Part -3
Damini joined her sisters and her mother-in-law in the kitchen where they were discussing the menu. Suman: Damini beta you should be resting. Why don't you sit down. Avni beta you have a baby – Khushi must tire you out. You must rest too. Roshni and me will manage. I can cook beta. I am used to cooking for these 3 boys – four more women will not make difference.
Avni and Damini look at each other – Suman was so kind and gentle – no wonder her sons turned out the way they did.
Avni: Maaji we will make lunch. You should rest.
Damini: Haan Maaji. After all it is tradition.
Suman: But beta it is a new kitchen for all of you. You don't know where things are kept.
Roshni brings a chair in the meantime and pushes Suman down into the chair gently.
Roshni: Right Maaji. So you are going to sit on this chair and tell us where things are (she giggles) while your daughters make lunch.
Suman: Touches Rosh's face gently. Thank you beta.
Suman then holds out her arms to Damini and Avni. The three sisters and Suman hug.
Suman: Main bhagwan ki shukra guzaar hoon ki unhon ne mujhe teen betiyan di hai – badi pyaari betiyaa. (I am grateful to god that he has given me three lovable daughters). Aise betiyan jo meri teen beton ko sahi raaste pe layeen (3 daughters who brought my son's loves back on the right track).
Damini: Bhagwan se hum sab ko bahut shukra guzaar hain – in khushiyon ke liye. (we are all grateful to god for this happiness)
Avni: Maaji we should all go to the temple and pray.
Suman: You are right – we will all go tomorrow. Aaj sham ko to sab aayenge meri betiyon se milne (this evening everyone is coming to meet my daughters).
Prithvi notices that the baby is getting fidgety and that Ila is tiring. He takes the baby from her and tries to calm it. Sameer notices this and checks the time. He realizes it is lunch time for the baby and moves towards the kitchen. Varun is already in the kitchen to see what is happening.
Varun: Bhaiyya I don't think they are planning on making lunch today. Hamein hi kuch karna padega (We will have to do something). Ye log toh yahan gale lag rahe hain (they are hugging each other here).
Sameer joins him and says "Haan in logon ko toh bahana chahiye gale milne ka. Avni toh mujhe bhi itna gale nahin lagathi hai jitna apni behnon ko aur maaon ko lagathi hai". (Yes these people just need an excuse to hug. Avni does not hug me a much as she hugs her sisters and mothers).
Avni starts blushing like crazy and hides her face in maaji's dupatta. Everyone else is laughing.
Prithvi too joins them holding the baby. He is laughing too.
Suman: Tu phir shuru ho gaya. Kitne baar kaha hai mere Avni ko tang mat kar. Maarongi (You have started again. How many times have I told you not to bother Avni. I will beat you)
Sameer (laughing and holding his ears): Sorry maa. Avni could you please give me the baby's bottle it is time for her lunch. She will start screaming any minute. I can see her fidgeting.
Avni: Oh I did not realize. Let me warm it.
Suman: I never thought Sameer would make such a good father. He was so irresponsible and carefree. He takes care of the baby so well.
Ila: He is an excellent father.
Sameer blushes on hearing Ila say this and looks at Avni who is smiling too. Prithvi smiles and exchanges looks with Damini. Varun and Roshni smile at each other too.
Avni: Here is the bottle.
Sameer: Thanks. He holds Avni's hand for a little while longer
Avni (whispering): Sameer, let go of my hand. Everyone is looking.
Sameer: Sorry.
Everyone has another good laugh at Sameer's antics.
Prithvi (holding up Khushi to look at her face): Darasal, Khushi beta, aapke papa bahut bade nautanki the, hain aur rahenge. Tum unki tarah mat banna. Tum bilkul apne ma pe jaana. (Your father is, was and will remain a big nautanki. Don't become like him. You should take after your mother).
Sameer: Bhaiyya, abhi se aap isko patti pada rahe hai. Laiiyee ise mujhe dijiye. Khana khane ka waqt ho gaya hai. Aaa jao Princess come to papa. (You have started giving her advice right now. Give her to me now. Time for food. Come on princess).
Sameer sits down and starts rocking the baby while she drinks her bottle. Everyone watches contentedly.
Prithvi to Ila: Mama why don't you go lie down. We will come get you when lunch is ready. This evening is also going to be stressful.
Ila: I am tired. I think I will do that.
Prithvi: Mama, please do not think you have to stay the whole time. If you are tired please leave and rest.
Ila: Thank you beta. Your mother told me the same thing. I will do just that. But I think I will be fine if I take a nap after lunch.
Prithvi: Ok mama. But please remember the doctor said no strain.
Sameer (still rocking the baby): Prithvi bhaiyya is right Mama. Please don't worry about anything else.
Varun: You should take care of yourself Mama. Your health is our first priority.
Ila (with tears in her eyes): Thank god everything is fine now. When I have 3 sons like you to take care of me, why should I be worried about anything? I am going to go lie down now.
Ila leaves to lie down after telling the girls and Suman and enquiring if they need anything. They assure her that they are fine and ask her to go lie down.
Prithvi and Varun come back to see if any help is needed. They are told to just sit at the table and keep them company.
Suman: Ilaji looks tired. We will make people leave early tonight and wrap it up fast. I do not want Ilaji to be up for too long.
Damini is mixing the atta for rotis and smiles at her mother-in-law's concern for her mother. These two were so alike in their concern for everyone's happiness. She looks at Prithvi and they know that they have the same thought. They are interrupted by Avni screaming
Avni: Rosh what are you doing – that is salt not sugar. You cannot put that in the halwa.
Rosh: No Di this is powdered sugar – it says to use that in the recipe Goldie gave me.
Varun: You are using a recipe Goldie gave you. He rolls his eyes.
Avni: Rosh – powdered sugar is not something people have lying around at home. You have to make it or buy it specially. This is salt – taste it if you do not believe me.
Rosh: OMG Di you are right. Thank you for saving me. Varun would never have let me live this down.
Avni: If you want to use powdered sugar – powder it in the mixer.
Varun: Thank you Avni bhabhi varna aaj dessert bahut interesting ban jaata.
Rosh: Dekho na jeej.
Prithvi: Varun. Don't tease her. She is trying to do something nice. Don't be childish.
Varun still continues laughing and Rosh is beginning to get mad.
Damini: Let me help you Rosh. She looks at Avni with a look that says "How can you trust her with the mixer". She then hands over the mixed atta to Avni.
Avni: Thanks Di. I will finish the dal in the meantime. Avni resumes chopping the vegetables.
Damini: I will clean the rice after this.
Suman: You should let me do that.
Damini, Avni and Roshni together: No. You should sit in the chair and supervise.
Suman: I am bored beta. I am used to working not sitting around.
Avni: Ok you can clean the rice then but only if you want to.
Suman: I absolutely want to.
Damini: After we are done with the mixer, I will get the salad ready.
Rosh: Di I want to help with the salad too.
Damini: Ok Rosh. Then we will make the dessert together and then the salad last. She exchanges a look with Avni that says "I am not letting Rosh anywhere near a knife or a stove unsupervised".
Damini and Rosh go to powder the sugar. Suman is cleaning the rice. Avni is chopping veggies. Sameer is rocking the baby to sleep. Varun and Prithvi are chatting at the dining table keeping the ladies company.
Coming up next Damini nicks her finger and Prithvi freaks out.
