In-Laws Mrs. Mehta was sitting on her plush couch entertaining a bunch of her friends, regaling them with anecdotes about her newly-wed daughter and son-in-law. “My daughter is so lucky. Avinash is a wonderful husband! He takes her out for dinners and every other weekend, they take a small trip to someplace nearby. They need their break, right? Today’s world is so competitive, these weekend getaways are a must,” she said pouring another cup of tea. As she sipped on the milky masala chai, she went on, “And every morning he makes tea for my darling daughter. What do they call it…” she looked at the expectant faces for some suggestions. The word came to her and she blurted it out excitedly, “Bed tea! He makes bed tea for her. So caring… and last month, he gifted her these beautiful diamond earrings. He indeed treats my daughter like a princess. I couldn’t have asked for anything more! God bless him.” She passed around the plate of biscuits. “How is your daughter-in-law? We heard she is visiting for her delivery?” someone asked. Mrs. Mehta made a face, “Don’t ask about her. May God doesn’t give anyone a bahu like her. My poor son! She makes him dance on her fingers. When we visited them last month, I saw that he was packing lunches for both of them! Imagine… my son, working like a maid in the morning while the queen is getting ready for work. Agreed she made the breakfast and the lunch, so pack it also na. How long does it take? Two minutes? And my innocent son… He doesn’t even realize that he has been turned into a joru ka ghulam. God save him.” She made a face and rolled her eyes, “Every other month, she makes some plans to waste money. Sometimes she’ll buy jewelery, sometimes they’ll go out-of-station or she will drag him to her mayka,” she sighed deeply and added shaking her head, “and now also, she is here for the last week but everyday she is out and about shopping. I told her not buy clothes for the newborn before the birth, it’s not good… but will these girls ever listen to us? Never!” Meanwhile, inside the Room… Mrs. Kapoor-Mehta was sprawled on the bed, with one ear on the door, and the other one listening to her mothers voice through her smartphone. ‘… girls ever listen to us? Never!’ “Mom, I don’t know what her problem is! She keeps taunting me and critizing for every little thing! Now also, I can hear her passing comment about our lifestyle. I don’t want to live here, I am going back home.” She listened silently as her mother counseled her. “But, why should I tolerate all this? You know, last month when she was at our house, she rearranged the whole kitchen cabinets! I mean, it’s my house, I have arranged it accordingly, but no she has to control every aspect of our lives! The best part is she said that she put the daily use items on the counter for my benefit so I don’t have to bend down every-time! Ha! Look how cunning she is… disguising her controlling nature as her concern for me and the baby; and getting brownie points from Akash. I am seriously fed up, mom.” Another pause. “She is also after my life to stop shopping for the baby. I don’t believe in all these superstitions. I will buy whatever I want to buy. It’s my money, I will spend it as per my wishes!” she said stubbornly, And listen to this... yesterday she suggested that I should use the Indian-style toilet, said itll help during delivery. I mean, I am seven months pregnant, I cant squat down! And she wants me to have ghee! God! She cradled her tummy as her mother started speaking. “I know all this stress is not good for the baby, she took a deep breath, Yes, I do meditate like you showed me. Yes, I am doing yoga too as you suggested. I get tired but I go for a walk as well. I remember you told me its good for the baby. She smiled listening to her mothers valuable advice. Yes, ma. I remember; let me reach home, I will change the setting of the wardrobe and place the clothes like you said, okay? I know you are the only one who cares about me,” she smiled.
Posted on: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 08:44:26 +0000