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Talking of movies, I really think that Indian directors should stop making films which have Pakistan bashing, considering the fact that Bollywood movies have a huge market especially in Pakistan, America and United Kingdom. As I mentioned earlier we have so many Indian’s and Pakistani’s in America and U.K who hang out together and share very friendly relationships, now the situation really becomes embarrassing if they go out together to watch some of these movies. One such situation occurred when Miss Confusion, her Pakistani boyfriend and his mom went out to see ‘Deewar’ which is about Indian P.O.W’s escaping from a Pakistani jail. I can well imagine how embarrassed she must have felt. One thing which I would like to mention here is that personally I have always loved watching such movies specially since my father is in the army, but now I strongly feel or at least partially that we shouldn’t be making such movies.
As I came out from my world of thoughts, I saw that she was getting up from her sleep, she looked much better. “How are you feeling?” “Nice,” and this time I felt that she really meant what she said! Within minutes we were on with our chatting and an interesting term was added to my vocabulary. I thought that it was only back in India that we made fun of these Indians living in America, but I should have known!! She told me that if I were to come to America sometime and make friends with some of these desi’s I will be called a F.O.B(fresh off the boat).People will find my accent or to be frank everything about me funny. The only positive point about F.O.B’s is that they are considered to be smarter than the desi’s. F.O.B is a term these desi teens use for Indians who are new to America and the American way of life.
Due to the air pressure I was having some pain in my ear and told her how it would have helped if I had a ‘toffee’ to chew, she just smiled. I asked her what was the smile for, to which she replied that it had been very long since she had heard the word toffee, she was now used to the term ‘candy’, this made me smile too. I thought that from each others perspective we were both so different and yet we could relate to each other. This definitely had something to do with the Indian gene in both of us.
We could see on the screen in front of our respective seats that we would be landing in India pretty soon. I could see the tinkle in her eyes and perhaps she saw it in mine. I knew that my father, chachajee and cousin would be there at the airport to receive me, for them I think more than anything else it was a matter of immense pride that I had taken up the right path in life at such a young age. I just hope that I continue on this path and climb the ladder of success not for anything else but to make my family proud.
Both of us were giggling like 5 year olds, it was the excitement of landing in India that made us feel so happy. I could feel it in my stomach that the plane was descending, I clasped hands with her and said “Welcome to India!”, she just kept laughing.
As we landed and came out of the plane, I could smell India and also feel the heat. She was smiling but looked lost, she had all reason to, afterall she was more or less a firangi now having been away for more than 8 years. As we cleared immigration and moved towards the arrival terminal to get our luggage we hardly spoke. I guess both of us were engrossed in our own thoughts. Her mausijee was supposed to receive her and as we waited for the luggage she turned up from behind along with her husband and hugged Miss Confusion. Then there was the usual “kaisee ho?”, “kitnee badi ho gayee ho,” flight kaisee thee?”, “koi problem to nahee hui?” I said my hellos to her mausi and mausa and answered the usual questions like what do I do and why was I in Europe. My luggage arrived in the meanwhile and I was feeling kind of odd in this family reunion, moreover I had to buy a bottle each of Johny Walker Black Label and Chivas Regal for my dad who is sort of a connoisseur of liquor. With a smile on my face I said goodbye to her. ”Write me an email,” she said and smiled.
As I walked out towards the exit, my eyes constantly searching my father, I thanked god for showing me my own country from a different perspective. I was suddenly feeling more mature in terms of my thoughts and I had a logical justification as to why our young desi’s in America were so confused, they really have a reason for it. As I pen down my experience, I have greater sense of respect for these Indian teens leading their lives in America and still trying to preserve their culture. It shocks me when I look around as to how some of my own age group living in India are forgetting their culture and traditions in the race to become more hip and cool and I thought that Miss Confusion was confused!! Now who really is confused??
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Writer Profile
Priyank Nandan
Confused is what I am, and am constantly looking for answers to those ambigious questions of life like,what do I want to do?what is my calling in life?do I realy love what I am doing?what is my purpose in this life?
Currently I have just joined a software firm and am engaged in some social activity and ofcourse I love writing...it keeps me sane.To know more about me visit my homepage:www.geocities.com/rishu_nandan
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Comments
nice R Kahendi | Apr 7th, 2007
nice piece. perhaps we all are "confused"!
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