A wisdom was passed to me few months back that it takes about 7 years to settle down, develop a relationship and build the so called trust between an indian couple. Well, how many of you think thats true? We will celebrate our 6th anniversary this year and things are definetly on track:-) I would just add that it is a kind of an
Exponential_function, if you put time on X and the above said qualities on Y.
But, what is the pre-marital story? More often, is an indian wedding end result of a love story? No way! Many of my friends (non-indians) get so amused to know that we can hold an stranger's hand and commit to a life-long journey (literally) without getting to know each other well. I happen to have an email in my archive describing exactly how it happened for me and it still lits my face like the new year ball in big apple. Here is a copy with minor edits:
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sushant Kumar"
To: "Pankaj Saini"
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2002 2:16 PM
Subject: RE: ...
saini,
....
everything just happend in a span of a week..i didnt know i will take such an important decision of my life so quickly..well, my parents had seen this girl for me..and they said she is good for me..i tried usual tactics and told them i was not prepared for it right now..but they insisted that i shud talk to her atleast once..so i did..first one was a pretty short, yet sweet one..she was kind of nervous and i was even more nervous than her..but, generally she sounded ok..so, i decided to call her up again..this time we were more comfortable with each other and talked for almost an hour..she sounded even cooler..no frills..but, quite understanding and emotional(as she puts it:-))..man, i cudnt stop myself to ask her if she wud like to make it together for the longest journey of the life..and answer i got was a sweet yes..so, i am done..my half life got over..another half just started..we now talk each sunday..things are looking good..i dont think she is lucky to get me, but its vice vera:-)
so, how does that sound?? boring way to start this half of the life..is it?? it also happens to be the good old way..isnt it?..
....
chal..
Sushant
More or less, thats the way it ends up with an "I do". So, we continue to hold hands and even have backup plan for our old age, a boy, who would hold our hands and help us walk;-) Now that's not true at all, not here, not anywhere.
PS: why did I used to have double dots at the end of each line then? Dont quite remember. And why did we only talk on sundays, cause it was freaking costly to talk for 5 hours! Although, as usual my smarter half did devise a plan later on to do it more frequently:-). Tune in later for thoughts on early days of married life.
My wife and my 8 month old (yes, 8 months already, time doesn’t even need a reason to fly by) will be there at the delhi airport to pick me up. On one hand, I am excited to see my little bundle of joy again and on the other hand I have slight emotional anxiety that he would not recognize me. Or, could he think that I am just back from a long day at the office and giggle the same way he used to every day when I came back in the evening. Every time I call back there, I can hear him making all kind of noise, but as soon as my wife puts the phone close to his ears, he goes completely silent, puzzled and confused. Does he still remember my voice? Dying to see you dear and yes I know mamma doesn’t play the dadda’s game with you. Just start counting to the twentieth diaper now and I promise the next one will be on me.
Did I mention two kids? It has to be my kiddy brother. He is getting married!! Come on, he is still a kid, how could he get married? He still looks like a kid when he sleeps, how he would know what it means to manage a family etc. Yes I know, he has grown a little taller than me, shaves his beard occasionaly, works, has a bank account in his name and lives in a big city all by himself. He says, he has grown up by all means. Whatever. You will always be my kiddy bro, lets have a blast and make it a time to remember.
