Chinmayee & Chinna Chinna Aasai
She told Amma Manya was back, Amma just grunted.
Manya was like a yo-yo she swung between India and wherever based on convenience
At times she even went off to live in R&B's Paris abode
II heard about her from Sam from time to time
She didnt spontaneously express a need to know about Manya, R&B sensed that didnt particularly share much
II told Amma about Shravu distancing himself from Nandu
She asked if Athim had something to do with that
Amma's lack of enthusiasm in denial indicated to II, that indeed Athim might have had something to do with it
It broke her heart into million pieces
"Dont speculate too much" Amma warned
"Thats what R&B says too" Ii said
"Ayyoyo, enna karyam panitte dee?" (what the hell did u do?) Amma panicked
II didnt realize what she had blurted out
"Umm Amma" she groaned
"Avan kitta poi, Athimber veshamam panninaar sonneya?" (it was Athim's mischief?)
"He is very unemotional and objective" II claimed
"Then what? Will he show his biases in front of you? U think R&B is so foolish?" Amma shouted
"Amma edo sonnen VIDEN please" (keh diya bas let it go!)
"Podi" Amma was distraught
"U are not worried that Athim thinks differently about my family? for u protecting the Iyer honor is more important?" II was hurt
"Ishita... u dont understand... they live in a joint family, there are many compulsions, sila vishayam apdiye vidanum" (u must let go)
"Paavam Nandu" II was tearful
"He is not misbehaving, dont exaggerate" Amma defended Sgravu
"U dont get it, or in ur love for Shravu u dont want to see it"
"U can think what u want... I dont want to talk any more, Moorthy Mama's wife wants u to sing at Janakpuri Sharada kovil" Amma changed the topic
"I AM 30 I dont want to sing, I am not Chinmayee" II sulked
"U CUD have been, inda pdivadam daan onna kedukarde" (ur stubbornness is ruining u") Amma scolded
"U dont get it ma" "I ve been singing for 10 years, nobody ever notices me, yet you wont let me quit" II wept
"Why are u crying, not every one can become world famous"
"Exactly!! That means I am no good" she said
"U are not... when Balaraman Mama said he knew someone at Harris Jayaraj's studio, nee pidivadama US la Georgia Tech apply pannine" (u didnt want to go to Chennai)
"They all claim to know the big shots, nobody does" "II was angst ridden
"If u wont persevere, and will be so dismissive then u shud just give up hope to sing for a movie" Amma said
"As if A R Rahman calls tomorrow like he will... u will agree" II smirked
"Appa doesnt like film songs these days, u can do cut an album with Tyagaraja kritis" Amma offered "When u used to sing chinna chinna aasai
Appa will say "nanna paadra po" Amma said with pride about how much
Mr Iyer gushed when a little 9 year old II sang the song without missing a beat or tune.
II secretly harbored a dream of singing for the movies then
"Nobody listens to them... I dont even sing unless I go to paattu mami's house" II said
"See!! Even more reason to continue learning"
"I married someone who doesnt ask me to sing, u said "Oh ur husband will not want u to stop singing Ishita" "Adellam verum kadai... u were BSing... first he doesnt care for Carnatic, second he is never in town"
Amma sighed sadly
"Seri vidu ma" II said
"U dont have half the problems Akka has" Amma was firm on her belief that II had gotten a better deal
"Thats your opinion Amma" she said somberly
Amma was living in denial if she didnt think of R&B's lack of interest in India, his past life, Ranjan's scandal and Manya's wavering
unsettled life, the Manila work fiasco for R&B, her own unsuccessful attempts to quit KMPG. Yes, there was money...but
"Come home tonight" Amma said softly
"No ma... Manya just returned in the morning" II explained
"Avalayum vara sollu" Amma said kindly
"Makarand irukkan"
Amma squirmed "Yes tell him also" she said exhaling
II texted R&B after the call
"Do u want to go to Rohini for dinner?" she asked
"Tonight?" he asked
YOU WISH IT WAS 50 YEARS FROM NOW
BUT YEAH
IT IS TONIGHT
"Hmm" she said
While he crafted a suitable way to say "I hate your Dad I cant imagine ruining my evening any other way except eat idlis at Rohini"
"Manya ko bhi keh dogey?" she asked
"U shud" he said
Her heart skipped a beat nervously.. as she searched for Manya in her Contact list
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
