If we were having coffee right now…I’d tell you that I’m stretched to my limit and stretching me any further would break me into two. This of course will make mom and wifey very happy, because they’ll get their own halves to keep and smother with their love and affection. And yet, I foresee problems if the two halves weren’t exactly equal. The calipers and rulers are ready, I suppose, hidden behind their backs.
If we were having coffee right now…I’d tell you that my cousin has made an earth-shattering announcement. She’s going to marry a South-Indian boy.
Maami Ji (My mom’s sister-in-law) called us up last night and told us about it in hushed tones. “You know something. Honey ik South Indian munde de chakkar mein phanns gayi.” (“Honey has fallen prey to a South Indian Boy.”)
You may have surmised it already, but I’d like to clarify, especially for my international readers, This particular Honey is my mom’s younger sister’s daughter, and Honey is proper-type Punjabi name for girls. So Maami ji wasn’t talking about her hubby dearest, who is straight as a ruler and has never fallen for any boy, South Indian or otherwise, ever.
If we were having coffee right now…Mom would brush me aside, even get me to leave the room, and tell you how she knew all along that Honey was a rotten egg.
“It had to happen one day ji! Sone-sone Punjabi mundyan noo chhadd ke…” (“Instead of choosing a handsome Punjabi boy…”) They say the boy is an IT engineer, working in Navedda (The Punjabi pronunciation of Noida – a place near Delhi), and he earns 3 Lakh Rupees a month!”
Then she would throw an accusatory glance wifey’s way and continue, “Honey met him in college. You know something, this is why these girls and boys go to college!”
But if we were having coffee right now…I won’t leave you alone at the mercy of a Punjabi Mom, so I’d saunter back right in, and pull a wicker-chair to reclaim the conversation.
“Mom, he doesn’t work in Navedda, he works in Nevada, which is America – and he earns $5K per month. Honey has chosen well.”
Mom would then give me her stern “shut up” look (similar to the new “dislike button” in Facebook) – she doesn’t realize that the look doesn’t work anymore. So I’d continue. “If they love each other…”
You’d see steam rising, not from our coffee cups but from mom’s head. She isn’t used to listening – anything from anyone.
“Puttar! Don’t you mouth off to me. I was just trying to be nice to your guest. That is all!”
If we were having coffee right now…
– Our coffee would’ve gone cold and you’d have excused yourself.
– Mom would have huffed and puffed out of the room.
– Wifey would’ve pulled a long face and disappeared into the kitchen.
And I’d have been sitting alone, wondering what the heck went wrong!
Post format Inspiration: Kate Goes Global.
Good one!
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Thanks.
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Oh my Anand. I can’t help but smile on your witty storytelling. You really do have a very very interesting family. Your post also makes me know your culture so well! Nice one!
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Thank you Rosema. Just narrated the events in a sequence. Not much of a story teller. Glad you like it 😀
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You’re welcome! 🙂
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You seem to have an interesting family!
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That’s possibly the only interesting thing about me 😀
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When I read the title I was like ‘What’s going on with a South Indian boy in Nevada in that family of yours?’ Now, I get it! 😛
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Navedda ji Navedda. I am glad that you have got it all figured out. A South Indian boy and a Punjabi Munda – who do you think Honey should’ve chosen?
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I say she should’ve chosen whoever she felt was best for herself. I have seen enough Bolly flicks (think Jab We Met) to know Punjabins follow their hearts. 😀
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Yes…and they expect others to follow their hearts too. I can’t stop feeling a little sorry for my to-be South Indian cousin brother-in-law.
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On the brighter side, I think having him in your family mix will lead to some funnier posts in the near future.
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What was that saying? Every dark suit has a silver satin lining. I am not worried about our family. We’ll muddle and meddle through. I am concerned for that boy – he doesn’t know what he’s getting into. He doesn’t just get my cousin, but her entire family. May he find that barrel of patience, which eludes me.
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May he find it! 🙂
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You my friend have priceless relatives. I could visualize every single one of them as they took turns, even the whispering aunt….lovely 🙂 Well done
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Thanks Jacqueline. My whispering Aunt would be happy to know that her whispers have reached your ears too.
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🙂
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I am a first timer to ur blog… Enjoyed reading the posts 😊
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Thanks – and you are welcome here. Anytime. Think of it as your blog (Apna hi blog samajhiye.)
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Whatever you say for yourself, you’re a fantastic story-teller 🙂 Thank you for virtual coffee, mine didn’t go cold, I don’t mind your mom’s set in her ways style though it’s difficult to not giggle 😉
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Thank you Colette. I’m sure Mom would appreciate your thought – if only I’d allow her to read it 😀
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lol 😀 thanks for reply Anand, hope you and your family have a good weekend 🙂
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They will. I am sure, they will.
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Great post and interesting family.
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Thanks…about the family, lesser said the better.
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It’s such a wonderful post. I have seen enough of such affairs now. What strikes me a bit more is that even Delhi is not open enough to allow such marriages and affairs. I live in a very small city by comparison and obviously it is too narrow to allow anything of that sort but it happens here as well, anyway.
Best Wishes,
Anand 🙂
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Thank you for the kind words and for linking to my blog. I had gotten bogged down so haven’t been able to blog-down much this past week…I’ll be evolving a manageable posting schedule soon…now that Mom and Dad have gone back.
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