Chap 2 A: '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 yes she should be Indian. Theek?"
"Mom you are crazy!" Shan 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 IPAD 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. This was soon followed by her baby pink clad buxom figure. Shan 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.
"Uh...my mom..." The words came tumbling out before he could stop them.
"Your mom? Is she unwell...?"
No! She's perfectly fine. It's I who has taken leave of his senses! He wanted to yell out, instead he tried to train his lips into a 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. Men! All those years of schooling never teaches them how to read a woman's heart. And young Dr Mehta was no exception. In fact he seemed more clueless than all the others. Or wouldn't he have figured out long ago that she Anna, his secretary had a massive crush on him!
Shan gave her an encouraging smile. 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... "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 Shantanu 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 genially at Anna, "Awesome suggestion. I'll work on it."
Her day was made.
He straightened 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."
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Showered and dressed in fresh new crisp clothes, including a tie and a jacket, Shan looked like the successful Wall Street Banker he wasn't. He felt uneasy and awkward. He was more 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--- 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 signalled for another while ogling at the big chested waitress.
Shan chuckled, "Remember Rudy you are married."
His friend frowned, seriously pondering the statement, "I guess I am."
Shan was concerned, "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..." Shan 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 Shan with admiration. "You are so lucky dude! I envy your freedom."
Shan shook his head unhappily,"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 Shan'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! Okay then let your mom choose and live happily ever after with my blessings!" He concluded grinning widely.
"No! Never! I can't!" Shan declared aloud causing a stir among the other customers.
Rudy was puzzled, "What do you mean?"
"I can't get married to anyone that she chooses. I'll be finished. All those obligations... parties, demanding wife.. inlaws. No, I would rather kill myself."
"But that is what marriage is all about...compromise.!"
Shan 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..." Shan shook his head. "Don't get me wrong. I just want somebody who will understand me and my work. I just want to remain as 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 desires."
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?" Shan asked looking desperate.
"Maybe you'll find somebody back home?"
"Really?" Shan looked 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 their right hand to get a SIL like you. Plus the perk of coming here. Anyway that seems to be your only option."
"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?"
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tbc
Next update: The girl...😉
Edited by simiv - 13 years ago
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