So I just finished my last exam. Graduation ceremony is next month. I am 21 years old and I treated myself to a solo trip because I survived college and I deserved it.
Tier 2 AC. Window seat. Earphones in, show downloaded, snacks packed. I was going to be a ghost for the entire trip and nobody was going to stop me.
Aunty A and Aunty B sat across from me at the first stop.
Started with *"Beta akele ja rahi ho?"*
I said yes. I know. I was half asleep. Rookie mistake. Never say yes.
Then the questions came one after another. Ahhh please stop.
Where are you from. What do you study. Which year. *"Achha achha, bahut achhi baat hai."*
Then the main event.
*"Boyfriend hai?"*
No aunty.
*"Kyun nahi?"* said with genuine concern, like I had a deficiency.
Then.
*"Beta kitna weight hai tumhara?"*
AUNTY. TF WHO ASKS THIS.
*"Nahi nahi, puchh rahi hoon kyunki tumhari height ke hisaab se bilkul sahi lagti ho."*
I did not know how to respond to being evaluated so I just ate a biscuit.
Then.
*"Periods regular hain?"*
BHAIIII. I REALLY GOT PISSED OFF AFTER THIS QUESTION.
I was on a moving train with nowhere to go. I answered. We are not discussing it.
After a while I just gave up and became part of their temporary family. Aunty A kept feeding me from the dabba. Aunty B showed me her grandchildren, temple photos, a cat video that had nothing to do with anything.
It was genuinely sweet actually.
Then again it started.
I showed her my phone wallpaper because she asked.
*"Sundar ho tum. Serious lagti ho."*
Thank you aunty.
*"Padhi likhi bhi ho."*
Haan aunty.
She nodded.
Then my station showed up on the board.
I started packing my bag. Almost free.
Aunty B suddenly got very quiet. Opened her purse. Took out her phone and looked at me very warmly and said
*"Beta, mera beta hai. Bahut achha ladka hai. Tum mujhe bahut pasand aayi poore safar mein. Bas ek baar baat karogi usse?"*
I was about to say something politely vague.
Then she showed me a photo.
Formal photo. Suit. Very serious face. Standing in front of a government building.
*"IAS hai. 2023 batch."*
Then she swiped. Showed me his office, some official event. And also a picture of him with The President of India..!!
She had a full folder on her phone. A whole presentation.
Btw, he was not old. He looked young.. 😭🙏
I just completed my last semester. 😭😭
Then she said the thing that finished me completely.
*"Waise beta, wo abhi shaadi nahi karna chahta. Bahut ziddi hai. Par mujhe laga tum jaisi ladki mile toh shayad uska mann badal jaye."*
I was speechless and smiled.
My station was 3 minutes away. She was looking at me so warmly and expectantly.
I took the number. My hand just did it. There was no other option my brain could come up with in that moment.
She held both my hands and said *"Achhi bachi ho. Mujhe tum jaise hi ek bahu chahiye."* 😭😭🙏🙏
I got off the train and just stood on the platform for a second processing everything.
What should I do with the number?? I am really confused...
Should I tell this to my mom..?