Haan Main Galat

Chapter Three

Raman is sprawled over on his bed, concocting plans of wrapping Ishita around his little finger when his friend Ashok enters his bedroom.

"Hey Raman, kaisa hai tu? Aunty ne bataya tu shaadi ke liye maan gaya. Yeh miracle kaise hua bhai?"

(How are you Raman? Aunty told me you agreed for marriage? How did this miracle occur?)

Ashok settled comfortably besides Raman, intrigued to know what lead him to agree to marriage.

"Bhai, Maa zid leke bait gayi thi, toh maine socha unki khaatir shaadi kar loon. Unko bahu mil jayegi aur meri roz roz ki chik chik se jaan choot jayegi. Aur kya reason hoga?"

(Mom was stubborn and I've just given in for her sake. She'll get a daughter in law and I'll be saved from her cribbing. There's no other reason.)

Ashok was slightly taken aback because he knew Raman was a devil but did not expect him to be so callous about his own marriage.

"Raman, tujhe ehsaas bhi hai ke shaadi kitni badi commitment hai?"

(Raman, do you realise that marriage is a big commitment?)

Raman got off his bed and took out two bottles of beer from his cupboard, trying to dodge the question but Ashok would not let the matter go.

"Raman, jawab de mujhe."

(Raman, answer me.)

"Tere paas lighter hoga yaar Ashok, mera kal raat pub mein hi reh gaya."

(Would you have a lighter Ashok? Left mine at the pub last night?)

Raman lit up a cigarette and lay back in bed, taking puff after puff of the cancer stick, conveniently ignoring Ashok, who started to feel it was useless trying to put sense into Raman. He sat sipping his beer as Raman said

"Ladki simple hai, kam baat karti hai toh I'll be able to easily exert control over her. Lekin mujhe uske job karne se problem hai."

(She's a simple girl, doesn't talk much. But I do have a problem with her having a job.)

Ashok was repulsed at Raman's mentality but he knew how to get him on track

"Dekh Raman, tu keh raha hai naa ke tu iss ladki ko control kar payega lekin agar tu uspe shaadi se pehle haq jataane lage ga toh woh toh shaadi ke liye nahi manegi naa?"

(Look Raman, you're saying you want to control her but won't she be put off if you start doing so even before marriage? Will she even agree for marriage then?)

Raman was still adamant

"Huh. Woh Raman Kumar Bhalla se shaadi ke liye manna karegi?"

(She'll refuse to marry Raman Kumar Bhalla?)

"Kyun, aisa kya hai Raman Kumar Bhalla mein? Bhai, main jaanta hoon ke tu uss ladki kaa kaam kyun churwana chahta hai. Teri apni insecurities tujhe aise act karne pe majboor kar rahi hain. Lekin meri baat yaad rakhna ke aise insecure mard apne rishte sambhal nahi paate. Woh khud ek working woman hai. Usse tere paison se koi garz nahi hoga. Agar shaadi karni hi hai toh uski kisi achi quality ke liye kar."

(What's so special about Raman Kumar Bhalla? I am well aware of your insecurities mister. But I'll tell you clearly that insecure men are incapable of handling their relationships. Ishita is not dependent on your wealth. If you do wish to marry her, do so for her good qualities.)

Raman made Ashok take a sip of the beer and remarked

"Saans lele. Par saale, tu baat toh sahi kar raha hai. Teri bhabhi hai bahut khoobsurat."