*Of all the moments Rajiv has been dreading today, this is the worst. When Jyoti first asked, Rajiv had said no, full stop. But when she pressed him for a reason, other than her own protection, Rajiv could not admit to it. Quite simply, he has no idea how to actually ask these people to meet his dalit wife without being snide or defiant. Part of his attraction to Jyoti was initially that she was everything his parents would hate - a career girl, an older and unmarried woman, a harijan...Inevitably his love for her outgrew this, but there is still that edge in him that wants to childishly flaunt her as a totem of their worst prejudices.

He has carefully planned this statement and delivers it duly.*

My wife and children are eager to meet you.