Chapter 3
The aroma of chai filled the living room as Simran sat across from her parents, clutching the internship offer letter in her trembling hands. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she tried to formulate the right words.
Simran
Papa, mujhe kuch baat karni hai
(Papa, I need to talk to you.)
She began, keeping her tone as neutral as possible.
Her father, dressed in his usual crisp kurta, folded his newspaper and gave her a sharp look.
Simran's father
Bolo
(Speak)
Simran inhaled deeply and held out the letter
Simran
Mujhe Bengaluru jaana hai. Yeh IT company ka internship offer aaya hai. Yeh mere career ke liye bohot important hai
(I need to go to Bengaluru. I’ve received an internship offer from an IT company. This is very important for my career.)
A heavy silence settled over the room. Her mother, who was arranging freshly ironed clothes, turned around with a frown.
Simran's Mother
Bengaluru? Itni door? Akeli ladki ko itni door bhejna sahi nahi hoga
(Bengaluru? That far? Sending a girl so far alone isn’t right.)
Her father’s face hardened.
Simran's father
Tumhe yahan bhi kaam mil sakta hai. Itni door jaane ki kya zarurat hai?
(You can get work here too. Why do you need to go so far?)
Simran knew this was coming. She had rehearsed every possible argument in her head.
Simran
Papa, yeh ek badi opportunity hai. IT field mein aage badhna hai toh ache exposure ki zarurat hai. Yeh internship mujhe ek ache job tak le ja sakti hai
(Papa, this is a big opportunity. If I want to progress in IT, I need good exposure. This internship can lead to a great job.)
Simran's father
(jaw clenched) Ek ladki akeli aise sheher sheher ghoomti achi nahi lagti
(A girl roaming alone from city to city doesn’t look good.)
Before Simran could respond, a lazy voice chimed in from the couch.
Palak
Wah, Didi. Tumhare sapne toh bade bade hain
(Wow, Didi. You have such big dreams.)
It was her younger sister, Palak, scrolling through her phone
Palak
Main hoti toh seedha bolti ki mujhe jaana hai, bas. Yeh sab permission lene ka drama hi kyun?
(If I were in your place, I would’ve just said I’m going, that’s it. Why this whole drama of asking for permission?)
Simran shot her a look, silently pleading for her to stay quiet, but Riya wasn’t one to back down.
Palak
Aur haan, Papa, mujhe bhi ek din bahar jaana hai. Meri shaadi-wadi mat fix karna bina puchhe, warna bhag jaungi
(Oh, and yes, Papa, one day I’m going out too. Don’t fix my marriage without asking me, or I’ll run away.)
Simran's Mother
(gasped) Palak! Aise bolte hain bade buzurgon ke saamne?
(Palak! Is this how you talk in front of elders?)
Palak shrugged, completely unfazed.
Palak
Mujhe toh yeh soch hi ajeeb lagti hai ki career ya independence ke liye bhi permission leni padti hai
(I just find it weird that one needs permission even for career and independence.)
Simran
(shook her head) Palak, chup raho
(Palak, keep quiet)
But her father wasn’t paying attention to Palak anymore. His sharp gaze was fixed on Simran.
Simran's father
Tum wahan jaake kya karogi? Humein kaun guarantee dega ki tum safe rahogi?
(What will you do there? Who will guarantee your safety?)
Simran
Papa, mujhe Bharosa hai apne upar. Main sambhal lungi
(Papa, I trust myself. I will manage.)
Her mother sighed, sitting down beside her father.
Simran's Mother
Tum akeli ladki ho, beta. Wahan koi jaankar hai?
(You’re a girl, beta. Do you have anyone you know there?)
Simran
(nodded) Mujhe PG mil gaya hai. Office ka environment bhi safe hai. Aur Meher bhi Delhi se Bengaluru shift hone ka plan kar rahi hai.
(I’ve found a PG. The office environment is also safe. And Meher is planning to shift from Delhi to Bengaluru too.)
Her parents exchanged a look. Simran could see the hesitation, the fear, the reluctance to let go. But she also saw something else—a small crack in their rigid beliefs.
Simran's father
Theek hai, par ek shart pe
(Fine, but on one condition.)
Simran
(heart leaped) Kya?
(What?)
Simran's father
(firmly) Har roz call karna padega. Koi dikkat ho toh turant bataana. Aur wapas aane ka sochna bhi
(You will have to call us every day. If there’s any problem, inform us immediately. And consider coming back when needed.)
A smile of relief spread across Simran’s face.
Simran
Papa, main promise karti hoon
(Papa, I promise.)
Palak
(smirked) Lo ho gaya decision. Ab bas Didi ka ‘Bengaluru Diaries’ shuru hone waala hai
(There, decision made. Now Didi’s ‘Bengaluru Diaries’ is about to begin.)
Simran rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress her excitement. She was finally stepping into a new world—one that would change her life forever.
“Sometimes, the biggest battles are fought at home before we even step out into the world.”
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