Sonali’s Suitors: Chapter Four

"Sona. Sona. Get up child. Sona." A firm hand shook my arm vigorously as a gentle weight settled itself beside me on the bed.

"Just five more minutes. Just five, please," I plead with the voice that penetrated my sleepy daze.

"You’re old enough to be married and still act like a two-year old. You’ve had more than enough sleep. Now, get up child. What will your in-laws think of me when they find their daughter-in-law sleeping in until the sun’s rays warm her backside? You really need to change some of your habits Sona."

I anticipated another lecture and before she could begin I rushed inside the attached bathroom. Wiping myself dry after my shower I came face to face with my mother once again. I hated when she was so stubborn about making her point clear. It irritated the hell out of me.

"What can I do for you mom?" I enquired for formality. I knew I was going to find out either way. It wasn’t often that my mom showed up in my room without a mission to complete.

"I want you to wear one of the chudithars I bought for you from Thanjavur for Diwali and come to the temple with me and your father.

"Since when is visiting the temple a priority in this family?" I scoffed.

"Arjun Pundit looked at your horoscope and told us that we need to remove some obstacles for your wedding to occur without a glitch. You need to perform some of the rituals. Besides I thought I would get the temple priest to offer prayers for the entire family. I won’t take no for an answer. It’s Sunday and we’re all finally free."

"Fine. I’ll go get ready," I sighed.

The whole way to my closet I muttered under my breath. In my closet I scavenged around for a few seconds before I finally found the white and red chudithar I wore for Diwali, when we went to India for a visit. The garment was made with silk, with the body of the dress being mostly white with red embroidery at the top. Gold sequins spanned the whole length of the outfit, gleaming tremendously under the rays of the sun. To finish the outfit, there were white pyjama-like leggings and a red shawl with white tassels. I was not particularly fond of the dress but at least it was better than the sari I had to wear for Neelu’s wedding.
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Temples had always been unrelated to my life. I didn’t know what to do when I was in one. The last time I went to the temple I recall was when I was a young child, not more than eight. After that my entire family became too involved in their respective lives to make the trip regularly. Once in a while my mom went with other relatives but she left it up to me to decide whether I wanted to tag along.

I gazed at the statues of gods around me. My mom told me that one should never show their backs to the various deities, but how was that possible with the architecture of this temple. There stood an idol in every direction imaginable. I found a secluded spot and sat down while my mom orbited the idols, very much like earth orbits the sun. Suddenly I felt cold hands cover my eyes. For a moment my heart skipped a beat in fear. Then my courage taking root I realized it was just my cousin Neelu. I swatted at his arm repetitively as punishment for the scare. He just sat like a lump and absorbed the blows laughing.

"You’re sitting here daydreaming while you’re mom is planning to pack you away over there," he declared to me, turning towards me with an amused smirk.

"What the hell are you talking about Neelu? Either shut up or speak coherently."

"Do you see that auntie chatting away with your mom...?"

"Yeah...so?"

"Well, she’s a distant relative from my wife’s side. Chandu told me that their looking for a potential match for their son."

"So?"I asked, still not understanding what he was getting at.

"You really are a tubelight." I glared at him.

"Get to the point you loser."

"So loser, they’ve come here just to see you."

"Huh? Me. Why would they come to see..." I did not complete my sentence. I already knew the answer.

Oh. What a cunning mother I had? I definitely had to give it to her. Here I, Sona, assumed I could just go on denying online proposals for marriage, one after the other, at my own pace until my parents eventually gave up on the idea. Now I find the tables turned on me. This strange lady with my mother was looking at me intently, observing my every action, weighing my best qualities and my worst while I stood oblivious to my surroundings. In no time this lady and her son, depending on her assessment’s result, would visit my house in the pretext of " the bride-seeing ceremony". I would stand like a decorated doll while they decided on my future for me and in the end I’d be married. Right? Wrong !!!! No way was I going let that happen. I’d get back at my mom for making me come to the temple on false pretences. I’d chase this strange woman away that was for sure.

Beside me, Neelu opened his mouth to say something but stopped when my mother and the lady came towards us.

"Namaskaram Sonali," said the woman.

"Hey," I replied dryly. I hoped she would guess at my annoyance at her presence through my tone of voice itself, but had no such luck.

"You’re beautiful my child." Turning her attention to my mom she said, "You must be so proud to have such a lovely child. She’s as pretty as a doll, I almost wish I could take her home with me this instant and show her to all my friends. They’d die of envy."

She smiled warmly and I continued to fume. Was I some piece of merchandise that she thought she could pay for on the spot and take home and exhibit to whomever she wanted to show? I decided I did not like her.

I started to play with my blackberry twirling it around between my thumbs. I had an idea!

I discreetly found my friend’s number on the caller list and gave her a missed call. My phone immediately came to life playing a song from Mohabbatein, a Bollywood movie. I rudely hit the answer button and spoke loudly so that the woman might hear the entire conversation.

"Oh hi Paul!"

(.........................)

"There’s a party at Ron’s house? I’ll definitely be there. What time did you say it was? 11:00 p.m. That’s great. I love you too man!"

(........................)

"Are Taylor, Ken and Sam going to be there? The more the merrier."

(........................)

"Why, don’t you and I meet up Paul? Yep, I can meet you in ten minutes tops."

(.......................)

"I don’t mind breaking the speed limit for you sugar."

(...........................)

"Mu-ah! Hugs and kisses. See you in a bit."

My mom’s face was ashen and the look on the face of Neelu’s wife, Chandu's "auntie" was absolutely satisfying. I was sure she would run in the other direction now. From what Neelu told me about his wife’s side, they were very insanely traditional and reserved.

I couldn’t help smiling. The lady must have thought I had countless boyfriends or something from the uncomfortable expression pasted on her face. In reality however, all of those names I mentioned were that of my girlfriends at college. Paulina (Paul), Ron (Veronica), Taylor, Ken (Kendra) and Sam (Samantha) were all my classmates. They were having a party to celebrate Samantha’s birthday. Their parties usually consisted of cozying up on the couch watching movies, while snacking on popcorn and milk duds. Nothing out of the ordinary really, cutting a cake was one of the highlights not normally part of the agenda. The party ended at 6:00 p.m. I was only to receive an official invitation for the party by 11:00 p.m today. I preferred never to stay at any party past 7:00.

Paulina was Romanian and had a feisty nature about her. So it was common for her and me to speak to each other in weird ways. She’d often calls me "pisicuta" meaning little cat, and I use endearments such as sugar, and ‘gagica’ meaning girlfriend. I just thought she was the perfect person to use to get this lady off my back and by the looks of it, I’ve made my impression.

"I’ve got to go. Sorry auntie. I’ll see you some other time."

With that I left the temple giving Neelu a quick punch in the arm and a satisfied smirk before I left. As I passed I saw him shake his head at me disapprovingly. He’d just have to live with his disapproval then. I just hoped my mom liked having the tables turned on her without her knowledge. Serves her right.

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Publication Date: 11-05-2011

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