PART NINE
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"I loved Draupadi Swayamvar.Dont you want the same for our little Draupadi ?" Shinde's wife asked sweetly and Shinde looked at her with consternation.
Things were going great guns and arrows for Shinde after Draupadi Swayamvar. The episodes were appreciated. His family was upset earlier due to a dismal portrayal of Bheem but things were returning to normalcy.
His wife was already back to her taunting ways and daughter to her endless,annoying arguments and demands for extra pocket money. There were no longer veiled threats of meeting a lawyer or even worse, cooking eggplant curry for dinner. Shinde was happy.
Shinde thought of his daughter affectionately. Her incorrigible, belligerent attitude had made him realize hidden meaning of
Karmanye Vadhikaaraste and had turned him into a hardened Nishkam Karmayogi.
His little spiritual guru was still in her teens, too early for marriage. But the thought made his eyes moist nonetheless.
Shinde secretly hoped that in due time, his daughter will elope like Subhadra or Rukmini and get married in court and save him expense of traditional marriage.
"My daughter,little Draupadi? Her mother is certainly a spit-fire always burning with anger and always fired up for new sari sales. This does qualify my daughter as fire-born." Shinde fondly mused.
"Drupad is so damn lucky. He did not have to pay any dowry. His son-in-law, Arjun did not even accept chariot service." While StarBharat fans rejoiced in graphics and splendour of swayamvar, Shinde could recollect only pertinent, practical details.
"Are you sure, you want fish and bow contest for our daughter's marriage ?" Shinde queried incredulously.
He almost imagined the fish tied to a ceiling fan being hit using toy archery set and many Karnas being rejected downright by his fastidious wife.
"No contest.I was only thinking about the beautiful set and jewellery of Draupadi. Ofcourse, I dont want any." Shinde's wife stared pointedly at him and Shinde was too seasoned to miss the cue.
"No you must. Those ear-rings suit better on you than Pooja." Shinde patted himself for picking up the least expensive trinket.
"And how about necklace of intricate design? And that nose ring and arm bracelet ?" Shinde's heart was progressively pounding faster. He knew his wife will remember every promise and hound him at opportune time like Kaikeyi. There was no escaping.
Shinde thought of sensible Bheema's marriage with Hidimba. A simple, inexpensive marriage attended by non-dancers from mental asylum. His respect for Bheema redoubled.
"Bheema does not believe in spending too much money on marriage. He is a true hero of Mahabharat."
"I like simple marriage." Shinde dared to venture.
"Sure. I will closely watch remaining episodes and let you know if I like anything else as well." Shinde's wife assured.
" Draupadi yet has to marry 5 pandavas. Vrishali soon on cards and Arjun, a real casanova with countless marriages are bound to make me go bankrupt." Shinde already had a poorvabhaas of dwindling bank account. Outwardly, he only nodded his head meekly.
"Well. It is settled then. By the way..." Shinde's wife blushed and added.. "No need to sleep on sofa. You may come inside."
Edited by Cotswolds - 12 years ago
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