Like the few other million people in this world, I too, watched
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. And continue to watch reruns whenever I can. The time I used to
see the show, Amma would brush it off as 'just another TV show' and never really
bothered.
When I was watching a re-run, I didn't really expect a change.
Big Mistake.
I was seeing the re-run and my mother plopped next to me.
"What you watching"
"Friends, ma"
" It's a serial right?"
"Yes, ma"
She watches for some time and also sees me giggling at Ross' antics.
" What are they saying? I don't get it. And who's that guy?"
"Ross, ma"
" Then who's the girl?"
"Rachel"
"Is that their baby?"
"Ya"
" So they are husband-wife right?"
"No, ma"
My mother's eyes go wide.
" What are you saying? They are in the same apartment, they have a BABY, but they aren't husband-wife?"
My mouth turns dry. I try to explain it to her.
"No ma, it's like a live-in relationship"
"So they've slept with each other?"
I blink at her bluntness.
"Yeah I guess"
"Ok, do Rachel's parents know about the baby?"
Clearly, all those E TV and Gemini TV mega serials have left a deep impact on her.
"yea, they know"
"What, don't they know how to control their daughter? God!"
"Uh, stop it ma. Maybe they were ok with it"
"What ok? If I were her mother, things would have been different."
I swallow the saliva. And change the channel.
"Why are you changing the channel? Keep it, I want to see what you watch”
My mother continues to watch it and give her feedback, while I continue to swallow my own saliva.
"Who is that girl?"
"Phoebe ma"
"Wasn't she with that guy, mike? Why is she with this guy now?"
"No ma, David is her ex-boyfriend"
"Ex boyfriend right? then why is she kissing him?"
"Maybe she still likes him"
"Chi chi, How shame..auvvah"
"Ammaaa..."
And it didn't stop. She just went on. And on. And on. I do believe that it was the longest half hour of my life. And I ran out of saliva to swallow as well.
When the credits came on (finally), she left the living room saying something about how
"I don't know how do you watch these stuff".
I made a mental note that day to watch the show on the computer from now.
When I was watching a re-run, I didn't really expect a change.
Big Mistake.
I was seeing the re-run and my mother plopped next to me.
"What you watching"
"Friends, ma"
" It's a serial right?"
"Yes, ma"
She watches for some time and also sees me giggling at Ross' antics.
" What are they saying? I don't get it. And who's that guy?"
"Ross, ma"
" Then who's the girl?"
"Rachel"
"Is that their baby?"
"Ya"
" So they are husband-wife right?"
"No, ma"
My mother's eyes go wide.
" What are you saying? They are in the same apartment, they have a BABY, but they aren't husband-wife?"
My mouth turns dry. I try to explain it to her.
"No ma, it's like a live-in relationship"
"So they've slept with each other?"
I blink at her bluntness.
"Yeah I guess"
"Ok, do Rachel's parents know about the baby?"
Clearly, all those E TV and Gemini TV mega serials have left a deep impact on her.
"yea, they know"
"What, don't they know how to control their daughter? God!"
"Uh, stop it ma. Maybe they were ok with it"
"What ok? If I were her mother, things would have been different."
I swallow the saliva. And change the channel.
"Why are you changing the channel? Keep it, I want to see what you watch”
My mother continues to watch it and give her feedback, while I continue to swallow my own saliva.
"Who is that girl?"
"Phoebe ma"
"Wasn't she with that guy, mike? Why is she with this guy now?"
"No ma, David is her ex-boyfriend"
"Ex boyfriend right? then why is she kissing him?"
"Maybe she still likes him"
"Chi chi, How shame..auvvah"
"Ammaaa..."
And it didn't stop. She just went on. And on. And on. I do believe that it was the longest half hour of my life. And I ran out of saliva to swallow as well.
When the credits came on (finally), she left the living room saying something about how
"I don't know how do you watch these stuff".
I made a mental note that day to watch the show on the computer from now.
