the promise

the promise

he was, what is called, an eligible bachelor.

she was also, whay may be called a prospective bride.

he was with well-known company in the human resources department dealing with labour relation.

she was a volunteer with a non-government organization working with the working class for their welfare.

he was from india. she was from philiphines. they found themselves in a group of like employed (or sekf workers) in a six-week workshop in torino, north italy courtsey international labour organization.

six weeks is a good enough duration to learn eht local language that is italian. in fact, he had started doing it while waiting for the travels, having got hold of an interesting book. it taught not only about the language but also had lot of information about cultural characteristics of italian society. it was very helpful especially in helping co trainees while on visits to local landmarks or the malls. it established him as a good to take along on such visits.

lots of long weekends in the course of training. this was utilised to visit milano, roma, pisa, frieze (called florance by english people). one such trip was to venezia.

before going further, let us learn about certain characteristic about italians. if you have been on a long journey in india by rail, you will notice how conversation pops up between strangers. indians love to talk about their families, about their views, and if other one does not frown, about political views. lie wise in italy. it is not like united kingdom where formal introduction is necessary. i remember an anecdote where a person said to two friends who were talking to each other. he said, “hello, my name is roberts, may i also laugh at the joke you just told”. italians do not wait for such permissions (nor do indians)

it so happened that the two persons describe above were talking to each other, about the training course which they were attending. suddenly the conversation turned around to more mundane matters like stuff to be bought in the mall. the italian who sat opposite suddenly intervened. he said that i appeared to be from india (was it so obvious) and she is from east asia (obviously the features said so) but you make a lovely couple. he just wondered how and where we had met.

it was too much. i did not want to talk about the training course neither did she. we just answered in generalities saying we are friends.

it was just as we were approaching venezia. as we got down at venezia, he suddenly remarked

- how do you feel about the remark - we are lovely couple.

- what? just idle talk.

- but can it be?

- is this a proposal?

- looks like that. does it?

- i will have to learn hindi. (laughs)

- maybe, i will learn tagalog.

- that is not an easy language to learn.

- one can always try.

- look here. you do not know me. for all that i may have been a prostitute.

- good, an inexperienced one will meet an experienced partner. it is all for the best.

well, to cut the long story shor, no promises were verbally made as some other friends who were in other compartment joined them.

the visit to venezia went smoothly. no more talk about it but something worked and relations underwent a change.

did they marry and lived happily ever after?

not certain. but when the news last came in, they were in their respective countries but exchanging beautiful correspondence.

maybe some day.