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  After a pause, Anerei spoke, choosing her words carefully.

  ‘Aakash, it sounds absurd and shocking only because we are too set in the groove of social customs to look beyond them. It is a given that a girl has to leave her house and go to her husband’s place when she marries. All hell will break loose if this rule is flouted.’

  As she spoke, Aakash shifted around restlessly in his chair. The receptionist and assistants had just left the clinic and the sound of a released compressor was the only thing that disturbed the intermittent silence.

  ‘Aakash, why don’t we try this as a unique experiment? I know it would be difficult convincing our parents, but if we stay firm to our decision, they might relent. Listen, a few of my friends who have settled abroad got their parents to come over to their place for a period of some months each time they had babies. They felt they couldn’t do without their help. We, too, will need my parents at some point in our life, and vice versa. I just intend to make that call a little earlier on. As for the uniqueness of the situation…well, we will adapt and adjust to it in time…’

  ‘Ya. Go through the teething problems, as we dentists refer to them…’ butted in Aakash, with a wink and a smile at Aneri, in a bid to diffuse the serious atmosphere. He could see the passion in Aneri as she spoke and was genuinely trying to comprehend her point.

  Aneri smiled and resumed, ‘Absolutely! If every newly married girl had her parents around when she was going through her teething problems, she would make the transition to her new life and world so much more comfortably, don’t you think?’

  Aakash rubbed his chin, ‘Yes, but…’

  Aneri looked sharply at Aakash. ‘But what? It does not sound practical, right? That’s because, like I said earlier, no one has ever done it before! Aakash, tell me honestly, are you uncomfortable with the idea of living with my parents?’

  Aakash immediately responded, ‘Not at all. In fact, I loved the time we spent together yesterday. I am just a bit concerned about the tongues wagging when they hear about our arrangement.’

  Aneri sighed, ‘Aakash, no new idea would ever come to life if one bothered about what people would say. Last week, at a get-together, a couple friend of Papa’s told him how they sent their recently married son and daughter-in-law to Lonavla to spend the weekend at a luxurious resort. Hearing this, another elderly couple said that they, too, have to push their son and his wife out of the house on Sunday evenings because they feel that they are so busy working during the week that they hardly get time to spend together.

  ‘You know, Aakash, this is the latest trend in our Gujarati households. The elders take great pride in knowing that they understand the new generation’s needs, so why can’t we give some thought to their need for company, too, instead of presuming that they are content at being alone, watching TV serials?’

  ‘But Aneri,’ Aakash tried to reason,‘there is a time for everything. The initial days after marriage are important for a couple to get to know each other. Priorities change and a newly married couple gets busy building the foundations of a life together.’ Aneri cut him short sharply, ‘I am aware of the shift in priorities and that a spouse assumes topmost importance during the initial years, but aren’t our parents also making many adjustments so that we get time for ourselves?

  ‘I am not saying we tie ourselves to our parents. I know that we have our own social circle and they have theirs. But, you cannot deny the fact that they do face a lonely future with their children gone. All I propose is that we protect them from that.’

  Clearly, Aneri was dead earnest about the issue, thought Aakash, as he tried to absorb all that she was saying. He knew that she loved her parents deeply and was concerned for their future, but to whip it up and conjure a proposal out of it was taking things to a different plane altogether! He was well aware that her proposal could be rejected outright by their parents, but his heart went out to this ‘wonder girl’ who was ready to go against all societal norms and traditions to ensure her parents’ happiness.

  Aneri, as if reading Aakash’s mind, said, ‘Aakash, just imagine, if two’s company, four could be a party!’

  Aakash finally asked with some uncertainty, ‘How do you plan to get all of us together?’

  Aneri’s eyes showed signs of fatigue. Lack of sleep was taking its toll on her. Aakash’s question was precisely the one that had kept her up most of last night. She cleared her throat and finally spoke with an air of contentment, ‘Aakash, did you ever wonder why I chose to call this idea an experiment? A couple of years ago, I had a client, Ria Patil, who chose a live-in relationship with her partner instead of marrying him. Ria and I became close friends and she used to share many details of her life with me. Once she took the decision, she said, everything started falling in sync with it. Ria and her partner’s motto was clear. They loved and needed to be with each other, so they decided to move in together. Both were clear that they would be in the relationship so long as everything played out comfortably, and that they would not regret parting ways in case things didn’t work out!’

  Aakash leaned forward to ask Aneri a question, but she indicated him to allow her to complete her thought. She continued, ‘A few modifications and adjustments could be made by us as well. If the two families are to live together under one roof, a larger house will be required. We could go house-hunting. I suggest we rent a large flat and move in with our belongings, albeit for a fixed period, predefined by us. In the meanwhile, I will try and adjust to your style of living.‘Think about this…since you will be trying to get to know me inside-out, you will get an insight on all my quirks from my parents, too. And the same goes for me. The only challenge here is that we will all have to adjust our daily commutes from a new place. I, being a girl, would have done that post-marriage in any case. I am just requesting you to do so, too.’

  Aakash looked at her and tried analysing the enormity of what she had suggested.

  Aneri finally folded her hands and said with pleading eyes, ‘Aakash, I know you won’t let me down. I know you will always support me. I knew it the day you got me that newspaper article to read in the middle of the night! At least give it a serious thought before we present the idea to our parents. Aakash, please try to understand. I know my parents in and out. They don’t want to hold on to me, but I know that they are not prepared to spend a life alone without anyone looking after them. I am not compelling you over this. But we just have two choices before us: either we execute this proposal and take it from there, or give me enough time so that I can leave my house assured that I have done my best to prepare them for a life without me around.’

  Aakash stood rooted to the ground with an unfathomable expression on his face. He seemed too stunned to respond. He just got up to lock up for the day, and while doing so, he typed on his mobile, ‘Kinju, I will take another hour to drop Aneri to her place. Please don’t hit the bed before I come. I need to talk. C u…’

  ‘What, Kinju! She sounds like a modern-day avatar of Lord Rama,’ Aakash blasted. ‘Do you even expect Mom and Dad to agree to this idea?’

  Kinjal heard her brother out as he recounted his chat with Aneri, with an increasing sense of bewilderment and surprise. She had never heard of newly married couples living together with both sets of parents. But she felt within her an increasing sense of appreciation for Aneri for coming up with such a proposal. She quipped, ‘Wow! “What an idea sirjee!” What’s wrong with it, huh? Aneri is simply a girl who is worried about her ageing parents. Think about this: her love and commitment towards her parents is a reflection of her goodness. She will extend the same care towards our parents. Aakash, you are lucky to have her in your life. I have heard of instances, which are totally opposite of this kind of thinking.’

  Aakash nodded. ‘Kinju, I am in no dilemma about the kind of person she is. Her thought-process about this issue is so evolved that it’s difficult for me to reach her heights. Her idea is ingenious. Having said that, I still feel that it is too idealistic to be workable.’<
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  ‘But, you cannot discard it so easily either,’ Kinjal said and added, ‘I am not taking her side but think from her point of view. If you both manage to pull it off with the right conviction, you will make her the happiest girl in the world. It may lead to chaos and confusion, but if you ask me, think about it from an affirmative angle. Being a girl, I myself may have to leave my parents soon, and so I actually endorse her idea of having both sets of parents living under one roof.’

  ‘Oye, Kinju, we are not at all in any hurry to send you away! So, relax,’ Aakash said. ‘By the way, what’s wrong with both of us these days, huh? We hardly sit and chat anymore. Gone are the days when we would share the minutest details of our day with each other. I hardly know what’s up with you these days,’ Aakash said sulkily, and added, ‘and now when we talk, you take her side.’

  ‘And who is to blame for that?’ Kinjal asked, knitting her eyebrows. ‘You are away in your clinic the whole day. I leave early in the morning. When I return in the evening, you are not here; and by the time you return, we are both too tired to have a meaningful conversation. And, hey, I am not siding with Aneri. Rather, I am siding with both of you. Think carefully; it’s not a bad idea. You can try it out for a few months and then review it, though I feel it will be tough convincing the parents. They might not find it practical and socially acceptable.’

  Aakash did not reply and sat silently as Kinjal stood up to leave the room. Then Aakash muttered something that froze Kinjal in her footstep.

  ‘I lost a girl once because of her parents, and I can’t let that happen again! I just can’t let that happen again!’

  When she turned around, she saw a determined face, exuding grit, and knew that a decision had been made.

  ‘I am at a loss. I can’t even imagine what Aakash’s parents would be thinking about us. I sometimes really don’t understand how you think up all these things?’ complained Chhaya Doshi. Aneri was anxiously biting her nails and remained silent for some moments. Bharat was intently observing his daughter.

  Chhaya, perplexed and infuriated by Aneri’s ‘weird proposal’, continued her tirade, looking both at her daughter and her husband. ‘Aneri, are you the first girl on this earth to leave your parents’ house after marriage? Have you ever come across a girl who stays with both, her in-laws and her parents? Haven’t we taught you well enough for you to be happy and make us proud in your in-laws’ place?’ she asked.

  Aneri tried to pacify her mother, ‘Ma, just because something has been followed for centuries, doesn’t mean that it has to be relevant in present times as well. Look around you, men and women today walk the road of life hand in hand. If a guy has the choice of staying with his parents, why can’t a girl be given the same choice?’

  Aneri’s father, who was listening to the conversation silently till now, stepped in and said, ‘Aneri, listen to me. These marriage customs, even though they were created centuries ago, were designed with a specific purpose in mind. We follow so many things even in these modern times that have their roots in tradition. Have you ever thought why we follow them? Because the roots cannot be pulled out so easily. Take for example, the law. From the day they were written down post-Independence, they have been amended multiple times; but don’t we still follow a few basic laws? Similarly, there are strongly withheld moral laws and uprooting them would lead to complete anarchy in our society. However noble your intentions may be, you can’t just change the basic tenets our ancestors have laid down for us. I am happy that you care so much about us, and that you can’t think of parting from us, but it does not mean that you start challenging the deep-rooted customs of the age-old Indian institution of marriage!’

  He now was more firm in his tone, ‘We, as your parents, are going through the same emotions that you are right now. But what you are demanding is somewhat chidish. Right now, what I see before me is a little girl who is overjoyed at being handed a new toy, but still can’t get over her old toy. Think with a bit more maturity and tell Aakash not to bother his parents over all this.’

  When she turned around to speak to her dad, Aneri’s eyes were filled with tears. She was clear on her stance and spoke with the same firmness that her dad had a few moments back, ‘Do I really have to fight the very people I am standing for? The point here is not whether I will be able to manage myself without you, but whether I wish to. Aakash loves his parents dearly. We are to spend our lives together. He has to understand my love for you as well. He has to…’

  She quickly wiped her tears as Bharat and Chhaya silently looked at each other. Bharat went and sat beside Aneri. He gently put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her. He then spoke in a comforting tone, ‘Right now, you have something that many girls don’t. You are going to be in the same city as us. You can easily reach out to us in an hour’s time whenever you feel like!’

  ‘Aakash, you know why this tradition of an Indian girl going to her husband’s place after marriage is followed, even now?’ Ashwin Mehta was trying to reason with his son.

  ‘It was believed, at that time, that a girl, when she steps in her husband’s house, brings prosperity and happiness to it by her presence. As she moulds herself for the wellbeing of her new household, she slowly becomes an integral part of it and a new family is born. Now imagine, if everyone started questioning this tradition, how would we have evolved?’

  ‘Dad, but why only a girl?’ Aakash argued pointedly. ‘This tradition would have been relevant in the century when it was born. But, is it relevant in today’s times anymore, when we all believe in gender equality and fair treatment of women? If I can feel miserable just thinking of a life without your daily presence, why can’t a girl feel the same way?’

  ‘What, Aakash? This girl has not even stepped into this house more than once and you have already started dancing to her tunes?’ Kinnari mockingly pointed out to Aakash. ‘Look, I am not saying that it is a proposal carved out of bad intentions. But it still is weird to put it into practice in the real world.’

  ‘Why is it weird, Mummy?’ Aakash scowled. ‘Just because you are hearing of it for the first time? Mom, think deeply about the time you first stepped into this house. If you were given a choice to stay with your parents, wouldn’t you have agreed?’

  Kinnari opened her mouth and then, throwing up her hands in exasperation, closed it. Then, looking straight at Aakash with narrowed angry eyes, she said, ‘Aakash, what kind of an argument is that? Every girl learns to get used to her new surroundings in a few days or some months. Is that happening for the first time now?’

  ‘Exactly, Mummy. I am just talking about those initial few days or months, till she gets used to this new family of hers. What is so wrong in extending a small acclimatizing window to her?’ Aakash asked.

  Ashwin sighed heavily and spoke firmly, ‘Aakash, you need to discuss it with some other people and get another opinion. Who is that psychiatrist friend of yours you keep praising?’ Aakash cut in, ‘Dad, she is a psychologist, not a psychiatrist!’

  Kinnari prompted from behind him, ‘Vishakha…’

  Ashwin continued, ‘Ya, Vishakha. Well, Aakash, you always say that she is the only one you trust for any worthy opinion. In addition, her professional expertise will help you get a perspective on this issue.’

  ‘Wait, hold on! What did you just say? I require her professional advice?’ Aakash cut in with an infuriated expression on his face. ‘You mean to say that I require counselling over this matter?’

  Ashwin Mehta simply chuckled. He shrugged and went back to reading the newspaper.

  Chapter 14

  Present day, October morning

  Bandra Bandstand, Mumbai

  ‘SO YOU SEE…now they say that I need a PSY…CHIA… TRIST…’ Aakash imitated his dad as an amused Vishakha looked at him. She raised her hands above her head and shook them vigorously with a forceful grunt. ‘Aakash…’

  Turning a bit serious, she exclaimed, ‘Aakash, there is a vast difference between “how I wish this was possib
le” and “I can make this possible”. What you both have suggested seems ideal, but tell me, logically, is it possible? I mean, you have not suggested a fifteen-day trip to Greece, where all of you can bond over scenic beauty. You have proposed something that is unheard of in our society. Getting two families that are still strangers to each other to live together.’

  Aakash emphasized, ‘I know, but…’

  Vishakha again cut him short, ‘Wait a sec, sometime back you had mentioned that you both suggested a live-in relationship, didn’t you? How does this link with…’

  She left her statement incomplete, paused for a moment, and then almost shouted, ‘Goodness! You mean, this…this is what you call a live-in relationship?’

  ‘Yes, ma’am. A relationship where both sets of parents agree to live-in with the newly married couple with no lifelong commitment or promise to each other!’

  Vishakha widened her eyes and exclaimed, ‘You are impossible!’

  Aakash smiled, but his attention constantly went to his wristwatch. He whispered, ‘She should be here by now…’ he thought of calling her and asking, but decided to wait for a few minutes more before messaging her.

  Vishakha tapped her head with her forefinger in a gesture implying that Aakash had taken leave of his senses. She shook her head and said, ‘Seriously, Aakash, you were right. So much can happen in twenty-five days! You and your mademoiselle have managed to turn the whole world upside down in such a short time.’ She gave a silent clap while pouting her lips. Aakash bowed before her, smiling mischievously.