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“I didn’t sleep until two in the morning,” Sharada says, as Vijay eats his breakfast of a toasted English muffin, a banana, and tea before leaving for college.

“Why?” he asks. “You should be happy. Our daughter is getting married to a doctor.”

“I am. However, now there are numerous decisions to make. First, we have to select a wedding date, then decide on a venue for the wedding, prepare a guest list, and shop for wedding clothes. It’s one thing after another. And…and we haven’t even met his parents.”

Sharada walks over to where Vijay is sitting and takes a seat in front of him. She is not her usual smiling self. This has been slightly different than the traditional Indian matchmaking, where a girl visits a boy’s house, etc.

Vijay notices the concern on her face.

“We’ll take one thing at a time,” he says. “You’re right. We haven’t talked to Akaash’s parents yet. I’ll talk with Mayur this evening and see what he suggests.”

“We should have an engagement party. Invite our friends and let them meet Akaash,” Sharada suggests.

“But first, we should contact Akaash’s parents. See what they want to do?” Vijay is trying to set priorities.

“Problem is, they are in India, and we are here.” Sharada is worried that logistics will be a big problem — one wedding, spanning two continents.

“Do you think they will come here to the US for the engagement party?” Vijay asks.

It sounds like he is talking to himself.

“I don’t know,” Sharada answers. She appears serious, and she has cupped her chin in the palm of her right hand.

“There’s no way for us to know. It’s a long trip, and Akaash’s father has to run his business.”

“And we don’t know if they have passports. Oh, my God. Just thinking of the Indian federal bureaucracy makes me shudder.” Vijay shakes his shoulders as if he has chills.

“I know. I remember your brother telling us how he had to grease the palms to get through the artificial bottlenecks to get his passport and the arrogance of the visa officer at the American embassy.”

“Yes, the Americans are getting stricter about giving visas.”

“Especially for older people,” Sharada adds, “as if they will be a burden on the American people if they get sick or something.”

“We can probably sponsor them if it comes to that.”

With that, Vijay gets up and leaves for college, saying it’s a bit complicated and that he and Sharada should discuss it later.

In the evening after dinner, Vijay calls Uncle Mayur to ask him about options for contacting Akaash’s parents in India. Uncle Mayur is to set up a day when Vijay can call the Joshis.

“It would be better if you call them on WhatsApp,” Uncle Mayur says. “Everyone in India is on WhatsApp, and the video calls are free.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Vijay replies, adding, “Just set a date, and Sharada and I will both talk with them. A weekend would be better.”

On a Sunday morning, a week later, Vijay and Sharada are ready to talk with Akaash’s parents. It’s evening in India, and they have to wait until they are sure that it is a proper time to call. People in India have a late dinner. Sharada wears a sari and Vijay his favorite Joseph Abboud polo shirt, which he had purchased at Men’s Warehouse at Christmas. This is not how they dress on most weekends, but they have to make a good impression, especially the first impression on people from America.

“We should wait till it’s eight o’clock India time. They would have finished their dinner at that time,” Sharada suggests.

“Let’s take a chance. After all, Mayur has already planned the call, so they should be expecting to hear from us.”

“I guess you’re right,” Sharada concedes.

Vijay makes the call using the iPad instead of his iPhone. He has finally replaced his old flip phone with an iPhone.

The larger screen on the iPad will be better for seeing the Joshis.

The call doesn’t go through the first time or the second time. Vijay is frustrated and losing his patience.

“What’s wrong with this thing? Today of all times.” Vijay puts the iPad on his lap in disgust and looks at Sharada.

“Are you doing it right?” Sharada is upset as well. “Give me that.”

Sharada takes the iPad from Vijay and dials the number after pushing on the WhatsApp icon. She hears a ring, and then the images of a middle-aged man and woman appear on the screen. The man is wearing an Indian-style white long shirt, and the woman is wearing a greenish sari. They seem to be staring into oblivion as if to locate someone. Sharada waves at Vijay, and he moves closer to her to make sure they both appear in the window on the iPad screen. They wave at the Joshis, and the Joshis reciprocate.

“You have a lovely daughter,” Akaash’s mother, Ruta, says with slightly accented English. The “have” sounds like “haalf” and the “daughter” like “dowter.”

“We love Akaash, too,” Sharada replies.

“We are so glad they decided to tie the knot.”

Vijay is talking loudly to make sure that the Joshis can hear. Sharada signals him to lower his voice by waving her hand down, but making sure it is not visible on the screen.

“Yes,” Mr. Joshi responds. “As if they were made for each other.”

“You’re right about that, Mr…. Mr.” Vijay has forgotten the name, even though Uncle Mayur had told him.

“Girish, you can call me Girish.”

“Yes. Girish. We should have a celebration announcing the good news. What do you think about that?”

“Excellent idea, Dr. Vijay.”

“You don’t have to call me doctor now that we are going to be related. Just call me, Vijay.”

“You Americans! Everyone calls everyone by their first name. He, he, he,” Girish laughs to show his sense of humor. “The first time I asked Akaash who his boss was, and he said it’s Jim, not Mr. Jim or Dr. Jim, just Jim.”

“Well, when in Paris, act like a Parisian, as they say.” Vijay tries to make a statement.

“You’re so right.” Girish wants to get to the point and asks, “Tell me, Vijay, what do you have in mind?”

“Let’s ask the ladies. They have been so nice, quietly listening to us.”

Vijay wants Sharada to be involved in the decision-making. He looks at Sharada and calls her by her first name, forgetting that he usually doesn’t address her by her first name. “Sharada,” he continues, “What do you think?”

On the screen, Sharada and Vijay see Girish turning his head to look at Ruta.

“Well, we have to have a celebration that’s for sure, but where? That’s the question.”

Sharada brings up the topic of the location right away. The conversation has shifted between the two ladies.

“We would like to visit America, you know,” Ruta says. “But it takes so long to get the passport and visa, you know.”

Ruta is trying to be apologetic and make a convincing argument.

“That’s exactly what we were talking about a few weeks ago.” Sharada tries to put her at ease.

“Can you all come to India? It would be so nice to meet all of you in person,” Ruta suggests.

The men are silent all this time.

Sharada turns her face towards Vijay to make sure he doesn’t go off the screen. Vijay tries to tilt the iPad so the Joshis can see his full face.

“I’m afraid,” Vijay starts slowly, then adds, “I’m afraid I have a very tight schedule until early summer. A couple of my doctoral students have their orals coming up, and I need to be here. Besides, coming to India is not that simple. Once in India, we have to visit our relatives and spend some time with them. You’re talking at least two to three weeks. I will be free during the summer when the college is on a light summer schedule.”

“We understand,” Girish adds. “Even Akaash was telling us that he may not be able to take time off from his internship.”

There is silence for a couple of minutes as both parties try to come up with a solution.

“You know what?” Sharada suddenly speaks as if she has an idea. “The solution is right in front of us, and we didn’t even think about it.”

Vijay does not get what Sharada is talking about. Girish and Ruta, from the look on their faces, appear perplexed too.

“What are you talking about?” Vijay asks Sharada.

“You see. I’m not a technical expert. But I’m thinking, why can’t we use the technology we are using right now? Why not use WhatsApp?”

“I don’t understand,” Girish joins the conversation.

“We can have a small party in America at our house and have all of you gather at your house in India, and we can,” Sharada waves her fingers to show air quotes when she says “broadcast the celebration to you guys.”

“Miracles of modern technology,” Vijay responds. “I’m a professor of Engineering, and I never thought of this. Isn’t that something?”

Sharada is happy that she has made a significant contribution.

“Sometimes,” she adds with a sly smile. “Sometimes you have to listen to us, little old ladies. Isn’t that true, Ruta?”

Ruta turns to Girish and smiles.

“It’s true. I admit,” Girish says quietly.

Vijay has been silent but now responds, “I don’t want to say anything against you, ladies. And it’s a good solution for our purpose at this time, but it’s not a perfect solution. It may be the best we can do, though. Thank you, my dear.” Vijay can’t resist having the last word.

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