I happened to meet one of my childhood friends, after ages. A great character… gifted, a good mimic, sometimes serious, good humoured, and also moody — but, quite an average student in school and college.

We walked down memory lane… going through the wonder years of childhood.

Those were, indeed, our best days… despite the fact my friend seems to have made things work well for him in professional life. His career overseas, he emphasised, “was most fulfilling.” He also expectedly [of what I knew of him] said that he never equated success in life with money. This is, of course, a cliché most of us resort to when we don’t want to speak about our bank balance, or stocks.

My friend is married to his college sweetheart — their relationship is just what the doctor ordered. Each living closely, having their own space, freedom and dignity. It’s been a fabulous relationship, based on total trust and commitment. Great.

Now, the conversation became serious. My friend told me that his wife’s parental family — who belong to the same stock, or roots — was culturally different. He, however, told me jocularly that the only right decision “they ever made was agreeing for our wedding.” My friend said that they were also extremely good folks from the East [though they keep a calculated, subtle distance from knowing your financial health, or distress!]. They are folks that customarily “respect” their son-in-law.

No sooner he finished, my friend looked a bit sheepish. The reverse consequence of hospitality? Yep. He told me how his brother-in-law “orders,” never requests, as to what he expects of others to do — except his Home Minister [aka his wife].

He also observed that, “They seem to do everything according to their convenience — whether it suits you or not.” “What they decide is ‘absolute’ for you and for them.” “They just inform they are visiting, and you have to accommodate — even if you have someone, a guest, visiting you at the same time.” “The worst part — they don’t tell me they are coming. They just come... Next, they quickly announce that they are coming again after a fortnight.”

Now, my friend began to really speak. His in-laws, he said, are good hosts, all right — so long as you submit to the idea as to where they want you to sit, for instance, at the table, or in the car… Be it a family dinner, or get-together, or a picnic.

He also voiced that his in-laws don’t speak; they scream. They trigger a “throatful hah, hah, hah.” Or, “Hee, hee, hee.”

I could not imagine myself being in his position. But, sometimes in life you have to — to keep things and good, warm relationships, such as these, going.

Just as my good friend does.

Indian media have -- or, is it has? -- sure come of age.