Are you a V-----?

The clanking sound of cup with saucer added to the round of chatter and laughter in the room. ‘I have to admit Mr. Siddharth, you are a great host. And Rashmi beti is so well mannered, wo kya kehtey hai….. sanskaari. She’s a gem. We were looking for a girl like her who could fit it into our family.’

‘Thank you so much, Manish bhai sahab. We, especially Rashmi’s mother have nurtured her with values along with good education, so that she can easily catch up with today’s times.’

‘So have we brought up our Ansh. And it’s high time we let these two kids do the rest of the talk, so that they can get to know each other well. If they have a yes, probably we will get to celebrate.’ Manish grinned looking at both.

 Parents of both families left the room. They both sat in silence for a couple of minutes.

‘So you have done engineering from Noida?’ Ansh finally broke the ice.

‘Yes, papa wanted me to have at least a qualification, some exposure, so that in times of need, that degree would come handy.’

‘No that’s really appreciable. Although, I would see that you never have to step outside to work under anyone.’ Ansh sported a courteous smile; he had made his mind, ‘only if you too, give a nod, for us.’ He shyly looked downwards.

‘Hmmm, blushing’ Rashmi too seemed to have made her mind; Ansh looked like an ideal guy, smart, handsome and sensitive. They still had time so she thought to explore him further, ‘Manish uncle told you assist him in the family business. Don’t you have any interest or passion to pursue?’

‘Well export of diamonds covers all interests and needs. Albeit, I had one, back in college days, event management. Me and my partner, Nitya, we were the best. But father needed me in the business, so had to leave all that.’

‘Nitya haan’ She smiled, ‘seems like you two were close.’

‘Yeah, we were the thing back then. College days were fun days you know.’ He winked, ‘But all that is now a past.’

‘Fine by me. Do you have anything to ask?’

‘Well nothing much, while our parents talked, our most infos became apparent there only. See our family is broad minded you know.’ His right foot moved right and left showing his uneasiness, ‘but we also value our traditions and expect our women to be civilized…….’

‘Ahmmm.’

‘See I like the fact that you have done engineering, outside your city; been there for four-five years I suppose’ He cleared his throat, ‘you might have met people. So…. I mean to ask, are you virgin?’

‘Excuse me! You just said you had a relationship with some girl. On what basis do you ask me such question?’

‘Look, there’s no need to get offended okay. I am a guy, it’s okay for me. But you are a girl, you are gonna be our family’s bahu, a woman must be clean character wise. It’s a simple question that I asked.’

‘Okay!’ She contemplated for a moment, ‘It means that girl, Nitya was a whore, how many harlots have you screwed to become a man?’ The sarcasm was clear in her voice.

‘Mind your words! Nitya was a good girl, she belonged to a reputed family….’

‘But you just said that a sanskaari girl would never cross her line. Or, maybe it’s the characterless in you. It’s a shame you broke your parents’ trust.’

Ansh’s face turned red in rage. His lips trembled, but Rashmi continued, ‘Or maybe you never did a “girl”. Maybe, you are a bi’, just for experience sake you know.' A broad sneer emerged on her face, ‘you are a guy with diversity, I dig that.’

‘I believe your failure to answer my question is an indication of your character.’ Ansh tried hard to suppress his humiliation.

‘And how would you know whether I am being truthful or not; a broken hymen can be due to non-sexual activity too. You asshole! You chauvinist hypocrite pig don’t assert any right to ask such question. Guys like you would involve in flings, may be forcefully, but would then seek chastity in the opposite sex. I bet you won’t allow your sister to go outside, fearing her vagina might get spoiled.’

‘How dare…’

‘I am not done yet, ‘She stood up, ‘It’s a vagina you caveman, not some character certificate. I renounce sick guys like you. You posses no right to ask the question and hence you need not know about me.’

She halted for a moment, looking at the parents incoming, ‘You may now leave Ansh, the humiliation you deserve is served.’ 

She turned towards his parents, ‘Your ‘experienced’ boy wanted to know whether I have any such ‘experience’ or not. Well, you guys can keep guessing.’

Rashmi’s mother put her hands on her shoulder but her father stopped her. He joined his palms with a broad smile on his face to show them out; he was proud of his daughter’s resilience.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

Rohit Omar is an MBA turned authorpreneur from the city of Kanpur. His passion for writing and curiosity for Sanatan history spurred him towards the world of words. His book The 7th Incarnation is a merger of two genres - fiction and non-fiction that depicts the legend of Lord Raam from the eyes of the contemporary sage Valmiki, clearing misconceptions about Ram with the help of a rational approach. 

Rohit is also a zealous blogger, portraying various dimensions of Ramayan and life through his blogs.

Book: THE 7th INCARNATION - www.srirom.in