Article #50: The Story Of A Bachelor

In India, after certain age, if you remain as a bachelor/bachelorette, then it’s no less than committing a crime. People judge you in their own way, the society comes with its own pressure, On the other hand, you would have your own reasons, by chance or by choice. While there are some who could understand the reasons, there are many who wouldn’t even want to hear anything and it is so unfortunate that you have to end up explaining yourself or experiencing the awkwardness before everyone as if you did a mistake. So, do you think this is a problem? No, I am not referring to the state of being a bachelor, I am referring to the societal interference in your personal life.  

Well, today I am going to narrate you a story of a bachelor based on real life incidents

Once upon on a time, in one of the popular cities of India, there's this guy named Giridhar who is cute in his looks, Young, Smart and talented. But fortunately, or unfortunately he was still a bachelor. 

Early in the morning 9 AM, (of course, it may not be early for us, but it's early for Giridhar as he is a night owl)Giridhar gets a call from his friend. 

“Hi Giridhar, how are you doing?” 

“Hey, I am fine. What’s up? You called me too early, anything urgent?” 

“Too early? Giridhar it’s already 9 AM. But you know what! Sometimes I feel jealous of you, common you are still a bachelor, you don’t have any responsibilities and you don’t even have to wake up early. Of course, I even feel worried about you, I mean you are still a bachelor Giridhar, when will you get married?” 

“Hey are you my friend or enemy? You are already having enough drama in your life, now you want me to experience the same drama? I don't have time for all this, bye” 

Saying this Giridhar cuts the call. He gets ready and starts out to bring the essential commodities from the market. As and when he opens the door, his neighboring aunty comes towards him saying, 

“Giridhar, yesterday I consulted a dentist” 

Giridhar smiles as he couldn’t understand the context. 

The Aunty continues, “The dentist is a lady, pretty and good looking. She even belongs to your community. So, I thought she is a perfect match for you. Common Giridhar, get married” 

That’s an embarrassing moment for Giridhar. He smiles saying, “Aunty, that's so sweet of you, but you know what I am afraid of dentists since my childhood.” 

The Aunty says, “Oh I see then there’s another girl in our relatives. But I am not sure if your mom would be okay with her” 

This time Giridhar cuts the conversation and escapes saying, “Aunty, I am getting late. See you” 

He goes to the parking zone and about to start his bike. But then, another neighboring Uncle comes saying, “Giridhar, it’s been a while since we met, what’s up with you? When are you getting married? Don’t tell me that you are still a bachelor” 

Giridhar’s frustration begins as this is the third time he heard same question about his marriage since morning. So, he responds saying, 

“Uncle, I heard your younger daughter is also a bachelorette. I just hope she gets married soon or you think I am a perfect match for her” 

His Uncle becomes furious, but before he could say something, Giridhar escapes saying, “My friend is waiting outside, catch you later Uncle” 

At first, Giridhar reaches a hotel to have his breakfast. The owner who knows him comes saying, 

“Hey Giridhar, after a long time you are here. I thought you got married and that’s why not visiting my hotel” 

Giridhar says, “Uncle please, can I have Dosa for today” 

The hotel owner continues, “Of course, but listen to me Giridhar. Just get married, you will get the home food and also a good health” 

Giridhar responds saying, “ok Uncle, I believe you don’t want your business to grow. Bye” 

He leaves the hotel and goes to a super market to buy some vegetables. The woman at the counter knows him as he is a regular customer. 

Giridhar collects the vegetables and goes for billing. The woman says, “Oh, today you are buying two raw mangoes. What’s up? Is there a good news in your house?” 

Giridhar looks surprised and says, "Good news? What's the good news?"

Then she says, "Ok let me make it straight. Is your wife carrying?"

Giridhar gets shocked.

He says, "Aunty you are so intelligent, but I have a small question, only with two raw mangoes, you thought there's a good news in my house. But your super market has so many unseasonal raw mangoes, may I know the count of good news in your family? "

Even before she could respond, he concludes “By the way, I don’t want any vegetables for today” and leaves the place.

Frustrated Giridhar comes back home. In the meantime, someone knocks the door, he opens and sees a middle-aged man saying 

“Hello Sir, we are coming from the population census team. How many members are living in this apartment?” 

Giridhar says, “Only 1, that is me” 

The man responds, “Only 1? Sir, are you still a bachelor?” 

Giridhar listens to the same question, but responds with lot of patience saying, “Yeah I am a bachelor” 

The man says, “Sir, you are kidding. Common, how can you be still a bachelor? I am sure you are trying to hide the figures from me. Please cooperate with us” 

Giridhar asks, "Are you married?"

He responds yes

Then Giridhar says, "How come you are already married?"

The man gets angry and says, "What kind of question is this?"

Giridhar says, "You know even I felt the same way when you asked me how come I was still a bachelor "

The man gets the answer and becomes silent.

Giridhar shuts the door. But again, the door gets knocked immediately. 

With all his anger, he opens the door seeing the same man outside filling his sheets of paper. Before Giridhar could burst on him, the man gives signs that he didn’t knock the door. To his surprise, Giridhar finds arrival of his relatives. He welcomes them and asks for a sip of water. 

But they deny it and starts asking, “Giridhar, when are you going to get married?” 

Once again, the same question that Giridhar has been hearing since morning. 

He says, “I am not going to marry anyone, anytime, now and never. Is that clear? I hope you do not have any problem with me being a bachelor” 

His relatives try to talk in between, but Giridhar continues saying, 

“Please guys, if you want me to throw a party, I am fine with it. But just to fill your stomach, I can't marry someone immediately ” 

Hearing this, his relatives feel offended and leave the house silently. 

Just like Giridhar, we find so many bachelors/bachelorettes in every corner of this country. Being a bachelor doesn’t mean that one is not willing to marry. But It’s just that the things are not in the place yet for whatsoever reasons. And there is nothing to feel shy or awkward about it. If the world judges, let them do it. Ultimately, what matters is how you feel and think about it. So, for all the bachelors and bachelorettes out there, It’s always in your hands to feel embraced or say confidently, hey I am still a bachelor. What do you say?