Change?

I called. And called once again. But all i could hear was a long beep. So i called the next number. Again a long beep. Now this only meant one thing. Both parties were busy conversing with each other. So i gave up. And called home. Just when i started speaking, i got a call back from the first person i called. I ignored, thinking i would get back after the current conversation.
Not even two lines into the conversation, another incoming call alert. This time from the second number.
Successive tries, first from me to him and his home. Then from him and his home to me. All the times same result. Engaged. Just like me.
All i remember from the day is flashing a smile and showing off all my teeth to the cameraman. Everything else is almost a blur. All the attention to detail, acting like a delicate darling in front of others, careful practice to remain calm and composed went for a toss in between the flurry of activity.
Life changing event? Truly speaking, i don't know. I came back from the function happier and a couple of grams heavier - both from the eating and the ring.That is pretty much what every person needs- a happy heart and stomach!
Oh, and by the way, Happy Woman's day. Couldn't have thought of a better day for my relationship status to change! More power to Girl Power!
P.S. To all the people i had assured that i would shout when the D day arrived, this is the shouting from the rooftop! :)

Wedding Bells

No. I am not getting married. Not as yet ;). The title was only to get some traffic into the blog :P Here is my actual post:
As I was leaving her home, the aunty asked, "So, yavaaga oota haakstidiya?" (Roughly translated, "when am i getting invited for lunch?").
I took the question at face value and told her that she was welcome any weekend. That i have been coaxing her to come home but she never does! To it she laughs and says, "Not that oota, maduve oota!"
That's when i realize the dumbness of my reply. There is an awkward pause which dad tries to fill up saying, "In good time".
Last week, i get talking to a gentleman on the way to Mysore. We discuss a variety of topics like real estate prices in Bangalore and Mysore, traveling between the two cities, lack of B&B's in India, how the Home stay concept is now catching on well. I was feeling good about getting to have a nice conversation in the course of the journey. Then he suddenly asks, "So, you are what, 25?"
I was initially taken aback at the bluntness of the question. Composed myself and said, "Uh huh, not yet".
So he says, "Ha! Then you got time! For the wedding bells, you know ;)!"
Excuse me? Is 25 like an expiry date? Why is the whole world concerned about my wedding, oota and all the things associated with it?
Buy gold and they say, "Ha! You need it for the wedding".
Lose weight and you are asked if you are dieting before parents start looking for a groom!!
You are surveyed thoroughly if you by mistake end up at a wedding! "Oh! You stay by yourself in Bangalore? You can cook? Super!" I am consciously avoiding attending weddings or other gatherings these days! I mean, please give me a break!
There is no way i can mention a friend's impending wedding now without a few eyebrows being raised, as if to ask what reason i have to be happy right now?! I never faced peer pressure at school. But this is one place where i think the pressure will be imposed upon me!
To all the Aunts and Uncles out there:
You might mean well, but no thank you for your concern or photographs of prospective grooms. My parents are there to worry about my wedding. You don't have to remind them that i am growing older! Or that the number of "nice" ( you go figure its definition :D) guys is dwindling by the day! When i tie the knot, you shall be invited. I will be getting married for my happiness, not yielding to pressure! Till then, please let me be!