Tired & Tested
Subbu was startled enough not to say a word for the next few minutes... just feverishly scanning II's form
He didnt seem too perturbed at having to let her go on Amma's advice, but II felt a strange censuring gaze at her announcement of impending motherhood
"When are you due?" he asked "Uh... um... I mean, when will the big day be" he softened his demand, trying to compose his voice
"may" R&B and II both spoke spontaneously
Subbu exhaled uncomfortably again
He had everything he had denied II at one point, yet he stood there unwilling to comprehend such joys for someone he rejected, Pongal of 2014, II was dumped by him
Pongal of 2016 she was someone else's wife and a mother to his child?
"Congratulations" Subbu's Mom spoke to ease the tension, her voice was shrill and whiny.. raising above the Diwali devotees milling around them
Vetri's Dad waved sheepishly to II to step away from the store front
Vetri was stuck to her like glue, carrying the huge basked of rose garland II had touched and R&B had bought for Lord Kartikeya
"Thambi avanga ivlav per irukaanga eduthuttu povaanga, vaa pa inge" (hey young man they have a huge family they will carry their stuff, u come help me) Vetri's dad pleaded
"Appa, akka kooda mela saami varaikum poyitu varen pa" (let me go visit the shrine with my sister no?) Vetri begged
His Dad chuckled
II gently hugged the boy... and nodded
"Enna abhishegama?" Subbu was being his nosy self (oh! is it some special offering today?)
"No... just, umm.. I touched it and he bought it" II said sheepishly
Subu's Amma stared at the thick garland incredulously
"Innikki romba velai solirpaane?" (today everything must be expensive no?)
"what did u pay for it?" Subbu asked R&B
II walked towards Neeraja, and reached for the baby...
"I cant remember, she wanted other things" R&B held the huge garland very easily
Subbu's Mom asked II about her saree, Neeraja didnt talk much just smiled and nodded, she looked tired, the baby was whiny, though cute
Subbu's Dad spoke pleasantly with R&B
Subbu paid for whatever his family wanted accepted the lil cane tray with offerings
They went up the hill together
"Tell Amma I said congrats" Subbu's Mom spoke condescendingly
II nodded...
"two good news in one year?" Subbu's Mom sighed
II didnt respond
YOU GRUDGE MY PARENTS TWO GOOD NEWS IN A YEAR?
NIICE
THEYVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT IN THEIR LIFE
MOST RECENTLY WITH MY ALMOST ENGAGEMENT BEING CANCELLED
PLEASE THEM BE?
I AM BEGGING U
"Subbu is going to Japan next week" his mother declared
R&B asked him which city etc
"He travels a LOT.. he is in S&OP now," his mother said without knowing what it is
Sales & Operations Planning, basically a go between team of Sales & manufacturing folks that enable better demand management
"Are u still in the same job?" Subbu's mother asked him smugly
II nodded
"Enna tala deepavali amma aathleya?" (Did u spend ur first deepavali at D II) Neeraja asked
II nodded smiling...
"Lucky" Neeraja mumbled
Subbu's mom was heavy earth moving equipment, a dirt digger... living with her wudnt be easy
Subbu was precocious and all knowing and dismissive.. most importantly he did what his AMMA told him...
II looked at him from between her lashes
The chanting began, she quietly walked over to R&B's side... he had his hands folded wasnt praying much
The priest asked II and R&B for their birth star etc... and the 10s of others who waited for the same service
Subbu had to tap R&B a couple times to get his attention, after the service... the temple was so crowded that morning
The baby cried too much, II cudnt hold him after a point she returned her to Neeraja
"If u come home more he will play with u" she said confidently
WELL THATS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN
YOUR HUSBAND REMINDS ME OF THE SADDEST TIME OF MY LIFE
SO I AM SORRY
I CANT BE YOUR BEST FRIEND
I "THINK" I LOVED SUBBU
UMM.. I DONT THINK YOU LOVED HIM
HE WAS "RIGHT" FOR YOU
YOUVE BEEN WITH APPA TOO LONG
APPA HAS BEEN TELLING YOU WHOS "RIGHT" FOR YOU
HENCE...
UMM YAAA I GUESS
They went down and prayed at the smaller shrines and wandered out
She wanted to give Vetri something for Deepavali, so he could buy fire works
"Do u have change?" she asked
He fished his wallet out and produced a Rs.1000 bill and handed it to her
"Umm.. Vetri ku kudukanum" (I want to give Vetri) she looked at him again "Its a lot" she whispered nervously
She watched his jaw muscle clench as he patiently held it
He didnt wait for her to make her mind up he turned to the kid and handed it to the kid!!!!!!!!
"THANKS KAAA" the boy jumped up and down like a spring
"Mere dost ne timer waala liya hai main bhi wohi loonga" he explained to R&B
R&B nodded and smiled...
"U gave him too much" she accused
"U shud have brought ur purse then" he bit out bluntly
II was taken aback... she had no answer... "Umm" "Oh!!! ya... sorry" "Ya" she nodded, warm color flooding her face at the open rebuke
she turned pissed "I am sorry, I dont know whats wrong with you, are u TIRED? jet lagged? U didnt want to stay at D II? U dont care for the savage rituals? Dont care to wake up at 4 AM?... I DONT know... u are being a jerk, ... thanks for the money, I will return it first thing when we get home" she whispered in angst, Nivi kicked... like she was II's warning flag
R&B began to speak, but Subbu's family found them
II groaned...
Subbu's mother made a big deal of offering R&B and II her prashad and insisted II offer hers to them
II began to hesitate saying R&B didnt care to apply stuff on his forehead
"Teach him no? then only he will learn" Subbu's mother said patronizingly
YOU KNOW WHAT MAMI?
U SHUD TAKE HIM HOME AND TEACH HIM
HE HATES MY FAMILY
HE HATES DII
HE IS PISSED
HE IS HUNGRY
SO YEAH
TEACH HIM TO ACCEPT HIS "IYER CONNECTION"
II was frustrated...
"Subbu travels a lot... but they are here" Neeraja said
"How will she manage?" Subbu's mother cut in "a baby should be cared for and protected the first couple years, I dont approve of working then" she said dismissively
TOO BAD BECAUSE AMMA WORKS AND I DO TOO
NEITHER CAN STAY WITH THE BABY FOR TWO YEARS
THINK WHAT U WANT
Neeraja shifted the baby uncomfortably
I AM SORRY NEERAJA
MY GAIN WAS YOUR LOSS
U MARRIED A WEAK INSECURE MAN
II recalled how Subbu hurriedly dressed himself after the first botched "lovemaking" at his humid Vasant Kunj apartment,and quickly attempted to take her home to DII
She didnt know why that memory returned, but it did, II lowered her gaze.. apologetically
He was clumsy and rough, wanting to "be done", maybe because it was II's idea?
He didnt have the patience for it, he wanted her... oh ya... he did.. but didnt care to pleasure her
GREATT
U STAND HERE IN A TEMPLE AND THINK OF SEX
GENIUS!!!
SORRY!!!
Neeraja was changing the baby on the steps of the concert hall on the East, Subbu and and his Dad were talking "to" R&B, he was listeninga s usual
"Tappa nenachukaade, test ellam panniniya?" (Dont feel bad but did u get ur baby tested?) Subbu's Mom broke her trance
Edited by Nisha0604 - 8 years ago
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