Next day she
woke up early morning, though he had communicated the news last night itself,
they both were tired to go out and do shopping. She got ready by 4:30 AM, then
did her daily pooja and was free by 5:30, she started deciding the menu for the
coming days and preparing list of items that will be needed, She went and
brought extra milk, It was around 6:00 Am when she heard a car drive outside,
she peeped out of the window, There were 4 standing outside, as she had guessed
they had arrived, she went running and woke him then came back running to
welcome them, she greeted everyone and took some of the luggage and guided them
in the house. Everyone looked very tired; she served them with water while he
came to greet them. He was still sleepy; when he saw them in front he was
bolted down and was shaken by the realization… Ohh my God he thought to himself…
they are already here, I will need to go and fetch extra milk while they get fresh…
as he was struggling to think what else… she came and handed him a piece of
paper and went in the kitchen, he followed her and whispered, I will get milk
by the time they get ready, she told him not to worry and she already has
brought it.
You just get
ready and get the things in the list, by the time you get ready and chat with
them it will be 8, I need the items by 9 ok?
Yes ok… so you have decided the menu..
yes!! She
said… their conversation was broken as
her MIL intruded in the kitchen. He left
signaling her he will get it on time.
Everyone got
busy, She prepared tea for all and served it with some biscuits.
After taking
the fist sip everyone was appreciating the tea, saying it was refreshing and
very good, tasty. She was happy to hear that, it boosted her confidence a bit
and helped to cope with the nervousness she was facing. Everyone asked her to
sit and chat with them, it was the first time after their marriage they were
visiting them so all wanted to know the new daughter in law… she talked
politely with everyone and answered all their questions, enquired about other
family members, trying hard to recollect details about everyone. After a while
she took all the cups and plates, she had to wash them herself, as she could
not keep them for the maid, she started cleaning them and mentally started
taking note of next task she had to do. Time was flying it was 8:30, she
prepared snacks and then was worried whether she will get the vegetables and
all in time, Just then he entered, he handed all the bags to her, while
everyone was upstairs getting ready, she started segregating all the
vegetables, he helped her arrange them in the freeze, while she started
preparing, He took the carrot and cucumber and started cutting the salad, she
stopped him, but he said, “you are doing your duty, let me do mine… ok… ” and
without waiting for her answer he started cutting the salad and vegetables, she
prepared the dough and let it settle, slowly everything was getting ready and
things were at right place. She was tensed; she hoped they will like food
cooked by her. She wanted to tell him to tell her how the food was. She thought
of telling it to him that while they had food, he should signal her if it was
good or bad, while she was about tell him this idea his cousin entered and
started teasing him for not letting his wife alone even in the kitchen and
forcefully dragged him out with himself. Disappointed he had to retreat from
kitchen, he was her moral support she was a bit nervous but she felt happy that
most of the things were done. Soon it was time for lunch.
Everyone
settled down at table, the men were supposed to have lunch first, so there he
was sitting with all elderly uncles, She kept staring at him to signal him, she
wanted to know how the food was from him, but he was so busy entertaining
others that he never bothered to look at her, once in a while when he looked it
was to tell her to serve curry or rice, she was still confused, no one said a
word about food, was it that bad, she thought to herself, she was worried now, tension
prevailing, she didn’t want to let him down. As they were about to finish and
leave the table, her Father-In-Law came to her and said, “Bahu, I ate 1 roti
extra today, I loved the food. If I stay with you here, soon I will put on
weight.” and he laughed, those words felt so soothing, she was now at peace, as
everyone settled down in the hall, she heard their conversation, they were
talking about the food, and everyone seemed to be happy. Just then stealing
everyone’s eyes he entered the kitchen just to tell her the food was wonderful,
he helped her clean the dinning for the ladies, she insisted him to leave that
job to her but he was not ready to listen to her, soon the table was set for
ladies, and now was the true test, you know how it is… one lady will never
praise the other and so she had already set her mind. She just hoped she
doesn’t get a bad comment. He waited there in the kitchen itself, when one of
his aunt commented, “You can go dear, she is there to take care of our needs…”,
he replied wittily to her comment, “She is there but I want to serve my aunt
you see, so I’m waiting here… ” and he grinned.
As expected
his nagging aunty started praising how her daughter in law prepare nice
delicious food, though no one paid heed, it was usual for all, they started and
at the first bite everyone started praising food for being very delicious and
they loved the food cooked by her. She felt relaxed. After everyone had their
lunch, all gathered in the hall and were watching TV. He was in their room
upstairs, he called her and as she came in he closed the door, she was taken
aback by his behavior, she went to open the door, he pulled her towards him by
her hand and made her sit in the chair, he went to the table and as he unveiled
the plate, she was surprised, “What is this? Who brought this here?”
He just
signaled her to keep mum and fed her, “I knew you will not have food.”
“But I’m not
hungry… ”
“Since
morning you are running behind everyone… and these kids… they say, Kids are God
sent, but these Kids… they are equal to devil… haven’t I seen how much you had
to take trouble to feed them.”
“… It’s all
right I’m seriously not hungry….”
“See, this
is not a matter of today, you need to have energy for a couple of days, I don’t
want to see you sick… so please don’t argue”
She ate a
little, but she was not feeling hungry, may be after seeing satisfied faces of
everyone after lunch her heart was content. Still for him, she ate.
Soon it was
snacks time, she felt as if for the whole day she was in kitchen, as the snacks
time was over it was time for dinner. Whole day she was in the kitchen. But she
never showed signs of tiredness on her face; she did everything happily for
them.
By the time
it was time to sleep she was completely exhausted. She went tired in her room,
he was reading a book, though it was late, they spent some time in chatting
about their first experience with guests!! She was very worn-out, after a while
her eyes started getting heavy and she closed them and listened to him, she
didn’t realize when she went to sleep, when he realized he was talking to
himself, he smiled at himself, placing the blanket properly, he kissed her eyes
and went to sleep.
Next day she
got up and followed the same routine she had done last day, today she was
relieved from the pooja job, her MIL did that for her, some of her In laws left
after lunch while others left after dinner, they were now left with her Mother
and Father In Law, who they supposed will be staying for a few more days.
After dinner
all four sat for a small chat with their cup of Ice-Creams, while they told her
about his childhood memories and his mischief’s’, she was stealing glances to
tease him and question him how naughty he was. Soon it was bed time; when
finally they got time to be together, she was getting away with her earring
when a devilish thought entered her mind…
…TBC…
