Chapter 5

Just my luck!

It looked like my dream of having my own place was slipping away from my grasp.

I loved the house. The location was close to my office. From what I had seen it was a quiet, residential area with lots of families. Here, I felt safe and comfortable. It was just perfect for me.

No! No, NO!! I couldn't let this opportunity go. I had to do something fast.

"Oh, but I am married," I blurt, before I could think things through. Apparently, my tongue worked faster than my brains.

Mr. Chavan looked at me curiously. I know he was wondering why I did not have a mangalsutra or sindoor, the symbols worn by Indian married women. I did not bother to clarify, especially when I had nothing to say.

My mind and heart were racing fast. I hope he would leave it at that.

"That's good news!" Mr. Chavan looked at me over his glasses, narrowing his eyes, not looking convinced.

"We need your marriage certificate along with the contract documents."

Oh shit!

"Why?"

"That's the stipulation for renting the apartment. The owner is very strict about not letting singles or unmarried couples rent the house, so we want to make sure."

"But I will be living here alone sir. No one will be living with me."

"Where is your husband?"

Think Tarana think.

"He, um, he's abroad," my brain works superfast to come up with plausible excuses.

"For how long?" Mr. Chavan presses on. 'Please!! please! Mr. Chavan let it go!' My inner voice was pleading & crying.

"I don't know really. Sometimes 3 months, sometimes longer. His work involves a lot of travel."

Damn, my lies are getting more colorful by the minute.

"So where were you staying before?" Mr. Chavan's questions were getting me more and more on edge.

" I have been living in a women's hostel for the past few months and looking for my own accommodation." Phew! At least I didn't have to lie for this part.

"Do you have any relatives in Mumbai?" Mr. Dinesh Chavan, the interrogator, kept pushing.

"No sir, none."

"OK!" Mr. Chavan nodded decisively, "That's fine then, as long as you submit your marriage certificate, you can stay here alone."

"What if I don't have a marriage certificate?" I was panicking. "I mean, we had a quick and simple temple wedding and did not get time to register our wedding, before he left," I lied straight faced.

"Well madam, we cannot allow anyone to stay without producing a marriage certificate. You can either give us a marriage certificate or look for some other place to stay," Mr. Chavan snaps, visibly annoyed.

'Think Tarana, think!' I was frantic, I couldn't let this opportunity slip away.

"I can get my marriage registered. But I need some time, as my husband is not here," I blurted, looking at him with pleading eyes. "Can you give me some time at least?"

I was getting myself deeper into a murky mess that I knew I would regret later, but I had no choice. I was desperate to get out of my hostel and this place seemed like a God given opportunity.

Mr. Chavan thought deeply, "I will confer with the other society officers, but I think we can give you three months to submit your marriage certificate."

"Oh yes sir, that would be great! Thank you! Thank you!!"

"Oh! And another thing. We will send the certificate for verification, to make sure that the document is authentic. So do not give any fake certificates or not only will you be evicted immediately, we will also file a police complaint against you for fraud and confiscate your deposit amount."

Crap! Crap! Crap!

"Yes .. yes .. sure. I understand! I would not do such a thing. When can I move in?"

"As long as you promise to submit your marriage certificate within the next three months, and the contract is signed and registered in the next few days, you can move by the first of next month. But remember no late night parties, loud music and disruptive behaviour and of course except for your husband, no males are allowed to stay overnight."

I did not know whether to be ecstatic at getting a house of my own or to hit myself on the head for weaving a web of lies that is surely going to put me in a lot of trouble.

"How am I supposed to get an original marriage certificate? I just can't up and marry any Som, Deep or Hari."

I have three months to look for another place. At least I am out of the mess of a hostel room. I assured myself that I would find another apartment to stay within the next three months.

But here I am, one month later absolutely loving my new house. The neighbors are friendly without being intrusive. Besides me and my landlady, there are eight families living in the building. They are mostly upper middle class families. The Owner of the building - the old lady, kept the entire topmost floor for herself.

The building although old, is well maintained and well protected with watchmen and camera surveillance. It is in the heart of the city but the high walls around it cut it off from the outside world, so that when you cross the gate you forget the hurrying, noisy city outside. It is a peaceful haven after the stress and tension of the day. The seashore is a short 5-minute walk away, actually just around my building, where I go on the weekends or if I am early from work, to see the sun set in the sea.

My house is exactly the way I leave it in the morning. My clothes and belongings are not missing or used. No arguments and tantrums while distributing chores to clean the room. There is no yelling and screaming at boyfriends or constant disturbance of girls sneaking in and out in the middle of the night, breaking my sleep.

I have seen a couple of other places this past month, but no place seems to come anywhere close to how I feel about this house.. cut that.. home, of mine.

The message from Mr. Chavan, reminds me that time is running out fast. I need to finalize another apartment or go back to the hostel. 'Or get married' inner voice reminds me. Getting married within two months is as likely as Mumbai city coming to a complete standstill.

I called my old hostel to see if I could move back in there.

"Sorry, Tarana but we are full at this time. Maybe you can check back after 6 months, we may have some space available then."

I let out a long sigh.

Just my luck!!