Thursday, March 13, 2025

50% : short story

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50%

Story by Vikram Karve

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Dramatis Personae

The “Girl” – an IT “Techie”

Her Boss

The “Boy”

His Friend

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PART 1

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The “IT Techie” Girl is talking to her Boss

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“Sir – I wanted you to be the first to know – I am getting married…” the IT Techie Girl says to her boss.

“Congratulations – when is the date…?” the boss asks the girl.

“That’s not fixed yet, Sir…”

“Oh – but your marriage is finalised…?”

“50%...”

“What do you mean 50%...? I hope you have met the boy – or is everything online…?”

“I visited his home last evening – I met his family – there were so many people – it’s a joint family – exactly as I had wanted…”

“Joint Family…? Are you sure you want to live in a joint family…?”

“Sir – you know my life story – my parents – both my mother and my father – both of them suddenly died in an accident when I was 9 years old – since then – my uncle – my father’s younger brother – he has looked after me – he is in the merchant navy – and a bachelor – so – he sent me to a boarding school – then – I went to IIT – and now – I am here – working in this job – I lived in a boarding school dormitory – in a college hostel – and now – I am living in working women’s hostel – I never enjoyed family life – so now – I want to have a proper family life…”

“Oh – so you will live with the boy and his parents…”

“Sir – it is a huge family – his grandparents, his parents, his uncles and their families, his brothers and cousins and their families – they all live in a beautiful ancestral “Wada” in the heart of the city – it is a large three storey mansion with a courtyard in the centre and rooms on all sides…”

“Will you be able to adjust…?”

“Of course, Sir – I love people – I met all of them last evening – they liked me – and – I liked them too…”

“And the “Boy” – what does he do…?”

“He works in an office, Sir – relaxed 9 to 5 job – we will have plenty of time for family life…”

“I want to say something – if you don’t mind…”

“Sure, Sir…”

“Well – your salary will be much more than his – you will be earning much more than him – that could be a problem – male ego…”

“Sir – that won’t be a problem at all – I am going to quit working after marriage…”

“What…? Are you sure…?”

“Sir – I signed a two years bond during campus placement and I have already worked for three years…”

“No. No. I wasn’t talking about that – I just don’t understand why you want to quit such a good career – you are an IITian – you are one of our star performers – you have such a bright career ahead of you – we have great plans for you – No. No. – don’t be a fool and give up your career – tell me – did the boy insist that you quit your job – or his family…?”

“No, Sir – last evening – at their place – there were so many people and so much excitement – we didn’t even talk about it – but seeing how close-knit they are – I am sure they will be happy – and me too – I want to enjoy a domestic life – I am not a “career woman” by nature – I want to get married, have children, enjoy parenting and family life – live a life of domesticity – with so many loving people around me – his grandparents, parents, brothers, cousins, children, families – this is the life I want – I don’t want to be lonely any longer…”

“It is very strange – you are the first girl I have seen who thinks this way – most want to live independently after marriage – but I will advise you one thing – don’t quit your job – keep working – I am sure you can easily manage with such a large family to support you – well – I feel you can enjoy the best of both worlds – good family life and a successful career…”

“Sir – I have made up my mind – I want a full-time family life…”

“Well – it’s your life – your decision – so – when is the wedding…?”

“Sir – I am meeting the boy this evening – so – we can talk alone and finalise things…”

“Oh – so – you haven’t yet talked to the boy…?”

“Sir – last evening – everyone was there – and all of them were talking to me – so – I hardly got time to talk to the boy…”

“So – you liked the boy – and today – you are going to ask him if he likes you…?”

The girl laughs and speaks.

“That’s why I said my marriage is finalised 50% - but I am sure he likes me and wants to get married to me…”

“I am curious – your marriage proposal – was it through a matrimonial site…?”

“No, Sir – a girl who lives in my working women’s hostel – she knows the family – she told them about me – and they called me to meet them – I asked my uncle who now lives in Singapore – he told me to go ahead – and he will come to finalise the wedding once everything is fixed between me and the boy…”

“Okay – all the best – I am sure the boy has liked you and your marriage will be 100% fixed today…” the girl’s boss says with a smile.

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PART 2

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The “Boy” is talking to his Friend

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“I want you to find me a good apartment in Deccan Gymkhana – brand new – in one of the redevelopment projects…” the boy says to his friend who is a real estate agent.

“You want to buy a flat in Deccan Gymkhana…” the friend asks – surprised.

“I am fed up of living in our old “Wada” with so many people around me in the congested city – I want to live independently in a modern apartment in a posh locality like Deccan Gymkhana…” the boy says.

“Apartment in Deccan Gymkhana…? Are you crazy…? The EMI will be more than twice the salary you earn – and no one will give you that amount of loan…” the friend says.

“I am getting married – the girl is an “IT Techie” in a top firm – I am sure she will get a loan and can easily afford the EMI…” the boy says.

“Congratulations – I didn’t know your marriage is fixed…” the friend says.

“It’s 50% fixed…” the boy says.

“50%...?” the friend asks, curious.

“The girl had come home last evening – everyone liked her – I liked her too – and I think she likes me – I am meeting her this evening and I think my marriage will be 100% fixed today…” the boy says.

“That’s great – I will shortlist some flats in Deccan Gymkhana for you to see…” the real estate agent friend says.

“Yes – ready possession flats – we will like to move into our new flat immediately after the wedding…” the boy says.

“I can help you out with the home loan also…” the friend says.

“That’s great – I will talk to her about that – I am sure she has a high pay package and we can get good home loan to buy a flat in Deccan Gymkhana…” the boy says with confidence.

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VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 
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Disclaimer:
This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)
     
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

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