A Huge BOULDER Lifted Off My SHOULDER

Yesterday was Deepavali. I wished my future in-laws, "Deepawali Waltukal", correct pronounciation and all, I think. Hey, i tried my best. Anyways, I arrived at their 70s style, detached home at 10.40am. Received a luke-warm welcome from his father and brother. A somewhat chilly one from the mam. Not a great start. Breakfast was served. Tosei with chicken rendang and mutton curry. I was stuffed (truly) but chewed and swallowed every morsel on my plate. Didn't want to offend anyone so early in the morning. It was going to be a long day.

The hours went by. I offered my services where I could. Friends and relatives came and went. Lunch was massive. I had a lot of tid-bits in between too. I cant go on eating like this. Stole a shot of Bacardi/Whisky from my B now and then to calm my nerves. It didn't really help somehow. B introduced me to all his relatives as his girlfriend this year. Pressure. So many names, so many faces. So little time to remember them all. Aunty's and cousins made conversation. I wasnt sure if it was real chit-chat or interviews. They were nice enough and welcoming too. I was complimented on my fully-Indian attire, Punjabi Suit with 'potu' and all. The color of the suit was be fitting me.

Towards the end of the night as I was wishing relatives farewell, one cousin came up to me and asked me when B and I plan on getting married. He told me that he will see me next Deepavali when B and I are husband and wife. Yikes. I told him we havent fixed a date (or year for that matter). Another aunty (and her mother - a typical, old saree-clad Indian lady) brought me to one side and told me to make my B stop drinking. He had a different drink in hand the whole night. He was fine though. If they only knew that I was having shots of my own in secret. Ha ha. Also, I was told by the same aunty that I should learn their language so that I can speak to old ladies (i.e her mother). Tamil 101 here I come. A different aunty, who happens to be a convert insisted that I bring my B to church one of these days. I told her I cant force him. She told me to pray for him. She also asked me if I have a Christian name. I told her it's Ramona. 'This is better', she said. 'I will call you, Ramo'. Great, add a 'b' and i'm Rambo. The things we do for the people we love. Sigh.

I left having good vibes. So this, I think is good. The time was 11.25pm when I reached home. It would have been 11.10pm if I didn't miss the exit and end up in Puchong. Ha ha. Getting lost is a good way to familiarize with roads. I wished my colleagues a Happy Deepavali at 11.55pm. Just in time.