Matrimony date with the “self-proclaimed” Shiv Khera

                                Matrimony date with the “self-proclaimed” Shiv Khera

Two weeks back I met a smart and suave marketing professional who literally marketed himself to me when I asked him what you do over a Whatsapp chat. In the reply was a YouTube video where he was rattling out his work ex and his strengths and weaknesses as if it were an interview. I cracked up. Held my breath and thought this is an interesting way to introduce yourself. We then started chatting; it was the Champions cup India Vs Pakistan match and we were in a bad spot; he asked me if we could Facetime (FT). I told him I was watching the match. He said – oh that will get over in 30 minutes (pushing the interaction because he was free). I told him I was out with family and I got no revert from him (inspite of the blue ticks).

The next day he sent me a message apologizing for the late reply and if we could FT the same day. We decided to FT the same day at 10 p.m. – a little late though, I did not want to sound very rigid so I agreed.

The FT was initially nice and pleasant with the regular exchange of Info and towards the end it was a long discussion on where to meet the next day. For those of you who are from Delhi; I stay in Greater Noida and he was staying in Dwarka. The most convenient options could have been CP or Khan Market or anywhere in South Delhi. It took us one hour to decide, rather me to convince him eventually that we could meet at Meharchand Market which was equidistant for us.

As always I like to be on time rather before time mostly. I took a cab and reached the CCD where we had decided to meet. I took a nice corner table overlooking the main road. He landed up speaking to someone on his phone; looked at me from outside and then signaled that I sit on another table. I signaled back that he should come in first and then we could figure it out. I did not like this authoritative behavior; where is the chivalry gone? You let the girl choose the place!!

Finally, we sat and started chatting. Then the “Shiv Khera” moment started – Priha ji, kya karna hai life mein? Shaadi kyun karni hai? Kaisa ladka chahiye? Somehow these questions sound easy but when you actually try and answer them there is no correct answer. I tried to answer them to the best of my capability.

By now, after 5 years of meeting these “potential candidates” or “suitors” (as one of them had called himself to be), I was really sick and tired of this rigmarole. I prefer conversations which are more generic, in the first meeting atleast. He started planning my career and my kids – told me I should work for an MNC and not for an Indian Company because tomorrow when I fill the nursery admission form for my kid my credentials i.e. education, organization I work for and compensation would help my kid get admission to one of the elite schools in Gurgaon. He had somehow in his head reached the stage where I was moving to Gurgaon, working in an MNC and having kids (whose? even I don’t know; not his, I was sure by then J).

His thinking, I agree was practical but too practical for a conversation to have in the first meeting. For the first time I was intimidated by his questions. I felt I was being interviewed wherein I am in a profession where I interview people.

The next was a lecture on health and fitness. He asked me when I got my last blood test done. Both his parents were doctors so he thought he was no less. I did not understand the need and relevance of this question. I said I got it done recently and told him my hemoglobin was low (I was upset about the fact that I could not donate blood at a camp organized in our office because I really wanted to as I have a rare blood group i.e. O-ve). So in that innocence I told him that the test was recent. To add to it he said – “I will send you a list of blood tests to be done”. I just kept looking at him with a blank look. I just wanted this meeting to end.

What I did not understand was that why were we talking about these things. Did he not have anything better to do on a Saturday morning? I felt like a scapegoat. In the end he said…think about what I said…if you move to Gurgaon you will be a different person altogether.

Somehow I did not get the right vibes from him. I said I needed to go home; I booked a cab and zipped off. On my way back, which is a 1.5 hour drive, I kept thinking why this meeting happened the way it happened.

I narrated the whole incident to one of my closest friend on the way back and purposely spoke in English as I did not want the cab driver to understand what I was saying.

She and I laughed about it over the phone and by the time I had reached home I was feeling better after having vented out my harrowing experience.

I was just about to pay the cab driver and he said – “Mam you still haven’t found your Mr. Right…I can’t believe it “.

My mouth was wide open.

I give him a sheepish smile as I was shocked that he understood English. I replied with a straight face – Yes, I haven’t; if you know someone let me know.