Part 83--Scoop of Life-Time

Part 83
Scoop of Life
March 12th
Golf Links

Mri: Hes besotted with Radhika!
Sudha smiled and ack that thought
Mri:I am happy they atleast told us about it Mrs Tripathi instead of disappearing from eye sight
Sudha:That wouldnt have been good at all!
Sudha checks her watch "Maybe we should go since we all agree (there can never be a wedding?)"
Mridula: Aap aisa kyon sochti hain?
Sudha:I cannot imagine her as the bahu in this family Mrs Kapoor. We are different as chalk from cheese. Your husband's company employs mine. Sudha works AGAINST large corporations not marries into them.
Since the men have paused Krishan hears it
Krishan: She is an activist?
Sudha: You can say that... but thats a mighty word... she is still very young (pride)
Sushil: Career choices can be changed along the way, I had to change mine 4 times....
Sudha does not want to talk about the episodes of gloom Sushil's career had brought
Krishan: Does it seem like a friendship to you? (inquisitive)
Sushil: They seem inseperable when ever I see them together
Sudha: they must have a good friendship if they are considering marriage?
Dadi is talking to the help
Pawan is on the phone
Krishan: Pawan was saying we should give it time as well
Sudha: I dont agree with that I apologize, time will only make it worse
Sushil: Or good if they marry
Sudha: We are old fashioned, not sure if stems from the fact that we are middle class or vice versa... I cannot agree to casual affairs...
Mridula: Its hard for me to imagine that for my girls
Krishan is unhappy as he sees his wife gently tilt towards the female guest
Sudha: Can we tell her, wedding is something we cannot agree immediately?
Sushil nods reluctantly..
Krishan: Kidhar hai Raghav?
Mridula signals a help
He disappears.
Sudha: Thanks for having us over, you must come too
Dadi: Arey baat pakki hui to zaroor aayenge (unaware of the decision making as she had briefly stepped out)
Sudha: Shayad woh hogi nahi aunty
Dadi is shocked "KYON?"
Krishan: Arey Ma.. we both mutually agreed thats not a good idea.
Mridula: We want to give it time (unable to accept it, worrying how her son my take it)
Krishan: Time dete hain
Sushil: Aapki baat sun ne mein achhi hai Aunty
Dadi: Mujhe to lag raha hai aap log time waste kar rahe hain. Usko pasand hai, what more do we need?
Raghav walks in
Mridula: Your Fed Ex came today...
Raghav nods smiling
Mridula: Aap log dinner ke liye rukenge? Pawan's wife will be here too
Sudha: I am sorry...
Krishan: They can come back (gracious host)
Sushil's phone rings
He excuses himself
Raghav: Are you leaving?
Sudha: Yes we must (polite)
She saw anticipation in his eyes? or curiosity to know? she couldnt tell..........
But something flickered in those eyes...
Mridula:  You must bring your family next time
Raghav: Didnt Radhika take the afternoon off?
Sudha looks at the young man deeply "She had to take care of stuff" nodding
Mridula: You should have brought her
Raghav: Yes!
Sudha is quiet
Dadi: You should bring her next week, ya Raghav tu lekar aa
Raghav looks at his dadi and smiles gloriously
Dadi: Theek hai kal lekar aa
Raghav laughs openly "Jee" he says softly
Something churns Sudha's insides, she knows she might be coming back.... something in Raghav's eyes, his body language tells her he wont let Radhika go.............

Part 82 Scoop of Life--Besotted

Part 82
Scoop of Life
March 12th 2011
7:18 PM

The room was suddenly all quiet..... a blender was being operated in the kitchen.... birds sang on the trees outside.... cars skidded on the wet slush left behind by the rain
Mridula: You should have more of these! (serving a salty, what looked like a bow tie)
Dadi poured out more tea.
Krishan got done taking his call
Pawan entered.... intros were made, he appeared as polite and respectful as his brother
Pawan: Aap Gargi mein padhaati hain?
Sudha smiled and nodded
Dadi: Inki beti ekdum chust hai (happy)
Sushil: there wont be a minute's silence if she is at home...
Pawan I am told (laughs)
Raghav was still missing...
Dadji: Mr Walia se baat hui?
Pawan: Jee Dad
Father and son talk in rapid fire Punjabi and both apologize a minute later
Sudha: Our neighbors are Punjabis, the kids practically grew up in their house so I do understand a little
Mridula: Radhika Punjabi jaanti hai?
Sushil: Shaayad
Sudha: lekin aap logon jaisa nahi
Mridula: I dont speak much...
Krishan looks at her fondly "Better than most" he declares
Dadi: Radhika ko bhi lao aap?
Sudha looks confused...
Krishan: Ma.. abhi.. (pauses)
Sudha: Aunty we dont know if we want to go ahead with the whole thing
Sushil looks in despair
Krishan: She travels a lot (curious)
Sudha: Some... (evasive) (thoughtful) Uske kayi rishte aaye hain ab tak, lekin height match nahi ho paa rahi hai....
Dadi: Jis se height match ho rahi hai... woh ladka aapko pasand nahi (straight, direct)
Sudha: Oh! No! I am sure R.. (hesitates to say his name) is educated.. there are obvious differences between our families that cant be bridged
Sushil: Sir ne kaha woh koi baat nahi
Krishan: I agree (pleasant)
Sudha: Friendship and (affair?) is something I cannot aprove, Sushil ji bhi nahi.... sorry
Sushil nods faintly, losing hope
Mridula: We should not give up
Sudha: I am not trying to be contentious I apologize
Krishan was known to suck all the air out of the room... but now he had met an able adversary in Sudha
He wondered if her daughter was similarly strong willed and adamant....... if she was then the wedding might be happening... he suspected
Sushil: They are still very young... they might not know what they want
Sudha's shoulders relax... visibly... indicating she is pleased by her husband.... in a while
Sushil: She is a..... brat! Sorry!
Mridula laughs.... "Arey sorry kyon?"
Sushil: Ek hi hai, kaafi spoil kiya maine use
Dadi: Kudiyan kis waaste paida hoti hain... you did the right thing beta
Dadaji laughs, geting up
Dadaji: Yahan do hain, Pawan ki ek hai, teeno ek army ke barabar hain.. Radhika ko us army mein entry mil jaayegi
Mridula: Ruchira thodi shaant hai
Krishan and Pawan and Sushil are talking shop... softly
Mridula heaps desserts, explains whats in it to Sudha... how it was made etc...
Mridula is warm and afectionate
Mridula: Raghav ek din mein shaayad 10 minute baat karega altogether
Dadi: Bus sabki sunta hai aur apni karta hai
Mridula: Radhika ke saath pata nahi kitni baat hoti hogi (shy)
Sudha had noticed how he LOOKED at her daughter... she wouldhave to be blind to say there was nothing between them
Sudha: He spoke very little...
Mridula: He loves to travel... he hates a 9-5 job... he is a computer whiz... he rarely goes to board meetings, when he does his Dad is thrilled
Dadi: Khaana kitni achhi banata hai you have to tell them that.......
Sudha is surprised... Dadi pats Mridula's shoulder... "Like mother like son"
Mridula: He is taking flying lessons now...
Sudha is terrified... speechless
Unkowingly some where a connection was forming, Sudha was finding herself to be worrying about the young man.... it horrified her to imagine what Radhu would go through in case...
Sudha: OMG! Kabse? (pale, with all color leaving her face)
Mridula smiles gently, places a hand on Sudha's
Mri: Ek saal ho gaya
Sudha: is it safe?
Dadi smiles knowingly...........
Mridula: He is very obstinate............ he wants to fly
Sudha looks worried
Mridula: He is an amazing kid mRs Tripathi
Sudha gazes keenly
Mridula is now seated by her "I have never seen him lose his temper even once... he is not selfish, he is extremely brave... to the point of being reckless"
Sudha: Oh!
Mridula: I think he is besotted with Radhika (soft, happy, content)

Part 81-Scoop of Life--She should not be used

Part 81
March 12th 6:42 PM
Golf Links..

Sudha:(sheepish) Hamare gharmein koi itni baatein nahi karta (to Dadi)
Dadi: Arey kareni chahiye beta, nahi to iski tarah saara din chhup thodi...
Mridula: I was told she works for an NGO? (softly)
Sushil: Yes, its a Dutch NGO, they are doing great work in UP.
Sushil proceeds to narrate Rad's biggest accomplishments
Raghav and Krishan share a look... Sudha notices but doesnt think too much of it
Sushil: Abhi aaj kal, she is going after leather company effluents in Dehat Kanpur (pride)
Dadi quickly changes topic
Dadi:Chalo theek hai, unlike old times we longer have to ask, silai jaanti hai bunai jaanti hai etc (laughs)
Sudha: Usko khaana banana nahi aata Mrs Kapoor
Dadi: Auntyji kaho, Why Mrs Kapoor
Sudha is visibly uncomfortable
Snacks and tea are served generously
Dadi:Aaap to brahman hain?
Mridula: Sab veggie hai Ma (smiles)
Krishan looks at his wife, clears his throat......
Krishan: Sushil,,, do you think your daughter is serious?
Sushil is taken aback........
Sushil: Umm... sir.... (chews) she says.... uski baaton se to yahi maloom...
Krishan:Raghav?
Places his son on the chopping block..........
Raghav looks up from his phone....
Krishan: Aap?
Raghav: I like her Dad... (colors quickly)
Sudha hates that for some reason, it bothers her that her daughter affects a man so deeply.
Sudha: Like cannot evolve into marriage
Mridula: Has your daughter expressed what she feels? (warmly)
Sudha: ZIDDI hai (exasperated)
Sushil: aaj kal ke bache
Krishan: Aap log yeh chahte hain?
Dadaji: Ofcourse they want it thats why they are here Krish!
Sudha: Not exactly... we just want to talk it over (firm)
Krishan is startled at the mother's honesty, plus is pleased she seems to think like him
Sushil: Arey Raghav ke saamne hum yeh keh rahe hain ki baat aage nahi bad sakti?
Raghav answers a phone call and steps away......
Dadi: Tum kyon nahi chahti beta? (to Sudha)
Sudha: Jee koi mel nahi hai.... hamare rishtedaar are hung up way too much on caste. etc...
She looks around at the house... without SAYING "etc means the huge class divide"
Krishan: That should not be a big deal (positive)
Sudha: Sushil works for the company
Sushil: Sir, aap kya soch rahe hain
Krishan: I want to give it some time........... he has had girlfriends before... some serious... (he shifts in his chair uncomfortably)
Mridula: They are grown... and these days... its completely normal (defending her son's frequent physical rendezvous)
Krishan: You should know about it...
Sudha controls her shock....
Krishan:If this is one of those... we should just let time take care of it(just let my son have an affair)
Sudha: If this is one of those.... she should not be used!! (soft protective, yet ferocious)
Mridula's heart reaches out to Sudha... she can feel the pain in the girl's mother's eyes
Dadi is quiet.... Sushil's head is bent

Part 80--Scoop of Life--In good company

Part 80
March 12th 2011
Saturday
6:00 PM
Golf Links

Looks like there is an airconditioning unit in the back of the garage, running full throttle. The only kind of windows there are, are of the French kind, tall..... sliding....
There are two ways to enter, the doors by the front lawn, and one on the side. The one on the side is mahagony almost 12 feet tall, double... with brass knockers all over.... there is a huge silver Ganesha on the wall above the door, and on the sides hung..a bronze rope interspersed with carved ladies holding lamps in their palms.
They rang the chrome door bell, there was no response for a minute or two. Sudha's palms were sweaty under the huge bunch of roses she was holding, Sushil insisted on chocolates or mithai, Sudha dismissed the idea "Unko lagega hum milni karne aye hain"
A faint click.... a young man wearing cotton kurta and pyjamas opened the door, folded hands in a namaste, and smiled.... stepping aside..
The house was voluminous and smelled like fresh flowers.... completely still.......... the furniture gleamed, looked expensive, not a speck of dust.
Help:Andar chaliye....
They took baby steps hesitantly....
The living room could have seated at least 50 comfortably.......
There were over 5 sets of sofas placed in angles all over..........
An oldish woman sat reading a book, they could hear dogs at a distance
Sudha cleared her throat, and offers the flowers... "They look lovely. Thanks for bringing these"
Dadi stumps Sudha with impeccable English.....
The woman got up and smiled gloriously
"Tripathis?" she quizzed
Sudha's smile relaxed a lil
Sudha nodded Sushil stood still, until a older man walked out of a room, over 6 feet tall......... or even 6.5.....dressed in cotton trousers and a expensive check shirt......... he had a military moustache...... "Oh! thats where my boss's moustache comes from" Sushil surmised

Dadi:Please baithiye (as she waved to a help)
Dadaji: I am Krishan's Dad...
Sushil joined hands in a namaste
Dadi: Aap teacher hain?
Sudha:I teach Math at Gargi........
Dadi (sheepish) sorry, haan bola tha Krishan ne
They are all quiet until the help wheels a cart laden with food and drinks
Sudha is edgy wonders where the parents are
Dadaji: Krishan aur Pawan kaam se aate honge, meri baat hui 4 baje unhe yaha hona tha 5 baje, late ho gaye
Dadi (to the help) Auntyji ko bulao
Help:Jee Dadi
They hear a car pull up............
Sudha is leaning, she stiffens and moves to the edge of the sofa, her stomach muscles somersault..... in fear.........
Mridula: Good evening.... glad aap log aaye......
Sudha sucks her breath in... an almost 5' 10 slender stunningly beautiful woman steps down..........
Sushil looks at the woman admiringly.......... Mridula wore a dark pink saree and was dressed carefully.... a string of diamonds hung around her neck along with a Maharashtrian mangal sootra.......... Sudha wondered........
The help get the door.........
Sudha: Thanks for inviting us
Mri: Absolutely ( places a hand gently on Sudha's shoulder) please sit comfortably
Krishan walks in.... he is over 6 feet tall as well........ he grins at his wife adoringly
"hi!" she says warmly
Another tall man follows.... Dadi calls out "Pawan puttar"
The help serves the food.......
Krishan: Sushil (smiles and nods)
Sushil is nervous.... "Sir" he says
Krishan: Krishan is fine... we are outside the office... (firm)
Sushil: Mushkil hai.... Sir (embarrassed)
Sushil: This is Sudha
Sudha does a namaste......
Krishan responds with the same "Gargi... faculty?"
Sudha: Yes.. (smiles)
Krishan: DU exams kab se hain?
Sudha: 3rd week from today
Sudhil (butting in) she is part of the exam committee.....
Krishan is not greatly interested.....
Dadaji and Pawan talk about traffic
Krishan sits by his wife and makes a soft comment... she smiles....
Dadi: Hum aapki beti se mil chuke hain (like she is Aishwarya Rai)
A woman known for getting down to the brass tacks......
Sudha is shocked....she wastes no time
Dadi in Punjabi coaxing her daughter in law "Woh us din Max hospital mein Mrs Suri se milkar"
Mridula: She was there to see a coworker's mother
Pawan Dadaji and Sushil are talking about Pranab Mukherjee's 2011 budget
Dadi:Aaapki beti kitni sundar hai... ek dum pari
Mridula: She is very elegant (softly)
Sudha is pleased
Sudha: Dubli hai
Dadi: Haan bolti itna hai khaane ka time nahi milta hoga....
It really cracks up Sudha, she laughs losing her fear a lil
Sudha: Jee...
Dadi: Lambi bhi hai... kitni lambi hai beta?
Sudha: 5' 9 '' shaayad
Sushil: 5' 10" almost...... (with pride)
Dadi: aankhen to inni vaddi (points to a oval silver bowl on the polished table). Hamare Raghav ki aankhen bhi inni vaddi thi, but chashma utaarta hi nahi...(complains)
A door clicks open... and in walks the subject...........
In coarse cotton six pocket trousers and a watered down blue shirt........ crumpled and crushed in places....... his glasses have a grey rim today....... sould patch trimmed down..........
He smiles looking at the Tripathis
Sushil: Raghav!!!
Raghav: Sushilji (smiles)
Sudha nods sternly.........
Dadi notices that
Krishan: Did you take Outer Ring Road
Raghav nods... carelessly...
Mridula: Radhika ko nahi laaye?
Raghav looks at her parents........... his eyes wait.......... a glimmer of hope in them...... of being able to see her walk in........
Sudha: Radhu... ko kaam par jaana tha
Raghav texts.......
Krishan: Can we meet Radhika one of these days? (serious, thoughtful)
Sushil: Haan haan... kab milna chahenge?
Sudha places a hand gently on his wrist.........
M ridula: Agle weekend?
Krishan: Hmm... sure... (preoccupied)
Dadaji: Bache kidhar hain?
Mridula wonders...
Dadi: Ruchira to a movie....the other one... to get her nails done....
Sudha: You have daughters too?
Mridula: (joyous) TWO. they are chatty and lively....... Raghav is very quiet (smiles at her son with pride)
Dadi: Radhika will be in good company here...
Krishan looks at Sudha piercingly for a reaction just as Sushil leans back on the couch take a bite out of the pastry...

Part 79--Scoop of Life--Meeting

Saket.............Golf Links
March 12th 2011
Saturday
5:14 PM


Raghav had visited last Saturday, Sudha had grilled him, raked him over hot coals, skwered him......... much to Sushil's discomfort. Sudha though, was unapologetic.... Radhika chattered and laughed as if everything was approved. She spent 4 days in Kanpur and rushed home.... by the end of the week.


To say Rad's friends were shocked would be an understatement, they had not in their wildest dreams imagined their friend to propose to a guy, and the fact that it was accepted was not less of a shocker. In fact a handful still maintained that it  was all a prank and would come to fruition on the day of the "wedding" when they would find their friend taking off to some exotic island to have her affair......

Ritwik continued to insist she must have an affair, as Ma would skin her alive if she were to "break up" a month after the wedding.

Radhika was not seeking attention by this stunt, she got more than enough already, she craved to be with him, longed for his touch, cherished every moment she spent with him............. something nagged her on the inside that it was "different" from the first three relationships........

She was actually surprised (though she wont ever tell a sould about it) when Raghav accepted her proposal walking down Jor Bagh road........ she had quizzed him at various points later asking if HE thought she was kidding..........
"I knew you were not" was what she received in return in text form...........

He was raised like "middle class" strong family values.......... close knit..... movies, get togethers, charity events.... they were all a family affair. Pawan Chachu lived separately by choice.... by Dada and Dadi's choice....... they met frequently and got along splendidly
His parents insisted on shared meals and conversations
They knew of his vagrant, nomadic ways......... his multiple "relationships" his stint away from home, living by himself in an apartment etc.........
It did not have parental approval, but he did so anyway.
His sisters and grand parents would visit his abode frequently. His Mom would also, but Krishan did not.... not once
His grandparents would invite his current girlfriend home for dinner or lunch..........
Mridula would shield him from all of Krishan's chastisement and castigation
Even to her the Radhika-Raghav alliance was a little difficult to digest........
Sudha had called one afternoon during the week, hesitant, nervous... unlike the Sudha anyone knew....
Mridula had spoken to her with ease.........
Dadi had spoken too
A meeting was set for Saturday at 6

Sushil and Sudha pulled up in the family's 5 year old Suzuki Grand Vitara. The guards outside the imposing steel gates expected them, yet they dialled the inside and waited......... hundreds of scenes from B grade Bollywood flicks where the groom's family insults, and humiliates the bride's had played through Sudha's mind since her conversation with Mridula on Tuesday.........
She was angry for the first time.... with Radhika........ more angry than when Radhika had chosen to abandon Science in favor of Sociology for her Bachelors.............

Sushil looked edgy, jumpy, nervous and dry mouthed........ he hadnt said a word since he started driving from Saket......
One of the guards opened the wide doors while they other one looked piercingly.... he even carried a "gun" Sudha noticed startled....

The house was much bigger than what it appeared from the street....... white...... with massive balconies.......... and French windows...... over 3 floors...... a terrace garden bloomed...... so did the front lawn......... the drive way was choc a bloc with 6 automobiles........ none made in India...........

Part 78--Scoop of Life--M is for Mother-in-Law

Part 78
Scoop of Life

Saket
2 ish PM
Sudha paced the living room nervously. Sushil understood her worry, he had no clue Radhika would even think of somethng like this. He adored her, he was happy with her choice, but worried how it would impact HIS employment....
Sudha responded to a couple of texts.... preoccupied.... nodded when the maid asked her some questions...
Sudha: Aapne Bauji ko keh diya? (worried)
Sushil's turn to be worried now...
Sushil: Abhi Nainital baat nahi ki maine...
Sudha: Main mere ghar mein kya boloon? Dilli mein rehte hain ladki modern hai.... lekin aisi shaadi?
Sudha walks to the balcony, Sushil follows her...
Radhika steps out of her room... she has her ear buds on... is smiling... grabs some water from the frig...
Gopi shows her the karhi... she smiles and hugs her... "Mujhe khaana banana sikhaogi aap?" gushes
Gopi nods and smiles shyly
Rad texts someone.... waits for a response and laughs out loud......... and types furiously again
Sudha enters the kitchen is surprised to see her daughter.........
Sudha almost smiles...
Radhika looks at her Mom longingly
Sudha: Kyon beta? (pleads)
Radhika: Ma! (pulls the ear buds out)
Su:Radhu...
Radhika hugs her Mom
Gopi leaves the kitchen.... the quiet lil thing is very diplomatic
Sudha: Why are you doing this to your self?
Rad: Ma... mujhe... aapne to kaha tha is baare mein koi baat nahi karengi aap? Mujhse yeh sawaal phir kyon? Papa to khush hain? Rit se baat hui meri woh keh raha tha aap log Golf Links ja rahe hain weekend mein?
She rambles.... just as she always does... almost making Sudha forget what she wanted to say
Sudha: Tumne ek pal mein Santro lene ki baat ki Papa ne dilaayi in a DAY. You took Science in 11th decided you did not want to do Engg AFTER taking the Agarwal classes, Papa ne jaane diya baat ko... lekin SHAADI Radhu?
Radhika blushes a glorious red....
That word seems to be getting her without fail each time.... the last 5 days or so...
Sudha: Ek baar mile hain hum us se... he looks like a movie star... I mean everything is so unreal
Radhika giggles... "Its funny aap aisa keh rahi hain usko"
Sudha smacks her... "Its not funny Radhu"
Sudha: I havent decided if I am OK with all this drama Radhu
Radhika looks worried, she squeezes her ear bud cord........
Sudha: This not about having YOUR way... despite how much you may have Papa wound around your lil finger! (agitated)
Radhika: I dont... Ma... Papa is a darling... meri har baat kahan maante hain woh... kal maine unko kaha
Sudha: Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Sudha: Ek to itna bolna band karo.... Golf Links mein jaakar itna bologi to doosre din yaha bhej denge tumhe.
Radhika laughs out loud..........
Sudha: I am really not agreeable or happy about how this is unfolding Radhu
Radhika can feel her Mom tear up...

Sudha: You know my family... how old fashioned and traditional they are... agar Ananya Bhabhi brahmin nahi hoti ho mujhse kabhi koi baat nahi karta (Rachit Ananya's is a love marriage also)
Sudha: Yeh log Punjabi hain... celebrities hain... last week tumhari mother in law ka picture aaya Hindustan Times mein for some Blind Relief Charity event..........
Radhika looks shocked........
Sudha: Thanks to you and your chatter now I am losing my mind.. (the use of "mother in law")
Radhika: She is a cook book author, unke doosre aur teesre book ka title bataoon Ma?
She rambles......
Sudha watches her daughter in horror.......
Sudha: If I refuse to give permission, will you forget the guy? (firm cutting through her daughter's chatter)
Radhika drops her  ipod it clatters on to the tiled kitchen floor... as tears well up in her eyes "Nahi Ma" her voice trembling... soft...

Part 77--Scoop of Life--Ek bhi nahi!!

Part 77
March 6th 2011
Sunday

1 PM

Saket

She was still in her room talking with friends and texting and FBing and watching YT videos and checking her work email. She was headed to Kanpur next week. There were stacks of papers everywhere.... they all needed her attention.... One person that was NOT paying her any attention was Ma!
She had spoken with Raghav two times today...
She was planning to meet her Faculty later in the afternoon over exam security and logistics. Sudha was always part of the Gargi "Exam Management" Team.
Sushil had come in to her room multiple times..... Sudha.... not ONCE
The maid had cleaned the apartment all around Rad's room

The morning calls to Ritwik were complete, Rachu's wife stopped by to drop off some fresh methi and paneer a co-worker had brought her from Rohtak.

Sushil, watching a cricket match  "To kya socha?"
Sudha (evasive) Kis baare mein?
Sushil: Radhu? Aaj shaam ko Raghav aa raha hai phir se
Sudha is startled "Aaaj phir se kyon?"
Sushil: Su!
Sudha looks worried " Usne apne ghar mein batayi yeh baat? Ya dono bhaagkar karenge shaadi?"
There is a lot of similarity in the feelings shared by Krishan Kapoor and Sudha Tripathi
Sudha is still poring over her notes and lists on her laptop....
Gopi walks in and out of the balcony, drying clothes.....
Crows call out in the distance... the man buying old news papers rings his cycle bell and calls out in a sing song voice.... Kishore Kumar sings "Hamey tumse pyaar" to a passing DTC bus....
Sushil: Sudha.... you have such a low opinion of her, hamari beti hai
Sudha: Thats why I am shocked Sushil... usne apne ghar mein batayi baat? Uske ghar mein maan gaye?
She wants to know desperately, she hopes the Kapoors would have categorically declined any such proposals
Her daughter is afraid of her, she is avoiding her so the two way communication has stalled completely
Sushil: I hope bataya ho.. (worried)
Sudha: Agar baat mana ho gayi to?
Sushil: Why do you say that
Sudha: Sushil they are mentioned in Business India and Business Today!!!! HUM kya hain?
Sushil feels incredibly low.....
Sudha: Woh ladka mujhe....
Sushil: Ladke mein kya kharaabi hai?
Sudha: EK BHI NAHI... Thats why its so unbelievable.
She gets up and paces the room nervously...... like a bird high up on a tree protecting its eggs from a climbing python....

Part 76--Scoop of Life--So much it aches

March 4th 2011
Golf Links
5:14 PM
A car pulls up in the drive way..... the weather is cloudier now, the smell of moist earth envelops the living room. The lights are left out, except for the ones by the sofas, as Dadaji is still asleep.
Dadi: Kaun aaya abhi?
Krishan walks in with his laptop..... Raghav knows..... as they say quiet people are generally more observant and perceptive than others
Mridula is all smiles
Dadi: Arey Inni jaldi? (in Punjabi)
Krishan begins to smile but grunts at the sight of his son.
Raghav looks up from texting.......
Krishan: Inki girlfriend.... mera matlab inki EX ne mujhe chhutti de di, is liye aa gaya
The women are confused...
Krishan: Nayana..........
NOW they are uncomfortable
Raghav: Did you meet Godambe?
Krishan nods, startled.... he is time and again stunned by how in tune his "errant, lazy non-ambitious" son is
Krishan: Woh... ma Industry Minister se meeting thi, Taj Ambassador mein.... shaam ko Port Authority ke Commissioner se meeting hai 9 baje, since the Hotel is a block from home.......socha naha loon........
Mridula: cHAI... Drink?
He nods smiling at his wife...
Dadi doesnt know what to say...........
Krishan: Utra bhoot? (signalling his son with his head) shaadi ka?
Mridula vamooses... Dadi fidgets.......
Krishan: Indian industries mein Top 150 mein hai Kapoor Group......... unka beta employee ki beti se shaadi.... looks like he has started watching day time soaps...........
Raghav is unfazed, the onslaught continues
Krishan: I mean meri secretary.... oh sorry.. us se pehle pata nahi kaun kaun.......... 2 apartments lease par le chuka hai ab tak Vasant Vihar.... Gurgaon............ alag rehkar aaya 6 mahina? Ek saal at one point? Phir Nayana.... abhi  ek sachai ki moorat
Dadi: Krishan: Pawan keh raha tha Ateendra ka elbow toota hai? (changing topic)
Krishan glares at his mother
His drink arrives with atleast half a dozen bowls of snacks
He disappears to wash up........
Returns..... "Shaadi Saket mein hogi?"
Pause?
The women dont know if he is genuine or being sarcy
Krishan: Ya bhaagkar karenge janab?
Mridula sucks her breath in.... "Krishan" she protests softly.
He grabs her hand........ and holds it.
Mridula: Krishan.... he must really like her...
Krishan: You THINK?
Now mad.....
Raghav looks at his Dad deeply but does not say a word............
Proved she had a better opinion of her son than his Dad
Krishan: SUSHIL ki beti? Usko is company mein 6 mahiney nahi hue............. He is already smug......... he is an ambitious man! But itna ambition?
Dadi is shocked "Did HE orchestrate it?
Krsihan shakes his head in despair " Kya maloom"
Mridula lets go of her husband's hand and walks up to her son pours him some tea......... and lays some snack for him
He eats quietly
Krishan: If I refuse?
Raghav is still unfazed......
Krishan: He should go live with her.... and get it out of his system...... like he always does (blunt)
Mridula is quite queasy at her son's s--- life being discussed so openly.
Dadi: She is a middle class girl....... how can you suggest that?
Krishan:EXACTLY my point............ she wont go live with him but will tie the knot?
Pause........
Krishan: We are Punjabis, they are Brahman.............. meat bhi nahi khaate Sushil ji
Dadi: Ladki ekdum sundar hai.........(pause) bilkul pari........ (sighs!)
Raghav looks at his Dadi and smiles his half smile
Dadi: Aankhen uski yahan se wahan tak (exaggerates)
Pause....
Mridula: Ma lekin bahut bolti hai (something in dissent for the sake of saying so :-P)
Dadi: Socho Krishan in dono bache kitne sundar honge (proud)
Krishan spits his snack out in shock..........
Krishan: Really?
Mridula prays for her husband to calm down.......
Krishan: Kya pata tab tak aapke laadle ka man badal jaaye.... aur bache tak baat pahunche na?
Mridula: Krishan... kyon aap aisi baat kar rahe hain
Krishan: Mridula, mujhe yeh association/partnering ya alliance jo bhi keh lo bilkul pasand nahi..... (firm) I am hoping he will get over in a week or 10 days
Mridula: Meri baat to....
He raises his hand... as if he is tired of arguing...... gets up to get a shower..........
Mridula stares at the heavy downpour outside as Dadaji stirs and wakes up.....
Dadi squeezes pota's hand..
His phone beeps, she asks "Miss me?"
He texts back " So much it aches!"

Part 75--Scoop of Life--"Mujhe Teen"

Part 75
March 4th 2011
3 PM ish
Kilokri Office of the NGO

Her Ma usually called her atleast twice during the day, instructing her to eat right and stay hydrated etc. But there were no calls today, instead Papa called..... more than once..........
She suspected she had some heart ailment.... it wouldnt stop banging against the chest walls........ like a squash ball........... slamming on occasions, especially when the phone rang or the text indicated "Raghav"
Poonam and Umesh jumped out of their skin when she said she was marrying Raghav "Tera ek aur grand plan hai kya?"
"Jeweler ke bete ko lekar Antwerp bhaagne ke plan se behtar hai kya?"
"Shaadi karke Ma ke ghar rahegi kya? Woh kya naam tha us movie ka Poonam? Saathiya?"
"Main chaloon mandir auto mein?" Poonam gushed
Radhika teetered from being very quiet to talking until her throat hurt........
Of her 100 "close" phrands".... as she would say.... not one knew thus far........, she planned to break it tonite at the Peg Leg Anne's Pub....
She was spending more time with Raghav... answering his texts, narrating the world problems, pollution and traffic in Malviya Nagar.............
Ritwik called asked her if she smoking weed these days.... she had laughed out loud and told him she wished she was.... "Rad, are you serious about this guy?"
"His name is Raghav" she declared proudly
"Lekin Rad SHAADI?" "I thought you were going to dedicate your life towards the cause of bringing clean water to UP villages?"
"Woh bhi.... lekin (checks herself bites her lower lip to arrest her wandering amorous thoughts)
"You should just have an affair" (sound brotherly advice!)
"Ma would kill me"
"Shaadi kya khushi se karwa rahin hai Ma?"
"Nahi.... she wont talk with me" (lump in her throat)
"Then give it up Rad!" (he pleads)
The thought of not being able to see the man ever again causes her physical pain.... his eyes, the soul patch all come into magnified focus.... the way he chuckled when she stopped her monolog to catch her breath......
"Hes amazing" (she gushed huskily)
"Did you do it?"(curious)
"Shut up"
"How do you know? He could be...." guffaws
"Lame...." she countered
"Nahi seriously Rad........ SHAADI? I mean...... aajakl KAUN shaadi karke.......... I mean........" shakes his head in Sydney
"Main aajkal ki naari nahi hoon"(cliche)
"Lekin Ma bata rahi thi ki woh bade baap ka bigda hua aulad hai" (cliche back..)
"he is Papa's BOSS Rad"
"Not HIM!" (defensive)
"What if you cant fit in... I am sure they eat out of gold plates and treat their help like shit" (challenge)
"I can return to Saket if I am unable to change all that" (sigh!)
"Rachu said he was polite and respectful" (olive branch)
"Sach mein? Thanks!" (pride)
"TUJHE nahi bola ITEM!" (mocks)
"Mujhe bola ya UNKO sab ek hi baat hai" she continues to gush....... tells Rit about CMU, about writing apps for iphones, about mountain biking about his Mom's love for cooking..................
"Are you planning to have kids?"
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew! I HATE kids!" "I want the guy.... me no want any kids!" resolute
********************
Golf Links
4 PM ish
Dadi sees her fave grandson enter........... she is reading a Newsweek........ Dadaji is snoring on the couch....... Mom's on her tablet reviewing her book
Mridula: Does it look like its going to rain?"
Raghav nods warmly, smiling............. he is wearing  tan trousers and a white crumpled shirt.... his sould patch is a tad bit longer.... his glasses have a silver frame today................
Mridula signals a help to bring something.... pats the seats by her just as Dadi does too
Points to Dadi's seat, and lets the septugenerian have her grandson
Dadi smiles at her fave DIL
Dadi: Its time for rain... its time to celebrate... ghar par shaadi hai bhai
Mridula's face takes on a quick worried look later she grins
Dadi: Raghav has made us so happy (Punjabi)
M: Ma.... (worried)
D: I will speak with Krishan..........
M: You know he doesnt want to talk..............
D: Time do beta
Raghav is texting................... Radhika?
D: Iske bache honge to sab bhool jaayega.....
M is joyous.......... "Raghav ke?" she is thrilled she has to hear it again
D: Aur nahi to kya?
M: How exciting Ma!
D: Mujhe to DO chahiye... aaj kal sab ek kar rahe hain (complains)
M is shocked but laughs
Raghav: Mujhe teen Dadi! (winks at his Dadi)

Scoop of Life Part 74-- Arya Samaj Mandir

March 4th 2011
Noonish
Kilokri--Clean Water Initiative

In a flight of fancy she had actually declared to her mother last nite, "Main aur Raghav shaadi ki soch rahe hain".
There had been something akin to an explosion in the house.......... no not any created by Sushil in protest, but by Sudha......... she had called Rachit over, dialled Ritwik's number conferenced him in....
Her Dad actually had smiled when he had heard the word "shaadi".
Raghav had chuckled under his breath, embracing her on the sidewalk last nite........ a quick one....
When he released her he held her hand.....
"There is an Arya Samaj Mandir in Lodi Colony, do you want to go there?" he grinned.
She looked at his face seriously.... "Tum mazaak kar rahe ho?"
His eyes were not smiling... but his face was........."Havent been married before" he had shrugged after that.....
"I cant go away with you!" she had responded annoyed........ squishing any/all thoughts of sexual escapades in Singapore.... he may have
"We dont have to go "away"! he had countered.....
Something about going all the way without tying the knot........... tied her stomach up in knots..........
She had gone to first base...... second........ and thats about it...........
She would feel guilty for days about any such encounters..........
"Middle class in mind" she would mock herself on such occasions.
"Tumhe dar nahi lagta" she had asked innocently?
"About going away or making love?" he had responded
She had giggled..... tongue tied........
"Tum aise keh rahe ho jaise tum dono kar chuke ho..... with ease" she argued accusingly
"Ofcourse!" he had admitted.....

Too preoccupied playing out a scene or her parents... she had actually ignored his admittance........ she was imagining the look on Ma's face.... Papa's silent approval..... the twinkle in his eyes.........
Ritwik razzing her about becoming a "Punjaban"
"Why did you have to be Papa's boss's son?" "Tum aiyvanyi koi regular dude nahi ho sakte the kya?"
That would have made you jump into bed with me?" he had asked.......
"Shaayad" she had chuckled
He had laughed out loud....... until now women would go to bed with him overjoyed that they had "nailed" "netted" a heir or tycoon in the making.......... Radhika was DIFFERENT
But then he had never dated any one middle class before.........
"Tum ne mera proposal reject nahi kiya, na hi accept kiya" she remembered stuff when she wated to!
His heart slammed against his chest.... unknowingly.......... color rushed to his face.......... he wondered how his family would react........... they knew he was reckless uncontrolled and wild.............. but never in THEIR wildest dreams they would have imagined him wanting to marry..........
His male cousins knew he was "active" since his teen years......... but this would stump them...........
His Dad would excommunicate him..... ban him from home.......... change passwords to his corner office.......... some how it all seemed quite comical and amusing to him........... he for a brief second worried how it would impact his Mom's book release.........

"I should just plan the wedding tumhare silence ko yes samajhkar, agar tum shaadi waale din Arya Samaj nahi aaye to I should just marry my ex number 2"
The Gujju jeweler?" he asked..... irritated for some reason about the whole idea
"No, the jeweler's son was Ex number 3 (showing the number with her fingers) Ex number 2 is an Engineer.... works for Ingersol Rand" she smiled knowingly...........
"I will then become Ex-4?"
"Pretty much!" she laughed....
He shook his head in disbelief........... NOBODY......... particularly NO female HE had ever known would joke about her own wedding like Radhika

Radhika was goofy and serious all at the same time...........
"We cant have THAT! (Have me become Ex number 4 that is...).... Arya Samaj Mandir it is then......" he said under his breath laughing as she jumped up and squealed  "YESSSSSSSSSS" like she had scored the highest in her CBSE 12th Boards............

Under a shady peepal tree.... alongside the main Jor Bagh road.........A proposal was made by a  hasty, careless middle class girl and accepted by a reckless wealthy rakish guy.
Only time will tell if this wedding will last or if there will be love...........