The gentleman

26th Feb.2014

Do you meet some people, whom you want to shut up, as soon as they start speaking? But then, you don’t actually shut them, just because you can’t.  There may be a number of reasons. The person may be elder than you, probably a relative, or he may be a complete stranger, not even talking to you, etc.

In the evening I went to a cyber cafe to fill a form online. I often go there and the owner falls in my age group. As I pushed opened the “not so heavy” glass door and managed myself in, he was busy talking to an acquaintance. I disturbed them by asking the owner for a system. He gave me an acknowledging smile and asked me to use system number 2.

I squeezed myself in the narrow space between the miniature plywood cabins, and by the time I had adjusted myself on the plastic stool, they - the owner and the gentleman- had resumed their conversation. I could not see their faces, but I could clearly listen to them.

The gentleman had come to inquire about the PNR status of a ticket.

Who is coming? The owner asked, to proceed the conversation.

My wife and her parents are coming from Bihar. Actually, since the time we got married, she has only spent six months here. There was some chore to be completed back home. Sometimes there is a marriage ceremony in either family to attend, then there were her exams, and you know how it is. So finally she is coming now. The gentleman gave the detailed information.

How long have you been married? The owner asked again.

I am married for two years now. You know something; I have always asked my wife to be modern. To learn the city way of life. I tell her, that if tomorrow you have a daughter, she will be a part of this society. She will think modern, I can adjust with her, but what will you do? How will you accompany her to school meetings and social gatherings? Do you know what she says? She says, “That on such occasions I should send my girl friend to accompany my daughter”.

The gentleman and the owner remained silent for few seconds, before the gentleman started again, “You know, whatever my wife says, this whole girl friend stuff. It’s easier said than done. Tomorrow if I send my girl friend with my daughter, my wife will writhe in jealousy. It’s not practical man.”

Absolutely. This is not practical. The owner jumped in with enthusiasm and supported him.

The gentle man and the owner remained mum for few moments, and the gentle man started again, “This time I will make her join a personality development course.  At least she will learn something. You know, my girl friend is very bold. Let me tell you an incident. On Rajiv Chowk metro station, someone touched her in the crowd and she started fighting with that man. And that man was so nervous and scared. She is very bold.”

The gentleman reinforced his girl friend’s boldness and paused for a while as the owner got busy with a customer. Once the owner became free, the gentleman started once again. “Actually my girl friend has been working in Delhi for the past four years. She travels alone to places, and I want my wife to be like her.”

By this time it had been 15 minutes in that cramped, closed and congested place listening to the gentleman. I had successfully submitted my application and got up to leave the place. As I waited on the counter for the owner to return the change, my eyes met with the gentleman’s, and I felt like laughing out loud, but I just managed a smile.