---
Babita's fame and popularity as the woman behind Patiala Babes was on a fierce rise. The word had spread like wildfire in a grassland of dry twigs and now even the most influential people in Patiala seemed fascinated by the simple and elegant homely food that Babita offered.
Maa ki rasoi, as it was publicly termed, not only looked into taste but also into health, like any mother would.
It wasn't long before that the Lodhis knocked Babita's door, to ask for her services in their son's wedding - rumored to be one of the biggest affairs that Patiala would ever see.
Over piping hot chai and delicious cutlets, the family sat discussing with Babita, Mini, Hanuman Singh and Naim Bi - the various cuisines and meal routines.
"Hum toh aapke fan hogaye Babitaji. Humein aapke saare ideas bohot acche lage. Hum aapko wedding catering ka contract toh de hi rahein hain, saathmein meri yeh iccha hai ki main Patiala Babes mein invest bhi karun," Mr Lodhi said.
Mini's eyes gleamed with happiness. Her mind started rolling into the contract intricacies and how she'd be handling this potential investor.
"Par..." he said.
"Ji ke problem hai?" Hanuman Singh asked inquisitively.
"Babitaji ke baad yeh service kaun sambhalne waala hai?"
"Ji aap bhi kaisi baatein kar rahe ho. Babitaji ki beti hai naa Mini. Ab maa ki dharohar toh beti hi sambhalegi, kyun?" Mrs. Lodhi interjected.
"What? Main?" Mini blurted out, shocked.
"Ji aisa hai ke bacche apne Maa baap ki legacy jo hai, woh toh aage badhaate hi hain, par Mini ko cooking mein koi interest naa hai" Hanuman Singh said, as a matter of fact.
"Kya? Interest nahi hai matlab? Arey ladki hai, khaaana nahi pakayegi toh apna ghar kaise sambhalegi?"
"Hum aisa nahi maante. Bura mat manana but agar chori ko cooking ka shauk naa hai toh koi zabardasti naa hai use khaana banane ki, mhaare Haveli mein yo sab na chalta." Hanuman Singh said, putting his point firmly.
Mini smiled lovingly at her Hanuman uncle. She couldn't be any prouder.
"Lo karlo baat! Ab auraton ko khana banane nahi aayega toh kisiki gharihasti kaise chalegi? Meri baat maaniye, Mini ko jald se jald khaana banana sikhayiye. Arey jiski Babita jaisi Maa ho, use kaise nahi aayegi cooking?"
Hanuman opened his mouth to counter attack but he was cut off by Babita.
"Bilkul sahi kaha aapne, Mini ko khaana banana toh aana hi chahiye." She said, shocking both Hanuman and Mini.
Their eyes widened in disbelief while Mrs. Lodhi smiled rather slyly, having proved her point.
"Par isiliye nahi kyunki use Patiala Babes catering ko aage le jaana hai yaa apna ghar sambhalna hai. Par isiliye kyunki sabko khaana banana aana chahiye. Main nahi chahti ki meri beti kisi par bhi kisi cheez ke liye dependent ho," she said, smiling at Mini.
"Jaisa bhi khaana banayegi, par independent hogi." She said, proudly. She looked at Hanuman for his approval and as he nodded, Babita's soft smile turned brighter.
Mr. Lodhi looked pleased at her words, while it seemed that he mentally disagreed with his wife.
Mrs. Lodhi wanted to protest yet but Babita wasn't done.
"Ab aap Hanuman Singh ji ko hi dekh lijiye. Mere iss Haveli mein aane ke pehle yeh khud khaana banate the, bhale kitna hi jala hua. Kisise madat nahi maangi. Main chahti hoon ki meri beti bhi bilkul apne pita jaisi ho."
"Aur rahi baat meri legacy ki toh zaroori nahi hai ki meri beti hi ise aage le jaaye. Mujhe bharosa hai ki mere retirement se pehle mein ek aur Babita toh dhoondh hi loongi."
She concluded, not wanting to say anymore. Mini just looked on with teary eyes, a wide smile adorning her face. Hanuman beamed with love and admiration for this lady who he could very happily call, his wife. His strength and his inspiration - Babita Hanuman Singh.
---
Very cliched but extremely relevant.
Hope it's not too disappointing!
Very well written!
I could really imagine HS saying
mhaare Haveli mein yo sab na chalta
Thank you Jean!🤗
Hahaha yeah, Haveli mein sirf Imarti ka hukum hai, yo baat final hai😎
What a verbal slap in the face of social conditioning on the basis of gender! I hate it even more that oftentimes women themselves further these ideologies.
Cliché for a reason, my friend. Still a long way to go before these things are completely eradicated.
Loved how wonderfully HB became a team to defend their daughter and not let anyone clip her wings of empowerment.
