Chapter 5: chapter 5

Aman – Mom, please don’t do that. It will look very cheap. And who knows if he is going to ask for two thousand rupees. I just guessed.My mom had changed her clothes and she came out of the room and said, “You don’t know son. People are very clever. If we don’t say to him our reality then he may even ask for four thousand rupees instead of two thousand rupees knowing that you are a government employee!”Aman – Mom, if you are going to talk like that, then I am not going to go to the marriage bureau.My mom became furious, “Why? What happened! Don’t behave foolishly! People are very clever. You have to be clever too otherwise people will sell you in the market and you will never come to know about it!”I also became angry, “Nobody is going to sell me in the market! Mom, whenever you talk in this way to anyone before me I feel insulted. Actually, it is our insult mom. Why can’t you understand?”Mom shouted at me, “You mean whatever money people ask us to give to them, we should give! Right? If they ask for ten thousand rupees, we should give! What a foolishness! Why can’t you understand people are actually money-hungry people. They will leave no stone unturned to empty your pockets. You are very innocent!”Aman – Mom, I don’t know what you are saying. Let me clear one thing. If you are going to talk like that then I am not going to the marriage bureau.Mom – What? Now, you are picking up a quarrel!Aman – No, I am not picking up a quarrel. It’s only you who are picking up a quarrel! I am not going anywhere now.Mom – Look at your behaviour! Is this the way to talk to your mom?Aman – I haven’t said anything bad to you. I just said I am not going anywhere.Mom – Okay, I won’t say anything to the marriage broker. You only talk to him. I won’t utter even a word. Now, fine?Aman – Yeah, now, it’s fine.Mom – Then let’s go now.I smiled, “Okay, mom.”Aman – Should I take out my bike?Mom – No need. We can easily reach there by foot.Aman – Alright mom. Let’s go by foot.I and my mom locked our house and then set off for the marriage broker’s house. On the way, we went on discussing the precautions that we needed to take while speaking to the marriage broker. Finally, we reached the marriage broker’s house. And by the way, that was also his office.I said to my mom, “His house is so simple. I have heard a lot about him. He’s very popular in our city. But I am surprised to see his simple house.”Mom – Sometimes people love to live in simplicity. Sometimes they have a lot of money, but still, they prefer to live a simple life.My mom knocked at the door. I also hit the door twice, but then my eyes fell on the switch of the bell. I said to my mom, “Mom, there is a button for the bell.” I pressed the button and the bell rang.A middle aged man of about 45 years old, opened the door.  His hair was well groomed. He seemed to be a gentleman. I heaved a sigh of relief by looking at his face. About 50 percent of my tension was gone. I looked towards the face of my mom and she also seemed to be happy.My mom and I wished him Namaste (Greeting). He wished us back Namaste too and he very warmly allowed us in and made us sit on a comfortable couch. He called his wife, “Are you there?”She said, “Yes, I am here.”He said to her, “Two guests have come. Please prepare three cups of hot steaming tea.”She said, “Yeah, sure.”He asked us very cordially, “Now say how can I help you?”My mom beamed, “First of all, we would like to know your name. Actually, we have heard about your business a lot, but name....”He said, “No problem, sometimes it happens. My name is Mohan.”Mom – Mohan. Okay. Brother, actually I am looking for a bride for my son.I lowered my eyes and began to look right and left for I felt shyness. Mohan – Okay, good.Mom – That’s why we have come here to seek your help.Mohan – Yeah, sure. Why not? By the way, what’s the profession of your son?My mom said with a pride in her eyes, “He’s a government teacher.”He picked up a notebook and a pen placed on the table and started noting down the points.I was pretending as if I was not listening to their talks but my chest also got widened when my mom talked about my job.Mohan – Great. How many family members are there in your house?My mom’s face turned sad. I was also at a loss for a while. My mom and I understood that he had touched our negative matrimonial point. Mohan – What happened? Why are you not saying anything?I mustered all my courage and said, “We are only two members in our house. Me and my mom.”My mom frowned at me sneakily but Mohan noticed it and I saw all that.My mom started speaking full of confidence, “We are seven brothers and sisters. I have four sisters and two brothers. All are well settled. One of my brothers have forty acres of land in the village. We have too many relatives and all are rich.”Mohan – Okay. Okay. Good. And what do you do sister?My mom said exuding confidence in her voice, “I am also a retired teacher.”Mohan – Government or private? Mom – Private. Mohan – Do you have your own house?Mom – Yeah. You can ask anyone. Our house is our own. She said pointing at me, “His grandfather was a very rich person. We got this house in heritage.”Mom – Don't worry sister. I can trust you. My mom smiled. Mohan – Can you share your contact number with me? (It will be so nice of you, if you leave at least a single word comment 🌺❇️🌹🌺❇️)