Marriage... and Manya
"Its probably not Bala's doing. That was uncalled for" he said holding her in an embrace
She knew she was being unfair, but her suspicion wasnt misplaced either, Athim's deep rooted insecurities about Nandu's wealth was quite obvious off late
He may not have encouraged it explicitly but he sure was likely to approve of any friendship with Iyer boys
"Can u talk to him when he comes ove on Saturday?" she asked earnestly
"Ask him why he has Iyer friends now?" R&B asked puzzled
II stiffened
"U are getting it, but refuse to see it" he scolded
"Quit trying to manipulate his life" he said gently
"Wanting Nandu and him to remain best friends cant be that terrible" she muttered
"They are almost adults now, 4 years? 5 years from now they wont want anything to do with us"
"I am going to manage Nivi's friendships" II declared
He sighed and stared out athe night sky
"In a way its good I am only going to have one, I couldnt bear to have to go through so much pain any more times" she said
"U are self inflicting it" he said bluntly
"I am unable to be blunt and emotionless abt it" she said
"Its not the end of the world... they will find their niches" he coached
"Sam doesnt know, sam feels the same way like I do, if Shravu was a girl she wud have wanted Nandu to marry her" II said smugly
He threw his head back and laughed, shook his head, he gasped, amused
"U dont like the idea, I can tell... one Iyer is enough probably in your opinion" she said
He looked at her deeply making her squirm, and color slowly
He reached and felt her lower lip and opened his mouth on it, feeling the shape
"Ummm... ohhh" he groaned audibly "Lets go to bed" he ordered
"Can I go talk to the Doc abt tying my tubes?" she asked
"Later" he said
She hadnt actually told him, but she had been feeling "pangs" the last month or so
Cravings of wanting to hold a tiny creature again.
the soft tiny body, wrapped only in a diaper... head full of hair those tiny pink lips
She wondered what a BOY like him would look like
Quiet... thoughtful and content
"What are u afraid of?" he asked suddenly
"Umm.. nothing" she lied
I AM AFRIAD I WOULD WANT TO GET PREGNANT AGAIN
AND IF I DO
I WILL HAVE TO ACHE AND YEARN FOR YOU YET ANOTHER 9 MONTHS
NIVI HAS CREATED A SERIOUS URGE
I LOVE THIS MOMMY THING
"U hated being a Mom didnt u" he provoked her
Dragging her from the swing
"NO I DIDNT" she yelled
"Then u have nothing to fear" he said smugly
He helped her forget the inevitable that night kept her up trying to read to her after making love
They played with Nivi on the bed at 3 AM
build tall structures with giant legos
He ran battery operated trains on a circular track around her fat body, she looked round and round tryingt o catch it
Ultimately they al fell asleep on the bed, with the strewn toys
She texted Shravu first thing in the morning, a habitual nagger she was...
"Sorry Chithi, I am going to Prasad's house" he said
Before she could grieve too much Manya returned with Makarand after her Goa sojourn
Ranjan had began asking her if she was every going to marry again
ALL in front of Makarand
"Otherwise cant I come here any more?" she looked at II accusingly
II poured out chai for both and decided to get ready for work
Manya had come in for Nivi's first Bday and then took off to Goa
"Aapki bahu Iyer hai, MAIN nahi Dad" Manya said aloud
II froze
Ranjan looked confused
"Since when did things like marriage started to bother u?" she asked
"Gudiya ki kya galti?" Ranjan bristled
"Maybe her whole Iyer culture thing is rubbing off I thought... u know... only they dont believe in live in relationships etc" Manya said
R&B came down for a espresso refill
"Usko apne miya se ladne se fursat nahi... teri jimmewari kewen legi?" he mocked
II hid a smile at Ranjan sarcastic yet protective voice of support
"What did R&B do why are they fighting?" Manya asked
"just Stuff" R&B said not revealing too much
II went up quietly, smiling self deprecatingly
HERE IAM HOLDING ON TIGHTLY TO A ERODING FRIENDSHIP BECAUSE I WANT SHRAVU TO BE CLOSE TO NANDU
BUT MANYA THINKS I HATE PUNJABIS? AND WOULD FORCE MY IYER BELIEFS ON HER?
WHAT AN IRONY
OH MANYA!
IF ONLY YOU KNEW
She got ready for work and went down Manya sat in the swing playing with Nivi
"Cant u?" she asked
R&B wandered
"Kya?" said II
"I want to take her to Sydney, tum dono ek aur ki tayyari karo" she smiled hugging Nivi
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile
Tum Se Tum Tak
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Vasudha
