Action and Reactions!!

After a long long time, I had to attend a traditional function last week. A good part of the morning was spent in trying to figure out the ‘appropriate’ attire just to ensure that I don’t get into the bad books of the elders – yet again! So, confident that I can impress all and sundry (imagine my optimism) I entered the hall which was filled and overflowing with all hues and colors of all ages. The day which was bang in the middle of the holiday season for school was extremely convenient for parents – who just left their kids to have fun and run round – one day break for the moms.

Then the journey started – with reintroductions, plastic smiles, shaking hands, bowing head and any other small gestures which I as ‘daughter-in-law’ was expected to do. The granny with a stick and reed thin smile – looked at me – did I see a hint of approval in her eyes or was it my imagination working overtime? ‘oh its you – its like seeing the full moon – you hardly come to functions’ – there goes. Oh no, I definitely dont look like full moon (I hope so) – but the second part is true. I had successfully hidden myself from the glare of the relatives for quite sometime in the guise of work, meetings, travel. Then the huge aunt came waddling towards me, and I was introduced (proudly, needless to say) that I was working with ‘WIPRO’. ‘Are you working with Wipro? My neice neighbour’s aunt’s son ‘XXX’ is also in Wipro – do you know him?’ Yes, I will definitely know him, u c it is my business to keep track of all the 90,000 odd employees, how & where they are connected and which one of those short circuit connection will I meet in the next function. A sweet little girl looked at me and my accessories with awe and declared ‘aunty you are looking so pretty’ – WOW!! Kids are so innocent and wonderful, she really made my day. Oh not again – did I see the nosey aunt come by – ‘So any good news atleast now?’ – my god! In this age and time, I cant understand why people don’t accept the concept of ‘childless by choice’. I grin and smile sheepishly as if I have no clue what she is talking about. My favorite cousin – some respite – I go on blah blah non-stop, till I am dragged away mid –sentence, for another ‘not-so-nice’ conversation by someone – who to put it very mildly – has a dress sense which is worse than the African tribes. ‘You should’ve worn a zari saree to this function instead of this’. Its 38 degrees for heaven sake, I am wearing a saree and surviving in that itself is a big miracle. An uncle – to my great surprise – gave me an ear-to-ear grin. Couple of minutes into the hi, how r u conversation, out he spilled the beans. ‘you know puttu is finishing his degree this year – why don’t you get him something at Wipro?’ Breaking news by the minute – I own 90% of the stake in wipro, so I can practically push anyone’s CV for a good job – aint it great!!!! Oh by the way, in all this melee, my dear hubby was nowhere to be seen. I am sure he was happily chatting away with his cousins in some corner, cracking some jokes, and discussing intently about politics and cricket – oh how I wish!!! One more granny – somewhere inbetween a granny and old aunt – very nicely commented on how I have gone down – ajjis are great – they are the sweetest – actually noticing my weight reduction was the highlight of the day. With great difficulty I resisted the urge to give a big lecture about my diet experience – granny there would just get worried. I continued the business of circulating and networking in other words - meeting more people and answering more questions – with renewed energy. After endless such irritating question and answer sessions – some of which were quite inane like – ‘have you applied leave?’. Oh no, though its in the middle of the week, my organization is kind enough to declare it a holiday for my sake!!.

Lunch time – and to my dismay I got stuck between 2 people – with whom even simple conversation seemed impossible. So after couple of attempts at weather, kids, etc I gave up and solely focused on enjoying the meal and took pleasure in just staring at others (how rude!!). Time to go – atlast. Time for the return gift, the mandatory namaskar and ashirwada – absolutely no change in what they wish – “Next time we meet, I am sure you’ll give us all good news!!” Keep Wishing!!

Btw, I celebrated my 10th wedding anniversary last weekend – that’s a long story by itself – maybe my next blog!!!