The Choices We Make
By Lokanath Mishra
Marriage, in India, is not just the union of two individuals—it is the weaving together of two families, traditions, and futures. In the case of Nitia and Dolly, their story began with the blessings of destiny but ended as a lesson in choices.
Nitia belonged to a respectable, well-educated family. After completing his B. Tech and MBA from a renowned university, he had secured a high-paying job in Mumbai with a reputed IT company. He was not only intelligent but also humble, a man who believed in living with simplicity, honesty, and respect for others.
Dolly, on the other hand, was modern and outspoken. She too had completed her B. Tech and was working at a well-known IT company in Bhubaneswar. She lived with her parents and siblings in her father’s home. She was bright, articulate, and strong-minded—a girl who did not hesitate to voice her beliefs. Her confidence often worried her parents, who sometimes feared her attitude might make it difficult for her to adjust after marriage.
When the proposal for Nitia and Dolly came forward, both families were impressed. Their educational qualifications matched, their earnings were good, and their horoscopes too aligned perfectly. What made the alliance even more admirable was that there was no talk of dowry. Instead, both families agreed to a destination wedding with equal sharing of expenses.
Most importantly, they allowed the young couple to meet and decide for themselves.
Their first meetings were pleasant. Nitia was soft-spoken and a good listener, and Dolly noticed that he always responded with calmness and care.
“I want to continue working after marriage,” Dolly told him one day during their conversation.
“That’s wonderful,” Nitia replied warmly. “You should continue if that makes you happy.”
On another occasion, she suddenly changed her stance and said, “I think I might prefer to stay at home for some years.”
Nitia didn’t flinch. With a gentle smile, he said, “That’s completely your choice. Whatever makes you comfortable.”
She also expressed concern about leaving her parents immediately if Nitia was ever posted abroad. “I may not be able to come with you right away,” she said.
Again, Nitia nodded. “I understand. Family is important. You can come whenever you’re ready.”
But instead of feeling secure with his acceptance, Dolly grew suspicious. His constant willingness to agree unsettled her.
“Why is he saying yes to everything? Does he have something to hide? No one can be this agreeable,” she thought uneasily.
Her parents, satisfied with the alliance, sensed her hesitation but did not interfere. Finally, Dolly made her decision—she rejected the proposal.
For her, his accommodating nature was not a mark of respect but of weakness, or perhaps deceit.
When the news reached Nitia, he was heartbroken. He had spoken only truth, shown only kindness, and yet, the very qualities he thought were his strengths became the reasons for his rejection. With a heavy heart, he immersed himself back into work in Mumbai.
One evening, his close friend Mukunda invited him home for dinner. After a warm meal, Mukunda’s wife smiled and asked, “So, Nitia, when are we going to celebrate your marriage?”
There was a pause. Nitia lowered his eyes and, for the first time, shared the story of Dolly’s rejection. Speaking it aloud, he felt an odd sense of relief.
After he left, Mukunda’s family sat together and spoke of him with sympathy. They admired his sincerity and his calm nature. Mukunda’s sister, Lily, listened quietly. She was working in an IT company herself, gentle in nature but strong in values. That night, the family decided to send a proposal to Nitia’s parents.
Discreet inquiries were made through distant relatives. Her workplace, her character, and her background—all stood out in good light. Nitia’s parents, relieved and happy, agreed.
When Nitia met Lily, he found in her a partner who not only respected family traditions but also believed in personal freedom. She appreciated his patience and kindness rather than doubting it. Their wedding was arranged in a grand manner at a renowned hotel in Puri. It was not just a union but a celebration of shared values.
The reception in Mumbai was equally joyful. Soon, Nitia and Lily settled into their new life, one filled with laughter, trust, and companionship.
Meanwhile, Dolly’s life took another turn.
She fell in love with David, a handsome and charismatic man from Bhubaneswar. He was an M. Tech graduate, well-settled, and belonged to a respected Christian family. Her own family disapproved of the interfaith marriage and refused to attend. But David’s parents, despite their conservative nature, welcomed her as their daughter-in-law.
On the surface, David was everything Dolly had wanted—successful, attractive, and charming. He even claimed to be free from drinking and smoking. Dolly convinced herself she had chosen well.
But marriage revealed another reality. David’s temper was uncontrollable. He broke things, shouted abuses, and refused to apologize. He hid his drinking and smoking habits, fearing his strict parents. Worst of all, his behavior behind closed doors was cruel, leaving Dolly deeply wounded.
The final betrayal came during her pregnancy, when she discovered his affair. A month after their child was born, he left to live openly with his girlfriend. Though they divorced, he continued to disturb her life.
Three years later, David returned, pleading for reconciliation. Against all advice, Dolly remarried him.
Her best friend Ratna had asked her, “What will you think when he comes home late again? When he goes outside to talk on the phone? When he disappears from the office? Can you ever live without suspicion?”
But Dolly silenced her doubts. She wanted her family back, and so she married him again.
They moved into a new home, and Dolly soon became pregnant with triplets. For a while, it felt like things were improving. But slowly, his drinking, flings, and arrogance resurfaced. This time, Dolly discovered not just one affair but several—with women she knew personally.
Completely shattered, she filed for divorce again. The pain was unbearable—not only because of betrayal but because she realized she had ignored the truth.
One evening, she asked Ratna tearfully, “Why didn’t you stop me from marrying him again?”
Ratna’s reply was calm but firm. “You didn’t want to hear it.”
By then, Nitia and Lily had built a peaceful life in Mumbai. They were blessed with a son, and their home echoed with joy and harmony. Mutual respect and understanding made their bond unshakable.
Dolly, however, was left to battle loneliness and regret. Her downfall was not because she chose love over arrangement, but because pride and mistrust blinded her to the value of true goodness when it had stood right before her.
Marriage, at its core, is not about perfection—it is about respect, trust, and the willingness to accept each other wholeheartedly.
Sometimes, we mistake kindness for weakness, when in truth, it is the greatest strength.
Ego, suspicion, and impulsive choices can destroy lives, while patience, humility, and trust can build a happy family.
And above all, before rejecting someone who treats you with dignity, remember—true support is rare, and once lost, it may never return.