“Well, though you don’t enjoy your studies, I know that you are not the one to get married and settled so soon.” Bansari smirks.
“How do you know that?”
“After all, you are my sister! I know you well.” Bansari shrugs. I look at her thoughtfully. “Besides, you don’t secure your diary too well! When I get bored, I sort of leaf through some of the pages.”
I frown at her in annoyance, but I am not in a mood for a pillow fight, so I just shake my head in disappointment at her. It is not uncommon for younger siblings to invade the older one’s privacy, for that is the most exciting adventure of their childhood. It’s a different thing that neither of us, Bansari or I, could be called children at this age.
“So, what about him made you change your mind?” Bansari pauses. “I mean, besides his mesmerizingly good looks.” She winks, looking at me.
I blush before I reply, “There is something about him.”
She turns her head right at me. “You love him!” she shouts and grins.
I put my hand on her mouth and shush her. “I think I do…” I pulled my hand back.
Bansi tilts her head to the side, intrigued. “How do you know?”
“Why does everyone keep asking me that question?”
“Because you talked with him for like…two seconds!” she exclaims, raising her eyebrows. “Metaphorically speaking, you know?”
“Yes, Ms. I Am Too Smart For My Age!” I pull her cheek. “There are things in life that only your heart and soul can feel. I just know that he is the one made for me.”
“Wow, that’s heavy.” Bansi’s eyes widen.
“Besides, he is also charming…” I wink at her, making the conversation lighter.
“Well, maybe because he is half-Punjabi!” she reminds me, and I frown at her.
“Can everyone please stop saying that?” I sound exasperated. Not sure how I’m going to explain that to Raag. He is apparently unaware of the whole saga of my father being sour about Raag’s half-Punjabi status.
Bansi raises her hand and circles it around my shoulder. Then she smiles and pulls my chin with the other, up and down, as to shake my head. “But he is half-Punjabi! And he is very, very handsome. The most important thing is that he is yours. I think he is perfect for you.”
I can’t stop blushing, and she smirks.
I grumble and hold her hand that is still holding my chin. “Okay…I get your point. Now, get away from me! You have a lot of reading to do, and I am going to talk with my handsome young man.” I get up, pick up my phone, and head out onto the balcony.
I close the door behind me to give my sister a quiet place to read and to have some privacy to myself.
Out on the balcony, as I stand by the railing that faces the open street of the community, I sense that it is the same cold night as always. Shining stars in the dark sky and a busy street. Everything is the same, but me. I am smitten. Smitten by that handsome young man, Raag Purohit. A young man with a slightly old soul and a top-notch taste. His gift is thoughtful. Expensive, yet thoughtful. Not sure if I should accept a gift this big.
On the other hand, this trendy piece of technology is going to be my panacea. It’s the assurance of him being just one click away. Even though my parents took care of return gifts, I think I would come up with something to gift personally. I could only try and be as thoughtful as he is.
My shiny new Ericsson rings, and I pick it up at once.
“Hello…what took you so long?” I ask.
“I was on a call with Maa,” Raag replies. “I wanted to make sure that your parents did not rush for this relation.” I opened my mouth to say something but before I can speak, he says, “You didn’t mention anything about your father. Did I get him mad?”
“Maybe a little…but they didn’t rush into it.”
“Yes, Maa explained a little bit.” Raag sighs. “Mayu, hurting your dad’s feelings was not my intention. I am extremely sorry.” He sounds absolutely apologetic.
It surprises me that Raag cares that much for my father’s reaction. Over the period, my mother and we sisters have learned to slightly ignore a few things that my father fusses about.
“Raag, your gift is very thoughtful, and it will keep us closer while we are oceans apart.” I pause, staring at the stars and leaning against the parapet. Since there is no response from the other end, I take a deep breath. Intending to get him out of his chain of thoughts I say, “The only thing you need to worry about is that the bar is set very high. So, there will be some expectations in the future when it comes to gifts.” I expect some chuckles in response, but he is still quiet.
After a seemingly long, thoughtful silence, I scoff to get his attention.
Finally, he speaks. “Well, it’s the very first gift for you, and I wanted it to be perfect. But I completely missed the traditions and sentiments of people around us. I should have thought about your family before just sending Jignesh with a phone.” His tone is somber.
I wonder if my mother ever cared so much for my dad’s feelings. Maybe it’s just him. A loving and caring man. A man who not only loves me but also cares for me as well as my family.
“I assume Jignesh is your friend?” I ask to distract him.
Raag doesn’t reply. Then after some time, he does. “Yeah…sorry, yes. Jignesh is a very good friend.” He pauses. “This is bad…your father must be thinking of me as some sort of show-off NRI. Damn! What was I thinking?” His tone worries me. Raag is probably too caring while my father is…well, he is my father. I think I need to get Raag out of his misery. Raag needs to know my father’s view on this arrangement since there will always be things my father would come up with to express his slight dislike.
“Raag, I have to let you in on a secret,” I say.
“I am listening.”
“Up to a certain level, my father is slightly unhappy with this whole thing. It has probably nothing to do with the gift. He just doesn’t like that you are…um…you…” I stammer and realize that I shouldn’t have started this topic at all.
God, this could go in either direction.
“I am what?” He is eager now.
Oh, I have to tell him now.
“Look, you don’t have to worry about this.” I try to curb the discussion.
“Could you please just tell me?” Raag insists.
“He doesn’t like that you are half-Punjabi,” I utter too fast. It feels like mounds of weight is off my chest now that I have disclosed it.
“Am I lost? Did we not follow the arranged marriage process?” he asks, baffled.
“Well, we did.”
“Usually, people do not try and arrange their kids’ future in a family they don’t like.” Raag’s response is humorous.
I laugh, weakly. “Raag, it’s complicated.” I start walking back and forth and look for correct words to explain this whole mess.
You got yourself into this mess. Looks like you also have trouble keeping your mouth shut.
“I think I can handle complicated.” Raag is intrigued, and his husky voice is demanding.
“So…you know our mothers are friends from satsang. They got everything set up. My father always wanted a Gujarati Brahmin boy. Which you are. But since your mother is Punjabi, he was a bit reluctant. Somehow, my mother convinced him. I believe somewhere in my father’s mind; he was sure of my denial to this whole arrangement. But…”