One of my very good friends is about to get married. The guy to whom she is getting married has been calling me for a few days now on grounds that he wants to talk about my friend in order to understand her better. But more often than not he tends to flirt with me, dropping hints about his interest in me. What must I do. Should I tell my friend?

Name and address withheld

Of course, tell your friend and tell her to call off the marriage. I know these types. He is fishing and trying to catch as much fish as he can without paying for it. This man is trouble. And why the hell is he calling you in order to understand her better if he has already decided to marry her?

Darling this is a honey-trap, which will leave a very bitter taste, so, call your friend now. The worst thing that can happen is he will ensure you are not invited to the wedding but then given the size of weddings today, you might as well join the Trinamool.

I suspect that my mother-in-law is having an affair. I have caught her several times with the same man. If I talk to my husband, he might misunderstand me and our relationship might face the brunt of it all. My father-in-law has been dead for a long time and she must be craving company. But our family will be shocked if this came out in the open. What do I do?

Name and address withheld

Shocked? Look, your father-in-law is dead and she is not exactly sleeping with your father, so who the hell are you to turn so moralistic? And trust me, having an adulterous mother-in-law is far better than having a normal one. The normal one will go for you, whereas the adulterous one will at least be busy with her beau. So, why are you complaining? Are you part of the VHP or what that you’ve suddenly become so righteous?

HELP AT HAND

Alcoholics anonymous

10A, Nandan Road, Near Ganja Park, Calcutta - 25,
Ph: 2419 1174
For free help on alcoholism
E-mail: akolkata_ig03@rediffmail.com
(2pm to 6pm Mondays through Saturdays)

Al-Anon (for families and friends of alcoholics)

Ph : 8420738682
(2pm to 6 pm Mondays through Saturdays)
www.india.al-anon.alateen.org

Narcotics anonymous (Kolkata area helpline)

Ph: 9836223071; www.nakolkata.org
Email: info@nakolkata.org
Self-help group of recovering addicts

HelpAge India

1800-345-1253
Free helpline for the elderly for social, legal, economical, financial counselling and also access to government schemes and policies

Lifeline Foundation

Ph: 2463 7401/ 2463 7432
Free helpline for the depressed or suicidal (10 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturdays)

Sparsha

AE-36, Rabindra Pally, PO: Prafulla Kanan, Calcutta - 01
Ph: 2591 0334, 2591 3852, 6529, 9856
Free tele-counselling and one-on-one counselling on personal relationships and HIV/ AIDS (10 am to 6 pm Mondays through Fridays)