The Ideal NRI Couple mistake

10. Ishani

I saw how loving Neil kept that cup and went back outside to entertain maa. I was scared to face her. She knew my lies, she could sense I did not cook that meal. And I was scared she will sooner or later tell Neil. I went to the balcony after a quick shower to smoke before Neil came back with maa. I knew the scene he would create. Here's the other secret I was hiding, I was taking pills to make sure I did not end up conceiving. A kid was never in my plans this soon. And looking at Reet miserably pregnant reinforced it. I wanted to live my life before kids happened. And Singapore was no place to have a kid. I wanted my family around me when the day came.

As Neil left for his bath I quickly dressed up in a black long kurti and pants. I wanted mom to think I dressed up always for Neil. I wore some small jhumki earrings and quickly applied the new liptint I got from Sephora. This place had so much makeup I could go crazy trying.

"Morning maa," I smiled and entered the kitchen. "Not so quick Ishani! I want to discuss last night." Her reply embarrassed me. What will I say I was seducing my husband? "I shouldn't have entered your room without knocking. I felt my baby needed me before realizing that," she trailed off. "I get it maa. What are you cooking? It smells amazing in here." I looked around to see some paranthas. God how I loved my mother. Bless her cooking and the yummiest food I would get before she went back. But I never asked, "maa thanks for coming. But when did you plan this trip?" I asked gently as I placed the food and cutlery on the table. "Neil wanted to surprise you. He felt you were lonely. Plus I'm sure you could do with some cooking classes." She smiled. She knew. "Did you tell Neil maa?"

"No sit down for breakfast." "Neil beta come, we were waiting for you." My heart stopped. I was so scared. But Neil was engrossed in his phone and looked up to smile. That was close!

After breakfast, maa decided to start my cooking lessons and I learnt rajma, paneer makhani, mix vegetables and roti before she let me go sit. I diligently made notes for future purposes. At least we would get a few decent meals. "Beta take me to the grocery shop here and I will get some more things. This kitchen is so basic." She called me as I was setting the room and collecting the laundry.

"Let's go after lunch maa?" I called back and settled in front of the TV. After lunch I changed into a crop top and ripped denims with a pair of shoes. My mom got the shock of her life! "Ishani dress in a bit. You are newly married. Look at Reet she wears such pretty suits despite her huge baby bump. Why do you dress up like you are still in college?" I smiled and picked my blue MK bag, "come we will be late maa. Also this is not India. People will think I'm from some circus if I dress like Reet."

As she shopped around the mini India area, she bargained often and told me how expensive everything was. Like most Indians right now her mind was converting dollars to Indian rupees and clearly it was not helping. "Ishani the besan here is for 300 INR we get the same for 50 bucks back home. What theives they are!" I was embarrassed. "You are right jee. I tell them to be realistic with the pricing but they never listen," a smiling Mrs Sahni stood with a huge trolley next to her. "namaste aunty! Meet my maa," I introduced both the ladies and soon they were chattering among themselves probably trying to find that one common relative or friend back in India. It was a Punjabi thing, we always had commib friends or family and this made us a part of all Punjabi families. I placed my credit card and told maa my pin number before looking for an exit as the ladies discussed how Chandigarh was changing.

I went to a narrow alley next to the mall and found what I was looking for, a dustbin. Bins meant smoking zones. I lit my cigarette and let the tabbaco hit me before I called Neil. "Hello Mrs Singh. I thought my wifey has forgotten me today." I giggled. I liked my Neil like this, "no love, my mom feels our kitchen needs some TLC so be ready for a huge swipe. She is buying us ration." "So no biryani tonight?" Neil asked. "Nopes. And I thought you liked my biryani Neil." I felt bad, it was great biryani, even though I never made it. "It is Ish. I'll be back by 7. Let's take maa out for dessert?" Stubbing my cigarette and applying a sanitizer, a moisturizer, a perfume and chewing a gum I made my way back to the mall. "Let's go home maa?" "Ishani Mrs Sahni just left! Where were you? She taught me how to deep freeze food. You can cook only twice a week if we follow it right." She smiled and I beamed back. There was hope I could do this cooking thing too!