The Indians Abroad: Weight-Loss Intervention

“it is very noticeable!”

“Extra weight doesn’t look good on you!”

“Everybody is asking if something is wrong with you.”

“We have a wedding next month, your own brother-in-law!”

“yes, our own family celebrations!”

“Sari does not look good with tummy sticking out!”

“We love you, that’s why we are asking you.”

“yes, do something. You need to lose some weight!”

Her mother-in-law and the two aunts continue the bombardment. Everyone else is quiet, as if silent witness to the ugly situation.

She sits on the edge of her king size bed, her legs dangling. Her mother-in-law sat on her left side while her two aunts on the right. Her sister-in-law leaned against the wall facing her. Her husband stood near the door, his armed crossed, as if guarding the room. Her father-in-law sat in the chair, in the far corner of the room, as if trying hide himself from the whole thing.

“You have to!”

“you must!”

“it doesn’t look good! I am telling you!”

“Please do something!”

“We love you! That is why we are saying all this to you.”

“You can join the gym if you want!”

“yes, or whatever works for you!”

“Dieting…”

“Yes, dieting is a must!…..”

She does not say anything. She continues to look down, barely blinking, the gaze fixed on her own toes. The long brown hair – open and unkempt, cover a part of her face. A small tear trickle down her left eye..down to her red cheek. She quickly wipes it off with the back of her tight hand.

The suggestions, the advice, the preaching fades slowly. Perhaps the women are tired of repeating the same thing, perhaps they just give up.

“Let’s go downstairs. It is a beautiful evening!”

“Come on! it is dinner time!”

One-by-one, they walk out of the room, everyone except her.

The gather around the big dining table. A big dish of fried rice, a pot full of butter-chicken, oily vegetable curry, a plate full of egg dosa, a big pile of puri’s – the fried bread…..and a chocolate cake. Perhaps they had more stuff but the table ran out of room.

“She really need to control her diet!” says her over-weight mother-in-law as she generously poured the clear butter on her big bowl, the bowl already full of rice, chicken and vegetable curry.

They devoured the food in no time, while she sat alone in her room and cried silently.

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