"Courageous" & "Warrior like"
II was summoned to the first floor room that Manya stayed in to help her wrap a saree around
II deftly wrapped it around her in minutes pinning folds and tucking ends
It was a gorgeous, one of a kind painted Ritu Beri type saree
Manya looked gorgeous
When II was lining up the front folds with a safety pin between her lips
R&B appeared with Nivi
Nivi had given the dude a curious look when she showed up downstairs in a brown/red kurta over silk chudidar
She refused to leave Ranjan's arms at first... then slowly warming up to her clean shaven neatly combed Daddee
II was kneeling bent over Manya's saree... she heard Nivi's chatter and turned
And saw the glorious sight of her Desi pati
The safety pin fell off her lips as she colored
"Need help?" he offered
"Neeya?" she asked between dry lips
"Boy! U cleaned up good" Manya said grudingly
Nivi patted his smooth cheeks to remind II that Dad looked great
II turned away, hiding her smile
"Arey sun... dont send the mamis upstairs yaar, be the guard" Manya chuckled
"Ennadi" II called out to her daughter
She spoke a longgg paragraph
"Podi" II shook her head
"Is Bala on his way?" he asked II
"Pata nahi... he doesnt get home until 8 plus Navaratri hai people are clogging roads like crazy, Ring road must be a parking lot" II sighed
"I am going to be up" he told her
"Did u even go down or not?" she demanded
"I did" he grinned
They ended up gazing at each other for a second or two
"Am I done?" Manya interrupted her
II nodded
"So? how do I look?" Manya asked
II searched for her phone
R&B pulled his out, II stepped out of the way, he clicked a few of his sister.
Amma Appa arrived at 9 ish
"The house looks extraordinary" Amma said nodding in approval
"Amma I did it all" Ii laughed
"Podi" Amma dismissed her
"You look very handsome, you should wear Indian clothes more" Amma smiled at R&B
"He never lives in india, avan kitta solli enna prayojanam" (what use is it to tell him?)
R&B bit down a smile enjoying Mr Iyer's knock
"Paar oraikarda paar avanukku sirikaran" (us par koi asar nahi) Appa said shaking his head
AYYO APPA
QUIT IT
"Iyer saab Finance Minister ke naye directive pe aapka kya khayaal hai?" Ranjan gently interrupted
"What can I say... the people in power" Appa began to explain how morally corrupt politcians were in the country
Amma and II proceeded towards the mandir
"Everything is very nice... where is Manya... kalayana ponnu" (bride) Amma asked
"I helped her with her saree?"
"Seri nee enna pannale sollu?" (what did you NOT do?" Amma teased
"Ammmaaa" II squealed in frustration
Nivi mimicked her unknowingly
As R&B and II followed them
The inside was noisy and raucous, the mamis ribbing II and then they all chanted
Manya appeared an hour later when Amma Appa were filling up their plates with dinner
Appa and Sitaraman were chatting animatedly
Appa paused to take in Manya's appearance
She was even wearing a bindi
"How are you?" Appa nodded
"gOOD uNCLE"
"Congratulations... where is the boy?" Appa asked in a traditional Iyer way
"Umm... Makarand is not here, may be he will come tomorrow" she smiled
"Very good very good" Appa smiled
"U must learn to make bisibele bath its very delicious" Appa declared
AYYYO APPA
SHE WILL PROBABLY EMPLOY TWO COOKS AND 4 HELPERS
"Is he taking leave from military or are u settling down at his base?" Appa enquired
II didnt even know the answer to that Q
Old people... nosy... and concerned
Nattu Mama and Mami arrived with a couple of Central Delhi elites
One of them being Ma's fave friend Mrs Singh
Mrs Singh complimented Mami's saree
"I dont know yet Uncle, woh sab nahi socha" Manya said sadly
"Dont worry, if the boy is god everything will be good"
R&B came to get II for something, Amma was now playing with Nivi
"Thanks for believing the boy is good" Manya used the word "boy" and smiled
"Yes yes... you have slected him means he must be good" Appa nodded gobbling a giant spoon of gajar halwa
"Yen ivlav sweet pottundel?" (how come u served yourself so much sweet?) Amma scolded
"what is this I say... she is getting married... good news no?" Appa loosened up and smiled
"Uncle there is my favorite also.. rasmalai" Manya pointed to a far container
"Yes yes.."
"He hasnt decided if he wants to quit the army yet" Manya said
"He will decide dont worry"
"Thanks" Manya smiled shyly
"U dont believe me? Believe him" Appa pointed to the sky... indicating God
"Sometimes I dont" Manya admitted nervously
"Why u shud worry? U are a fine girl... u have studied so much... so successful,
any boy will be happy to marry you" " U live in Australia away from your father mother... and studied"
"Courageous girl" "Your father was telling me how you were awake many nights for research all alone in the lab"Appa declared
Manya was speechless for once... overwhelmed with emotion.
She may never admit to II but she was beginning to like Mr Iyer
There was a rare forthrightness and truthfulness about him
He wasnt polite and diplomatic like his wife
AND...
He was praising her...
Sigh!!
"Looks like your Appa atleast likes one Bhalla" R&B muttered in II's ear
Lingering... smelling the scent of jasmine
"He loves TWO... the other Bhalla is me" II claimed not the one to be bogged down
He cracked up in her ear...
"What..No comments on my look?" he asked softly
"U missed a spot on ur left sideburn while shaving?" she responded
"U can get it tonight... if u like" he offered generously to be shaved by her
"Tch...but I dont do good with knives" she claimed huskily
"Trying hard to build that tough reputation II?" he asked softly
"I am a warrior already, remember?" she asked looking up into his eyes longingly
"I do" he nodded getting that message😳❤️
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
Anupamaa
CID
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
