Episode 82: The Dowry Car — When Marriage Negotiations Turn into a Financial Battlefield
Series: Broken by Burden: Financial Survival Strategies for the Troubled Mind
Date: 25-Sept-2025
🎭 A Car That Stole Their Sleep
Characters:
- Prakash Mitra (52): A humble government clerk, known for his honesty, with retirement just 6 years away. He lives a simple life but carries the weight of societal expectations.
- Sulekha Mitra (48): His wife, practical and observant, who sees the world’s greed clearer than her husband does.
- Shreya Mitra (24): Their only daughter, self-reliant, modern, working in an IT company in Kolkata, who values self-respect above materialism.
- Rohan Dutta (28): Shreya’s fiancé, a bank officer from a socially “prestigious” family, who quietly accepts his parents’ ways.
- Mr. and Mrs. Dutta: Rohan’s parents — polite on the surface but deeply status-driven.
- Sujit Mitra (Prakash’s cousin): A retired insurance officer, who serves as Prakash’s voice of reason and confidant.
🌳 The Background: Years of Sacrifice
Prakash’s entire life was dedicated to a single dream — “Shreya should have everything her parents couldn’t afford.”
He had started saving for her wedding when she was barely 8 years old.
- Festivals? Always minimal, so money could go into the shadi fund.
- Vacations? Never. A bus trip to Digha once in a decade was considered luxury.
- Health? Prakash delayed cataract surgery twice to save costs.
His retirement benefits were already pledged in his mind for Shreya’s marriage — her gold jewelry, wedding hall, and future security.
For him, the car demand was not just a financial ask — it was a test of his ability as a father.
☕ The Suggestion That Felt Like a Slap
During one pre-wedding visit, Mrs. Dutta casually mentioned:
Mrs. Dutta (smiling, but firm):
“Oh, our Rohan works so hard. His office is far. A small sedan — like a Dzire — would be a good start for the newlyweds. Don’t you think, Prakash babu?”
Prakash sipped his tea in silence, his ears ringing. He forced a smile.
Later that evening at home:
Prakash (sitting quietly): “She mentioned a car… Did you hear how she said it?”
Sulekha (sharp tone): “I heard. And I hated it. Are we selling our soul for these people? Why should we give them a car?”
Shreya (angrily): “Baba, you will not take a loan for this! I can buy a car from my salary later if needed. Please don’t do this nonsense.”
Prakash (softly): “Beti, this is not nonsense. You don’t know society… These things smoothen relationships.”
Shreya: “Relationships built on greed are not worth saving.”
💸 The Loan
Sujit, Prakash’s cousin, tried to intervene:
Sujit: “Prakash, you’re already stretched. Don’t take a ₹7 lakh car loan for this dowry rubbish. People’s expectations have no end.”
Prakash: “Sujit da, you don’t understand. I just want Shreya’s life to start peacefully. If they think a car is respect, I’ll give it. I’ll eat less if I have to.”
Against everyone’s advice, Prakash signed a ₹6.8 lakh loan at 9% interest — EMI ₹14,500/month for 5 years.
When the Dzire arrived, neighbors clapped and congratulated him. But Sulekha, standing by the gate, muttered:
“A car for them, but debt for us.”
🎉 The Wedding
The wedding day was grand. The car stood gleaming with flowers, symbolizing “generosity.” Relatives praised Prakash.
But in a corner, Sulekha overheard Mrs. Dutta whispering to a friend:
“Hmph, at least they didn’t insult us with a cheap Alto. It’s passable.”
Sulekha’s face burned. That night, she told Shreya:
“This car isn’t a gift, beti. It’s your father’s tears disguised as steel.”
🌙 The EMI War
Three months later, the EMI storm began.
- Prakash’s monthly salary (₹42,000) went into car EMI (₹14,500) + wedding personal loan (₹8,000) + household expenses (₹20,000).
- There was no buffer for emergencies.
- Prakash skipped medical tests to avoid costs.
One night, Sulekha confronted him.
Sulekha (angrily): “Prakash! This isn’t living. You don’t even have ₹500 for your medicines.”
Prakash (tired voice): “I’ll manage. It’s for Shreya’s happiness.”
Sulekha: “Do you think she’s happy seeing you suffer like this?”
Shreya, listening from the hallway, had tears streaming down her face.
🧠 Character Dynamics
- Prakash: His pride as a father blinded him to the emotional and financial trap he’d walked into.
- Sulekha: The one who saw reality but couldn’t stop it.
- Shreya: Torn between gratitude and anger — anger at a society that made her father feel “less.”
- Sujit: The voice of reason, who said what everyone feared to admit.
💡 What This Story Teaches Us
- Dowry is no less cruel when disguised as “gifts.” Whether it’s a car or jewellery, the emotional cost is higher than the financial one.
- Parents’ pride can become their burden. Prakash wasn’t competing with the Dutta’s — he was competing with his own fear of being judged.
- Loans for social approval are deadly. They give temporary praise but lifelong anxiety.
- Daughters must be empowered to speak. Shreya’s voice was strong but silenced by her father’s love.
🌱 Where They Are Now
A year later, Shreya pays ₹5,000 every month to help her father with the EMI. She has firmly told Rohan:
“If your parents ask for anything more, I’ll walk out. My father has done enough.”
Prakash, though still burdened by EMIs, is proud — not of the car, but of his daughter’s courage.
Episode 83: The Fake Gold Ordeal — When a Family’s Investment Turns Out to Be Hollow
In the next story, a family pawns their gold during a medical emergency, only to discover it was fake jewelry sold by a trusted shop — leading to heartbreak, legal battles, and shattered trust.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
This narrative is inspired by real societal issues and financial struggles. All characters are fictionalized for privacy. Always avoid dowry-related demands and prioritize financial independence over social approval.
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