Don't get married, son

Ashok, a 56 year-old gentleman, is working as a consultant in a reputed company, breezing through the congested market to buy vegetable, bump into his college friend Dinesh.

“Hello Dinesh, how are you?” warmly and enthusiastically greeted Ashok and shook his hand. Dinesh joyfully said, “Hello Ashok, so nice to see you. I am fine, how you are?”  Ashok enquired, “How is your family?” Dinesh joyously replied, “Everybody is alright. How is your family?”

Ashok said, “All is good. Hey Dinesh, why don’t we meet tonight for a dinner?” Dinesh excitedly replied, “Sounds great to me. How about at my place?” Ashok said, “Sure, I will come alone because my wife has invited some of her relatives at home.” Dinesh said, “Oh sure. You come and we will have a long talk.” They parted with a hand shake.

Ashok arrives in time and greets, “Hello Dinesh! Where is Bhabhi? And your son?” “Yes, they are right here. Sapna, you do remember Ashok, my college friend. And Vikram, he is Ashok uncle” Dinesh introduced. Ashok said, “Hello, Vikram. What are you doing these days?” They sat on the dinning table to chat. “Sir, I am working in an IT company” replied Vikram courteously.

Ashok enquired enthusiastically, “So, when are you getting married?” Dinesh replied with a meek smile, “Well, Ashok, I don’t want my son to marry.”

Ashok frowned and asked, “Why? What are you saying?” Dinesh gravely said, “We don’t want our son to marry.” Ashok persisted, “But, why? What is the problem?”

Dinesh reluctantly said, “I don’t want to hide anything from you Ashok. You know this DV Act, Domestic Violence Act. I mean, I don’t want to put my son and our lives in danger.”

Ashok attentively said, “I know that this law is ridiculous, but that doesn’t mean your daughter-in-law will do something. I mean, you should be positive.” Dinesh confidently replied, “I have done good research on this subject, and I tell you Ashok, this law will destroy families. What I want to say is that I don’t know what will happen tomorrow.”

Ashok tried to pacify the fear of Dinesh and said, “Dinesh, you can’t be so negative. If it is happening in other families, doesn’t mean it will happen to you. I mean, you also need to know what Vikram wants.” Vikram interrupted, “Sir, I respect your views, but you may not be aware of the today’s modern women. They won’t hesitate to misuse this law.”

Ashok kept quiet for few minutes pondering over the gravity of the problem. “Dinesh, I think you are right. I respect your decision. And I think I have to enquire about this from my son, too” Ashok pensively said. Sapna said, “Ashokbhai, we want our son to be happy, not to be legally harassed by some woman. Some of our neighbours too are trying to decide over this. This is a very serious issue.”

Ashok positively replied, “I completely agree with you bhabhi. This is indeed a very serious issue. The Government is only concerned with vote-bank, and here our lives are in danger now.”

Dinesh excitedly said, “Oh yes, the dinner is ready.”

4:55 PM - Wednesday, November 15, 2006