Sizing up
She did not tattle to her parents, Nupur spoke with Anu and told her that Inder should not be distracted.
Anu politely yet succinctly responded by saying “Naina is an adult I trust her to make her life choices or intimate partner choices”
Anu was not as modern as the sentence sounded
It crushed her to be saying that about Naina
But she had to have her daughter’s back
How could she not?
Nupur insisted “Well he cannot get married OR get serious about Naina or ANY girl” “He is building his business with his brother”
Anu politely told her “Even if she was serious about Inder I will not allow it so you have nothing to fear”
Nupur looked beaten for a second
“Naina wants to start a company, she is in between jobs right now I doubt she wants to marry a man who flies between SA and UK weekly”
“Well his Dad owns mines”
“Exactly Mrs Dhamija, that’s not a lifestyle she prefers so a long term relationship or even a short term relationship is highly unlikely”
“He wants to be successful in his business”
“She wants to gain a foothold in her industry as well so we both might be hugely overestimating our worry” Anu spoke calmly and squeezed Nupur’s hand
Nupur would have believed her and might have begun to seed a liking for Anu Mathur but she spotted Smrita at a distance with an outraged expression
Nupur nodded politely and did not say anything
“Aapko hamari betiyon se darne ki koi zaroorat nahi” Anu smiled
Nupur pointedly looked at Viveka and Raanav bent over Raanav’s phone
“I agree they got married, but I doubt Naina will”
“She hurt my son once that’s enough”
“that’s not how I heard, Nupurji, I heard he dumped her she certainly does not deserve to be treated that way by any man, especially one who is still trying to figure out what he wants to do with his own life!!!
Bua pulled on Anu’s hand and demanded her attention
Anu excused herself
She discussed it with Akash a few minutes later
“Yaar ghar bulakar aisi baat karna sahi nahi hai”
“Don’t worry for some reason Naina gets their goat”
“She is not even hanging with that boy yaar”
“Let it go Akash”
But he did not
He told Satyen it was impolite to imply Anu Mathur was attending the event to encourage her daughter to hook up with his nephew
Well, not so bluntly but he did express his disappointment
Satyen apologized and assured him he will never hear such a thing ever again
When Anu found out about Akash addressing the issue with Satyen she was horrified
“Abhi beti ki shaadi ko exactly ek mahina hua hai aur aapne aisi baat kar di”
“This is not about Viveka and that’s exactly why”
“What if they ARE seeing each other then what will you say?”
“Then your answer to Nupur is exactly what I will say” “Let her decide, we trust our kids Anu, yeh school nahi hai ki principal se shikayat aaye to hum immediately bachon par shaq karen”
“I doubt Mrs Dhamija is the principal” Anu sighed
“Ma can you pick me up at 7?” Diya begged
“KYON? Aaayi ho to RUK jao”
“I have to go finish a project at college, by Noon”
“Ask Veev Di she will drop you, mujhe kal Dadi ka eye appointment karwakar office jaana hai”
“Savi ko kar lene do yaar” Akash urged
“she has watched them so much the last few days Akash”
Viveka walked over to them with Raanav
“I hope the twins brought their clothes for the night and tomorrow” Anu mumbled
“They can wear mine, size up size down, I have them all” Viveka laughed
Raanav did not know any woman who talked about herself that way
“I know Naina laayi hai kapde” Anu recalled thoughtfully
“Can you be your sister’s chauffer?” Anu hollered smiling as the music picked up, Akash took a call plugging his free ear
“Where to?”
“Campus”
“Don’t worry, sure” Raanav smiled
“I might like you more than my kids soon”
“Not a bad thing at all” Raanav winked
“Reel him in Ma, let him float for now”
“What are you talking abt?” Raanav laughed
“Main bahut strict hoon” Anu grimaced
“Really?”
“Oh PLEEZ Ur drool cup is overflowing” Viveka punched him
“I am not joking Raanav Ive tried to hold them to very high standards” Anu was soulful
“That’s a great thing”
“I hope so” she smiled
Smrita texted her son at that exact moment
“Your MIL made MAMI CRY”