Freedom from choice ****

Govind headed for the backlane, a short walk from his house. Venkatachalam’s thosai shop. The shop was the back portion of a Chinese coffee shop, best accessed from a backlane, next to Ah Lee’s mechanic shop. The choice was: thosai or idly. Of course there was coconut chutney, sambar and onion chutney. Divine. And best eaten on one of the long tables, sitting on the wooden benches in the shop. He could afford one thosai and one idli for the 15 cents he had. No choice. “தண்ணி வேணாம் ?” (Don't you want a drink?) Mr Venkatachalam enquired. But he already knew the answer. Govind shook his head. Mr Venkatachalam smiled, placing a glass of water near him.
***
Govind did well in school. He was shunted into the science stream. As he finished school, his father decided that he should do Engineering. So Govind did engineering. Govind’s uncle wanted him to work for him. So he did. And his aunt had a girl in mind, who would make a perfect wife for Govind. Govind married her. His wife wanted two children. So they did. Govind enjoyed this blissful freedom from choice.
***
Gowri sat with her parents, looking at their scribbled notes – trying to decide which college she should go to, and which course she should take up. The research into the pros and cons, and the decision making had taken up many months. Gowri’s life had always been about choosing choosing and choosing. From what to eat for breakfast, to what clothes to wear to which movie to go to. When Gowri’s parents wanted to remodel their house, nearly a year was spent on studying available options. And then, Gowris’ marriage. It was an arranged marriage. Arranged after combing through nearly a thousand prospective boys, based on criterias, priority qualities and shortlistings. Finally it was decided. Govind.
***
At first it looked like a clash of ideologies. Freedom of choice vs Freedom from Choice. Initially Govind was appalled that Gowri would spend more time and effort in deciding things rather that just getting on with it. Then he made a choice. To let her do the choosing. It was a harmonious and complementing arrangement.
***
Govind entered the cavernous dining room of the hotel. “Pasta”, “Chinese”, “Mexican”, “Continental”, “French”. The signs indicated the sections of the dining hall catering for food from all parts of the world. Each section had at least several dozen dishes. The dessert area occupied a huge area of floor. Ice cream flavours totaled nearly two dozen. With more than a hundred choices of toppings.

Govind stood for a while, alone, weak and overwhelmed. He looked around, half expecting to see Gowri. He longed for the simple choices at Venkatachalam’s shop.