Chapter Four

Wow. Just simply, wow. This whole building is just beautiful. And the decorations! So high class! Meaning a boss that doesn't mess around.

Good.

I followed the lady's instructions from the front desk and went up to the 29th floor. There, I saw some other women. They looked at me as I signed my name in and then seated myself. There was a good 7 or 8 people here.

A woman came out, wearing a dark blue blouse and black pants. She looked about my age, maybe a year or two older.

"Hi," she said. "I'm Lavanya, the boss's PA. I will call you up one at a time and then take you into the room so he may interview you. Understood?"

We all nodded.

"Good. I'll start off with the first name."

One by one, a girl went in. We waited out here but I noticed every time those girls came out, they each had a look on their face. It was weird and I wonder if the boss is rude or something.

"Khushi Kumari Gupta," Lavanya called.

I got up. "Thats me, hi."

She nodded. "Follow me."

As she walked me in, the girl who went before me, Neha or whatever, was coming out, rolling her eyes, looking mad.

I stopped her and asked "is he that bad?"

She snorted. "Please. The jerk wouldn't even turn around his chair and face me," and she left.

Oh....

Lavanya led me into a room. It wasn't much, and there was a desk ahead with a chair facing the other way. Lavanya Left and I stood there awkwardly.

"Please be seated," the man's voice said.

Whoa dear.

I sat down and made sure I was sitting up and straight.

"Khushi Kumari Gupta. Age 24. Majored in accounting. Correct?"

"Yes Sir."

"Hmm.... I like what I see in your profile here," he said, holding a file up. "Recently graduated. Meaning fresh from college with full knowledge. Most of these people are probably a year or two older than you. But still that lacks knowledge. I don't want idiots..."

Whoa!

"... so you know what, I'm hiring you."

What?! "I'm sorry, what? Sir."

"You're hired. I'll let Lavanya know and she'll tell you what you need to know."

"Wow! Thank you so much Sir!"

"You may leave now."

Um... okay! I left the room and Lavanya smiled at me.

"Congratulation."

"Thank you," I smiled.

"So, Sir says you can start tomorrow if you'd like. Or you may start fresh next week."

"Um... tomorrows fine."

"Great. When you come in tomorrow, just ask Melissa, the girl at the front desk, for me and she'll tell you and then just come up and into my room. 'Kay?"

"Sure."

"Great. See you tomorrow then."

I nodded. "Thanks."

*~*

Buaji shrieked when I gave her the news. Amma and Babuji were happy as well and they threw me a small party. Babuji ordered a small cake and it was simply delicious!

"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you Khushi," Amma said.

"Forgot to tell me what?"

"The day after tomorrow, we're going to another proposal."

I groaned. "Really Amma?"

"What," she said innocently. "This was planned from before."

"Ugh... fine!"

"And this time, it'll be better. I'm sure of it."

"Which means it won't be." I put my hands together. "Hai DM, raksha karna."

Amma hit my head. "Pagal."

Well, let's see how that goes. But for now, I'll focus on my first day.

Chapter Three

Another day, another proposal. This time we went to a very big house, that looked like a frigging mansion. And by judgement of spec clean, all shiny, extravagant decor, I know this type as well - rich folks.

Workers were everywhere and we were brought in by one to be seated in the living room. The four of us waited and then in came an elderly woman, looking about my mother's age or older. She was in, what looked like weighed a ton, sari, with way over the top makeup to make her look white, and OD lipstick.

"Welcome to my home," she smiled.

She walked in and seated herself down in the middle of the sofa in front of us.

"That man painted in the portrait above the fireplace is my late-husband."

Wait, she's a widow? And she's dressed like this?

"Allow me to let you meet my son."

Um....

"Shekar! Shekar beta!"

In came a guy in jeans and a button down. Outfit, I like! But he was on his phone and continued to be on his phone, making my parents and Buaji glance at each other.

"He's such a busy man," his mother said. "Ever since his father passed away, he's taken over the family business and he's always busy," she gloated.

"Always," I asked.

"Of course! I mean if he doesn't, then we'll be one of the poor-riches," she wailed.

"Poor-riches?"

"Well we can't be poor! If we're poor, we'll loose our house and I'll loose all my jewelry and clothes!"

I stood up. "Sorry, but I don't want to marry into an arrogant family."

She shot up. "Excuse me?"

Everyone else got up.

"Khushi," Amma warned.

"Sorry," I said again, "but for someone who is a widow, you sure are overdressed. Though I don't agree that a widow should become an outcast and wear white, I do think she should at least have some respect of that. The way I'm thinking it, it seems like to me that you married your husband for just his money."

She gasped dramatically and place her hand at her chest like a drama queen.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, we're leaving."

*~*

Since that didn't go well and Amma didn't like my attitude, though Buaji was proud, we didn't go to any others. The week after, we went to another one, meaning guy number four.

"My son Bantu loves to eat," his mother beamed.

Uh...-

"He loves Indian, American, Thai, Chinese, French, Italian-"

"Please don't say anymore," I said nicely.

The guy looked at me. "What can you cook?"

"Excuse me?"

"Well to get his needs, we want a bahu who can cook a variety of things," his mother smiled.

A little boy came in with a tablet in his hands.

"Um, excuse me? Little boy?"

He turned and looked at me, pushing his glasses up.

"Yes," he simply said.

"Hi. May use your tablet for just a minute?"

He nodded and came over to me. He gestured me to lean down. Once I did, he whispered in my ear.

"Don't marry my brother," he whispered. "You're too pretty and all he does is eat."

I looked at him and smiled sweetly. "You're so sweet."

"I know," he said, looking proud, and I had to giggle.

He handed me his tablet and I quickly went on the Google Chrome app, seeing he was connected to Wi-Fi. Once I was done, I handed Mr. Fancy Feast the tablet.

"What is this," he asked, looking at the tablet like he has no idea what it is.

Ugh. Slow on technology? Oh hell nah! Definitely can NOT be my husband. I want an upgraded husband, who knows good technology.

"That's a tablet. And the site, is Food Network. There you can search up an kind of dish. Indian, American, Italian, whatever. And you cook it yourself."

His mom and him looked at me while the little brother snickered.

"You don't need a wife," I smiled really sweetly, "you need a chef."

I got up and looked at my folks. "Shall we leave?"

*~*

At dinner, we were all laughing.

"Seriously Kajol, where did you find this guy," Buaji asked.

"Mrs. Verma told me about him Jiji! What did I know?"

We laughed again.

*~*

Week after week, we went to numerous guys' houses. It was insane! And none of them went under my approval! One seemed okay, but he had a girlfriend and I didn't want to come in between that. So that was another one out the door, making it a total of 31 denied.

Sigh... this is too much.

*~*

We had dinner together and talked about the day. This time it was quite interesting actually. They had the guy and me go talk alone and he confessed to me that he thought he was gay. When I told my folks that, Amma nearly freaked! We laughed about Amma's actions and she felt slightly embarrassed.

Once dinner was done, I went to my room and sat on the windowsill.

"Titaliya?"

I turned and saw Buaji at the door.

"Aiye na, Buaji."

She came in and stood in front of me. "Ka soch rahi ho?"

I sighed. "Nothing. Just that...."

"That?"

"Well, Buaji, I... I thought even though my whole life I've never had a boyfriend, I thought... I thought I'd at least meet Mr. Perfect through this... this "hunt", if you wanna call it that."

I told Buaji everything ever since I was little. She was one person I very well trusted. And Buaji always heard everything I had to tell her. Be it some drama at school or just some school assignment.

"It's okay Titaliya," Buaji said, "you'll find him."

"And if I don't?"

She gasped. "Then what is your Buaji here for?"

I giggled. "You're the best Buaji," and I hugged her tightly.

"You too," she smiled and then let go of me. "Now quickly go to bed. You have an interview tomorrow."

I gasped. "OMG Buaji, I completely forgot! Holy...! Crap! What am I going to wear?! I completely forgot, now I have nothing to wear and if I don't have anything to wear, I'll end up being naked! And if I end up being naked, I'll go outside naked. And if I go outside naked, I'll go to the interview naked. And if I go to the interview naked, what will they think of me?! And-"

"This is why I call you 'Sanka Devi'," and she hit my head. "Pagal! I have your clothes ready."

I hugged her way to tightly. "Oh Buaji, you're the best! Where'd you put it?"

"Behind... your... closet door," she breathed.

Oh, I'm suffocating her, aren't I? I quickly let go of her and went to my closet. I saw the white blouse and black pants she had set for me.

Great! Going for the official business look. And of course accessorize a bit, if I may =D

"Are you ready for tomorrow," Buaji asked.

"You bet," I winked.

Chapter Two

My mother is unbelievable! The next day, we went to another one!

We pulled up to a very big house. It looked old, in fact, ancient. As we entered and went under an arc, we came to a center. Seated in the middle was an elder woman. Another woman came out and greeted us, turning out to be the mother of the guy I'm supposed to see. She sat us down and had workers serve food.

As we ate, more and more people appeared. And it came to point where it got ridiculous! Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, first cousins, second cousins, third cousins, grandmas, grandpas, great grandmas, great grandpas, and so on. So basically, It's one big family all together.

Great. I mean, not that I have a problem with a family living together. But for this many? Meh.... I want a family, yes, but not this many, but not too little either.

We finished eating and Amma and I went to wash our hands.

"What do you think," Amma whispered to me once we were left alone. "Of Vishnu?"

"Of this guy? As if," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Same."

I looked at her. "Wow 'ma, you're saying this?"

She nodded.

"Good." I wiped my hands dry. "Let's leave."

*~*

"I didn't think they were so bad," Babuji said.

"Babuji, that family is too huge!"

"So what?"

"Not my type."

"What? Why not?"

I groaned. "I need an expert with me."

"Don't worry titaliya..."

*Gasp* I know that voice! I quickly looked up and grinned like an idiot.

"... I have your back."

"Buaji," I shrieked and charged at her, hugging her tightly. She hugged me back and my parents joined us.

"Jiji, what are you doing here," Babuji asked.

"How rude," Amma remarked.

"Oh, not a big deal Kajol," Buaji said. "He's always been like that. I haven't told you every embarrassing childhood story."

"Jiji," Babuji warned.

"I'm here to find my titaliya's husband, what else?"

"But why? It's okay, we have it-"

"Nonsense! It's my Sanka Devi's life we're talking about!"

Man, you just gotta love this woman. My dad always tells me that when I was younger, I was a quiet sweetheart. But once Buaji kept coming into the picture, since her husband had passed away, he said that I became, well, the way I am =D

But now I know that everything will be great.

Chapter One

"Khushi! Hurry down! We're about to leave!!!"

Yeah, yeah, I'm coming. Quickly putting my earrings on I checked my hair and headed downstairs. Even though I'm not exactly so interested in this guy, that doesn't mean I make myself look bad =D

Going downstairs, I joined my parents and we headed to the car and our driver drove us to the guy's house. It looked nice, decent... yeah =D Babuji rang the doorbell and a woman opened it.

"Hello! Come in, come in," she chirped.

She led us in and led us into the living room. She sat us down and she sat down with us. Apparently, she's the mom, and if successful, my future mother in-law.

"So this is Khushi," she chirped.

I put my hands together. "Namaste," I slightly smiled.

She smiled. "So beautiful, so cute!"

Uh....

"Let me call my son," she smiled sweetly. "Ranjeet," she hollered, putting an emphasis on the "t".

"Haan Mumiji," a voice called back.

"Come down beta."

In came a guy, all dressed up in a light cream-colored sherwani. His hair was properly combed and by first sight, I knew his type - Mama's boy -___- Just great.

"Greet them," his mother said.

He nodded and put his hands together, smiling too much. Ugh, can I leave?

The parents talked, but I paid no attention. I looked for a distraction everywhere. I even followed a fly! When it left the room, I looked back at the guy and saw him playing with his mother's pallu.

Alright! That's it!

Good thing my father said we were leaving.

*~*

That night at dinner, my mother began her inquiry.

"So, what did you think of that boy?"

I looked up. "Terrible."

"What? How? I thought he was sweet."

"Sure. A kid that listens to his mother. Every mother's dream."

Babuji snickered and Amma slapped his hand.

"Not funny Kabir."

He snickered again. "I'd say it is Kajol."

Amma twitched her lips.

"Amma, I'm not marrying that guy. He's a fail! If I marry him, if I ask him to do something, then he'll go running to his mom!"

"So? And what would you ask him?"

"Oh please, like you don't know, trying to boss Babuji all day?"

"Khushi," she said in a warning voice.

"What? I'm just saying. Besides, what if I ask him to do something sweet. You know, like a dinner for two? He'll be all like Mumiji! May I take my wife out for dinner?" I crossed my arms.

Babuji smirked lightly. "Though I don't know how I feel about that," he looked at Amma, "she has a point," he said, waving his spoon of kheer.

Amma looked at us both and then sighed. "Okay fine! So boy number one is out!"

"Good," I smiled.

Prologue

Hi! I'm Khushi. I'm 24, recently graduated with a Master's degree on Accounting. I live with my parents, being an only child. Next door, lives my best friend and most favorite cousin, Payal, with her parents.

For years, all I've ever wanted is what the typical girl wants - love. But, unfortunately, my kismet just didn't have that. I never met Mr. Perfect. All my life, I looked for that distraction, yet it never happened.

And now, finally graduating from school, my parents are trying to push me into the next phase of life - marriage. See, once I became 20, my parents began to urge me to get married. They said something like when a girl turns 22, then they're apparently "too old" for marriage. What crap!

So I told them that if they continue to, then I'll run away. Of course, they didn't believe me, so for an entire 24 hours, I had disappeared. That was an interesting day though. I spent my day going from one friend's to another's place and spent my day in the city.

So my parents budged and agreed to my terms - not to bug me about marriage until I get my master's. And since I did, it was like my parents were finally released from a slingshot!

And so, the proposals began. My mother let everyone know that they were looking for a groom for me and to tell them if they knew of any eligible bachelor. And so, people came in with many proposals. To think how many people they know. Yeesh!

My parents now have a list and we're going to go meet these people. But let me tell you, I'm not so much of a "tamed" girl. I mean yeah, I can be cutesy and quiet and calm and shy, and all those things! But if there's something that bothers me, then I won't hold back; I will say something.

But I'm hoping- desperately hoping, for my Mr. Perfect to be discovered in this little "quest". I mean I've never had a boyfriend! Don't I at least deserve a little bit of love, if not a lot?

Well, whatever it is that's in store, I'm ready for it. So all you men I'm about to go meet, you better. Watch. Out ;-)