Today I have the privilege of hosting Bhagyashree of Searching Self on my blog. She is one of my oldest blogger friends, a mom just like me. She has an incredible ability of churning out lovely stories. She has overcome many personal hurdles in life and has the rare ability to poke fun at her own self. Do go to her blog if you enjoy reading lighthearted posts or nice short stories. Here is one she has done for me. Hope you like it
THE ADMIRER‘Are you ready for marriage?’
‘Waiting for your hand.’
This wasn’t anyone speaking to me but the emails that I get from matrimonials. And I sigh! At forty plus (make it 45+), I have no interest in getting married again. Once was enough. Not that I was ever beaten by my husband (or vice versa) or there were any ego clashes etc. It’s just that once was enough. I am in no mood to get into a new relationship, adjustments, understanding etc. But then, why was I even bothering with all these thoughts.
Then again, I may be expected to be sober and composed at my age, but the fact is that such emails though unworthy, give my ego a boost. And I walk with a spring in my steps and a song on my lips. It feels nice that some one wants me. With a marriage which is almost 25 years old and a husband who hardly notices me and two (adult) children who are busy with themselves, any appreciation or praise gives me a high. Like Ritesh whose approving glances makes my day.
No, Ritesh is not my lover. I am not having an extra-marital affair. Ritesh is the trainee in our bank. Smart, elegant, handsome… I can think of many adjectives that suit him. But, what I like the most is the way he mingles with everyone. And the way he flirts with me.
You may think I have a mid-life crisis, but then which woman can resist the charms of an approving glance and praises heaped on her work and cooking? Who wouldn’t feel happy getting this attention?
And so I take extra care to dress myself. I also visit the salon regularly. And go to the gym every other day.
My husband looks at me when I return from the gym and shakes his head.
The daughter sees and smiles mischievously and asks, ‘So who are you trying to impress?’
I tell you flirting is important. Since the day Ritesh started noticing me, I am all pruned up; I have lost 10 kgs. And when my daughter and I go out together, people say that we look like sisters. That gives me a kick, but the daughter gets hyper thinking that she looks old.
And so when I stepped into my office one day, Ritesh asks me, ‘So you are late because you got biryani today?’
‘How do you know I made biryani today,’ I asked?
For a moment, he is stumped but then he says, ‘I can smell the fragrance of your biryani from kilometers away’ and with a dimpled smile walks away.
‘Can it be true,’ I think but then get lost in the work.
And now I even take extra care in what I take for lunch.
‘You look awesome in the yellow sari,’ he says on the telephone reporting to me from a customer’s office.
‘But you haven’t seen me,’ I say.
‘I know,’ he says and clicks away.
But how does he know? How does he know what I cook, and how does he know what I wear?
My daughter has become a handful. No she is not a young girl anymore but is an engineer now. But she has become moody, irritable, sarcastic and what not.
My attempts at knowing the problem only irritates her further. ‘Go gymming,’ she says.
Or, ‘Why are you bothered about me, go and please your admirers,’ she says.
At office, Ritesh refuses to speak to me. When I probe, he says, ‘What will you do if your girlfriend gets jealous and thinks I admire her m…err friend.’
And then I understand.
P.S. My daughter is getting married to Ritesh on July 15, you all are invited.
Your daughter and Ritesh are getting married? I have to read the post again, I am confused… 🙂
🙂 Hope the confusion is cleared by now
Very cheeky, Agnes :).
Hey thanks for your warm words Rachna, am floating on air 🙂 And thanks for the pic. I am always amazed at your choice of pictures
Thanks.
You’re welcome, Bhagya. They are all true of course!
Bhagyashree,
I had heard that way to a woman’s heart was by admiring her child, but you have also proved the reverse. Good one. Waiting for formal invite so I can really attend young lady’s wedding whenever it be. I will visit your space soon. Take care
Rachna,
Thanks a lot for the link. So good of you. Take care
He he, never thought of it that way actually. Actually it was some emails that prompted this story. Will be sending an invite soon 😛
Thanks Jack uncle! Glad you liked it.
Wonderful story that kept me in splits.
Rachna’s introduction of Bhagyashree is very correct.
I am one of her avid readers
Happy that I could make you laugh; that was the intention-to make the weekend bright 🙂
And I am very happy and honored that you are one of my readers 🙂
oh wow! Ha ha. Nice ending. 🙂 Losing 10 kgs is no joke but. 🙂
I love reading her stories too. Uncomplicated, simple and well crafted. 🙂
Yes losing kgs is difficult but nothing too great for an admirer 😀
Thanks Jyothi for your kind words
cheeky and wonderful 🙂
Thanks Jas
That is a smart, neatly written one.
Thanks USP
Hahaha I didn’t see that twist coming. Hilarious! 🙂
🙂 Glad that I could make u laugh in the beginning of the week. For me week beginnings are morose 😛
A wonderful plot and a fantastic ending 🙂
Glad that u liked it ME. I was going to end at the point when ‘she’ understands but then thought that the P.S. was important 🙂
I so loved the story and the way it was narrated. Wonderful 🙂
Thanks Ashwini, I am trying to write humorously nowadays. The kind words of you all encourages me more. 🙂
A good one. 🙂
Seriously, it is very important to be noticed and appreciated, no matter how old you are. For everyone.
Yes Punam However confident or self reliant you are; a little notice, helps 🙂
Thanks
I realized that I haven’t left my comment on the story. I really enjoyed the twist in the end, didn’t see that one coming. And, it is true for anyone approaching middle age — extra attention and a little appreciation goes a long way in boosting one’s ego. You captured that beautifully in the story, Bhagya! Good one again from your repertoire!
Thanks Rachna. When you asked me for a guest post, I thought of what to write. I wanted an easy to read, humorous one. One which could hold reader’s attention. 🙂 And then I saw the email from Shaadi.com and the story came into life 🙂
Hahaha….couldn’t stop laughing on reading the end..Hi Rachna, thank u for introducing a new blogger…will check her for sure…:)
🙂 Do come and visit SS FiF
Thank you
Thanks Found in Folsom.
nice but confusing 🙂
anyways nice write up!
🙂 Yes this time I did a little variation in my style. Thanks
This one was certainly good and different! Great ending:)
Thanks Rahul. Wanted to present it in such a way that the reader was kept guessing as to where the story was heading.
you wrote that sooo well, Bhagyashree!!! I loved it…the perspective you bring is lovely and ahem, very very funny!
Thank you Bhavana the idea was to bring a smile. And hope I was successful. 🙂
Loved the story…Bhagya and thanks to Rachna for hosting it here.
Glad that u liked it Chitra and yes thanks to Rachna
Thanks Chitra.
Loved the story, the end was totally unexpected. I guess, as we grow older, we tend to look for reasons to look good or feel better – sure feels good to be noticed / acknowledged.
As a teenager, I never used to be bothered how I looked or what others thought about me. But now, I’m more careful about how I dress-up or present myself. Times…they are a changing!
Thanks Rachna for introducing us to a wonderful blogger 🙂
As a teen I tried to rebel and as such saw to it that nobody noticed me. I dress thoughtfully now. 🙂 Glad that u liked the post RGB
I am happy you enjoyed it, RGB.
I have always loved Bhagya’s stories which are simple and about everyday situations. She had done a guest post for me long back too! This one had that twist to make it extra special. 🙂
And u boost my morale so much mami. Your appreciation means a lot to me. Thank you 🙂
OMG!! What a twist! Lovely story!! Enjoyed it! 🙂
🙂 Glad that u enjoyed it Shilpa 🙂
Thank you Zephyr and Shilpa!
Reema – a fantastic story yet again. Easily one of your best. How, oh how, do you manage to keep them so simple yet so profound? You know what I mean? I am a total fan, AC? 🙂
Rachna: Thanks for putting this up. I have always loved Reema’s writing.
🙂 Finally I see ur comment Debo and believe me I had been waiting for it 🙂 AC is better 😉 Thank you
Thank you Deboshree! I have enjoyed her writing too :).
Wonderful post! Loved the ending 😀
Thanks Ash