Guru Sishya
Akka was unreachable all morning, Amma made idlis for her narrated about Athai's doc appointment etc
II ate with Periappa
II asked if Amma could have Selvi help her by being at D II all day for a week when Athai recovers from surgery
Amma explained Athai's husband wouldnt want be at D II any way since Appa and him didnt get along,
so after surgery she will just go to her daughter's house in Janakpuri
"Come stay with us no?" Amma begged
II nodded reluctantly "Seri" she said without protesting
"He can come too" Amma winked and nudged
II was unmoved
Kalyani and her mother came at 1 ish,
Since II refused to take money, II did the basics for an hour, the girl was truly gifted, she sang two Hindi film songs without missing a beat
"Amma says I shud not sing film songs" Kalyani whispered
"I know... Ammas dont know anything, u keep singing" II hugged her
"ISHITA" Mrs Iyer scolded her
they gave her guru dakshina and all, a silver bowl for II's baby
Before their arrival...
Amma said "talent shouldnt be handed out for free"
"Amma I am not even that talented" II claimed
"Talent illama daan ivlav per onna book panrala?"(Without talent so many are lining up to book ur concerts?")
"Amma thats because u go after organizers like a fiend, and get me jobs" II chuckled
"There are three weekend concerts, Karnataka Sangha, Tamil Sangam, and at the new
Ganesh Temple in Rohini, M Chidambaram is coming to that one" Amma said with pride
"So what?" II asked
"After u sing at the temple for Pongal why cant u sing at those concerts?"
"Ammmaaa" II whined
"I am going to sign u up" she said smugly
"Edo pannu" (Do what u want)"If I sing awfully avaale koopda maata next time" (They wont invite me)
Amma smacked her soundly
"Its God's gift" "Who in Appa's family or my family sings like you kanna?" Amma asked in awe
"Thats because they all dont have YOU for a Amma" II burst out laughing "Enna constantly paadu paadu nu verupethrey" (U irritate me asking me to sing)
"U know those Vijay TV Super Singer kids? what their mothers make them do?"
"Vendaam... dont tell me, cruel and unusual torture I dont approve of" II said haughtily
"Podi" Amma dismissed her
"Appa and I are very foolish, we were so caught up in raising u we could not focus like those parents" Amma was tearful
"We never pampered u girls" "Always discipline" Amma cursed herself "Akka wanted to get a hair cut in college, Appa and I scolded her so much"
"ayyo ma... I LOVE my job... I LOVE LOVE LOVE MY LIFE" II hugged her
"Inga paar, tullraa" (She how she is dancing) II placed Amma's hand on her belly and laughed "Idu sema vaala irukka poradu" (HE is going to be very naughty)
"Ur FIL says ur husband was very naughty, his pranks drove them crazy" Amma said casually "His son will be his sishya only no?" Amma said with pride
II's face fell, shishyas didnt need to learn "all" things her broken heart cried
"Why is Kalyani still not here?" II changed the topic tactfully
Texted Akka, no response...
"What is wrong with Akka?" she said aloud and saw Amma's face cringe
"What happened ma" II asked
"Ennadi venum?" Akka asked, texting her at the same time
II CALLED
"Where are u? Making baby number three?" II walked to her balcony pod swing
Amma narrated all of yesterday's happenings and Janaki Athai's update to Selvi
Appa brought a plumber to repair a bath faucet... it wasa perfect D II Sunday
"Sure number three will be loved so much" Akka cackled cynically
"What happened"
"Sometimes I think I shud have been more independent like you" Akka said sadly
"What happened ka?"
"Vidu di, quit texting me every five seconds" Akka was irritated
"Turn off ur phone then u cant hear me" II was sad
"What happened ka" II begged
"I asked Appa to go bring Shravu from Shanti Niketan, thats one
Two, instead of bringing him here he took him to D II
Amma was upset Tan had brought a HUGE toy for him, three
"So?" II was reeling
"Shravu broke the third PC monitor the old DEC one" Akka began to cry
"WHO even uses it?" II asked
"TELL THAT TO AMMA" Akka shrieked "Appa's first computer she became all senti and shouted at that child,
ellam oru pechuku daan di, peran pethi konjardu ellam, oru mannum ille" (They dont truly love their grand kids, they say they do)
II squirmed
"I am saddled with in laws" Akka whispered
"And TOO dependent on my parents... and my parents cant stand my kid" Akka finished off
"Amma is a teacher no she will be strict only" II defended Amma
"Tomorrow when she yells at urs tell that to urself" Akka slammed her
"Ka" II pleaded
"YOu have a choice, ur kid will not enter D II, he will be so pampered" Akka sighed
"Akka" II interrupted
"I dont send him much anyway..."Akka ranted
"akka u know how much she scolded us?" "In fact I was just arguing with her about not singing" II explained
"Not sure how Appa lives with her, she is a military general" Akka ranted
"Was Shravu crying?" II asked softly
"Pinne?" Akka shrieked, sniffling (then what?)
"Akka its not like Amma doesnt love him" II explained
"Podi" Akka dismissed her "Believe what you want to"
Amma came to the balcony, curious about her daughter's phone call with her sis
"enna solra? Bala is right nobody shud say anything abt her kids. Innikki tan manusha kandichu solluva, nalaikki oor sirikum" (Today the family will scold sternly,
if he doesnt listen to them and correct his behavior tomorrow the world will laugh and ridicule Shravu) Amma said matter of factly
"amma please" II begged
Amma hung a damp towel and went inside
They ate at 2 ish, Amma made yogurt sambar and beans curry, II was sleepy...
The appointment was moved to 4 PM
It was 3:11
she yawned
"I can take her or you do, she shudnt drive, she is sleepy" Appa ordered
Amma nodded
The front door bell rang..
Appa's arch enemy stood there in coffee cords and a watered down orange cotton shirt with leaf motifs on it
"Mr Iyer" he greeted
"Her mother is taking her" Appa almost wudnt let him enter, Amma was changing out of her ghar ki saree she wasnt in the living room
Periappa was taking his afternoon nap
"I can" R&B said walking inside and scanning the empty living room
"Her mother asked her to stay here for a week, and she said yes" Appa said gleefully
"did she?" muttered R&B unemotionally
II was dozing on her bed, curled up like a kitten
Wearing a lovely pearl colored outfit with purple chudidar, the bulge visible, her dupatta was wrapped out one of the four posts, in a fluffly concoction
He walked in opening the half door
And walked over to the bed... she opened her eyes startled, her pearl jhumkas and pearl nose ring delectable to him
And they stared quietly, he bend down, she turned red...
and moved to her side quickly so he wont touch her, he sat down by her leaning on the headboard
Nivi rolled.. like she was saying "Hes here isnt he?"
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