The court where we’re getting our marriage registered in Delhi is only open to applications on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. During these six hours a week, you’d think anyone who wanted to get themselves officially registered would be able to walk in, get a form, fill it, submit the documents and be done with it. You’d think wrong. Because this is India, and in India, nothing is that simple.

Marriage Registration, Day 1:

“Your documents are incomplete.”
“This is what it said on the website.”
“Your documents are incomplete.”
“Well, then what do I need?”
“Come back after one hour.”
“But what do I need?”
“Come back after one hour.”

Marriage Registration, Day 2:

“Your documents are incomplete.”
“I’ve done EXACTLY what it says on the form.”
“This here, it isn’t correct. You need passport as identity proof.”
“You said PAN card is fine.”
“You need passport as identity proof.”
“But, you said… fine, I’ll go get it.”

Day 2, One hour later:

“Sir is not here.”
“Well, who is?”
“Sir is not here.”
“Where is he?”
“Sir is in a meeting.”
“When will he come back?”
“It could take hours.”
“HOURS?”
“At least one hour.”
“What about these marriage registrations?”
“They’re discussing demolitions in the city. There are more important things in the country than marriage registrations.”
“This is the marriage registration office, yes?”
“Sir is in a meeting.”
“Well, ask him to come out.”
“Sir is in a meeting. It could take hours.”

I went through the same process to get admission into college, to pay the fees every semester, to get my graduation certificate, to get my driving license and passport, and for countless other things, but each time I’m surprised anew. Sometimes, I’m astounded by how anything in this country ever gets done.

On Friday, we try again.