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Why is it that everyone supposes that now that I am married, I must pop out a baby? My family planning should be my private affair!
Ever since I got married, “Any/When’s the good news?” has become a FAQ.
Seriously, why do people have so much of interest in other people’s family planning? As if relatives were not enough, leg-pulling friends and random people have hopped onto the bandwagon as well. Sometimes I wonder if the sole purpose of getting married is to be become a licensed child-producing machine.
In my opinion, whether to or when to have a child is a very private matter. But unfortunately, it is the most interesting topic for all the Aunties I encounter. How irritating is that when you meet some random Aunty for the first time and she asks in a chirpy voice, “So when are you giving the good news? Are you planning or have you not thought about it at all?”
My silent voice says, “Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhhhh!” but outwardly I usually say, “Not planning now.” But of late I am giving different responses. I flash my best smile and say, “No comments!” or “I can give you good news right away but depends what kind of good news you want to hear!” And sometimes I respond in an astonished tone, “Good news? What good news?”
Sometimes such an Aunty (sometimes an Uncle too!) would point to a child and say, “You should also bring a tiny one like this.” And my silent voice says, “Yeah, next time I shall bring a random child along. After all, I just need to ‘bring’ a child”. Aunties-in-law say, “We want a little one to play with. You just give birth, we will look after the baby.” This is, of course, my cue to roll my eyes!
Then there are the young and new mothers. They would huff and puff with their crying bundles, share their owes and then ask the FAQ with a sweet smile. My silent voice then, “Oh! They are just jealous that I am not miserable with crying babies.” Of late, my friends (yes, the guys too) have started to trot out the FAQ.
So what’s the good news? The good news is that summer is here. The good news is that I took a vacation. The good news is that I am doing well professionally. The good news is that I am reading an awesome book. The good news is that I have been blessed with an amazing family. The good news is that I am happy today.
As far as the good news you want to hear is concerned, “NO COMMENTS!”
Published earlier here.
Image source: annoyed young woman by Shutterstock.
Bibliophile. Book Reviewer. Woman of Letters. Plant Person. Romanticist. Believe, and you can. read more...
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