???????

Now since I'm all growed up and married and all ... (although part of me feels like I missed the growing up, and the rest of me missed the marriage) ... I find people asking me strange questions. 

I understand people think these are perfectly normal questions to ask.

To the asker its probably polite conversation, catching up, that sort of thing… but to me, the askee... it usually puts me in a quandary… sometimes unpleasant.   

For example:

“So how do you like married life eh?”

My response: *blank stare

“So how is your husband keeping you?”

My response: “Say what?”

However, people started thinking that something was wrong with our marriage. So I tried my best to give them a decent response.

Here is a rough list of the range and evolution of my answers.

Key: “This is what I say.” (this is what I am thinking)

Question: So how do you like married life eh?

“Do you mean in… general?” (Please tell me you mean in general)

“Umm… I don’t know… How do YOU like Married life?” (Yeah! Give me a hint!)

“Umm… it’s okay, I suppose…” (noncommittal)

“Is that a trick question?” (HAH! I’m on to you!)

“Well, let’s say I won’t make THAT mistake twice!” (seething at husband)

“Who’s asking?” (This is good Anisha, you can take him/her, (s)he's smaller than you)

“Oh yeah, Susheel usually answers that – Love, will you get that!” (deflect to spouse… run!)


"To be or not to be that isn't that the REAL question." (Okay, I think it's working, go on...) "Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the stings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or take up arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing them, end them." (Super Shakespeare saves the day again!)

Question: How is your husband keeping you?

“Errr…” (Try repeating that to yourself backwards, it might make more sense.)

“He’s a good man.” (Don’t say anything more… don’t say anything more…)

“…Who?” (Still seething)

“He feeds me, so I stay.” (woof!... wag wag…)

“Oh yeah, it does rain a lot in Chicago, but you know, I’m from Bombay, so I like it.” (Good girl Anisha, now keep the steady face)

“How is that your business?” (I know you still stalk him bitchy ex-girlfriend) (Okay I made this one up, but this is what I will say if ever needed)

“Oh sooooo well, I am sooooo happy!” (hey, don’t back off like that…)

“You mean the Lord and Master of all he surveys?” (*&^%@#@*!!!)

“Hey I got a roof ova my ‘ead, laat a food to eat, an’ someun to hold at nyte, eh. It’s a good life.” (Do you think they caught on with the whole Italian Mafioso dialogue delivery? I’ve been working on it)(… what with the number of times I’ve been made to watch the Godfather.)

"How come no one asks Susheel these questions - Ask him how I am?" (Wait... is this really a good idea?)

“He puts me in a pumpkin shell and there he keeps me very well. (Given no one besides me seems to have learnt this nursery rhyme as a child, I usually get very strange, concerned looks)

They  are fair questions, but there really isn’t a fair answer.

It changes all the time. Sometimes it really takes an effort.

And growed up as we are, we still seem to be growing up more... with each other... 


Its not easy, but worth every effort. 

The only fair response is.

“I love him very much.” (….)