Prescriptions...
Sam stayed up almost half the night chatting about II's work, telling Tan's cousin's wife
all her accomplishments at work and her ambitions
R&B didnt come asking for the baby, neither did Ranjan, she didnt notice that actually
She held Nivi as she slept in her arms
"We are so so so lucky we have u as family and now you gave us this lil shiny gem" Sam whispered, kissing Nivi's forehead.
Makarand and Manya went home to Malcha Marg, despite Sam's invitation to stay the night
Her in laws were coming the following weekend, she wanted to make the most of her Bhalla interaction
The cousin asked Sam if "Manya was serious"
Sam refused to say anything... choosing to squirm instead
Rich or poor... it didnt matter... familes were gossipy
Tan Ranjan, the cousin and R&B hung out in the patio, when it got too muggy they went in
Talked about work, the stock market, the prospects for the Indian economy etc
Ranjan was quite akward when Makarand proceeded to head to MM with Manya
R&B didnt bat an eyelid
Tan sent him off cheerfully
Ranjan worried what Tan's cousin was thinking, he belonged to the 1950s such things bothered him a lot, but Manya didnt care for anything anymore
He wasnt even sure if Makarand was 'the one"
He hoped he was, she was being deliberately dense asnwering Qs about the guy
Ranjan liked Makarand, simple, down to earth and middle class
He didnt wonder like Manya did about II's motives "Is he putting on an act to impress Manya?"
He would be a welcome addition to the family, it would be the fertilizer Manya needed in order to plant roots and grow
But who would tell her?
Ranjan had tried to approach the topic in the kitchen earlier today with Sam
"Aap kahiye Dad, MAIN nahi kahoongi..." Sam had shot him down
"Teri MIL aa rahi hain agle hafte, kya sochengi?"
"Agar main MIL ki har baat ko apne sar par le loon to mujhe" Sam went quiet
Her MIL believed Ranjan was a slimeball, the things she said about Ranjan believing Sam wasnt
within ear shot werent too complimentary, Manya was most likely receving a more tame report card from her MIL
"Woh har baat par Sanjeev ki yaad dilaati hai mujhe, ham sabko R&B ki tarah ho jaana chahiye" Sam said cynically
"Kyon?" Ranjan asked frustrated
"Woh kuch poochhta nahi, Manny ko kuch nahi kehta"
"Woh kya kahega... aadha angrej banke baitha hai... poochhe woh jo... (pausing) apne se 5 saal badi ladki ke saath 5 saal raha...
agar Ishita na mili hoti yoon hi bhatak raha hota" Ranjan reminded choking up
"HUMNE force kiya Manny ko Sanjeev se shaadi karo... Sanjeev achha hai..." Sam was disgusted
"MA ne force kiya" Ranjan reminded
Sam was startled "JO BHI Dad... lekin hua kya?"
"Ma na guzri hoti, inne galt kaam nahi kardi Manya" Ranjan accused
"Ma na guzri hoti to" Sam paused
they both went quiet
"Ph D ho chuka ab... bas jee bas... laut aaye" Ranjan mumbled... clearing his throat
Sam grunted... the truth was, she was troubled too... but kept quiet mostly
She was walking on R&B's footsteps, Vik, Makarand.. who knows in 6 months it could be someone else
"Chache ne poochyea see, Meerut kede waaste gaye ne" (why did they go)
"Unki bahu jahan jaati hai shooting ke liye hum poochhte hain kya?" Sam was hurt, insulted and tearful
"WOH SHAADI SHUDA HAI" Sam hissed
"Kis kis naal ladega mainnu das" Ranjan whispered
"I dont even care for them... ladna to door ki baat hai" Sam cursed
"Maine kaha hai Harish nu, aayengi Chachi" Ranjan was JUST UNWILLING to give up on his bro's family
Sam looked at the man... "WHAT was it that caused parents to be so forgiving and compassionate, what was it that made them so conciliatory
She imagined herself at 65, Lasya brainwashing her against R&B or against Manya... she cringed at the thought
Bent her head ashamed...
The hurt and humilation she felt at Chachi's words hurt too
But realization that she was the instigator in separating Ranjan from his only sibling was no matter of pride.
"Baat kar beta... jara... khabar le , mainnu das kee kaindi hai... ladka South indian hai... mainnu changa lageya" Ranjan praised Makarand
sam nodded reluctantly
"Bas ek uski aulad dekh loon tey wahe guru di jo marji" Ranjan was barely able to speak now
Sam cried too imagining a day when they would be left with no parents
She concluded she will for once listen to Ranjan on Manya's situation
Ranjan yawned
"Dad stay the night here" Tan ordered
He shook his head
Tan called the help anda sked Ranjan to be escorted to the ground floor guest bedroom
The cousin had a question about Sales Tax on automobiles, he stopped him for a second
"Doc ne kya kaha hai?" Tan asked R&B
"On what?" R&B asked
Tan winked
"6 weeks" R&B half smiled
"U can make out right?" Tan reminded
R&B cackled at the sex advice
"Dekh boss... I get busy starting the 4th week so by 6, she is so worn out fighting she gives in" Tan laughed out loud
"TMI" R&B muttered
"U know u are wiser" Tan nodded smugly
"Its a good idea either way" Tan was somber
"Umm" R&B nodded
"she probably thinks u are disgusted by her" Tan said softly
R&B cackled again to deny that statement, but he got the drift...
"Lasya waise soney nahi deti, beta aaj main teri angel ko sambhalta hoon, get started dude" Tan coaxed
"Really?" R&B muttered
"I have a call at 4 AM, we are doing a India startup Summit later in May" he explained
"Abhi 4 bajne mein bahut time hai boss" Tan winked
Debate Mansion
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Book Talk
