The title says it all!
Punjabi Boy meets South Indian girl...they fall in love...parents dont agree...the usual complications involved in an inter caste marriage in India...
You have seen it a million times in bollywood movies or heard about it trillion times from Indian couples themselves....
The usual drama, hiccups, close calls, opportunities, dreams, depression, luck... yes its got it all!! In fact looks like Mr.Bhagat has written this book with solely one intention.. to clinch another movie deal :) ... but be more careful with the contract this time mate!!
BUT.... I would still recommend this book....for many reasons...
As usual, Mr.Bhagat's storytelling ability is fantastic.. though the book is predictable, it has a good pace (the end is a bit hurried though) ..so you never get bored..
There are many instances in the book which make you smile... and there are a few which actually make you laugh too....
The characters are well portrayed...most of them are ideal representatives of their states...
You can relate to the characters and the incidents...
So, if you are planning to watch the new Himesh movie "RADIO" for 100 bucks, skip it.. buy this book for 95.. Its a better way to spend three hours.
Showing posts with label Marriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marriage. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Crossroads
He was confused. It was worse than he had imagined. How could his life land up in such a tight spot? The solution to the problem he faced now would decide his fate.
He had broken up with the love of his life two years back. It had taken most of the two years to recuperate. It had been difficult, but where there is a will there is a way. He had disciplined himself to concentrate on other things in life. He had spent long hours in office on the weekdays. He had followed his hobbies on the weekends. He had kept himself occupied. Slowly but steadily he had come out of the depression that had resulted from the breakup.
Six months back, he had finally given in to his parent’s demands. He had agreed to an arranged marriage. The process had been initiated and his parents had started looking for a suitable match for him. Though his heart wasn’t into it, he had decided to approach this venture with full sincerity. Finally last month he had met the female he felt would be right for him. She wasn’t anything remotely close to his ex-girlfriend (Why the heck did he still compare???) But she was decent looking, from a good family and seemed intellectually equipped (much better than the last two females he had rejected.) Though he wasn’t sure, he had given his consent. The engagement date was fixed. The ceremony was now four days away.
It was just a week after his engagement when the unthinkable happened. He had fallen in love again. He had met her at a common friend’s party. They had connected together fantastically. Strangely he hadn’t compared her to his Ex. Within a week they were the best of friends. They had so much in common, that it would be a pity if he let her go from his life. Following his heart, he had proposed to her and she had agreed. He had to now break the news to his parents. He knew that this would come as a big blow to them. But in hearts of hearts he knew that they would give in. All they wanted was for him to be happy.
He had finally summoned up the courage to speak to them. The day before he was going to speak to them, life played another prank on him. His Ex had called up and asked him to meet her. She was in town and she wanted to meet him. He gave in too easily for reasons unknown even to himself. When they met that evening, the long lost memories came flooding back. Before he could update her on his life, she started talking about hers. She had started with how sorely she missed him and about how she had taken some wrong decisions in the past year. She explained to him that the failures she had faced on the personal and professional front had made her realize her mistakes. Finally she expressed her desire to get back together. He had somehow decided not to update her on his life and asked for some time.
So, here he was! All jumbled up! In a mess!
What would you do, if you were him?
He had broken up with the love of his life two years back. It had taken most of the two years to recuperate. It had been difficult, but where there is a will there is a way. He had disciplined himself to concentrate on other things in life. He had spent long hours in office on the weekdays. He had followed his hobbies on the weekends. He had kept himself occupied. Slowly but steadily he had come out of the depression that had resulted from the breakup.
Six months back, he had finally given in to his parent’s demands. He had agreed to an arranged marriage. The process had been initiated and his parents had started looking for a suitable match for him. Though his heart wasn’t into it, he had decided to approach this venture with full sincerity. Finally last month he had met the female he felt would be right for him. She wasn’t anything remotely close to his ex-girlfriend (Why the heck did he still compare???) But she was decent looking, from a good family and seemed intellectually equipped (much better than the last two females he had rejected.) Though he wasn’t sure, he had given his consent. The engagement date was fixed. The ceremony was now four days away.
It was just a week after his engagement when the unthinkable happened. He had fallen in love again. He had met her at a common friend’s party. They had connected together fantastically. Strangely he hadn’t compared her to his Ex. Within a week they were the best of friends. They had so much in common, that it would be a pity if he let her go from his life. Following his heart, he had proposed to her and she had agreed. He had to now break the news to his parents. He knew that this would come as a big blow to them. But in hearts of hearts he knew that they would give in. All they wanted was for him to be happy.
He had finally summoned up the courage to speak to them. The day before he was going to speak to them, life played another prank on him. His Ex had called up and asked him to meet her. She was in town and she wanted to meet him. He gave in too easily for reasons unknown even to himself. When they met that evening, the long lost memories came flooding back. Before he could update her on his life, she started talking about hers. She had started with how sorely she missed him and about how she had taken some wrong decisions in the past year. She explained to him that the failures she had faced on the personal and professional front had made her realize her mistakes. Finally she expressed her desire to get back together. He had somehow decided not to update her on his life and asked for some time.
So, here he was! All jumbled up! In a mess!
What would you do, if you were him?
Friday, August 15, 2008
Coincidences
Rahul was still thinking as he boarded the flight. He located his seat, stuffed hand baggage into the overhead compartment and made himself cozy. He pulled out the newspaper and flipped the pages non-chalantly.
“Excuse me. This is my seat”
He reacted instinctively to the female voice. What he saw was a beautiful face. An Indian Face! In a flash he lit up.
“Hello. I am talking to you,” she repeated.
“Oh.. Yeah. Sorry. I mistook it for mine.” he said. He shifted to the neighboring seat and made way for the lady.
She sat down gracefully and buried her face into the Mills and Boon novel. He tried to concentrate on the newspaper, but failed to do so.
“I don’t know why they are delaying the take off” he whispered.
She lowered the novel and asked, “Are you talking to me?”
All he could see were her eyes. They were big, beautiful and sparkling. “Yes ma’am. You happen to be in the seat next to mine. So I have no choice but to talk to you.” He smiled.
“Oh. How unfortunate. I don’t speak to strangers.” The book was back to its original place.
“But I do. I am Rahul.” He said and extended his hand.
“Mister. Don’t you get the message? I don’t talk to strangers,” she said on impulse.
This was humiliating. He quickly returned back to the newspaper. In some time the flight took off and they were on their way. Some time passed by. He was deeply engrossed in an interesting article when he heard muffled sobs. She was crying.
“Excuse me. If I can ask, is there some problem?”
Silence.
“Hello. I am asking you ma’am. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Mind your own business. Stay out” she blurted out.
This was the last straw. He was only trying to help. He looked away and buried his face into the newspaper again. But he couldn’t concentrate.
“Sorry.”
He looked at her. She was looking at him. Her beautiful eyes were red now. “Are you talking to me?” he asked.
“Yes. Sorry for being rude.” She said innocently.
“No issues. It happens to all of us at some point of time or the other.” He smiled.
“I am Reema.” She said wiping of the tears with a paper napkin.
“Oh. I thought you don’t speak with strangers.” He said mockingly.
“I do. Sometimes.” She forced a smile.
“Oh. So you smile too. That’s great. By the way is there a problem?”
“No. Its nothing.” She said as tears welled up in her eyes again.
“Are you sure? If you a problem with me, I could get my seat exchanged… with that old Texan there.” He said pointing out to a large fat guy with a big moustache who was snoring loudly.
She laughed. She looked beautiful when she laughed.
The airhostess came by and asked, “Would like to have tea or coffee?”
“Coffee, black, without sugar” he replied.
“Tea for me.” She said.
Once the airhostess was gone, he resumed the conversation. “So, going to Delhi?”
“Yes. My parents stay there. I was here on a project. I work for TCS.”
“Tata Consultancy. That’s cool. One of my cousin’s works there. His name is Rohit. Do you know him?”
“TCS has over 70k employees. It’s difficult to know everyone. Besides there might be at least hundred Rohit’s there.”
“Oh. That’s right. But what’s the harm in asking. By the way, I am employed with Citigroup, UK. I have been here for four years now.”
“I was here only for six months” she said.
“OK. Did you like the place?”
“Yeah, kind of. But I like India better. India is India.”
“That’s true. Wherever we go, phir bhi dil hai Hindustani. We tend to come back to India.I also plan to go back to India and settle after four-five years.”
“Hmm. But this time I am not at all excited to go home.” She said sadly.
“Why? I am always excited to go home.” He could already imagine himself at home with his parents.
“My parents want me to get married. It seems they have arranged for me to see a guy. I don’t want to get married to someone I don’t know.”
“Hmm..Is that the reason you were sad some time back. You wont believe this, but I am going home to get married too.” he said.
“What? Are you serious?”
“Yes. In fact while boarding I was also contemplating what would be in store for me. Even I don’t appreciate arranged marriages. But I haven’t been lucky to fall in love. So there is no other option.” He said and shrugged.
“Same with me. But arranged marriages are more difficult for females. You are treated as a showpiece. Yuck.” She said making a face.
He laughed and said “But eventually you have to get married. There is no escaping that. I trust my parents and to an extent my instincts too.”
“Good luck to you. I am feeling sad for myself. I had never imagined myself getting into all this arranged marriage jhanjhat. I don’t know how I will cope with all this.” She said.
He liked this girl. She was lively and innocent. Whatever she spoke came straight from her heart. He was attracted to her innocence and straightforwardness. “Good luck to you too.”
“I cannot leave my parents and I cannot get married to a stranger. I am in a fix.” She said. There was sorrow in her voice.
“Ok, tell me what kind of a guy do you want to get married to?” he asked.
“Hmm..He should be my type. He should stand by me always, know how to make me laugh and love me. That’s all I want.”
“That is cool.” He was very much the kind of guy she wanted. He smiled.
“What kind of a girl do you want?” she asked.
“I want a girl who will gel with me and my family. She should be modern but still value traditions and customs.” he replied. He had never thought about this, but somehow it was always there hidden away somewhere in his mind. He had just found out what he wanted.
“Hmm..” she said thoughtfully.
He could clearly see that she was placing herself into the role he had just defined. “Did she like him? He liked her. Should I tell her? No ways. This is insanity. Four hours into a flight and I am in love. I have been waiting for love to happen for so many years. It happens to me when my parents run out of patience. Its crazy.”
“What are you thinking about?” she asked.
“Nothing.” He lied.
The announcement was suddenly made. They were to land in ten minutes. It was do or die. “But it sounds so foolish. Idiotic. What will she think?”
“Did you say anything?” she asked.
“Huh.. No. Finally we have reached.” He said.
“Yes. God help us.” She winked.
The flight finally landed. The other passengers started queuing for the exit. Rahul and Reema were still seated waiting for the crowd to thin out. Finally they made their way out.
“Bye Rahul. I had a great time with you in the flight.” She said and smiled.
“Bye. Me too. All the best” He had decided not to tell her.
“All the best to you too.” She said and disappeared into the crowd.
He saw his parents waving out to him. He waved back, rushed towards them and hugged them. After a tearful reunion his dad said, “Beta, you know what, the girl we want you to see is in the same flight as yours.”
His heart skipped a beat. His pulse raced. “Her name is Reema”, his mom added.
He was overjoyed. It couldn’t be true. It would be the greatest coincidence of his life.
“They are to meet us at the exit. Lets go.” His dad said already moving towards the gate.
“There they are.” His mom said. He looked towards her pointed finger. He could see an elderly couple and a girl. The girl’s back was towards him.
As she turned around, he closed his eyes and prayed.
He opened his eyes. It was not she. Though it was a coincidence, it wasn’t a good one for him.
With sad steps he trudged ahead.
Note: In this story, Rahul met the right Reema in his journey, but still ended up with the wrong one. Do you think he did the right thing? What would you have done in the same situation. Comments invited!
“Excuse me. This is my seat”
He reacted instinctively to the female voice. What he saw was a beautiful face. An Indian Face! In a flash he lit up.
“Hello. I am talking to you,” she repeated.
“Oh.. Yeah. Sorry. I mistook it for mine.” he said. He shifted to the neighboring seat and made way for the lady.
She sat down gracefully and buried her face into the Mills and Boon novel. He tried to concentrate on the newspaper, but failed to do so.
“I don’t know why they are delaying the take off” he whispered.
She lowered the novel and asked, “Are you talking to me?”
All he could see were her eyes. They were big, beautiful and sparkling. “Yes ma’am. You happen to be in the seat next to mine. So I have no choice but to talk to you.” He smiled.
“Oh. How unfortunate. I don’t speak to strangers.” The book was back to its original place.
“But I do. I am Rahul.” He said and extended his hand.
“Mister. Don’t you get the message? I don’t talk to strangers,” she said on impulse.
This was humiliating. He quickly returned back to the newspaper. In some time the flight took off and they were on their way. Some time passed by. He was deeply engrossed in an interesting article when he heard muffled sobs. She was crying.
“Excuse me. If I can ask, is there some problem?”
Silence.
“Hello. I am asking you ma’am. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Mind your own business. Stay out” she blurted out.
This was the last straw. He was only trying to help. He looked away and buried his face into the newspaper again. But he couldn’t concentrate.
“Sorry.”
He looked at her. She was looking at him. Her beautiful eyes were red now. “Are you talking to me?” he asked.
“Yes. Sorry for being rude.” She said innocently.
“No issues. It happens to all of us at some point of time or the other.” He smiled.
“I am Reema.” She said wiping of the tears with a paper napkin.
“Oh. I thought you don’t speak with strangers.” He said mockingly.
“I do. Sometimes.” She forced a smile.
“Oh. So you smile too. That’s great. By the way is there a problem?”
“No. Its nothing.” She said as tears welled up in her eyes again.
“Are you sure? If you a problem with me, I could get my seat exchanged… with that old Texan there.” He said pointing out to a large fat guy with a big moustache who was snoring loudly.
She laughed. She looked beautiful when she laughed.
The airhostess came by and asked, “Would like to have tea or coffee?”
“Coffee, black, without sugar” he replied.
“Tea for me.” She said.
Once the airhostess was gone, he resumed the conversation. “So, going to Delhi?”
“Yes. My parents stay there. I was here on a project. I work for TCS.”
“Tata Consultancy. That’s cool. One of my cousin’s works there. His name is Rohit. Do you know him?”
“TCS has over 70k employees. It’s difficult to know everyone. Besides there might be at least hundred Rohit’s there.”
“Oh. That’s right. But what’s the harm in asking. By the way, I am employed with Citigroup, UK. I have been here for four years now.”
“I was here only for six months” she said.
“OK. Did you like the place?”
“Yeah, kind of. But I like India better. India is India.”
“That’s true. Wherever we go, phir bhi dil hai Hindustani. We tend to come back to India.I also plan to go back to India and settle after four-five years.”
“Hmm. But this time I am not at all excited to go home.” She said sadly.
“Why? I am always excited to go home.” He could already imagine himself at home with his parents.
“My parents want me to get married. It seems they have arranged for me to see a guy. I don’t want to get married to someone I don’t know.”
“Hmm..Is that the reason you were sad some time back. You wont believe this, but I am going home to get married too.” he said.
“What? Are you serious?”
“Yes. In fact while boarding I was also contemplating what would be in store for me. Even I don’t appreciate arranged marriages. But I haven’t been lucky to fall in love. So there is no other option.” He said and shrugged.
“Same with me. But arranged marriages are more difficult for females. You are treated as a showpiece. Yuck.” She said making a face.
He laughed and said “But eventually you have to get married. There is no escaping that. I trust my parents and to an extent my instincts too.”
“Good luck to you. I am feeling sad for myself. I had never imagined myself getting into all this arranged marriage jhanjhat. I don’t know how I will cope with all this.” She said.
He liked this girl. She was lively and innocent. Whatever she spoke came straight from her heart. He was attracted to her innocence and straightforwardness. “Good luck to you too.”
“I cannot leave my parents and I cannot get married to a stranger. I am in a fix.” She said. There was sorrow in her voice.
“Ok, tell me what kind of a guy do you want to get married to?” he asked.
“Hmm..He should be my type. He should stand by me always, know how to make me laugh and love me. That’s all I want.”
“That is cool.” He was very much the kind of guy she wanted. He smiled.
“What kind of a girl do you want?” she asked.
“I want a girl who will gel with me and my family. She should be modern but still value traditions and customs.” he replied. He had never thought about this, but somehow it was always there hidden away somewhere in his mind. He had just found out what he wanted.
“Hmm..” she said thoughtfully.
He could clearly see that she was placing herself into the role he had just defined. “Did she like him? He liked her. Should I tell her? No ways. This is insanity. Four hours into a flight and I am in love. I have been waiting for love to happen for so many years. It happens to me when my parents run out of patience. Its crazy.”
“What are you thinking about?” she asked.
“Nothing.” He lied.
The announcement was suddenly made. They were to land in ten minutes. It was do or die. “But it sounds so foolish. Idiotic. What will she think?”
“Did you say anything?” she asked.
“Huh.. No. Finally we have reached.” He said.
“Yes. God help us.” She winked.
The flight finally landed. The other passengers started queuing for the exit. Rahul and Reema were still seated waiting for the crowd to thin out. Finally they made their way out.
“Bye Rahul. I had a great time with you in the flight.” She said and smiled.
“Bye. Me too. All the best” He had decided not to tell her.
“All the best to you too.” She said and disappeared into the crowd.
He saw his parents waving out to him. He waved back, rushed towards them and hugged them. After a tearful reunion his dad said, “Beta, you know what, the girl we want you to see is in the same flight as yours.”
His heart skipped a beat. His pulse raced. “Her name is Reema”, his mom added.
He was overjoyed. It couldn’t be true. It would be the greatest coincidence of his life.
“They are to meet us at the exit. Lets go.” His dad said already moving towards the gate.
“There they are.” His mom said. He looked towards her pointed finger. He could see an elderly couple and a girl. The girl’s back was towards him.
As she turned around, he closed his eyes and prayed.
He opened his eyes. It was not she. Though it was a coincidence, it wasn’t a good one for him.
With sad steps he trudged ahead.
Note: In this story, Rahul met the right Reema in his journey, but still ended up with the wrong one. Do you think he did the right thing? What would you have done in the same situation. Comments invited!
Best laid plans.
“We will have new light blue curtains for the master bedroom”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. And we need a flat screen TV for the hall. We can shift the old TV to the bedroom.”
“OK ma'am. As you say.”
“By the way, did you think about what I told you day before yesterday?”
“Hmmm…about what?”
“The car, dumbo! We will need a car.”
“Ohh.. Right! Would a santro do?”
“Nopes. Santro is very common. We should have someone better and bigger.”
“OK. Lets plan for a Hyundai Verna. I like it.”
“Yeah. That’s more like it. I will visit my parents twice-thrice a year.”
“Come one. That’s too much. Once is enough. I will miss you when you are gone.”
“Nope! Twice is compulsory. You can come with me if you want to.”
“OK. Lets see how it goes. I know that you won’t be able to leave me and go for some many days.”
“Don’t challenge me. Where would we hold the marriage ceremony?”
“Mumbai, obviously.”
“No ways! Chennai would be better; it would be closer to my home. All my relatives will find it comfortable.”
“What about my relatives?”
“Hmmm..Bangalore then. It will be better for both sides.”
“OK. Sounds good.”
“I would like to continue with my job after marriage.”
“I see no harm in that. But you have to take care of the house too.”
“You don’t have to say that. I will obviously do that. You handle the cooking, I will handle the rest.”
“What??”
“Just joking. I will take care of everything.”
“I forgot to tell you that you could work. But I will take care of your salary.”
“Please. In fact you have to give me your salary to handle the house.”
“Anything for you, ma’am.”
“Also you have to keep me happy.”
“That goes without saying.”
“No.. No… You don't get me. Happy means, you have to pamper me. Lots of gifts…”
“Hmm..Go on. I am listening.”
“..Lots of shopping.. Lots of dining out.. Diamonds…Clothes…Other apparels…. Jewellery..”
“And?”
“And you have to always love me. Only me.”
“That is a little difficult.”
“What? You have to give me in writing on a stamp paper.”
“That I will love you always?”
“Yes.”
“Then lets call it off. I cannot do that.”
“You idiot. I am not joking.”
“But I am. I will give you in writing with my blood. Anything for you, ma’am!”
“That makes me happy. I will also love you forever.”
“I wont ask that in writing. I believe you.”
“Obviously. You not only have to love me, you have to love my family too.”
“Now, that’s asking for a bit too much.”
“What? Don’t say anything to my family.”
“I am not. I will try and love them too. But you have to love my family too.”
“That I will because I will come and stay at your house.”
“Hmm.. What’s the connection?”
“You wont understand. ”
“OK. Anything else?”
“No. That’s it for now. If anything else comes to my mind, I will let you know.”
“Sure, my Queen.”
“Yes, my King. Bye.”
“Bye.”
“Will you have tea?” She asks. I am back to reality. I look at her face. It's not the same face. It’s my wife. It’s been five years since we are married. I look around. The curtains are light cream. There is no flat screen TV. We own a Verna though. I have learnt to love her and also her family. Though I don’t pamper her, I keep her happy.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. And we need a flat screen TV for the hall. We can shift the old TV to the bedroom.”
“OK ma'am. As you say.”
“By the way, did you think about what I told you day before yesterday?”
“Hmmm…about what?”
“The car, dumbo! We will need a car.”
“Ohh.. Right! Would a santro do?”
“Nopes. Santro is very common. We should have someone better and bigger.”
“OK. Lets plan for a Hyundai Verna. I like it.”
“Yeah. That’s more like it. I will visit my parents twice-thrice a year.”
“Come one. That’s too much. Once is enough. I will miss you when you are gone.”
“Nope! Twice is compulsory. You can come with me if you want to.”
“OK. Lets see how it goes. I know that you won’t be able to leave me and go for some many days.”
“Don’t challenge me. Where would we hold the marriage ceremony?”
“Mumbai, obviously.”
“No ways! Chennai would be better; it would be closer to my home. All my relatives will find it comfortable.”
“What about my relatives?”
“Hmmm..Bangalore then. It will be better for both sides.”
“OK. Sounds good.”
“I would like to continue with my job after marriage.”
“I see no harm in that. But you have to take care of the house too.”
“You don’t have to say that. I will obviously do that. You handle the cooking, I will handle the rest.”
“What??”
“Just joking. I will take care of everything.”
“I forgot to tell you that you could work. But I will take care of your salary.”
“Please. In fact you have to give me your salary to handle the house.”
“Anything for you, ma’am.”
“Also you have to keep me happy.”
“That goes without saying.”
“No.. No… You don't get me. Happy means, you have to pamper me. Lots of gifts…”
“Hmm..Go on. I am listening.”
“..Lots of shopping.. Lots of dining out.. Diamonds…Clothes…Other apparels…. Jewellery..”
“And?”
“And you have to always love me. Only me.”
“That is a little difficult.”
“What? You have to give me in writing on a stamp paper.”
“That I will love you always?”
“Yes.”
“Then lets call it off. I cannot do that.”
“You idiot. I am not joking.”
“But I am. I will give you in writing with my blood. Anything for you, ma’am!”
“That makes me happy. I will also love you forever.”
“I wont ask that in writing. I believe you.”
“Obviously. You not only have to love me, you have to love my family too.”
“Now, that’s asking for a bit too much.”
“What? Don’t say anything to my family.”
“I am not. I will try and love them too. But you have to love my family too.”
“That I will because I will come and stay at your house.”
“Hmm.. What’s the connection?”
“You wont understand. ”
“OK. Anything else?”
“No. That’s it for now. If anything else comes to my mind, I will let you know.”
“Sure, my Queen.”
“Yes, my King. Bye.”
“Bye.”
“Will you have tea?” She asks. I am back to reality. I look at her face. It's not the same face. It’s my wife. It’s been five years since we are married. I look around. The curtains are light cream. There is no flat screen TV. We own a Verna though. I have learnt to love her and also her family. Though I don’t pamper her, I keep her happy.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Another one bites the dust.
I came to know day before yesterday that one of my close friends is getting engaged this week. It was kind of expected, because he has been looking for a match for quite some time now. Finally he has found someone whom he thinks he can spend his life with. Congratulations to him!
For me it’s kind of a loss of another bachelor friend. I know that we will be friends forever but bachelor friendship is the best friendship. I shall cherish the fun days we have spent together. I will also try and visit him once before his marriage.
Also I can feel the noose tightening around my neck. Will I fall prey to arranged marriage too?
For me it’s kind of a loss of another bachelor friend. I know that we will be friends forever but bachelor friendship is the best friendship. I shall cherish the fun days we have spent together. I will also try and visit him once before his marriage.
Also I can feel the noose tightening around my neck. Will I fall prey to arranged marriage too?
Saturday, August 2, 2008
“When do you plan to get married?”
“When do you plan to get married?”
My answer to this question depends on the mood I am in and also on who is asking this question. But every answer has side effects and leads to further questions and then an awkward situation. I hate that moment. But I am not able to avoid it. Let me present a few:
“Mostly by next year”
“Early next year or the second half of next year?”
“Hmm…early”
“So.. have your parents starting looking for matches?”
“No.. not yet”
“You should start looking out man. It takes time to find the right person”
“Thanks. I will”
“Where do you plan to get married? Mumbai?”
Silence.
“Not in the next twelve months”
“Why? You are already settled in life. You have a good job.”
“So?”
“Your age is also 27.”
“So?”
“So you should get married. I guess your parents must be looking out already for matches”
“If they are, I am not aware about it.”
“Ohh…Btw do you know Komal?”
“Huh?”
“She is so and so’s daughter. She just completed her MBA. The family is good too. Baat chalau?”
Silence.
“So when do you plan to get married?”
“Why are you worried about it?”
“All your friends are now either engaged or married”
“I ll get new friends then who are bachelors yet.”
“Please. Do you want me to find a good girl for you?”
“No ways.”
“I am serious.”
“So am I.”
Silence.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Marriage..
Beep Beep. I was replying to an urgent official email. Generally I don’t like to be disturbed while at work. I checked the calling number. It was a good friend of mine who had got married some months back.
I locked my PC and went out the balcony. I answered the phone and after the usual “hi.. hellos.. what’s up..” asked her about life married after arranged marriage. She said that she was having a good time and that her husband and all her in laws are nice people. She talked about her new job and hectic schedule. She talked about why she isn’t able to prepare dinner during the weekdays due being late from office. She talked about how they go to her in-laws place every night after office to have dinner. She talked about the weekends when quality time was spent with her husband. She talked about her husband being an introvert and no nonsense guy. She talked about how well they were getting along. She talked about his friends circle. She talked about the Saturday dinners when all of them came together and had fun. She talked about the recent holiday she had enjoyed with her husband. She talked about how nothing extraordinary was happening in her life but still she was happy. She explained that everything in her life was going good because her husband and she knew that they had to love each other for things to work. She was happy because it came naturally to them. They didn’t have to put an effort to love each other.
Before hanging up I promised to stay in touch. After hanging up I was feeling happy for her.
Beep Beep. It was another friend who had got married recently some months back to his love. They had been together for three years before marrying. “What timing!” I thought.
He started talking about his life after marriage even though I didn’t ask about it. “It’s tough” he said. He talked about how they both were trapped in hectic schedules in office. He talked about the bad food the maid cooked every night for dinner. He talked about the part time MBA course which took up his weekend time, which was the only time he used to spend with her earlier. He talked about the official assignment for which she was flying to the US soon. He talked about it being a short term three month trip. He joked something about how the three months would fly by. I could clearly make out that he wanted her to stay back because he would miss her sorely. I could make out that due to active careers and lack of time for each other they were drifting apart. He then talked about how he missed his parents. His parents resided in another city. He talked about being optimistic and how life was long and they would have their share of the fun later. He talked about how difficult it was to try and do extraordinary things for each other now. He talked about the things they had done by going out of their way, just to make each other happy before marriage. He talked about how ordinary life had become. He explained that though they loved each other with all their heart he wasn’t leading a great life.
I promised to stay in touch before hanging up. After hanging up I felt bad for him.
Such is life!
I locked my PC and went out the balcony. I answered the phone and after the usual “hi.. hellos.. what’s up..” asked her about life married after arranged marriage. She said that she was having a good time and that her husband and all her in laws are nice people. She talked about her new job and hectic schedule. She talked about why she isn’t able to prepare dinner during the weekdays due being late from office. She talked about how they go to her in-laws place every night after office to have dinner. She talked about the weekends when quality time was spent with her husband. She talked about her husband being an introvert and no nonsense guy. She talked about how well they were getting along. She talked about his friends circle. She talked about the Saturday dinners when all of them came together and had fun. She talked about the recent holiday she had enjoyed with her husband. She talked about how nothing extraordinary was happening in her life but still she was happy. She explained that everything in her life was going good because her husband and she knew that they had to love each other for things to work. She was happy because it came naturally to them. They didn’t have to put an effort to love each other.
Before hanging up I promised to stay in touch. After hanging up I was feeling happy for her.
Beep Beep. It was another friend who had got married recently some months back to his love. They had been together for three years before marrying. “What timing!” I thought.
He started talking about his life after marriage even though I didn’t ask about it. “It’s tough” he said. He talked about how they both were trapped in hectic schedules in office. He talked about the bad food the maid cooked every night for dinner. He talked about the part time MBA course which took up his weekend time, which was the only time he used to spend with her earlier. He talked about the official assignment for which she was flying to the US soon. He talked about it being a short term three month trip. He joked something about how the three months would fly by. I could clearly make out that he wanted her to stay back because he would miss her sorely. I could make out that due to active careers and lack of time for each other they were drifting apart. He then talked about how he missed his parents. His parents resided in another city. He talked about being optimistic and how life was long and they would have their share of the fun later. He talked about how difficult it was to try and do extraordinary things for each other now. He talked about the things they had done by going out of their way, just to make each other happy before marriage. He talked about how ordinary life had become. He explained that though they loved each other with all their heart he wasn’t leading a great life.
I promised to stay in touch before hanging up. After hanging up I felt bad for him.
Such is life!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)