its not all true but it sure does come pretty close

Thursday, November 26, 2009

An experiment with story telling

September, 2009:
I was at the international airport, delhi. Three months into my job since passing out of L. The economy had played a nice little joke on both of us, one got the company that she desired and the other the coveted overseas location. But both of us were pretty much bummed as hell, the reason being - she hated both her job and me for my stupid career move. While I toh had multiple issues (too long a list which included all that comes along with getting hired in a recessionary economy and the panic that hits you when you realize that you don't know when you will get to see her next time). I was silently cursing himself, why did I have to act so stupid? A frigging coward! If only I had sat in the final placement week instead of taking a company that came before the placement week... damn! I'm so gonna miss her. stupid! stupid!

Present:
When was the last time I saw her? gurgaon? Yes, she had muscled her way all the way to gurgaon with site visit as an excuse. damn! Her parents had not been too enthused about the whole trip, she had missed some family wedding or something like that. Well, this would not help me get into their ( her parents' ) good books for sure, but those 3 hours we had together was certainly worth it. Till that time my location had not been finalized yet she knew that this would be the last chance to meet, be together, for a long time.

Its been more than 3 months since that day, she was right! It has been a long time (and perhaps some more) before we get to meet again. sigh! stupid!

August, 2009:
I was in bombay. An extended weekend courtesy some government holiday and an impending trip to the corporate office meant that I play hookie from office and head to bombay. It also meant that I was missing my sisters marriage anniversary. And the fact that I had not been home for 2 months and now when I had a holiday I was running off to bombay, not delhi. Not a popular move by any stretch of imagination, and not something that would have got her in my parents' good books either.

I lose out on details sometimes. I was not only in bombay, I was in the kitchen with her mom, *alone*. She was cooking prawn pulao I think (her mom doesn't hate me, I've reached this stage through previous appeasements which can be discussed later) and I offer to cut onions for her. I take up the knife, skin the onions and then dice it into symmetrical little rectangles. Obviously not my first time in and around kitchen. She (her mom) is obviously impressed that I know my way around the house. And I thank my mom (I love you mom for making sure that I can cook), but I guess she would not be too pleased as to how I'm using my skills. She asks what are our plans now? stress ours. I say with complete honesty, I dunno. Her mom remarks - She is too simple, she thinks she is smart but she is too naive. She might be a bombay-girl but she really is not better than a village girl. I say she is pretty intelligent. She shakes her head and says - Solving equations etc. is not what I mean, she is not very worldly wise. She thinks it will be simple, it will not be simple for you guys. In fact it would be very difficult. Plus, she is very religious. I nod my head, there is really no answer. I say - I know about that and I respect that completely. One can't force beliefs on another person, I respect her faith completely.

At this time *she* entered the kitchen and the conversation ended. But I got the ending from *her*. Later in the evening we were alone outside, she poked my ribs with her elbows (not a pleasant experience but something I miss these days. stupid!) and goes - what the hell did you talk to my mother about? I said - nothing much but I hope I didn't screw up or something. She replied with a smug face - whatever you did she likes you. she said Partha is good boy, he is mature. I would have no problems but if only... Now we just have to deal with the "if only" part from both our parents' side.

All I could do was smile weakly and nod my head in reply.

Any suggestions dear?
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2 comments:

  1. nice..when u guys r finally married, u can write a book together titled Mein Kampf..or whatever is the german word for 'our' instead of 'my' :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Do keep us posted as to how the story turns out :D

    ReplyDelete

 
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