Part 73 Scoop of Life--Hitched

March 3rd 2011
Jor Bagh Road

8:30 PM ish

Raghav: Kyon nahi...
They stood facing each other on a sidewalk of a busy road.... nothing was said, despite the world's most talkative person being present....
Raghav: Do you want to go to Hong Kong or Singapore over the weekend?
She stares at him startled.....
Radhika: Itni DOOR?
He smiles....
Radhika: I just.... (as she took a step towards him)
He reached out and clutched her hand.....
Raghav: I do too... (softly)
What ever they both wanted..... they BOTH wanted it............
Radhika: My parents think I am infatuated with you....
Raghav: And?..... (do you agree)
Radhika: I said I was "obsessed" (laughing under her breath)
Raghav: Hmmm (still struck by her innocence)
Radhika: Tumhe mera nose ring pasand nahi?
Raghav: I am obsessed (he laughs under his breath) with it
Radhika feels it just as he reaches to do the same.......
Cars honk as they steer closer to catch a glimpse of the two........
Auto waalas sneer and snigger
The night sky is almost purple.... stars appear faint and distant.........
The Kwality Wall's icecream guy just stops his cart by them.... hoping to rid his box of the few treats left
Raghav: Its been so long... (muttering)
Radhika: I know...
Their eyes communicated the rest...... as it rested on each other's lips........
Radhika: mere saath UP chalo next week (giggles)
A brief look of something serious passes through his face.......... he just pushes his glasses in........
"For how long"
Radhika: Jab tak hamara man kare....
Raghav:Can we move in together after we return?
He had done that a couple times..... his parents didnt care for it much.......
Radhika: mere parents to mujhe maar daalenge (afraid)
Ice cream guy :Ice cream Sir jee?
He haves a dismissal.........
The man swears under his breath as he wheels his cart away
Raghav: Radhika, there has got to be a way..... (pained and troubled)
Radhika: Lets get hitched..........
She almost clings to him after saying that.... he takes a step fwd to receive her body.......
Never known to think before she spoke, the
words even shock her ....

Part 72 Scoop of Life--Kyon Nahi

March 3rd 2011
Saket
7:14 PM

Sushil: Radhu abhi tak aayi nahi? (confident, sipping his chai)
Sudha: trying not to meet his eyes "Abhi to milwa chuki hai she can stay out as long as she wants"
Sushil: You think she is serious about him?(finally)
Sudha (guarded) Aapko kya laga?
Sushil: Jis tarah woh uski baaten sun raha tha mujhe (stops, embarrassed)
Sudha is a lil uncomfortable also "I really dont..."
Sushil" Kya?
Sudha:He is your boss's son Sushil!!!
Sushil: We argued about it last nite Sudha (tired)
He gets up and walks to the balcony
Sushil:KNowing Radhu she will break up with him in 3 months
Sudha:3 mahiney ho chuke hain.........
Sushil's heart races at the possibility that his daughter might get into the "big league" by being with a Kapoor
They are quiet for a few minutes, the maid asks Sudha about some leftovers, Sudha, not much of a home body is surprised there are any leftovers, she is careless and preoccupied in her reply.
Sushil: What did Rachit think of him?
Sudha turns towards her husband and walks to the balcony "Woh to ekdum shock mein tha, aapne dekha na? Radhu ke kaarname jaanta hai phir bhi shock"
Sushil smiles
Sudha:Aap usko shay dena band karen, sab theek hoga, I am going to give her a month, if she is not serious we need to find another groom.....
Sushil: Serious about Raghav? (overjoyed)
Sudha: I meant IRRESPECTIVE of the fact that she is serious about him, we need to find her someone.
Suhil: Kya matlab
Sudha: Shaadi Sushil aur kya?
Sushil: Double standards Sudha! (upset)
Sudha has a guilty look
Sushil: Tumne apne career ke liye us zamaane mein shaadi delay ki, NOW you want her to be married at 24? Let her be......
Sudha: I did not have 5 boyfriend before 20 Sushil
Sushil: Phew! (jealous)
Sudha blushes for a second...... "Mazaak?"
Sushil smiles a half smile......... "Let her be Su"
Sudha: Mujhe is dosti mein koi hope nazar nahi aa raha. Did you google the guy?"
Sushil: Kyon? (surprised)
Sudha: The fact that I could not find any link ups bothers me. Usko Radhika mein interest hai?
Sushil (bristling) Su! Radhu mein kya kharaabi hai?
Sudha: Middle class, employee's daughter, works for a NGO, travels by auto and a Santro.........aur sunenge aap?
Sushil is clearly not happy
Sudha:Ma teacher hai aur Papa Corp coolie......
Sushil: You almost DONT want them to be happy
Sudha: Mere bas mein raha to (smug)
The husband and wife have clashed yet again........ 3rd time since Raghav Kapoor visited ....... a day ago......
---------------
March 3rd
8:00 PM
Jorbagh/Lodhi Gardens Main Rd.
Radhika: Youve seen those sugar cane laden trucks on UP roads nahi? shaayad unse bhi bada hoga yeh shaayad (she continues to descibe animatedly..)
They walk along side the park...... its a beautiful evening.......
He is wearing cargo shorts and a cotton shirt....... crushed and a sleeve folded.......
Velcro sandals on his feet......
She is wearing a white salwar and purple kurta......... her curly mass in a high pony tail......
He drags her towards himself as she veers towards the road........
"Thanks" she giggles pausing..........
After a few attempts, he lets her walk by the park and moves over to the edge of the sidewalk........
"Aurin aur main aaj subah se 4 pitches de chuke hain" she continues....... he nods, smiles and ack.... as required.
She is done..... they walk silently for a couple minutes
Raghav: Your Mom did not care for me you think? (matter of fact)
Turning crimson..... she stops......... "Umm.... maine notice nahi kiya" saying so she gives herself away
Radhika: Papa tumhe bahut pasand karte hain (joyful)
He stares at her face.......... reaches and touches her nose ring..........
"Radhika lets go away some place nice?"
"Abhi?" hoarse......
"Kyon nahi"

Part 71 Scoop of Life--Listener

March 2nd 2012
Saket
Unknowingly Sudha found herself watching the man curiously. She was hoping to find a chink in his armor? He ate his vegetables, he didnt eat rice but ate 5 or so rotis, was polite to Gopi, was paying attention to whatever Sushil gushed over.
Asked her about being a Faculty at the esteemed "DU". Most other times, he just LISTENED to her daughter chatter...........
He casually wiped out a speck of grain from her cheek.........
Her daughter turned red at the casual sign of intimacy....
"How many people work for your Dad's company?" she asked....
Raghav hesitated while her husband supplied the information eagerly "Over 22000" Sudha had read it was more like 20,000
She feared her husband was majorly taken in with him.....
"No wedding plans?" she asked Raghav
"MAAAAAAA" squealed Radhika
Sudha looked unfazed.....
"Not quite" said the young man....... followed by a soft "yet" after a long pause
Sushil: Arey abhi yeh chhota hai... are you 25 beta? 26?
Raghav nodded....
Gopi brought desserts, as they got ready to moved to the living room.....
There was a knock on the door Rachit and Ananya and their pet dog walked/scampered in........
"Sushil: This is my oldest Rachit.... aur yeh uski wife Ananya.... she went to the US also for grad school tumhari tarah"
Ananya looks impressed, Rachit is like his Mom his scrutinizes Raghav "politely"
Rachit: She once dated a guy that wore a ear ring, I was just checking to make sure you werent wearing one"
Rachit back slaps and laughs
Raghav looks at Radhika....
She is animatedly describing tro her Bhabhi about how she waited for him in the balcony
Rachit: My Mom couldnt bring herself to like the guy.... he was doing his Ph D in Ops Research from the North Campus....
Sudha clears her throat
Sushil: She is a tough lady (proud)
Gopi serves fresh fruit and ice cream
Raghav gravitates towards his girl.........
Rachit: You go to CP every day man?
Raghav: Ya, at times....
Rachit: "Working from home" huh! I wish.... I work in Gurgaon.... the misery never ends (groans)
They talk about cricket and soccer, Rachit is expressive he declares he loves his sister a lot..... and despite her quirkiness and idiosyncracies he cant get himself to yell or scold her
Raghav gets the message.... he smiles his half smile
Rachit: Oh! boy! its hard to get a word out of your mouth.......
Sushil: He talks for work beta.. meetings mein......
Raghav: I love to listen... to her (trails off, looking at his girl)

Part 70--Scoop of Life--"Its mine"

March 2nd 2011
Saket
8:44 PM
Sudha: Is he related to the Kapoors you work for? (startled)
Sushil (beaming for some reason) Haan haan unka beta hai bhai.
Radhika: To tum Papa ko jaante ho? (surprised at first followed by veiled anger)
Raghav nods hesitantly
No one speaks for a few seconds..... Gopi can be heard putting dishes away, clanking pots and pans, followed by the sound of a pressure cooker.

She brings water out....
People wake up from their trance.
Sushil: Baitho.... mera matlab baith jao beta?
Raghav seats himself comfortably
Radhika: Tumne kaha hi nahi, what a wily fox you are!! I wish you had told me. I am glad I insisted we meet today, warna tum yeh baat mujhe kabhi nahi bataate............
She rambles on and on about something.
Sudha notices the young man doesnt say much
Sushil is fluffing up the cushions, shutting the sliding French balcony doors, pulling the curtains to shut out the street noise. Instructing Gopi to bring bottled water......
Sudha is more unemotional and matter of fact
She cuts off her daughter's ramble by asking " How long have you known my daughter"
Raghav notices the inflection at the word "my" "I dont remember" he says softly
Radhika jumps in "Ma I met him in Kanpur the first time I went, us se pehle Hyatt mein we SAW each other when I went for.... (a beer) with my friends"
Sudha looks at her daughter..... in serious thought.....
Sushil: Arey abhi to aaya hai, usko kuch khilao..... khaana khaoge na beta
Radhika starts talking to him animatedly..... he smiles indulgently as he listens, staring at her nose ring
Sudha finds that gaze uncomfortable..... it tells her something her mind is beginning to suspect...
Sushil is oblivious.....
Gopi steps out "Khaana laga doon auntyji?"
Sushil: Did your Dad talk about the Yavatmal plant?
Injecting ideas of closeness with the boss's son.
Sudha has not seen her husband behave this way before
Radhika is in the outer space.... not noticing it at all
Sushil: Arey Sudha,.... baat suno can we offer him something to drink please
Sudha looks at him pointedly .....
Sushil: beer ?
Raghav declines with just a shake of his head
Radhika: Want to see my collection of CDs? (giggles)
He nods agreeing
Sudha: Do you work with your Dad?
Raghav: sometimes.....
Sudha: Radhika works for an NGO
Radhika: Ma yeh jaanta hai (smug)
Raghav looks at their faces..... the expression ranges from childish enthusiasm to sternness to eagerness to please.....
Gopi brings a tall glass of juice
Sushil: Have something to drink
Clears the coffee table of the pile of papers and junk that Radhika has piled up as he scolds her "Radhu apna research apne room mein karo beta"
Radhika's phone rings..... its Ritwik so she answers walking to her room.............. chattering
Sudha: Where do you live?
Raghav doesnt need an astrologer to tell him the lady of the house doesnt care for him
Raghav: Golf Links....
Sushil: Arey they are moving to the best address in town soon.... Aurangazeb Rd....
Sudha is not more impressed or anything by that declaration
Sudha: Do you work with my husband a lot?
Raghav: Occasionally.
Sudha: Did you go to college in Delhi?
Raghav: No.... CMU..... undergrad and grad
Sudha's eyes sparkle for the first time that evening...........
Sudha: In what?
Raghav: Computer Sc.
Sushil: arey uska INTERVIEW le rahi hain aap? (laughs in an affected way) Hamari beti ka FRIEND hai... (NOT a groom)
Sudha: radha talks a lot.... you dont say much... (accusing?)
He just nods....
Gopi has arranged the dining table.... Raghav looks around politely searching for his gal............
Sushil: radhoooo phone band karo beta (calls out)
Sushil: Main lekar aata hoon
Sudha: Radhu was a topper, 10th board mein she topped at Springdales
Raghav: Wow!
Sudha: she is very ambitious (you look like a bum and act like you have no goals so THERE! :)
Raghav: Hmmm
Radhika prances from the room squealing "I WON THE BET........... ITs  a French restaurant...... "
she rambles about some food....
Raghav nods as he smiles at her fondly... he cant help checking her out......... when he meets her eyes after the tour her face is red.... and eyes are shy
Sudha notices that unspoken exchange.... its angers her........... she is not ready to let go of her baby.....
Sushil: Khaana khaaye?
Raghav: Yes... thank you......
Radhika: Gopi makes the best paneer in the world
Radhika: I should not say that tumhari Mom cook book author hai na? (giggles)
Sudha watches them talk and approach the table..... the comfort level and camaraderie is hard to miss....... they make a lovely couple.......... he is  reserved yet...chivalrous and polished
She is spirited and lively......... she knows Raghav is clearly out of Tripathis' league............ he appears more mature, some thing she had vigorously sought in a groom, yet didnt like it when she saw it in Raghav......

Sudha seeks her husband's eyes for sending a message........... his collide with hers after arriving at the same conclusion.
Sudha's eyes are disapproving Sushil's joyous............
Radhika: Meri favorite chair hai yeh(drags one noisily from its resting spot under the table)
Raghav: That means its mine! (teasing, as he seats himself in it gently wrestling her out as he laughs huskily)
Unaware the two parents were arriving at differing conclusions about them.........

Part 69 Scoop of Life-- Alliances

March 2nd 2011
Saket
8:23 PM
She was glued to the balcony from 7:30 or so.... had texted him 4 times 3 had returned with a :) 4th a "Phew!"
She wore traditional Indian clothes and a bindi, ALL coordinated in a ploy to please Ma.
Gopi: Auntyji khaane ko keh rahi hain (peeks)
She turns and smiles " Abhi ruk jao aap Gopi" and turns back on to the road.
Her parents know whats coming..... or rather who is.... her Mom is not pleased.
Her Papa known to grant random privileges was only amused....
Ritwik was texting her too....
 Sudha: Rachit aur Ananya khaana khaakar aayenge around 9 ish...
Sushil reviewing something on the PC
He has a beer on his side, a luxury.....
His wife had banned alchahol over 25 years ago....
The doorbell rang, since she didnt see his car pull up around the balcony she continued to stare.
Gopi answered it....
In walked.... Raghav Kapoor in blue jeans and a navy shirt.... crumpled in places... but his soul patch and glasses were intact.... and ofcourse the thick layers of hair...
Sudha is startled "Yes?"
Raghav: Tripathis?
Sushil almost jumps out of his chair on hearing that voice, and seeing him doesnt help either....
His head oscillates like a pendulum between balcony and front door..........
Raghav extends his hand "Raghav Kapoor" he smiles
Sudha looks at her husband confused...
Sushil is beaming.... but frozen to his spot
Raghav walks up, towering over his girlfriend's parents...
Raghav: Sir! he says effusively
Sushil: UNCLE beta.... UNCLE is good
Radhika turns inwards and drops her phone on a flowering pot.......
Radhika: TUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM (squeals running)
But stops.... two or so feet from him
Sudha is cross examining him visually... clinically
Sushil: To yeh hai... (trembling voice?)
Radhika: Jee Papa... geek hai na ekdum? (grins)
Her boyfriend drinks in her appearance like a parched traveller... he even takes a step closer so he can feel her body...

Sushil stares at the young man, and wants to jump in and vehemently protest at his daughter's conclusion.... "Nahi beta tum galat ho"
But if he did that alliances cannot be forged.... he couldnt be happier with his daughter's choice for a boyfriend and it showed..... in his entire body language!!

Part 68 Scoop of Life--How would it be?

March 2nd 2011
Pandara Rd Coffee Shop
8:08 AM
He stared at her face hungering "When?" he demanded... his hand clutched hers......
Radhika: Do you want to meet my parents tonite?
He looked at her face, there was NO fear, no hesitation, it was like she was accepting a teen dare, and as if they were in a high school cafeteria. He wondered how she would react upon knowing her Dad worked for his family enterprise.
His phone rings.... "its Nayana" he thinks, staring at the flickering light
"Raghav: Kitne baje?
Radz: After work...? tumhe dar lag raha hai?
He looks at her concerned face smiles..... "nahi" he reassures her.
"Ma to jaanti hai tumhare baare mein. Kaash yaha Ritwik hota" she worries a little. Ritwik would step in and make everything better..... that him..... she knows.....
They carress each other's fingers.. he turns her hand over and looks at her nail color, rubs his index finger over it
"You like peach?" she asks happy
"Hmm"
"I wear a color a nail usually, you lucked out" she declares, as he ruvbs the other tips...
"Not yet" he promises..
She  withdraws, afraid of his implication... he doesnt let go...
"Tum apne har girlfriend ke parents se mil chuke ho?"
"Kuch" he answers in his signature one word response.
"Mere parents se baat karoge ya nahi? Woh dar jaayenge yeh sochkar ki mera kya hoga. I know, we are not get married or anything, but"
They look at each other, just as the thought of being married crosses both minds........
He imagines a look on his Dad's face and is visibly amused.
"Kya hua?"
"My sisters would love you!" he says softly admiring her nose ring.
"Ritwik tumse ladega" she returns.
"my bed would be too short for you, tum mere ghar nahi ruk sakte kabhi" afflicted with the foot in the mouth disease....
"then we'll just have to make do with being in my bed" he supplies a prompt solution... just as the waiter shows up to clear the plates.