Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
Her life had taken her far away from the dreams of her youth. But her husband and friend together planned a surprise for her - a long overdue birthday gift!
Her life had taken her far away from the dreams of her youth. But her husband and friend together planned a surprise for her – a long overdue birthday gift!
Theirs was an arranged marriage but love at first sight. And though the arranged marriage happened within two months of getting hitched through a matrimonial portal, yet it seemed that Vani and Jay had always been looking to be together.
She was a vivacious, tomboyish girl full of life who could crack a joke even between the hardest of deadlines. Born and brought up in a conservative Pandit famiy, she always dreamt of doing a backpack tour of the world and never spared a chance to confess that this was her reason for being in a software job.
Jay, whereas, was a typical IIT comp science guy, a geek with thick glasses who would have always seen code, data and algorithms in his dreams. When he met Vani, he felt he had found someone who would complete him and she felt as if she had found an anchor in him. Vani and Jay were my colleagues for around two years in a multinational company before they decided to relocate to another city. They were a doting, just married couple, and all of us vouched for their love and commitment.
I was Jay’s team mate and came closer to him first and then to Vani. As his good friend, I would always extend my help to suggest ideas on gifts whenever needed and sometimes when not so needed too! And though we always tried to keep it a surprise from her, yet somehow she would get to know at times who was the mastermind behind some of the surprises that Jay planned for her.
Then one day, Jay got a wonderful opportunity in another city. He was on the top of the world. Vani was very close to getting an onsite assignment at this point in time, yet she happily decided to accompany him.
Initially we were in touch — but in a few months frequent conversations gave way to monthly phone calls, and then just birthday wishes, and then that also somehow vanished over time. I kind of lost touch with them, until one day after around six years, I read on a portal that Jay had started his own venture. I was happy and excited to read some big news about Jay as well as curious to know the couple’s whereabouts.
Facebook and linkedin gave me a sense that they were back to my city. A few hours on Facebook helped me connect back to Vani and I was so very excited as I was meeting her that day at one of the coffee shops in the city.
When I met Vani, I could see a lot had changed around her –kids, a full time job helping Jay lead the operations — she was completely absorbed but seemed to be in control. She was now less spontaneous though and more concerned about time — checking her phone every now and then and talking about Dhruv and Rashi in every other conversation — their likes, dislikes, routines, food habits, Instagram pics.
Time and circumstances change us so much! I was searching for that cheerful Vani but then I interrupted her to question about Jay’s well being to which she replied — He is great, working hard, both of us are working hard. I asked her why she didn’t take a break, there was so much on her plate — kids and job — to which she replied, “I wanted to support him by all means,” and she smiled. Guessing that mood was going in a different direction, I asked her — “Vani, backpack hua?” Vani was amazed that I still remembered all those tea time conversations .
“Naa, kahan hua — relocation, new job, kids and then Jay’s venture now — where is the time? And you know I don’t want to do it now. The kids are small, who will take care of them? Venture is new; no time for a break!” Just then there was a phone call from her home. I could sense a little bit of disappointment. Oh. how I wished I could see her the same, same as my very spontaneous and carefree friend.
Few days passed and I saw an opening in Jay’s startup — I had planned to apply for the heck of giving him a surprise. And yes — I got a call. After a telephonic interview, I was asked to come down for a face to face interview. Fingers crossed; he was the one to meet me today and I was kind of nervous even though I looked forward to surprising him.
It was so nice to see him again. Jay hadn’t changed much, was in control, and his heart completely on what he was working on. I congratulated him on coming this far. I could see the happiness in his eyes to connect back with an old friend. We chatted for an hour before I told him that my reason to come for an interview was to surprise him. As per our protocol, I asked him if he still would welcome some unsolicited advice as he used to eight years back, to which he readily agreed.
Two months later, it was Vani’s birthday. I was planning to surprise her this time. It had been years since I had wished her, but just a week before, got a call from Jay to visit them at their home as many of our old mates were reuniting. I was super excited; what could be better than that? Reliving memories with old mates over food and coffee.
The day came, Jay had planned each bit of Vani’s birthday but had kept it as a surprise. It was great to connect back with so many old friends and then Jay requested for everyone’s silence and handed over an envelope to Vani. She was taken aback. She opened it with bated breath and guess what it had — no not a love letter, not any mushy note — the envelope had air tickets for her backpack tour to Europe with a planned itinerary! Everything had been taken care of with love and care.
Jay looked at her and said — “I know your next question — how will home, kids and office get managed. Don’t worry — everything has been taken care of. Mom and mom-in-law have been called, kids have been mentally prepared, office work is delegated and I am in charge of this whole project — You are leaving this weekend. Happy Birthday Vani!”
Vani was in tears and so was I — The couple was so much in love still! My respect for Jay increased manyfold that day. I smiled as I remembered my meeting with him at his office and how my unsolicited advice to him still held value. I was so happy for my friends and so very thankful to God for blessing me with good people around!
Published here earlier.
Image source: pixabay
Present - India Lead - Education, Charter for Compassion, Co-Author - Escape Velocity, Writer & Social Activist. Past - DU, Harvard, Telecoms-India and abroad read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
Please enter your email address