I had probably been wanting to write on this for quite some time. Especially when notions of women being more "tied-up" when it comes to affairs of matrimony as against men.!
"அடுத்த function உந்து தானே?"
"எப்போ கல்யாண சாப்பாடு போடறதா உத்தேசம்?"
"இப்போ பார்க்க ஆரம்பிச்சா ஒரு வருஷத்துக்குள்ள ஏதாச்சும் நடக்கும்"
"How are uncle and aunty letting you off the hook?"
"What exactly are your 'plans'?"
"So, what's 'new' in life?"
Oh my God... being out anywhere wasn't getting any easy. I would rather prefer excusing myself out of social functions and gatherings than keep answering every other soul whom I see with these staple set of questions. Looks like it would be nice to jump from being twenty five to being thirty five without crossing any intermediary time..! Where is my time machine, Mr.Potter??
According to my dad, talks about marriage have to be something that would create an atmosphere of happiness and shouldn't be ending up with acrimonious debates - nay, emails as it happened with my case. But that STILL doesn't seem to stop him give up his advice every now and then in some context or the other as to why marriage is supposed to be important..! Needless to add, my mom would consider me "settled" only if I am married. Meaningful and intellectually challenging work that I currently do (and thankfully in possession of it despite tough economic times) is not going to be of much consequence to anyone except myself I guess..!
I was just leaving for the USA and some of my junior colleagues (and a senior one who is already probably the age of my grandfather and still single!!) came over and offered generous doses of advice as to how I could probably try to get married in the USA if I don't like to do so in India!! As if that were not enough, some of them vowed not to receive me back unless I have a record of more than one active marriage from the USA..! Purely on a lighter note, with friends like them, do I even need enemies..!
So, at least in the Indian context (not sure if this pesky notion exists elsewhere too!), I keep wondering why is a "settled life" more often than not, equated with a "married life". I am sure they are both different and can be treated that way as well.
Oh oh... there I see some pickup truck parking in with a Harley Davidson on its load. Time to continue later. All rants and raves can wait their turn while I enjoy a glimpse of the motor cycle.!!
