Preface to "Of love,marriages and money"

Preface

A story being inspired by the times when I didn’t have a single credit card, and of times when I have too many of them, may because of the fact that I never had one or may be because of the sweet voice and coaxing of the girls which credit card companies or bank employ, who, however never come to collect documents from you, something which you look for.

I still remember it afresh when I had to go home for the first time after I joined my job with ONGC at Mumbai, how I had struggled to get a ticket to home, any way by Air or by road, by water was just not possible as Delhi, my homeland is a landlocked place, which most of you know, or have visited or travelled to. Seniors and colleagues, at that time, had lectured me that if you book a ticket using credit card of someone else, than that person’s presence is must when you check-in at the Airport. I have until this time booked so many tickets for friends and relatives but was never required to be there with them, as because for the uninformed, Airline tickets are prepaid properties. I had joined on 11^th September and hence only got Rs. 18500/- as salary, 40% of which I had to eventually spent on my one way trip to home, the festival Diwali had been the reason to go home.

The story also draws upon my understanding of love and affection of different kinds, with and of different people, who I met or was born to during my journey of life till date. Marriage though has been the ultimate desire and destination of couples in love, but is not always the case, helplessness and understanding being the reason for the voluntary aberration, sometimes.

This piece of writing is also influenced by my readings of novels written by American or Indian American writers. American culture by far has been the most popular culture in the world and the ubiquitous Pepsi, Blue Jeans, Dominos Pizzas, Hollywood movies and American English, all stand a testimony to it.

Last but the most significant thing is, that, it is here in Mumbai, that I found someone vey special, someone who is, has been and will always remain close to my heart. This story is, in particular dedicated to her.