Shaadi.com Chronicles - Part IV

I’ve been wondering, since yesterday, how I should title this entry.

-         Stage Fright
-         The Bride and Groom Expo
-         Unmarried ‘not – so-‘ Anonymous

So after a wonderful 61st Birthday celebration, my father decides to hit the sack. My mother and I are watching TV and discussing the usual – which is “Snehprabha se phone aaya, they said they have one guy from the US! You want to go?”

Me – To America? Why not! When should I ask for leave?

Mom rolling her eyes!

My phone rings – Unknown number – I pick up

Long lost cousin – Hi Meenal. This is “long lost cousin”

Me – oh… hey.. whats up?

LLC (coincidentally an LLB) – YYY Kaka asked me to tell you to join us tomorrow at the Mellaava*

Mee – Hehehehehehehhehehhhhahahahahhahaha

Mom – What happened?

Mee – LLC asked me to come with him and kaka to the Mellaava.

Mom stands up – the fastest I’ve seen her get off the sofa in years! LET’S DO THIS! She declares!

LLC – Here’s the address. See you tomorrow.

MOM (at 1030) – I think you must wear a saree. No wait! That will be dressy, wear a nice kurta! Wait a minute... did he just say you could go or can i come too?

Mee rolling my eyes!

Sunday Morning – I’m up and ready to have a nice cup of tea and toast.

Mom all bathed – Chalo! You’re not ready yet! We have to reach by 11!

Mee – that wasn’t a dream? Sorry Nightmare…

Mom – ohho don’t waste time!

Mom and I head to the parlour for me to get rid of my ‘you know whats’! After, what seemed like hours, of  getting directions and coordinating and figuring out where to stand and park we (mom, dad {surprisingly he seemed enthu about this too}, kaka, LLC and I) reach the entrance of the Mangal Karyalay**

“Hi! My name is Shubhangi something, my date of birth is something…” I couldn’t hear beyond this… I was freaked out of my mind! Im standing at the entrance – I cant see the what’s happening inside, but I can most definitely hear it! Prospective brides and grooms were announcing their details to a room full of  people (atleast im assuming it’s filled and it sure was!)

Mee – WHAT!!!! KAKA im not going in! this is ridiculous! Im not an alcoholic, being single is not really social stigma!!!! Im not doing this…

Kaka – arre! Just give it a try.. you might never know where you find love!

Mee – I don’t want to find love here!

LLC (slightly taken aback himself) – arre.. yeh toh.. arre.. I don’t think ill be able to do this!

Kaka – you’re a lawyer you do this everyday! And Meenal what you’re saying, you do stage shows all the time!

Mee – THERE’S A STAGE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

 These are the men.. Yea i know what you're thinking!

This is the stage and the auditorium!

(Sorry I’m going to have cut this short. There will be a continuation to this. Get yourself a cup of coffee and a snack. Trust me! This is going to get worse, or in your case, more entertaining!)

*A gathering of singles across town (generally of the same caste / type). They meet, greet and eat!

**the venue for such gatherings and also for weddings!