Part 97-- Inscrutable

Part 97

April 3^rd 2011

Golf links

Padmini:  Did your sister call Bhabhi?

Mrud: Actually she was supposed to take the 4 O clock flight, airport pahunchkar uska phone aaya.

Dadi is tucking the flower string around her jooda, Mridula had strung it for her, they had a expansive terrace with multiple jasmine vines all over….

Ruchira: Mom mera mauve purse kahan hai?

Mridula: Ek second hon!

Padmini: I think Anvita has an orange and mauge clutch you should carry hers

Ruchira makes a face waits for her Mom’s response

Padmini is a lil miffed but is careful not to show it…

Dadi: Ruchira not done, apologize to Chachi..

Ruchira: I had AL my stuff picked out already, Rohini took off for the spa, and so many things are missing.

Dadi: Yet another accusation

Mridula is trying to call the airline

Krishan and Pawan are deep in conversation, with some Babu dressed like a nouveau riche, in white trousers and white sandals

Raghav walks in casually

Padmini (in Punjabi) Lo jee dulha aa gaya

Dadi is all smiles

Mridula walks to him while holding the phone to her ear….

Krishan smiles a half smile

The Babu makes a loud obnoxious comment, some people, joke laugh, clap

Raghav rolls his eyes almost… but doesn’t say a word

He needs a shave, and a shower

Mridula: Yaad hai sagai hai?

Raghav: Yes Mom (obedient)

Mridula: Who log chal pade Saket se, they also have some pooja planned, wear something nice

Raghav: Hmmm

Krishan walks over “Did you win?”

Raghav nods casualy

Mridula looks at her husband… wonders what must go through his mind…

Ateendra and Anuttam are chatting with some Golf Link socialites

Raghav’s phone rings…

Raghav:Hey!

Mridula: Who is it?

Raghav: Its Radhika! (firm, but cool, shrugs)

Krishan looks impassive

Raghav: I am home now J

Listens…

Mridula is talking with an agent, Dadi sends something to drink

He grabs a glass and rubes his forehead with the frost………

Listening……….

Raghav: I won both games… groom’s luck I guess (grins)

She chatters

Raghav: No! (soft)

Raghav: Radhika…. Hang on…. Radhika…

Mridula watches him smile and wander…

Raghav: See you in 20?

He hangs up

Ruchira: Bhai, why are you not in your outfit?

Raghav messes her hair fondly…

Ruchira: BHAIIIII…

Dadi: Go get the shower…. I cant believe you are the only one dragging your feet…

Ateendra: Its not shaadi..

Dadi: Funny!

Dadi: Is haal mein who shaadi tak ready hoga

Raghav walks towards the stairs

Krishan: Hey hang on…

Raghav: Ya?

Tucks his hand into his pocket, surveys the room……….. sees many faces he knows, some he has “dated” casually……..

Krishan: DM ka phone aaya tumhare pas?

Raghav: At 11, yes…

Krishan: Who NGO ne stay lene ki baat ki, CM ka secretary aaj sham ko text karke dukhi kar diya..

Raghav is bored…

Krishan: Speak with the agent tomorrow, tum ghar raho to koi baat bhi karey tumse

Mridula: Tchh tchh, Krish… he needs to be ready

Krishan: Oh ! right! The wedding

Raghav looks at his Dad not angry not unnerved just plain indifferent, he understands his Dad subtle taunt… he knows his Dad doesn’t trust his motives

Pawan: Bhayya, shaayad who log Lodi Rd pahunch gaye, we should head out to the Club…

The crowd at home has started to thin, the Club is three blocks down, most have headed there.

Mridula thanks someone on the phone and hangs up

Raghav: So… can I get ready now?

Mridula: Ofcourse beta (amused)

Raghav smiles… walking up the stairs

Krishan: Ek to itna kam bolta hai, pata nahi kya chal raha hai iske dimaag mein

Mridula: Aap ki daughter in law is a freight train (happy)

Krishan Hope she doesn’t run us over (not amused)

Raghav retruns to find Ateendra and Dadi and Pawan Uncle

He is wearing a silk kurta in navy and offwhite churidar, and offwhite jootis his soul patch more pronounced after the shave, with different glasses, Dadi is arranging some arti……….he scans his phone for Radhika’s picture, she is bent over staring at some files at the East of Kailash records office……….

The evening they kissed first………..

His heart skips a beat, as he recalls the scent, the feel of her skin…

“Sshhhh!” he had said asking her to be quiet

“Why?” she had asked innocently

Just as he had captured her lips

Atee: Hey man! Ready?

Nods at the picture “Completely!” he said under his breath…