Part 87--Mothers

Part 87
Scoop of Life

March 19th 2011
Saturday
Saket
The house was unusually quiet, Sudha had made two trips to college already prepping for exams
Sushil worked in the small nook in the living room, Gopi flitted in and out enjoying the balcony sunshine
Radhika was in her room

An explosion or an implosion had occured last nite, when Mridula Kapoor had called, she had spoken with Sudha at length. It began as a warm friendly phone call, and ended the same as well, but she approached the topic of the duo's wedding
Sudha was stunned, she wasnt prepared to adress anything like that two weeks before her college finals.

Mridula mentioned Radhika's birthday and how it would be a good idea to have the wedding on that day.
Sudha could feel an artery explode in fear anger and confusion.

"Hamari baat to yahi hui na, ki is baat ko dosti rehne denge?"
"Raghav talked to us last nite and expressed his desire again, agar dono ne tay kar liya hai to hum....." Mridula paused, painfully
"Par shaadi hai, koi mazaak nahi, she is not even 25 yet, hamey koi jaldi nahi hai, hamare rishtedaar Punjabi alliance ko......."Sudha's turn to pause
"They both seem to like each other a lot Mrs Tripathi"
Sudha did not have any defense for that.
"Mujhe Radhu se baat karni padegi"
"Aap karen baat, lekin Sushilji ko poochkar batayen ki hum kab aaye aapke ghar"
"Abhi to nahi" Sudha blurted....... composing herself quickly she had said "You are always welcome Mrs Kapoor, but this is a big news. I am not ready for it, neither is Sushil. Radhu hasnt uttered a word"
"Girls are typically shy" Mridula smiled
"Not MINE!" responded Sudha, exasperated....... "She jumps in and speaks when she is not supposed to, talks until we tape her mouth, yeh baat kyon nahi boli?" accusing
"Mr Tripathi aa chuke hain, may I speak with him?" Mridula sounded cool and confident, stumping Sudha
She wondered how it could be.......
"Nahi abhi nahi, unki Akola waalon se meeting hai suna" Sudha muttered worried
"Mrs Tripathi, please approach this calmly, this is not bad news" Mridula persuaded
"Its close Mrs Kapoor, I did not raise my daughter to be reckless, confident, articulate, outspoken, fight for the underdogs, YES, but NOT reckless and negligent when it comes to her own life" Sudha's voice mirrored her deep disappointment.
"They look great together, Dadi thinks they must be in love" Mridula offered an olive branch
"Aap logon ko is baat mein koi craziness nazar nahi aa rahi?" Sudha declared her utter shock.
There was a pause!
"I guess you are used to Raghav's errant ways, Mr Kapoor did share how.... how many...." Sudha countered..........
Mridula was quiet
"Iam sorry Mrs Kapoor that was uncalled for" Sudha quickly apoligized........... "It worries me immensely to  think of my daughter's marriage to a boy who does not have a serious mission or career in his life, we cannot all rest on the laurels of our parents..... he is so well educated, does he have plans to join the business?"
"He does go in to work......... occasionally" Mridula offered
"She works against large arrogant corporations, she works for common good, its all against her principles" Sudha ranted
"I understand..... they must find something in each other that is so tempting.... they can look and think beyond their jobs Mrs Tripathi"
"Radhu's job is her life, Mrs Kapoor"
Another pregnant pause.................
"She will have to be a different person when she returns from work, not to mention not be blown away by the affluence and splendor of your lifestyle Mrs Kapoor" Sudha presented her last argument........
"They" will be fine" Mridula was firm........
"I pray "she" will be" Sudha referred to the one SHE cared about