this time?” asked Shivay a little irritated



“Try to smile a little..” said Mrs Kansal and waited till Shivay smiled



Then Mrs Kansal asked, “You remember Pragya?”



“Pragya..?” thought Shivay



“Mr and Mrs Doshi’s daughter,” said Mrs Kansal



“Okay, right, she was working abroad in some big tech company,” said Shivay, “So, what about her?”



“She has come back to the country and has decided to pursue her further career here,” said Mrs Kansal



“That’s nice, but why am I being told this?” asked Shivay



Mrs Kansal turned her smartphone screen towards Shivay. In the video a woman was running a burger kart, and selling burger and talking to people around her. She was also taking time to dance a few steps to the music playing.



“This is Pragya?” asked Shivay genuinely surprised



“Yes,” said Mrs Kansal, “she has posted several videos on her channel”



“Okayy.. but why? She had a good job” thought Shivay



“I have heard such small businesses are giving good income now a days and people are also becoming popular,” said Mrs Kansal



“So, do you want me to do something like this?” smiled Shivay



“If you want to, I can help you out,” said Mrs Kansal, “so, would you like to do it?”



“What? No, I am just joking. This is honestly not for me,” said Shivay, “so, can I go back to reading my newspaper?”



“Well let’s go tomorrow evening and taste the burgers she makes. I have never known anyone who has been in this kind of business,” said Mrs Kansal and Shivay said he would take her.



Next day evening Shivay drove with his mother to where Pragya had established her burger cart. It was crowded with people eating as well as social media content creators who were busy with their cameras and mic.



“Doshi’s Burger Frenzy” read Shivay and then he looked at his mother and asked, “isn’t it a bit too crowded, are you sure you want to eat a burger here?”



“Eat a burger and talk about your marriage,” said Mrs Kansal excitedly



“What marriage?” asked Shivay but Mrs Kansal had already got out of the car



Shivay quickly parked his car and followed his mother in an attempt to clarify what she had just said but Mrs Kansal had already reached there and had engaged in a conversation with Mrs Doshi. Mrs Doshi had come to help her daughter out.



Shivay greeted Mrs Doshi to which she replied, “you have grown into a good-looking man”, to which Shivay wondered if his mother had told her about the ‘marriage thing’.



“Have you talked to Pragya?” asked Mrs Doshi



“No aunty, maybe later, she is very busy today” said Shivay in an attempt to end this quickly and get his mother out of there



“Wait I will call her?” said Mrs Kansal excitedly, “Pragya-Pragya!” Mrs Kansal called out for Pragya



“Mom, wait. We need to talk first,” said Shivay in a suppressed tone



“About what?” said Mrs Kansal, “Oh.. marriage? No, I will let you and Pragya talk to each other first” and Mrs Kansal had made not any attempts to suppress her tone



Suddenly a content creator asked Shivay, “What is your name?”



“Shivay, his name is Shivay,” said Mrs Kansal before Shivay could reply



“Is he in a relationship with Pragya?” “Are they going to marry?” were some questions which were asked by two creators and few others also gathered around



“Who knows,” said Mrs Kansal with a smile, “if everything goes well then it may happen”. Shivay stood wishing he had the option to close his eyes and open them to get over with his nightmare.



Next day evening, Shivay sat in his study room reading a newspaper. He wasn’t able to focus though. No, they had not been able to meet Pragya, but videos of Shivay had surfaced on social media as the one who was going to marry her. Shivay was thinking whether he should take a two-day holiday from work.

Written by Anuran Chatterji

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