My English & Her Vinglish

My English & Her Vinglish

‘You are my second love as the first one is ENGLISH!’ 

....I am surly gonna give this answer if my future hubby will ever as ask me about my first love.

When I was a small girl, feeling ignominious seeing other on the playground; It was only English (In the form of novels) which gave me a ticket to a new world. when I am sitting with a dumb face in my quantitative class crumpled within that emasculating feeling its only English(In the form of verbal) that silently said in my ears –‘Janvi, you are not worthless. ‘I agree that language is just words. But sometimes it only takes a small thing to make huge difference. 

I feel like i can vanquish the whole world with my luring lingo. But one day it happened...

‘I hope the Dr. will be available now.’  Exclaimed Madhuben peeping at her aged brown belted unbranded wrist watch.

Madhuben- A widow, who has devoted her life for Brahma kumaris and indeed for the amelioration of the world. We met at the Brahma Kumaris centre and it took no time for us to gel as good relatives and also good friends (No matter she is the mother of two Adult sons!). Whenever I feel like talking to anyone I drop into her house as there can be no better place. 

I was accompanying her to give invitation of the programme –‘The future of Power’ conducted by Brahma Kumaris ; to several doctors. For the same purpose we first started with ‘Satnam Hospital’ as it falls near to our dwelling place. As soon as we went inside I cordially requested the receptionist to aid us in meeting the 3 different doctors which were practising in that hospital.

‘Just wait for few minutes. He will call you’ replied the young receptionist in pink uniform while attending phone on one side and a hand on the keyboard.

Sitting in the waiting area, the traffic jam of thoughts suddenly filled the road of my mind. ‘We have to meet reputed doctors and Madhu aunty won’t be able to speak in English so it’s me who is getting the chance to use the turgid lingo power.’

I started rehearsing and proliferating the stuff which i was supposed to present there. It was a feeling as if i am sitting for an interview without carrying any CV or documents.

“Excuse me ma’am, now you can meet the doctor.’ Interrupted the young receptionist while Madhuben was praising my pink kurti matched with florescent light green colour.

I stood up in a buff manner and soon my eyes fell on the weighing machine and my naked feet started  moving towards it ,so as to check my weight which I haven’t checked since...since!! Suddenly Madhu aunty gave a cold look to me (Which could freeze molten lava!) My eyes obeyed her eyes and i directed my feet to walk towards the doctor’s cabin.

 First Madhu aunty got inside the cabin and it took me a couple of minutes to enter it as i was adjusting my pink kurti to give a formal yet chic look after all i was the speaker of the day ! As soon i went inside my eyes were goggling at aunty as she without waiting for my assistance she started what she had to say in Guajarati with her million dollar confidence. My eyes than fixed on the doctor who had a  light  bald on the centre of his head ,had golden colored rimless glasses and a glittering Rado watch in his left  hand which he had royally placed on the table. He was nodding his head before Madhu aunty like an obedient son. 

The minute Madhu aunty finished, the doctor also started shooting in gujarati saying that his wife is much interested in this Brahma Kumaris and he will come with her and other such blah...blah...blah...

‘An experienced doctor like him...and so humble?! I thought.

They both talked and my words offal to come out. 

‘Yeh kya ho raha hai bhai, Yeh kya ho raha hai...’ saong of Aishwarya’s film started besieging my mind. 

In the same manner we visited other 2 doctors ...and in the same manner i kept my English shut in the corridors of my mouth. 

After coming out of all this, I bid ado to aunty in a hurried manner as if i was revoking from the whole incident. 

‘Mast popat thyo ho taro...!’  If mangi were with me at that time she would have exactly said the above words. I thought and I somehow smiled.

I moved ahead wisely towards my home thinking that its the language that of prime importance but it’s the ‘Inside’ stuff. (Tags don’t matter, only talent). My misconception of considering English very superior and Gujarati very inferior, shattered. 

It was amusing to see that if you are on high post –it doesn’t mean that you aren’t humble. (High success= high humbleness!)

The stentorian lesson of the day was clear to me which helped me digest my ‘Popat’ !!

‘Congrats!’ I said in the air, Directing to Madhuben who had finally won in the undeclared battle of –‘My English and Her Vinglish’.

{Now, my hubby will be my first love : ) }