The Ideal NRI Couple mistake

4. Ishani

I couldn't understand the conversation these ladies were indulging in. "Prize money needs to be reduced." Mrs Sahni was adamant as Mrs Kaushik felt that would decrease the entries. And before I went mad I asked politely, not to offend the only two people I could talk to, "what competition is this exactly?" Both of then turned to be dumbfounded, like they just discovered I was sitting here. I touched my mangalsutra, fiddling with it was my new found habit. My pretty mangalsutra had one small solitaire encrusted with diamonds on all sides in the customary black bead necklace. I felt scared to remove this.

It defined my present and the future, the future I chose with Neil. Mrs Kaushik smiled warmly, "how foolish of us to presume. You are too new to know this. So we have an Indian community here and we have an association of sorts. To make them feel more connected with other Indians we hold the Ideal NRI competition. This will be our 13th year," she beamed proudly.

"The grand prize is 10000 dollars and a cruise, who sponsor us," Mrs Sahni added proudly. My mind started ticking, if I win this Neil would have to go on a cruise with me.

"What's the eligibility criteria," I asked acting completely nonchalant. "Well you have to have a PR or at least 2 years of work permit here," Mrs Kaushik replied stirring her masala chai with some artificial sweetener.

Mrs Sahni looked at me and said, "why Dont you also participate?" Now was my time to act modest like I did whenever I got gifts post wedding, refuse first then act all modest about receiving a gift. Inside I was bubbling with happiness. "No aunty, I have no idea" what nonsense. There are 5 rounds. 2 beginner ones, if you clear them the next two and only 5 couples reach our finale. Its all done over 2 weekends. Plus the last round is usually hosted at a hotel. We had the last one in a boutique hotel near universal studios."

"What are the rounds like?" I was very curious. "The first is a basic skills round sew the button, pack luggage or something. The second is to bring a pickle made by you from home." Mrs Sahni was all eager to tell me. "Then?" "Well if you clear this there is a cook off, a dressing up round and a dance contest." Mrs Kaushik looked at me with interest.

Ohh god I could fool my husband but these women were too smart to fool. I could never clear a cooking round. "Ishani this is a good way to increase your circle of friends and get some company. Participate naa. Even if its for the first two rounds." I hated the sound of what Mrs Sahni said but it was true. I needed friends over just screen friends that too pregnant ones who kept on asking if I was expecting yet.

"I will. But I need to check with Neil first." I replied and the ladies started the discussions about green trimmings in the hall for the contest or champagne colour classy look.

I quickly typed a message to Neil,
Ishani "you have a work permit here?"
Neil "Yep that is obvious Ish"
Ishani "how long is it for?"
Neil "why"
Ishani "tell me please. I might want to apply for it?"
Neil "really Ish? Well it's for two years and to apply you might have to look for a job and go back to India to process that."
I mentally whooped.
Ishani "I might just do that if you Dont take me out today."
Neil "are you threatening me my love?"
Ishani "depends. You seem free."
Neil "I'm not. I'm just humoring you."
Ishani "well then I'm going out don't wait for me for dinner."

I frowned. Angry and sad. Maybe I was being too judgemental.
Neil "Ish come on."
"Ish you there"
"Ishani where are you?"
"Ishani meet me at chatterbox at 8"
"Ishani reply now"

I quickly said my byes to both aunties and promised to be in touch if I could participate. I heard down, took a cab and went to that chatterbox restaurant even though it was 6.

I replied back to Neil, "sure" and kept the phone in my bag. Chatterbox was in a marketplace. So I shopped a bit, I got myself a crushed foil tee, a pair of red heels matching my choora and lots of beauty products. The Singapore women loved skincare and the makeup range here was amazing.

It was 7.30 when I entered the place. "Ma'am you are alone or expecting company?" "My husband shall be here soon." Well come this way. "I want a table in the smoking zone please." The thin pretty woman nodded, "sure" and took me to a beautiful white and sea green area. It was a balcony. "If Mr Neil comes tell him I'm here." I smiled nervously. Weren't married couples supposed to go out together?

A waiter appeared with a glass of water and the menu, "what would you like ma'am," I looked around every one had a wine bottle in a steel chiller kept on their table. "A bottle of wine," I quickly read the list, sighing. "A Chardonnay, Jacobs Creek." He nodded. Still waiting, "a cheese and herbed bread basket please." He quickly wrote down and went.

I was looking at the crowd outside and checking the time on my phone trying to appear busy. When the waiter poured the first glass I promised myself to have it sip by sip so that Neil could join me.

That was an hour back. It was close to 9 and my drinking was getting quicker because of the embarrassing situation. I saw couples quietly enjoying their drinks, a group of friends tossing beer around. I was almost done with the bottle of wine and the bread has finished too. The waiter appeared. My eyesight seemed a bit hazy it maybe it was the lighting. "Anything else ma'am." I nodded a no and lit my cigarette, messaging Neil for the fifth time since I reached here. In the first time of my life, I was drunk and that too alone sitting in a city I was yet to explore. Married life couldn't get weirder!