NOVEL~*Hiding behind a Stranger*~Thread 14~CHAPTER 19 - Page 49

Originally posted by: karkuzhali

Inspired by the thread "Six women and a Man " by myviewprem in the Chandra Nandini Forum, my imagination ran riot..

Six women and a Man- An one act play.

The name itself is a giveaway of what awaits that one man 😆

(Set against the background of a middle class south Indian Brahmin household in the 4th century BC.)

Cast:

Chandran: 28 year old; the only earning member of the family.

Meena: Chandran's biological mother.

Nandini: Chandran's wife

Helen: Chandran's second wife

Durga: Chandran's third wife: Meena's pet

Vaishali: Chandran's sister

Chandran's foster mother

Chandran's foster father..

Tch... Tch! What's the foster father doing... other than him... the rest 😆😆😆

Act 1. Scene 1.

(A typical brahmin house in the village Agraharam.( meaning: The street where brahmins live) Meena, aged about 55 is doing pooja.)

Meena: (prays) Sarva mangala mangalye..Shive..sarvartha ...( aloud) Durga!.. Bring the naivedyam...

Durga:(loudly) Coming amma..

Nandini:(to Helen) Why is she always asking Durga to bring the naivedyam.. Can't we do it?

Helen: Don't you know, she is her pet daughter in law..

Nandini: But I belong to the royal family..

Vaishali: Nandini, your father was not from a royal household..

Durga: But Chandru aththaan ( meaning son of the aunt)married her out of compulsion by his teacher.

Nandini: (with tears in her eyes).. Don't talk anything bad about my father.. He was a noble soul.. very hard working.. he was a rich man and lived like a king...All these he achieved using his razor sharp brain..

🤣

Helen: In what way I am inferior to you all? I had my education in Greece.. I took tuition classes for Chandru when he was struggling with some subjects..

Vaishali: Nandini.. only because of your father, my brother and I were separated when we were young..

( Chandru's foster mother comes there)

FM: But I took care of Chandru from the day he was born, and he shows me more respect than she shows to his own mother..

Poor guy, how does he spend his days in this home 😆😆😆

Nandini: Yes.. I heard about that.. Chandru used to tell me.. But you didn't give him proper food.. He starved..He said that his father used to take all the money and would beat him. He showed me the lash marks on his back..

Helen: Did he show you? I thought he confided that only with me..

🤣

Vaishali: What are you talking about? It is all Greek and Latin to me..

Durga: Poor aththaan.. He had a terrible childhood.. He used to tell me before he married me..perhaps that was the reason why he ate lots and lots of food when he came to my house..

Meena: DURGA! Where are you? I am waiting for the naivedyam..

🤣

( Durga runs to the Pooja room with the naivedyam)

Vaishali: Be careful Durga.. you are now carrying Chandru's baby...

( Durga blushes)

( Chandran's foster father enters)

FF: Where is Chandru ?

FM: He got up early and left for the fields.. Today the labourers will come for harvesting..

FF: I asked him to buy me something.. hope he doesn't forget..

FM: What? have you started your old habit of drinking again?

FF: Shh, why are you shouting like this? I have asked him to buy betel leaves..

Old habits die hard... 😉

( Meena comes out from the pooja room and gives arti to her daughter-in-laws. Goes inside..Vaishali follows her)

Vaishali: Amma, Nandini and Helen were making complaints about you..

🤣

Meena: Vaishu, what is new in it? it is a daily affair..

Vaishali: Amma, you should control you daughters in law..

Meena: Leave it.. Everything will become fine after Durga's delivery..

Vaishali: How, amma? How?

Meena: Then they will have to take care of the baby all the time..They won't have time to fight..

🤣

( Chandru enters . Freshens up and comes and sits)

Helen: Chandru I want to tell you something..

Chandru: Look Helen, I am really very tired.. don't trouble me now..

( He sees Nandini crying) Hey Nandini ..What happened ? Why tears..?mmm?

( Nandini sobs more)

Durga: Aththaan, Vaishali Akka was teasing her appa.. That's why..

Helen: Chandru, it is time you take a decision..I cant live here with your folk..

Nandini: ( sobbing) Yes Chandru, both of us will find a place to go and live..

Durga: Aththan, the midwife said she will come here and check me..

Meena: Yes Chandru.. The baby is expected any time..

FF: Chandru..did you buy the betel leaves for me?

Chandru: Oh God! have mercy on me..

This is one of the craziest household ever!! 🤣

Meena: Don't worry my boy..everythng will be fine when your son s born..

Chandru: I am just waiting for that!

Amen!

But what if it's a girl??! 😉

Chandru.

Karkuzhali.