Sweet 'n' Sour | ✔

fifteen

15. Big Boss (Family Version)

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"Tu uski behen se shaadi karna chahta tha na? (Didn't you want to marry her sister?)"

"Hain? Behen se? (What? With her sister?)"

"Wohi toh keh rahi hoon mein Mala, pata nahi kya jaadu kar diya mere bacche par saari baat hi palat gayi. (That's what I'm saying, Mala, don't know what magic she did but the whole thing just turned upside down.)" Bua number 1 said with a sigh.

"Yeh aaj kal ki ladkiyan, (the girls of this generation,)" Bua number 2 added in the same tone.

I looked at Dad, making it clear on my face that their topic of conversation was pissing me off.

"Mein bata rahi hoon na, Mala. Jab uske mama ne kaha na, ki pehle uski badi behen hamare Adi se milegi phir baat aage badhegi, mein tabhi samajh gayi thi kuch toh gadbad hai. (That's what I'm saying, Mala. When her uncle told me that she'll meet Adi first before making the decision, I had a hint that something's not right.)" She gesticulated dramatically with her hands. "And now see what happened!"

"Enough, Reshma. Priya is going to be our family now." Dad interrupted sternly.

"Yeah, you shut me up. Like always." Reshma Bua sat back with a huff. "Aur bhabhi aap, (and bhabhi you,)" Mom stiffened just as she leaned in to place the tea tray on the coffee table. I ducked my head down, rubbing my temples because this conversation was giving me a headache now. "Arey mein koi dushman hoon kya aapki? (Am I your enemy?)" Mom flustered at her blunt question.

"No. Wh-Why would you say that?"

"Then why did you ask Bhaiya to tell me off? Do you know how humiliating it was?" She complained. "Mein toh sabka bhala hi sochti hoon! Aur maine sawal WhatsApp group par hi toh pucha tha! Print karva ke billboard pe nahi lagwaya tha. (I always think about everyone's well-being. And I asked the question on WhatsApp, not posted it on the Billboard.)"

Mom sighed, apologising softly for no mistake of her, and offered the woman a cup of tea along with a plate of biscuits.

"Inhone kitna sunaya mujhe. Kaha apne kaam se kaam rakho. Apna ghar sambhalo. (My husband scolded me so much. Said I should mind my own business and look after my family.)" She went on like a bullet train. Does this woman ever shut up!? "I felt so bad. Maana mayka hai mera, but abhi bhi beti hoon iss ghar ki. Haq hai mera. Aur Adi ko maine hamesha se apna beta maana hai. Nahi adi? (While I know this is my maternal home, I'm still the daughter of this house. I've every right to speak on this matter. And I've always considered Adi as my own son. Didn't I, Adi?)" She looked at me expecting an answer. Can we please go back to Mussoorie? Why do good things always end so soon? I'm hating it here. "Did I ever treat you any different than Shlok?" She added, referring to her own son.

Yes, badi bua, you did. Remember the time when I came to your house for Diwali and you reprimanded me for touching Shlok's bike because it's expensive and I won't be able to handle it while your duffer son went and crashed it the next day!?

"No," I answered meekly.

"Suno! (Hear this!)" She looked pointedly at Dad. He sighed loudly. "Haan bhai, mein hi boori hoon. Ab se mein bolungi hi nahi. Mala, tu bhi kuch mat bol. (Right, I'm the bad guy. I've decided I'll never speak in these matters again. Mala, you don't intrude also.)" She crossed her arms and leaned back on the chair. "Pata chala bhabhi ko phir se bura laga aur unhone Bhaiya ko bol diya kuch anap shanap. (We don't want Bhabhi twisting the story while telling Bhaiya.)" She jabbed.

"Didi, I never-"

"Toh ab mein jhoot bol rahi hoon? (So I'm lying now?)" She shot back aggressively.

Mom breathed out tiredly before she got up and left the living room. I felt bad for her. Everyone here was tolerating this bullshit because of me.