Shanthi woke up to great news today. Her husband had informed her that their only daughter had just bought a house in USA. Nothing could have made her happier!, of course it would have been much better if she could have phrased this news as her only married daughter had just bought a house in USA. But Shanthi’s daughter Kripa was not married. Nonetheless, for Shanthi this was an achievement that could not be even foreshadowed by pain of having an unmarried daughter. Shanthi, who spent her life moving from rental apartments to rental apartments, each with rent lesser than that last (proportional to size) so that she could stretch the last rupee till the end of the month, was ecstatic. Shanthi said to herself, “This is it, finally my hard work has been paid off. My daughter is a property owner! Why, she is rich now!”. With such exclamations, Shanthi called her family and friends to tell them the happy news.

Her family, even though they celebrated Shanthi’s good fortune from the bottom of their hearts could not help asking her well intentioned questions and making not so well intentioned proclamations such as “oh no! What will she do when she gets married to a guy who lives in a different city? Won’t managing this house become a headache? Can the house be rented? Usually apartments are easily rentable, I am not sure about a house..”, “Bought a house? But why? She should have waited after marriage to make such an important decision, girls these days are too independent. But Dinesh and I are very happy for Kripa” and finally, “oh Kripa bought a house? how nice! My Anju has a house in Boston and one in India as well. Kripa should call her to get valuable advice.” These conversations did damper Shanthi’s spirit for a little while but she soldiered on nonetheless. She told herself that Kripa has worked very hard in achieving professional success, she is a very modern women and surely she will find someone soon. To have a daughter, her only child buy a house was the best news of all.

Shanthi turned to her husband and asked if Kripa had sent any pictures in the email she had sent today telling them that she bought a house. Her husband silently shook his head indicating a no and left the room. Shanthi knew her husband was worried.  Honestly with good cause, Dinesh though that it is much easier to get a daughter married without a house then with. Unless of course, we find a boy in the same city as her but which boy from a respectable family would want to marry a girl and live in her house. It might have been better in the long run if the money had been invested in a property in India and as parents they would have maintained it for her. Shanthi made herself some tea and made a note to herself to ask her husband if he had emailed back congratulating Kripa when he is in better mood.

It was 1:00 pm in the afternoon for Shanthi and knew it would be early to call Kripa (it would be 3:30 am for her). Not that Kripa picks her call these days, but Shanthi decided this is such an occasion where her joy must be communicated and she would keep calling till Kripa picks her call.

It was 8:00 am for Kripa and she decides to pick her Mother’s call. She has been hesitating to attend the call for hours and felt terrible for it. She had not received any reply from her father towards the email she had sent him two weeks ago about buying a home.  She was angry and confused. Conversations with her parents were never easy these days, especially these last two years since she turned 30.  In the end she decided to pick the call.

Kripa: Hello Amma.

Shanthi: Kripa Kutti, I have been calling you for hours now, Did I wake you up?

Kripa: No, no Amma. I am up.

Shanthi: Congrats on buying a house. So happy for you. But have you thought how to manage the house after marriage? What if you need to move out of the area?

 

-MM