THE REASONABLE PAIR - short story

“Mom I don’t want to get married!”

“But why?” , she replied with her head still bent over the sink.

“Because I don’t want to!”

“I got that part. I meant why so?”

“Because...I...DO...NOT...WANT...TO!” , she almost screamed.

No reply.

This was an old argument that earned a base everytime her parents came across an ‘eligible’ ‘unmarried’ male’s bio-data through mail that, however, looked more like a resume to her. It mentioned stuffs like previous employments, extra-curricular achievements and attachments of passport photographs that made her feel more like an HR on-the-job than the bachelorette seeking a companion that she was.

She knew already what would be the next conversation over dinner.

“ But why are they coming to ‘see’ me dad?”

“Because they liked your picture and now they want to meet you. Its simple.”

“But why the entire family again?”

“Its family after all!  Anyway, it’s just the parents, the sister and her husband.”

“Who else is left!” She breathed, “I meant why can’t the guy come alone if he is such a dude?”

“But you were saying you don’t want to get married?” He calmly smiled.

“I still am saying exactly that.”

“Then why do you want him to come?” interrupted her mother.

"I DON'T want him to come!"

She took a deep breath...and continued.

“You say he is a great guy, I believe you,  that’s why. There are so many great guys out there! Maybe I will like one of them...maybe i won’t! How can I decide that just by listening to their CGPA while chewing bhindis?”

“OK, great, you can decide when you meet him. Nobody is forcing you child.”

“But dad! Ain’t they coming here for a ‘marital alliance’?”

“Yes, but we haven’t fixed anything yet.”

“But I have dad! I don’t want to get married right now!”

“Who is saying now? You can take your time.”

“So let me take my time! Tell them to cancel the trip!”

“We are just going to meet. Only if we like the alliance will we move ahead.”

“That is exactly the procedure of getting married for godsake! That is exactly what I am saying I don't want!”

“We did not push you before when you backed twice. Even though both the boys were from good families and secure. We won’t now too. Don’t you get that?”

Dad! I didn’t back out because the boys were not good enough. I did because I am not ready!”

“Nobody is ready. Neither was I. But you were going to school already when i was your age!” Her mother pointed with a surprised look.”

“That was your choice mom. I am sure you did the right thing. But I am me...and you are you!”

“So what is your point? What do you want to do?”, cut in dad.

“Everything that i am already doing. Except marriage, or even talking about or walking around marriage.”

“So when will you? Never?”

“ I will someday, I hope. Just not now.”

“Why?”

“Do I have to provide a reason!”

“You got to have a reason, if ought to be considered.”, Her dad left the table with a satisfied shrug.”

 

 

 

 

THE MEETING.

 

“So, why don’t you take the gentleman and show our garden?”

The chubby gentleman rose to proceed.

“No, its ok.” She smiled, “Its family after all.”

Her dad gave a tired look.

“Ya, we can talk here. I prefer family too.” The gentleman added with forced confidence.

“So, you are doing your MBA?” He said.

Slowly the close knit family rose one by one to inspect the inner corridor, drink another glass of water or use the lavatory. Some just lingered around like they were suddenly in a parallel timezone.

“ I completed three months back. The info sent to you was typed before that.”

“Ok, so what next? Job?

“Yup. Applied some.”

“Got any calls?”

“Ya. Got one from HP and another one just arrived today. Its from an NGO called Nirmaan.”

“That’s great! You were in HR isn’t it?”

“Ya.”

“So? Which one? HP is good. I have a cousin working there.”

“I am thinking about Nirmaan “

“Why?”

“They are into health and employment. It’s an established one. I had done some research.”

“All the NGOs are the same. I know some that have tie-ups with our hospital. They suck the blood in a humanitarian way. That’s it.” He jeered.

“But then, you have to start somewhere. And I can’t afford to start my own right away!”

“But you are in HR. Why divert from your sector? HP can provide you a lot of scopes.”

“But both advertised for HR. Where am I diverting?” She was surprised.

“I meant, why go for the lesser choice?”

“Whose choice?”

“Your’s  ofcourse....I meant....C’mon, HP provides a better package and more stability. You obviously know that.”

“My choice you mean?”

“Ofcourse. And moreover, NGOs generally can’t keep up with a fixed time-table.”

“Ya I know. They have informed me that. I am ok with it actually.”

“Its good that you are so flexible, but one spouse has to take care of the domestic stuffs. I also have no qualms doing that, but you know my job.”

“I didn’t get you. How does your job come here?”

“C’mon”,He shrugged, “I meant if we get married.”

“Aaah...ok...now I get you.”, She smiled with a sudden realization, ”So what do you say I do?”

“ I think HP is a better option. With better scopes that is. And moreover you get time to enjoy life.”, He grinned as she smiled her most fake smile.

“Ya,  exactly! Moreover there is so much to see in Mumbai! What was I thinking!”

“Mumbai?”

“Ya! Mumbai, can u imagine? Directly from this crammy town to The Mumbai!”, she raised her right hand as if it were a mini flight. “Queen’s Necklace, Marine Drive, Chaupati....man! I feel so excited suddenly!” She looked at him with LED eyes.

“Ok...ok...now I get your point.” He smiled like he just deduced theory of relativity. “Ofcourse you are thinking about that NGO and not HP.”

“Why?”

“Because its in Mumbai!” says the man, “and my job is in Delhi!”

“So?”

“Stop playing yar, I got the sarcasm.”

“I meant it!”

“What? Ok...where is the NGO job?”

“Barauni.”

“What!”

“What?”

“You can’t take a job in Barauni! We can’t move ahead with this if you take either of the jobs!”

“Why?”

“Because my job is in delhi!”

“So?”

“So my wife has got to stay in Delhi.”

“You did not mention that in the resume.”

“What resume? You mean bio-data.”

“Ya.”

“Isn’t that understated?”

“What?”

“That spouses stay together!”

“Why?”, Cruel pleasures...

“Do I have to give a reason for that?”

 “You got to have a reason, if ought to be considered.”,

The man standing behind wiped his forehead with serious mixed feelings.