Malhotra weds Murthy Revisit to GolMal

Chapter 10 - "The way to elopement..."

Murthy House: Main gate: 11:30 am

Nyonika hesitantly presses the calling bell. A faint barking sound is heard from inside the house. Some minutes passed but nobody opens the door.

Nynika: (Mumbles in annoyance) "Sare bole hana?" (Are all of them deaf?)

She presses it again and this time a bit violently. The barking sound becomes louder. Nyonika crunches her nose. She is not scared of dogs but she doesn't like them either. Only then, the door gets open and an elderly lady aged around 60 comes outside.

Old Lady: (With curiosity) "Haudu, ninage yaru beku? I am sorry...I mean whom do you want?"

She checks out Nyonika from top to bottom. Nyonika is wearing a Patiala suit and it's not very difficult to guess her caste and province.

Nyonika: "Aaa...ummmm..Nandini Murthy. I want to meet her. I am Nyonika. Nyonika Malhotra."

Saying this Nyonika enters the house without waiting for an invitation from the lady. The lady crunches her brows as she is trying to match something with her notion. A chestnut colour dog comes out and starts sniffing Nyonika's salwar. She glares at it.

The Lady: (In confusion) "Nyonika..Malhotra..Ummm..is it you who called Rituja about Nandini's mobile? But she said you are her classmate. (She again scrutinises her from all the angles) But you are quite old. Do you fail every year?"

Her words ignite the fire in Nyonika's mind. Is this lady stupid?

Nyonika: (With flared nose) "Did you talk bullshit all the time with everyone? Who are you by the way? I will meet Nandini. When will she come back?"

Nyonika roams her inquisitive eyes all around in search of Nandini. The lady gapes in surprise. Did she just say that?

The Lady: (Angrily) "Yes, I do but only with people like you who don't know how to behave. I am Nandini's Amms..her grandmother and I know she doesn't know anyone like you. That means you lied Rituja that you are her classmate. Now, tell me who are you, or I will call the police."

That was enough for Nyonika. She adjusts her dupatta and jerks her leg to shoo away Ador who was nibbling on the hem of her Kamiz.

Nyonika: (Chides in annoyance) "Call the police? Ki iha mazaka hai?( Is it a joke?) Yes, I lied because I had to. Mere puta nu tere poti ne phasa lia hai. (My son has been trapped by your granddaughter) Quite obvious. Like grandmother like granddaughter. Chalaka lubari."(Cunning vixen)

Kishori doesn't understand most of her words but they are not so praising and sweet for her that she is sure about.

Kishori: (With equal exasperation) "Murkha mahile. (Fool woman) I didn't get a single word of yours. Say in English or Kannada. I don't know Hindi that much."

Though Nyonika doesn't know Kannada a bit the words Murkha mahile strike her common sense. Because in Hindi, Murkh and Mahila are very similar to those words and she knows the meaning of both of them. Her ears become hot and red.

Nyonika: (Yells) "Main murakha aurata ham? (I am a stupid woman?) You are stupid because this is not Hindi. It's Punjabi and I am a proud Punjabaan. Listen, your granddaughter has trapped my innocent son, Manik. But I will never let a Madrasi girl be my nu (Daughter-in-law)...I mean daughter-in-law. Never. You people are so narrow-minded, stubborn and proud of your culture."

Only then, Ador sounds in its affectionate tone. The reason gets revealed very soon. Nandini enters the living room and her eyes first fall on Nyonika and Kishori.