Part 1 

Humiliated by my sudden outburst, I took out my mobile to check emails. Well it was thousands of feet above ground level and only satellite phones work at that level. But I had to show off so I thought of saving the mails as draft. I must confess that I am still not comfortable with either the hand writing recognition or the Qwetry keyboard of SE P1i. I used to type much faster with the basic keyboard of my previous Motorola Razr. But I had to show that I am a professional who really needs to respond emails on the go. BTW I was checking Gmail regarding offers from Nigeria worth 5 million USD. There was another Jack who was claiming to cure my baldness. Jade lancozs had information regarding my impotency. Someone was really concerned about my home loans. Paul was assuring me that small is not the end of the game, there are medical cures. Agnes Ali had my order of V**** ready. And I replied to each one of those mails.

I was losing time in all these show offs. I had to think like a hero because I today was a hero.

Me: So you are going for a personal visit?

Father: Yes. We are going to our daughter’s sasural. So you work there?

Me: No I work in Gurgaon as a consultant. I am going on a business trip…have to meet my clients there. I am still single.

Phew! What made me say that?

Father: Hmm. Excuse me.

He left for the rest room.

Now me and ‘to be’ sasu ma.

Mother: Beti, come here(she calls the air hostess).

She then buys few chips packet and a bottle of water from the Qatar Airways trolley.

I was still confused on my next move. Shall I tell them everything frankly..ik hi ghatke me kahani khatam ? Father returns back to his seat. He then talks with his wife about the eatables she bought. My imagination then took me to my married life. I might be in the father’s position one day and some idiot wanna be hero would be trying to woo me. The mere thought of this made me realise that I should just shup-up and not ruin any chances of acceptance later. I decided to take the very next flight back home. Heroism was gone. And I was back to what I am. I am such a fickle!

The next hour passed without any exchange of words. I was wondering if my ineptness means I am going to lose her. But then what can I do? I suck when it comes to small talk and I was not putting a good impression either.

The flight landed in few minutes with many bumps and jerks, the same that is felt in a road in Bihar. We got down and boarded the bus to the terminal. Father was eager to convey this successful landing to his daughter in Delhi. But there was some problem with the mobile signal. My Airtel had full signal so I decided to offer my mobile. He finally accepted after my continuous insistence. He punched in the numbers and pressed the call button. The screen showed

“Calling

Miss Prospective”

busted! Ho gaye balle balle.

Father: (Bewildered). How is this possible? How do you know her? and Who are you?

I was looking for a place to run but couldn’t find any because we were on a bus going towards the terminal. I was desperately trying to think of all the female friends of Miss Prospective.

Me: Oh, is it? Actually this mobile belongs to my sister, she might be knowing your daughter.

Father: Do you think I am a fool? How long have you been calling her?

He started to raise his voice. Suddenly I felt as if I was about to be beaten for the first time in my life. I cannot even talk to the police because they won’t understand my language. Am I in for a big treat here? And suddenly the bus stopped. By then father had already thrown in lot of curses and the other were gossiping about the possible state of affairs between us. My eyes fell on mother-in-law (I better forget the in-law part now). I really don’t know how to describe those looks but they were deadly, that’s all. I snatched my mobile and ran towards the luggage area. I had no luggage and that was the only piece of luck I had that day. I didn’t even dare to look back and ran like a thief. I went somewhere in the taxi stand and hid myself. Finally after 20 minutes of hiding myself in that dingy place, I came out with a sense of respite. That 20 minutes of jail were the worst moment of my life so far. They were spent in ambivalence of emotions, should I feel guilty or feel like a loser? I couldn’t even throw my mobile in desperation because it was worth half my month’s salary!

I took the next flight back . I am never going to talk about it again. Let this be buried deep in my and your memories.