Wedding Interview
1.

“Beta*, this is important. Perhaps the most important thing of your life.”
“Pitaji, tell me, I am in suspense.”
“Gauri, the daughter of my friend Binesh from college days is here with her family. She is now twenty two. Bhagwan, how time passes! It is twenty years since Binesh left for Canada with his wife and such a sweet little toddler. They are looking for a match and you are the right age for her.”
“Pitaji, The age isn’t everything. How will a girl who has been brought up in Canada live with you and Amma? There will be daily clashes I am afraid.”
“Rushing to conclusion as always. And wrong as always. My dear she will not live in India, you will live in Canada.”
“Pitaji, a few of my friends from Bindali Medical School went abroad. They are all driving taxies because their degrees were not accepted there.”
“Canada is short of doctors and you were top of the class. Binesh is a big man in his town, Toshawa or something like that. He won’t have his son-in-law be a taxi driver when he has a first class medical degree from Bindali.”
“Pitaji, even then, they don’t have servants. They do all the washing of pots and pans themselves and clean the floors too. Do you really want your only son to do that for the rest of his life?”
“We have servants, they have machines. Machine for everything. Machine to clean the floor, machine to do the dishes, machine to wash the clothes, machine to polish the shoes. And they are contolled by a little box you hold in your hand. Press this button and that happens, that button and this happens. Much easier than screaming at servants when they leave food on the thali. Apart from that, machines don’t steal.”
“They may not steal but they do break down. Then what?”
“They used to break down. Those days are gone. Now every thing they use is made in China by super-skilled workers with the best materials. Nothing ever breaks down. Don’t you ever look at the ads in foreign magazines.”
“Thik hai, Pitaji. Your wish is my command. I will meet this Gauri and try to impress her. I do hope she is a Gori too.”
“Oh yes. Did I tell you? Her brother plays hockey for a club and is paid millions for doing it. A little drop from that fountain, you won’t ever need to see those pesky patients.”
“I will see her but do not expect your son to beg from his brother-in-law. He has inherited some pride from Amma.”
“Beta, pride has its place and humility has a place too. You need both and the tact to know what is needed in a given situation. Go now, make sure your suit and tie are ironed and the shirt doesn’t have the spots left by mango juice you spilled at our anniversary. Make sure you can see your face in the shoes”




2.

“Namaste, Doctorji, I am Gauri, sister of Bansi. The star of Engineer Cap Flames.”
“Call me Sharan, if you don’t mind. And what is Engineer Cap Flames your brother stars in. Is it a movie or something?”
“Oh no. People here don’t know anything about Canada. Engineer Cap Flames is a hockey team. Bansi is their best player.”
“Hockey team? How do they play hockey with all that snow?”
“They play it on ice with a little disk instead of the ball. They have big tournaments where people pay big money to go and watch. Television companies pay a fortune to show the games.”
“So they can pay Bansi big money and he can shine like the polar star.”
“That is right. He paid for my education and will give me a house as the wedding present.”
“With a brother like that how will you ever be happy with a poor doctor?”
“It will be all right I suppose. Not every one can make a million for a season of a few weeks. He and Daddy will like me to marry. They think an Indian husband will be good for me.”
“What do you think? Will you like an Indian for a husband?”
“I suppose he will do. Daddy has been a good husband. At least he won’t threaten to walk out every time I became angry.”
“And you won’t threaten to walk out if he became angry, will you?”
“What a silly question to ask. Of course I will. I will go over to Daddy or to Bansi. But an Indian! He won’t have anywhere to go.”
“Makes sense. Just as well I do not lose my temper very often. Just once a day. And that with servants only. Is there anything in particular you want to know about me?”
“Not really. Daddy got an agency to run a check on you. They did not find anything against you.”
“Pitaji did say your father was very thorough in everything he did. Is Bansi married?”
“He wants to marry the former wife of one of his team mates. But Daddy won’t let him. So they are just living together.”
“You mean they live in the same house; sleep in the same bed?”
“Of course they do, you silly. What else can they do?”
“So you agree with that kind of behavior!”
“Of course I do. Every body does it. Wake up, you guys. It is twenty first century.”
“Have you lived with any one?”
“Of course not. Daddy would have gone berserk; packed me off to his cousins in a remote village.”
“So he won’t let you have any boy friends!”
“Of course not. That is why he was so shocked when he found out.”
“Found out what?”
“That I was pregnant. Bansi introduced me to this team mate of his. We liked each other, sort of. I had always made sure that guys used condoms before but the condom broke with this guy. Then the club transferred him to Black Bear Jaws before my next period was due. On his way to join his new team he perished in a snowstorm without even knowing that he was going to be a father.”
“What did your family do?”
“What could they do? It was their fault they won’t let me go on pills. Every other girl took them.”
“So what happened?”
“Silly you. What happens when you become pregnant? Nine months later a baby arrives. That is what happened to me.”
“You have a son?”
“No, a daughter. Sweet little thing. A little darker than you. So pretty. You will love her.”
“Well, I hope so. I have to think about it.”
“Don’t think about it. I don’t want to have any thing to do with any one who has to think about loving my sweet child. Go away. Please. You don’t have to say goodbye – to me or to Daddy or Mommy. Just go through that door on your left. It will take you to the street.”

*Beta Son
Pitaji Honorific for father
Bhagwan God
Amma Mom
Thali A metal plate
Thik Hai Okay
Gori A woman, of fair complexion, also used for white women.