Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Bride wanted

Vanita came home earlier than usual from her office to her mom’s surprise. Although she had asked no question, Vanita said with a smile “I had not much work to do and felt like having hot bajjis with coffee from you.”
“Why not? I will have it ready in a jiffy,” her mom replied happily as she hurried to the work station to cut the vegetables.
Vanita sank comfortably on the sofa and lazily skimmed through the day’s paper till her eyes fell on an advertisement under the Brides wanted category in the matrimonial section. It was in bold letters against a color background obviously to attract potential brides. Vanita, nearing 30 and a spinster, took delight once a while browsing through such matrimonial columns. It is more an amusing diversion than an effort to source her partner.
“A marketing executive in a multinational company aged 34,170cm with clean habits and drawing a good salary, frequently on tour desires a life partner. Has an aged mother with initial signs of Alzheimer. The potential partner should be a graduate around 30, without any encumbrance, not working but pleasant and smiling always. Caste and language no bar. The expectations are small and very few. She should have an aesthetic sense, love her home, keeping it clean and well decorated and be good in culinary art experimenting daily different cuisines of many regions and countries. Should be fond of having children and have cheerful disposition and  not given to tantrums even under slight provocation. Would want her to be a home bird and not employed after marriage. All her needs would be amply taken care of. Quick marriage is contemplated
Call xxxxxxxxxx”
Vanita had a strong streak of independence and a dim view of arranged marriages. The few men she met in her work place and social circles did not inspire her. She found them either egoistic with notions of male superiority or just plain uninteresting men. She was happy with her present state and had no intention to marry although her mother gently broached the subject once a while.
Anger rose in her when she read this ad but she nevertheless went though it again carefully. This guy needed a woman to take care of his ailing mom without spending on servants and possibly he is a foodie wanting to eat varieties of food at home. He also needed a woman waiting for him when he returned home from office or tour and willing to raise a family of many children. He would not like her to work and in plain words want her to be tied to home but disingenuously clothes his real intention by words like aesthetic sense, love of home and decorating it. To cap it all he wants her to be cheerful without frustration even under trying circumstances with an aged woman in what is possibly a case of advanced Alzheimer.
An idea struck her mind she called the number and asked him to visit her home the next day at 4pm for discussions.f
A well dressed and smart looking guy rang the bell sharp at 4pm.Vanita’s mom was asleep in the bedroom.
“Good evening. I am Abhinav and have come in response to your invitation about my ad” he said, a bit overawed at the beautiful maiden who answered his bell.
“Come in, Abhinav.I am Vanita who called you yesterday” replied Vanita as she led him to the living room overlooking the workstation and kitchen area where a young woman was busy shining the glasses.
As he seated himself comfortably considering himself fortunate to meet the charming lady, she asked “What would you have? Apple, guava or mango juice?”
“Mango” he said contrary to her expectation that he would leave the choice to her.
“Rukku, bring two glasses of mango juice” she said and turned towards him.
“I am very pleased to meet you. I hope you must have read about my requirements. I am very particular about them. Since you have invited me, I assume you have understood”
“Certainly I have understood what you want. You are indeed lucky to have come across one who fits to the T your demands” said Vanita smiling in a bewitching manner. “You need a woman who is qualified but would stay at home tending to your sick mother, cooking different kinds of food to satisfy your palate, raise a family of many children and be always smiling and cheerful. Am I correct?”she asked.
“In a way yes but I would not put it so crudely” he answered
“Never mind how it is put. But it is a fact. Rukku ,come here” she said and as Rukku came in her old cotton sari with an apron tied around her waist and  in a disheveled hair and perspiring face, Vanita  added ”Mr. Abhinav,my maid Rukku meets all your requirements and would gladly marry you. She has written her graduate examination on line and results are expected next month. She will stop working after wedding. She will look very charming after a wash and dressing up.She will take care of your mother. What do you say?”
Abhinav stood up and angrily said ”I am not amused at your silly behavior, you you …”even as he stomped towards the door
“Get out, I say and go to an employment agency looking for a maid and not a slave for your wife” said Vanita as she banged the door behind him
She turned and rushed to hug the smiling Rukku even as her sister was in peals of laughter.
”Akka (elder sister), I thoroughly enjoyed this small act as a maid  in an old sari. A fitting lesson you gave to that foolish man. Thank God amma is sleeping in the bedroom” said Rukmini







27 comments:

  1. Nice story! Liked the humor and the message as well. But I think gone are those days of men advertising like this one. At least I have seen some men working like slaves after getting married :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Perfect - good narration, good humour and moral. Both men and women are responsible for the house and each have their own individuality but expecting either to be enslaved is gross prejudice!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Liked your story patronizing women and encouraging them to be independent and at the same time denigrating that repulsive segment of males who think of women as substitutes for maids.
    As always, Sir, your stories manifest the principles of high moral ground scrupulously dealing with good conduct.

    ReplyDelete
  4. such people do require pranks like these to learn a lesson. I recollect a lady who once told, We don require daughter in law to earn and bring the money for us to survive. And she was replied that of course, just like I would not require your son to survive .

    Even though this is the story in most cases, I have also come across many exceptions. I have a friend who wants to marry only because she wants to be a stay at home wife. It all depends on people ! and they a do have perfect reasons to justify those as well

    ReplyDelete
  5. Enjoyed reading this story. Perfect hit back for an arrogant man! Good lesson for him!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the story and loved the way a serious and strong message is conveyed with humor. :)

    Cheers
    Khushi

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi KP...nice to know that u are still writing....☺☺☺

    ReplyDelete
  8. Enjoyed this one. Actually knowing ur tricks I expected the man t turn around. But the end was different

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nice story and liked the twist at the end as always!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I really liked this one a lot. Very funny but a good lesson to people who keep unrealistic expectations

    ReplyDelete
  11. Visiting the blog for the first time. I liked the story. Very funny too !!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Attractive and humorous, containing a message for grooms.But nowadays the meaning of husband and wife has changed to partners. Welldone.

    ReplyDelete
  13. great story dear..like the humor and the message.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Superb story! :D That must have felt like a slap on his face. And that is exactly what such men need.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Namaste.
    Great story

    Blessings and happy new year.
    May you have more triumphs than trials
    More joy than sorrow
    More support than judgement
    More Inspiration than discouragement
    More resources and access than obstacles
    and may you know through it all
    That you are blessed and a blessing (by D.S.B.S.Rhapsody)

    Peace.
    Rhapsody
    http://rappingonamelody.blogspot.ca/
    https://plus.google.com/101099217204323189067
    http://www.shelfari.com/rhapsodyphoenix
    http://twitter.com/rhapsodyphoenix
    http://pinterest.com/rhapsodyphoenix/
    https://www.facebook.com/RhapsodyPhoenix
    http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4a442621/rhapsody-phoenix
    http://rhapsodyphoenix.tumblr.com/

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wish you and your family a very happy New year!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow! A lovely story! Loved the way you built it up! Awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  18. A great lesson learnt! :-D good for the 'gentleman'...

    BTW, visiting your blog getting the link from Sunita's post. I must thank her again for mentioning you...this blog is just a gold mine... :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am waiting for a fair share from the gold mine! :)

      Delete
  19. I enjoyed this story a lot ajja..i could relate to it a bit..

    ReplyDelete
  20. Another different tale from your pen/keyboard. Good one.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hello Nana

    That's a nice story, I enjoyed it. Sadly, most people in India consider DILs just like educated maids.

    ReplyDelete
  22. so close to real life cases that we see around us. good one

    ReplyDelete
  23. Beautifully written. Loved it

    ReplyDelete