Dec 22D
Saturday
2 PM ish
Niyojan Nagar
Khanak quietly washed the dishes, it was a wonderful meal…
the kitchen seemed tiny now… and cluttered, smelled of grease and spices… she
closed her eyes and inhaled, saving some of it for later… in the recess of her
mind…
The water trickle stopped… she walked over to the
bathroom, filled up he two “kitchen buckets” hauled it back to the aangan,
there was a a faucet and a sunken area there where Bai washed clothes before
Khanak bought her a washing machine… she hauled the dishes from the kitchen and
sat down on a low stool, the house was quiet, Smriti’s sons were watching a
cartoon show in Gujarati… Sonali had gone to the parlor… Bua, her cousin sister
in law and Smriti were asleep, Dadi was wandering around.. enquiring and prying…
just like she did…
Khanak was happy to see her up and walking… docs had
advised her 6 months of “no stress”… first it was the hip, then the bypass…
Khanak made a note to sit down and do finances when she
found a moment….
Aada and Fa had gone to the market to buy veggies for the
evening and to get Dadi’s medicines… Aada’s Deepavali bonus had bought a huge
Sintex tank on the roof… there was a possibility he might even be promoted in
May and become an exempt Accountant… with a high school degree… that was an
achievement in itself… for him…
Bai returned from the neighbor’s…. to find her daughter
crouched in the aangan… she was horrified, she argued with Dadi…as to how she
could allow her… Bai now had a maid that did chores for her twice a day… on
Khanak’s insistence… but Murphy’s Law ensured she was off today…
Bai started rinsing everything, bodily moving her…
K:Bai…. Tchhh
B:You should be taking rest…
K:Why? (baffled)
B: Because you must be tired…
K:Bai…
B murmured in a frustrated way… about her husband’s
family… the way they treated her, and how they treated her daughter…
BaiLout loud to to her MIL)
When Sonali returns, can you ask her to come to the kitchen?
Dadi: She just went…
Bai: WHY didn’t you go to the parlor? (accusing)
K:Bai, I do…wahan…
B:You should be like girls of today, worrying about make
up and fashion… worrying about boys…
K laughs… “OK” she says as she scrubs a wok…
Bai throws water on her… “Not boys, your var will not
like that advice”
K’s smile disappears… as a blush takes over
B: He wont let you do dishes
K: And why would I ask for his opinion (loud in Gujarati)
B:Shhhh! Smriti must be awake…
K rinses, and Bai takes on the scrubbing, they stack it
in a large steel basket….
Sparkling… dripping water droplets…
B: Khanak… will you have a baby soon?
Khanak drops a cup
it rolls and rotates and spins…
Bai: Bus… abhi Dadi ka puraan shuru (whispers and
giggles)
Dadi: Is that the one that belongs to me? (hollers)
Bai:See!
K laughs…
B: Every one asks me beta! (softly)
K: Kya?
B: If you are pregnant
K:Tell them I am not…
B: Tchhh
K:Bai…
B:Is everything OK… (hesitant)
K:Ummm… what?..
B:I am between you two…
K: Bai…
Bai had noticed Khanak eat sparingly and not sleep well
last nite… she appeared anxious… and restless……..
K tries to drag the huge basket to the kitchen… thinking
to herself… “when I was married to Sooraj and came home every other day and
stayed for weeks, Bai never asked me such Qs…. She just hoped I would be
pregnant eventually… just like any middle class married daughter…Sooraj never
came to get me… even if I returned early he would ask why I didn’t stay more…Bai
never worried then, about my “intimate” life….. maybe becoz in her mind it was
an “ideal match” Sooraj was the perfect var”?? and nothing could ever go wrong
with that picture? Weeks went by when Sooraj and her did not have s—. Bai would
rarely rush her home… rarely worry then… that newly weds should be together”
Bai: Is he keeping you “happy” (parents lingo for “are
you having enough s--)
K:Jee!
B: Koi baat to nahi?.... usko… matlab…(is there a
deficiency?)
K laughs out loud… but doesn’t respond…. “Right Bai… he doesn’t
let me get out of bed.. if I am home. That’s the problem” she thinks. “I see my
Punjabi var after a week I am sore for days Bai……he wakes me in the middle of the night......or before he heads to work...... I cant tell you all this… Ritu
knows” Khanak clenches her hands together as she swims in her thoughts…………..
all hot and bothered……….
K :… “Nahi Bai, u watch too many Gujarati serials”
Bai smirks “Even Hindi!” she admits
K stares at the water trail from the basket “He doesn’t want
any… he says” she admits softly
Bai is quite shocked…
Aada walks in… hands her 4 bags…
A:Why is Khanak doing housework?
K: Because Khanak knows HOW! (firm)
A: Didn’t you go to the neighbor’s to request their maid?
B:She left already…
A: Go rest…
K: What is wrong with you two?
A:You are married now
B (proudly) in a family where they don’t let you lift a
finger.
K:This is crazy…
Fa: Khanak can you make chai beta?
B:I will do the remaining dishes… you make chai for him
K starts stacking the dishes, cleaning the kitchen, and
making chai
Aada and Bai are whispering to each other…
Khanak knows Bai must be telling her about Shantanu’s
explicit dislike of having kids…
Khanak turns on the tiny radio on top of the spice shelf…
Gujarati FM plays… she tunes to Hindi… Salman Khan wooed Sonakshi with……“sach
sachi teri nazrein”.
Khanak looked for a strainer as she hummed softly….
This update should me tribute to all the mothers :D
ReplyDeleteVery warming!
I'm not married.. the time you spend before your marriage and after must be invaluable! I remember how my nani whenever she comes to visit is forever argumentative about my mother 'time nahi hai tere paas'! How much time you spend with your parents after marriage is always priceless...it's just not enough.
I guess my mom will find that out after my marriage :P lol!
People might kill me for this, I’m glad about the mention of Suraj. He was someone who will always be part of her whether no-one likes it or not. The memories of his will always be tribute...glad! As it will be unreasonable for her to totally disregard him...and what a vast distinction between this couple and the couple before...
Hahaha! You know the 'happy' question reminded me one of my rare moments few years back when I went back home for a vacation...My Bua kept on asking her daughter everyday 'tum khush ho'? At that time I was young...I was like 'khush hi hogi, she got married to billion bucks'! While ago realized the reference to the question :P
Okay...one question Aditee, does he not want kids AT ALL? Later stage maybe...
Aur where is the janab? I want to see his halat now...
AND Thank you so much...update jaldi jaldi :)
Loved your Analysis Sonam! :D
DeleteLol! You did? :P
When you're a kid, this is what happens..! You blurt out weird questions and answers, and in the room everyone's left embarrassed..except you! :P
Nahiii! Nahii! I didnt say it out loud...i was thinking...Like she's married someone successful and educated and why all does she keep on asking the 'happy' question! I was only 16 then :P
DeleteThen you were on safer zone! My mother tells me, she had to tape my mouth when out in the public, literally! :P :P
DeleteMain family mein kisi ko bhi nahi chodti thi! And now all of them pose back those questions and make me feel embarrassed! :P
^^Hahaha! I more like Khanak on the safe zone...very quiet and timid. It takes me time to open up with people and actually talk! But when I talk...I TALK non-stop! lol!
DeleteThen I can relate myself to Shaan! :P I'm pretty good at one liners! Tho beech beech mein apni opinions chodti hoon! :P
DeleteLovely update Aditee! :')
ReplyDeleteI love it, how you always describe the atmosphere at a middle class family! It always gives a warm, serene feeling! :')
Life was certainly much different with Sooraj, and thats something she've realized too..but He will always remain intact in her memories..! A good human being, who once made her feel special!
And I've got the same ques as Sonam..He want NO kids at all?? :O
^^I know and thats irking me! NO KIDS!
DeleteHe must be kidding! Lol!
I mean Khanak actually asked him that...I dont mean have children NOW but later atleast :) Khanak ke liyaaa :D
Haha! That's not happening Sonam!
DeleteI remember he once told, he doesn need any period! And He's sure god would gift a girl child for a jerk like him, and he'd have to guard her the rest of his life! :P Lol!
Madhavi is the one who pushed this 'NO KIDS' wala idea into his brain! -_-
Khanak better start threatening him! :P
OH YEAHHH!
ReplyDeleteI remember now...But phir bhi, I thought he would 'like' to at a later stage! Par this janab wants her to himself!
No comments on Mads...I don't like her period. She is too snobby for my like. lol!
I don't want Khanak to pressurize him because 'others' want her to be pregnant...but ask him again when the time is right :)
Haha! Thats true! Bande ka galti bhi nahi hain..she once told she needs a kid so she can abandon her husband! :P Lol!
DeleteKhanak would never pressurize him..but wont also stop accusing him! :P Lol! They're too adorable when they fight! CUTE fights! :P
Hahaha! Yeah woh sab theek hai! Even we are not in a hurry :P
DeleteBut I can see maybe this is one of the issue that will crop up at a later stage :)
Abhi...I just want her to be back on monday and her laying in their bed sleeping... him returning from work and doing the 'happy dance' like when she slept first time on the bed after marriage...that was such a poignant scene for me. Sighhhh!
Awiee..! I'm hiding under my blanket here at 2 in the mid-night giggling, reminiscing those days! *Sigh*
DeleteThis guy feels every emotion in a deeper level! How his heart races even at the mere thought of her! How He finds great happiness in those lil-lil things she shares with him! Simply adorable!
aww love the update!
ReplyDeleteKhanak's reply shuld've been the truth.. how her var troubles her.. Bai wuld've been red now.. lol..
ReplyDeletenow that the in-laws know abt his preference of kids, lets c if they talk to him..
woooow to lool to the comments above..
ReplyDeletep.s. babe I might not comment frequently cause u have soo mich work to do but if I have time I will defo come amd read.. sorryxxxxx
Wow!!! Loved it!!! Superb!!! Loved how Khanak is doing all the household work..In Mumbai no one allows her to do it though..:)
ReplyDeleteAwww!!! how subtly Bai asked Khanak abt her intimate life.. Khanak's reply on her bai watching Gujarati serials was so funny..LOL:D Liked Suraj reference too here..:) and her thoughts on him are right..Suraj was more than perfect!!! Idle SIL!!!totally opposite to Shaan..:) but Shaan too is idle SIL in his own unique way!!!
Used to wonder whether she thinks abt Suraj on his birthday/on their marriage anniversary/on the day when he passed!!! She must surely I think..if possible can you consider exploring on those front too..
Hmmm..so she said the truth abt Shaan's unwillingness to ve a kid..Bai must be really heartbroken..:( Khanak being her only child, she wants to see and hold her child..legitimate wish!!!
Naturally no parents allows their girls to do work when they come back to their home..:)
OMG!!! "Chori Chori" song!!! Such a memorable part in RBO ShaNak life..whenever I hear the songs in the system/television only ShaNak comes to my mind!!! How beautifully and aesthetically in a subtle romantic way they pictureized the song on them!!! Unforgettable!!!
Looking forward and thanks for writing an awesome update..:)
P.S : one doubt, why is Bua staying in Khanak's Aada's home??? Did they came to see Dadi??? they do ve their own house right?!!
awesome!!!
ReplyDeletehm hm i loved bai's questions and the khanak's thoughts to that questions was superb i loved it oh god it must be so embarrased na for a girl
khanak's hot and bothered thoughts were making me hot and bothered :P
omg when these two will be together again
Bai and Khanak conversation was very sweet and the best part of it was which Khanak did not say aloud!! loved the update, again very real, just the way it is in middle class families!! this time i don't have to wait for the next part, will be reading it just now!!
ReplyDelete