Beta Shaadi ki umar ho gayi!!!

This is a conversation that personally i think "most" girls( of course, Indian girl)s, with the exception of those who are already committed, has with her parents/relatives when they cross the magical figure of 20 in her life, after which they begin the whole process of looking for a suitable groom for the girl. I will give present excerpts of the conversation through the years(i.e from the time she crosses 20 till lets say 23 or 24 , after which all hell breaks loose, it gets maddening out there). Agreed some of these I have had myself with my parents/relatives and some well, based on the experience of mostly aunts and cousins and friends. Huh!! quite an experience, I tell you

I will keep this a conversation between a mother and daughter .

Girl- Age:20 years, Mostly doing her Bachelor's degree.
The conversation begins with Ma being extra cautious , generally starts off with the casual," Oh, so how are your studies going on?? Whats happening in college?" . The girl senses the hesitation..
And starts wondering as to why is she reluctant so much(She has no ideaaaa!!!) . Then after a little while of talking about nothing in particular, does she drop the bomb

Ma--[clearing her throat)-- Beta, Well , Uncle ABC called up yesterday. He was ,uh , mentioning about a guy, the son of family friend of theirs. He is going to complete his masters and has already landed a very good job in this company X. I hear he is a very well mannered boy and very intelligent. Uncle thinks you both would make a good pair. So what do you say ? If you say yes, you can meet him, and then decide. I thought it best to ask you

Girl( totally dumbstruck for a while, eyes wide open, and then almost instantly retreats)-- Ma, but i am only 20, and you are thinking of marriage!!! I am yet to complete my bachelors. I dont even want to think about marriage, let alone meet him!! Ma, atleast i thought you would not bother me with all these until I complete my studies. Let us talk about it, once I finish my bachelors

The first time always ends up with the girl fuming, and giving an hour long explanation on how she so not want to think about marriage. SO a year passes by, Ma realises it best to close the chapter for now.

Girl- Age 21 years--22 , Just about to complete or just completed her bachelors and has just landed a job or just started working or started her masters degree
this time Ma does not hesitate

Ma -- So you have completed your studies now. Remember I had told you about a guy last year , whom Uncle ABC had mentioned . Well Uncle says, now that you have completed your studies, and he is pretty well settled, I think at least you should htink about this proposal
Girl( this time a lot more patient, she knows such a conversation was imminent) -- Ma, I want to do my masters now.
Ma-- So do it after marriage. Nobody is stopping you from pursuing your studies.
Girl-- But Ma, marriage means a whole lot of responsibilities, and I have just started working, let me work for a year or so. I want my own time out for myself before I engage myself in family responsibilities. Let me concentrate on my career .
Ma-- ( Knows that if the girl says no at this point of time, it is going to spell trouble later) 2 years for your masters then you woul dbe 24. It is very difficultto finnd guys then( Gal thinks,-- Aha as if they are an endangered species, soont o be extinct fromt he face of the earth)
But Beta, a good proposal is hard to get, I hear his parents are gem of people. And they would n ot object to studing further. All taht you want !!! Dont think it would be easy to get a well suitor later. this has happened before too(giving some far off relatives/ friens daughter's example) , see she rejected so many proposals in the beginning, because she kept saying that she is not ready for marriage and now she is already 25 and single. Their parents are so worried. They are hardly finding boys these days
Girl --But ma, I have to know the guy before I marry him. Dont yout think so ? All i am asking is to just let me be by myself for a year or so . As if I am going to run away with you guy.Then I would meet the guy you show me and think about him. I understand that you would be worried about me and its a great responsibilty for you , but do understand my point of view .
Ma(already panicky)-- I dont know what has come to girls of these days. During our itme, we didnt even have a choice. Here atleast , we are giving you the choice of meeting him . and you would have to compromise on things. You wont alwasy find a guy of your choice. Dont act like a hhardcore feminist and give all this individualist ideas to me. If you ahve any particular expectatios then tell me. you want a guy who had done his Masters/PhD or an MBA would do ?? Height ? Looks??
Girl( wants to laugh out aloud, at the same time , feels like screaming on top of her voice):
Ma, please just onemore year is all I ask you. then I would look at the guys you show, OK?

The conversation continues about how the girl wants to have career as a priority for now and Ma coming forward with counter arguments. Ma gives in finally after much hesitation. Fast forward to a year later

Girl- Age 23- 24 years , Working/About to complete her masters

Sorry, there is no conversation at this point of time. The girl is shown the guy. I am sure the situation is equally awkward for the guys too

Phew!!! To tell you its really a pain to make them understand. But then,evn they have a responsibilty to fulfill and thinkof the best of our iinterests. So , you have to endure these conversations.

Gals reading this post(i know that case to be rare) amy drop in some of their own experiences
Guys I would like to know if any such "conversations" you have had at home.. :-)
Would be a relief to knwo that we are not alone in this ..:)