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.........