“Meera, you have to start thinking about your marriage now,” is a statement that alone can lead me into depression. I dread the day my parents will bring up the subject, though I know it’s not too far away. Especially, given that a lot of my friends are close to tying the knot. Most of the couples I know back home in Dehradun have had the ‘arranged’ style of shaadi. The singles meet once or twice with the whole jing-bang and khandaan around, to make up their mind on marriage. And it’s done — before anyone can even blink.

Thank God for beautiful mercies. Mumbai defines everything differently! In this colourful and free-thinking city, I have discovered that relationships have many shades. But they are not the be all and end all of life. Yes, of course, you can date but that’s not too uncommon in Dehradun. You can be whoever you want with your choice of understanding. But you know what’s even cooler? It’s fine if you don’t get married. In fact, I have suddenly come across so many wonderful individuals who are beyond the conventional age of marriage set by our awesome society, and yet extremely content with their happening lives. Thankfully, no one is judging them or passing shrewd taunts.