Arranged Marriage??!

I was taking a nap when Manoj, one of the servants, knocked on my door to tell me that Dr. Jain was outside waiting to speak to me. “Oh wonderful!” I thought. “I always look forward to speaking to Dr. Jain”. You see, everyday when I take my morning walk I see him and I stop to say hello and we chitchat since he is a kind neighbor. He is a very intelligent man, and I always enjoy speaking to him. When I ran outside to see him I found him and another man sitting side by side. “Nameste Dr. Jain! I haven’t seen you in quite some time. How have you been?” We conversed in small talk and he introduced me to his friend when shortly after he asked me if I would be interested in marrying his son. Trying to maintain my cool and a straight face I said, “But Sir, I’m not a Hindu. Wouldn’t that be a problem?” “Usually it would be, but you’re a very kind and smart girl so it would be okay.” I did my very best to think of another tactic that would get me out of this sticky situation, “But Sir I don’t speak Hindi”. “It’s okay you are intelligent and you’ll learn quickly.” “Would you like to see his picture and read his bio? Also, write your address on this piece of paper and he can come visit you and meet you at your home in Canada. He lives in Mumbai and you would both be very happy there.” Panicked and trying to find the very best solution to this problem I told them, “You see… My parents are both VERY strict and VERY religious. They are VERY particular about me marrying a Canadian Catholic boy” The Indian man responded, “But times are changing, you never know what’s going to happen?!” It wasn’t the response I had anticipated from what I thought a conservative Indian, but I informed them I had to leave to get ready for Nitya’s wedding ceremony. Without giving them my address, or agreeing to an arranged marriage, I quickly said “goodbye” and ran into the house giggling to myself.