Hi guys! Thanks so much for the wonderful response! Unfortunately I'm out of town and posting from my IPad is a hassle. But I thought you deserve a new year gift.
2A: Good Advice
"Okay, my baby, whatever you wish. Just be sure that she can walk, and isn't deaf mute. Tumhara koi bharosa nahin. And haan, she should be Indian. Theek?"
"Mom you are crazy!" Maan exclaimed roaring with laughter before ending the call. Good, now she won't bother me for awhile. He thought with a smile and leaned over to turn on his handheld in order to review the details of the next case, when suddenly it struck him.
"Oh No! What have I done?!" He staggered against his desk and sent the gadget along with several models of the brain and vertebral column crashing to the floor.
"Dr. Mehta... Anything the matter?" Anna, his secretary popped her anxious strawberry blonde head inside his office, followed by her baby pink clad buxom figure.
"Uh... My mom...she..." Maan stopped short, his mind wandering as he looked at Anna. He had often wondered why his chief had opted for such a uniform. They ran a serious medical outfit and not a spa! Perhaps it was a means to put their anxious clientele at ease. But was it working? Someone should do a survey.
"Your mom? Is she unwell...?" Anna stepped into the room.
No! She's perfectly fine. It's I who has taken leave of his senses! He wanted to holler, instead he tried to train his lips into a placid smile, "No... I.. I just got off the phone with her and realized that it's her birthday tomorrow. And I haven't got her anything. Would you happen to have any suggestions?"
Anna smiled at him, sending an open invitation to sample her wares. "Of course, I'll be happy to."
Maan gave her an encouraging nod, to continue. Anna's brain ran a bit slow at times. He could have asked her to leave him alone but that would hurt her feelings. Besides he found her a good resource for a lot of things that a single guy knew nothing about, both at work and outside.
She opened her dark pink mouth, and lifted her tongue to touch her top lip for a moment. "Your mother must have already dropped hints. They always do. All you need to do is give her what she wants!"
Yeah! And die a premature death! Kahaan aake phas gaya yaar! He could picture his mother dialing up all her relatives and telling them the good news that mera Maan finally sudhar gaya! He also could picture all of them fawning over him. The very idea made his palms sweat.
Darn! I desperately need to get myself together! I need some advise! He looked amiably at Anna, "Awesome suggestion. I'll work on it."
She gave him a beatific smile. He knew he had made her day.
He stood up, "I'm going to take a shower and then I'll be out for lunch. Do you mind taking any non urgent messages till then? And please if my mom calls tell her that I am busy in the clinic." Then when he saw her frown, he explained with a wink, "I want to keep her guessing."
Showered and dressed in fresh new crisp clothes, including a tie and a jacket, Maan looked like the successful Wall Street Banker he wasn't. He felt uneasy and awkward. He felt at home in his surgical scrubs and the hospital cafeteria. Not in this fancy schmancy restaurant which more befit the persona of his childhood friend who also happened to be his landlord---Rudra or Rudy as he preferred to be called. He was a stockbroker who worked in one of the big corporate banks and whose every minute was valued in millions.
They usually met up on the 3rd Thursday of every month to exchange notes and small talk but today Shan had called for an off schedule meeting. He needed advice and who better to dole it out than Rudy who had finally bowed down to pressure and got hooked.
"No booze dost?"
"Nope! Can't afford to slice the wrong piece of brain. I have a case at two."
"Oh yes. You neurosurgeons and your smart BS!" Rudy laughed and downed his champagne in a gulp. He signaled for another and ogled at the big chested waitress.
Maan chuckled, "Remember you are married."
His friend frowned seriously pondering the statement, "I guess I am."
Maan was surprised, "I thought you were happy. Wasn't Shirin your girl?"
"Yes she was but now she is my wife. Huge difference!" Rudy exclaimed then leaning forward he whispered, "Let me tell you a secret. I was forced to marry her. She got pregnant."
"Uhh..." Maan was well versed with his friends escapades. This was bound to happen. "You did the honorable thing."
"Guess I did but I wasn't prepared. Hell! I've never before made up so many excuses for not going home like I do now!" Rudy laughed again then contemplated Maan with admiration. "You are so lucky dude! I envy your freedom."
Maan shook his head,"No more. Mom fooled me into giving her my word."
"Really?..." Rudy looked impressed. "Guess that's the price one pays for having parents. Congrats!" He reached out to shake Maan's hand. "So is it going to be that hot chick Renu who was all over you at my reception? I would have fancied her myself if Shirin hadn't messed me up."
"Which Renu?"
Rudy burst into amused laughter, "Then you are blind. Truly blind. If you missed a girl like that! She won Miss New Jersey or something...and man does she have curves!"
Maan gave a wry shrug.
"Okay then let your mom choose and live happily ever after with my blessings!" Rudy said, grinning widely.
"No! Never! I can't!"
Rudy looked puzzled, "What do you mean?"
"I can't get married to someone that she chooses. I'll be finished. All those obligations... parties, demanding wife and inlaws. No, I would rather kill myself."
"But that is what marriage is all about...compromise."
Maan nodded,"Exactly and that's why I've run away from it all along. I don't want to compromise. I have no interest in assuming a role of a dutiful husband and son in law. What I want is somebody who will stay out of my way. Mind her own business while I mind mine."
"So you don't need a wife. You need a servant."
"No..." Maan shook his head. "Don't get me wrong. I just want somebody who will understand me and my work. I just want to continue like I am now...with no interference. She can do what she wants...kitty parties, poojas...whatever. She just shouldn't expect me to be a part of it. We'll get a bigger place. She'll have all the luxuries she wants."
Rudy who was listening keenly, said, "If that is so, I agree. You won't find a girl like that here. Even if you do, her family won't leave you alone."
"Then what am I to do?" Maan asked, feeling desperate.
"Maybe you'll find somebody back home?"
"Really?" Maan was unconvinced. "Are girls less demanding there?"
"Well...that's for you to find out." Rudy said mysteriously. "Besides a guy like you is a dream catch. Any father would give his right hand to get a SIL like you. Plus the perk of coming here. Anyway that seems to be the only option that you can avail now."
"How am I supposed to find this wonderful girl? Fly to India and search with a bloody microscope?"
Rudy shook his head indulgently, "Pal...haven't you heard of the world wide web?"
Next..the girl
Please comment. And Happy New Year!
1.2k