She reached home and got to know that she had to go for a Wedding reception. Her cousin had got married recently, and aunty needed help, her mother said. Fine ! may be she would find something/someone interesting there, she thought. The Brother-in-law spoke a lot with her which surprised her cousin because he hadn't spoken much to anyone so far. Well,' saali (Hindi word for wife's sister) effect I guess' she thought. The saali-jeeja relationship (husband and his wife's sis) was a favourite of many Hindi movies. She was experiencing it the first time. And she liked her Software Engineer Jeeja. He spoke sense i.e. asked interesting questions, different from what one usually asks on meeting a stranger-relative. The evening went off really well with all of them going out for chaat/pani puris/the famous Jalaram's kachori and ending with the K.C. Das Sweets on the Church street, one of the few outlets in Bangalore's plush locality, serving unique Bengali savouries. The next day the Brother-in-law's cousins arrived. One of them was really a handsome material (her friend used 'material' too often ie husband material, boyfriend material etc.) Moderately fair, (couldn't place him in TDH category) a bit short or almost her height, sharp features including a well groomed moustache which she wouldn't call pencil sharp though. Good taste of clothes too, she observed and a neatly shaven face. Hmm ! so far so good. 'I hope he speaks something sensible/interesting at par with the personality he projected', she thought. Few guys whom she had met through cousins or friends in the past, she found were either interested in 'I shall include you too in my girlfriends list' kind of thing as if they were doing a favour or was it some indicator of their 'maleness' !! Some of them spoke too much, some aired their opinions like they owned the world or worse some even narrated 'their ex-girlfriend tales'. Not that she didn't like any one of them because she always tried to find something special in each of them as she thought that no human being is despicable. Each had something that had a meaning. But she hadn't been able to go that far to 'explore' any of them given the disciplined atmosphere at home and a vigilant mother.
Coming back she found out that his name was Mayank. Unusual name and when she asked him its meaning, he told 'Moon'. All this time they all conversed in Hindi or English. Mayank was silent. Now that bothered her, for there was something in the 'silent male species' that attracted her. Never mind she told herself, as she had got used to such reactions from herself. Her cousin suggested they all go out for a movie in the evening. There was a Multiplex close by and they all could walk down chatting at leisure. So walk they did with usual banter when all of a sudden Mayank stopped when he heard her answer her Jeejaji in Kannada. And everyone looked at him questioningly. He was not at all ruffled and stood with ease looking at her which sent down the familiar shivers through her and the shameless heartbeats. Sometimes she didn't like all this happening, as she felt she was losing control of herself or she was giving in. Well, Macho boy spoke at last,'Hey you know kannada?' Now what had that got to do with his sudden interest, she wondered. And on further knowing that she belonged to the same caste/creed/community or whatever, he was all the time besides her, though not boring. Well she thought about all the thoughts that run through a Man's mind before he selects someone for his 'wife' or ' wife material' ! Hmm ! if he is thinking that then its Good Bye, she decided because she just wasn't comfortable with 'my community/my religion/this's how its done etc etc'. She wasn't sure if he was thinking all that, but then her train of thoughts were always ready at the slightest input of stimulus. She found he was witty, good to be around with and a charming conversationalist. Was in the fourth year Diploma Printing Technology, had given a couple of Campus Interviews. Interesting she thought.
Then the Wedding Reception day arrived and she was put to the task of taking care of guests. Already she was looking after the Brother-in-law and party as is the custom in Indian Weddings ie of giving due importance to the groom and his relatives. the Bride's side has to serve them well. All the more reasons for Ravi to observe her, she found and she thought,'Ughh ! there he goes', perhaps thinking,'Looks after the people well, knows to cook, is educated.....' While she was escorting an elderly lady, he signalled her to come aside and she did. He told her he wasn't feeling well, now what's that she wondered. But he did look like he was going to have a severe bout of cold so she told him there was a medical store nearby. As expected he asked her to tag along. And he told her that she looked beautiful. Well there he goes, line no. 1. Then he said he liked her. O.K. line 2. What did she think about him? She told him he was 'interesting' that's all. A sort of secret closeness established that was not formal, was informal neither, a sort of man to woman 'talk'.They came back with the 'Cold n cough' medicines. The next day evening the brother-in-law and party had to leave and she found the 'Hero' sulking. Now that was a weakness with her. She had to ask any person whom she perceived as 'sad' the reason and she would try in her own way to help them deal with whatever they were up to. She had mellowed down after all these years and with few not so good experiences, still she thought she had a right to ask the Ravi guy. And Voila she did. Guess what, he just mumbles few sentences like 'It was nice here etc etc' and fishes out a Grand and offers it to her. She was taken aback as she had never experienced this kind. Well she asks what for? And he says for all the good time they spent together, he wanted to gift her something but the place being new and not having enough time to know her tastes, this made sense. She thought it sounded good, his words but something was wrong with the money part. And she told him she felt the same way and the moments they shared was a very good gift in itself and no thanks she just can't accept it. He somehow wasn't convinced (didn't I tell you in the previous short story, Men take time to get convinced, even from the female species whom they may be attracted to). He offered it once again and when she declined, he went out of the house to her surprise. She went behind to be stopped by the 'Uncle' who asked what the matter was by the way and where was she going? The Great Indian Household that seeks answers from the girl species for any action they think is out of place. She mumbled some satisfactory answers and went out. The guy walking up and down the garden...and he was smoking ! Oh ! its that serious she thought. She had to go in as she was called. Finally departure time and all the proper words said and done, He and she bid adieu to each other through the expressions on the faces which only they could understand.
