He knew this day would come. It had to. There was no running away from it. So he gave himself a pep-talk in front of the mirror in his room. He drew some confidence from the agile never-say-die mosquito that kept buzzing at his ear despite his semi-swift arm movements trying to drive it away. He could sense that they were inching towards his room with malicious intent. He braced himself for what was in store. Who was he kidding ? They were going to ask him the same question again some day. He had tried his level best to dodge this question each time it was fired at him. He had been successful so far. But he was pretty sure that he was going down this time. He had prepared a back-up answer. He was also ready with a second back-up answer in case the first back-up didn't work. And then they entered his room.
Parents (in chorus): Son, you have to go attend a wedding today.
Me: But why? I don't want to go :(
Parents (in chorus): You give the same answer always. They are our close relatives. It won't look good. You have to go.
Me: But I will become the center of attraction there. Everyone over there will tell me I am next in line. They will give me all sorts of advice right from how to pick a bride to how not to pick a honeymoon location.
Parents (in chorus): That is exactly why we want you to go. People will see you and make calls.
Me: But I am not feeling too well. Stomach upset from the papdi chaat I had last night.
Parents (in chorus): Never mind. We already packed a lunch box for you just in case you felt hungry at the wedding and didn't want to risk it by eating the rich wedding food.
Me: But...But...Ok, I'll get ready and leave in 15 minutes.
Parents (in chorus): We love you son! We really do.
Parents (in chorus): Son, you have to go attend a wedding today.
Me: But why? I don't want to go :(
Parents (in chorus): You give the same answer always. They are our close relatives. It won't look good. You have to go.
Me: But I will become the center of attraction there. Everyone over there will tell me I am next in line. They will give me all sorts of advice right from how to pick a bride to how not to pick a honeymoon location.
Parents (in chorus): That is exactly why we want you to go. People will see you and make calls.
Me: But I am not feeling too well. Stomach upset from the papdi chaat I had last night.
Parents (in chorus): Never mind. We already packed a lunch box for you just in case you felt hungry at the wedding and didn't want to risk it by eating the rich wedding food.
Me: But...But...Ok, I'll get ready and leave in 15 minutes.
Parents (in chorus): We love you son! We really do.
