Shrikant Malhotra's car: On the way to Murthy House: 6:30 pm

Almost the whole family of Malhotra except Shrikant and Manik is going to Murthy house. The hi-tea invitation eventually changed to dinner. Initially, Dhruv was not sort listed but at the last moment, some twist forced him to accept this challenge. Since then, he is driving the car with all agitation on his face. Nyonika was trying to cheer up his mood but it seems that he is adamant to not to be melted down by any flattery.

Nyonika: (Sternly) "What happened to you? Intna muh phoolake kyun baitha hai? (Why are you sitting with this grumpy face)"

Dhruv doesn't answer her question and keeps driving with a sulky face.

Kauser: (Quips) "Kahi tu Ador se to nehi daar raha? (Aren't you afraid of Ador, right?)"

A suppressed giggle passes through Dhruv's ear.

Dhruv: (Whine) "You all know how terribly he treats me. Still, you both are dragging me to his den. Uparse hasbhi rahe ho. (Top of that, you are laughing)"

Nyonika: "Then what can we do? Your Dad is busy. Manik can't go as KishoriJi forbade Nandini and Manik to meet before marriage...I mean rituals. Aur aain waqt pe driver ko tatti lag gai. (And on the eleventh hour the driver got loose motion). Ab tu hi tha jo gaddi chala sakta si. (Now, you were the only person who can drive the car) Sadi majburi nu samaj puttar. (Understand our compulsion, dear)"

Dhruv: (Almost crying) "Haan, sabki majburi main hi samjhu. (Yes, I am the only one who should understand everyone's compulsion) Meri koi nehi sunta. (Nobody listens to me). Do you have any idea how ferocious that dog is? Uske daant dekhe? (Have you seen his teeth?) Mujhe dekhte hi bahar nikal ate hain.(They come out just by seeing me) I hate dogs!"

Dhruv chides in frustration while veering the car to take the last turn for Nandini's house. Kauser is sitting in the passenger seat. She strokes his cheek with affection.

Kauser: (Affectionately) "Koi na. (Leave it) Tu mere bagal me baitha rahiyo. Ador kuch nehi karega. (You just sit beside me. Ador won't do anything)"

Nyonika again tries to stop her laughter but the sound reaches Dhruv's ears. He rolls his eyes at both.

Dhruv: (Snaps) "Bachha nehi hu main. (I am not a kid) I can protect myself."

He throws his fist in the air.

Nyonika: (Gestures a kiss) "Achha, kar lio protect khudko. Ab jaldise pouchade mainu. (Okay, protect yourself. Now, get me over there soon)"

As she finished the word, the car reaches the Murthy house's main entrance. Dhruv glances at his watch. It's sharp 7 pm. A light barking sound comes out from inside. Bhauuuu...Bhook. Dhruv licks his lips while gulping the saliva. Every dog has its day.

........................................

Malhotra House: Manik's room: 1 hour earlier

Manik was getting ready to head to Nandini's place as per the plan, meanwhile, his phone rings. Nandini calling. The name on the screen brings an instant smile to his face. He picks up the call while applying gel to his thick hair.

Manik: (Flirty tone) "Hmmmm...Jaan. Yearning to have me?"

Nandini: (Angrily) "Stop your flattery and listen to me very carefully."

Manik sprays the perfume and plummets himself on the couch.

Manik: "Hmmmmm....tell me. I am all ears...unromantic Nandu."

Nandini: (Scoffs) "Whatever! Look. You just reach the backside of my house around...ummm...7 pm. Dhruv told me that they will reach by 7 only. I will attend them for an hour then I will sneak out."

Manik: "Wait...wait...wait. I will reach by 7 pm. My family also will be there by 7 pm and you will be with them for one hour. In that case, I should be there by 8 pm. Ek ghanta main kya waha bhajan karunga? (Will I sing Bhajans over there for one hour?)

He quips.

Nandini: (Sarcastically) "I know you well, Mr Manik Malhotra. If I ask you to come by 8 then you surely will stretch it to 9. No respect for time. So, I always keep buffer time in my hand. Now, get done with your make-up, hairdo and dress selection and come out of your room. By the way, today I made sweet Pongal for all. I will get some for you too."

Manik: (Mumble) "Mar gaye. Yeh Pongal mere pet me dangal na karade. (I am dead. I hope this Pongal won't create a wrestling competition in my stomach)

Nandini: (Hisses) "What did you say?"

Manik: "Nothing...nothing. Pongal...kha lunga. (I will have) Tumne banaya hain. (You made this) How sweet!"

But he sounds rather sour.

Nandini: (admonishes) "Better. Now, let me get ready too. Bye!"

She cuts the call. Manik takes some time to rethink.

Manik: (Murmurs) "Hmmmm...backside of the house."

Suddenly something strikes his mind and he springs up.

Manik: "Ohhh Terriii...Uske ghar ke piche ki garden me to machhar hi machhar hain. (Damn it! There are lots of mosquitoes in her backyard garden) Iska matlab 1 ghante tak unka bhajan sunna padege? (That means I have to listen to their bhajan for 1 hour?)"

He slaps his forehead.

...............................................

Murthy House: 7 pm

As Rituja opens the main door, Ador jumps out and starts sniffing everybody's feet. Dhruv stiffens his whole body as Ador slides past through his legs. He loses his balance a bit and clutches a nearby hanging planter. As a result, a bunch of money plant leaves along with the climber get uprooted and come to his hands. Ador didn't like it and purrs.

Ador: (Purrs) "Grrrrrr...Guruuuukkk (Yeh ladka thik se khada bhi nehi rahe sakta. This boy can't even stand properly.)"

Dhruv looks at Ador and then at his hand. Finally, he looks at Rituja to give a stupid grin. Trouble in the threshold.

Rituja: (Affectionately) "Don't worry, Dear."

Then she admonishes Ador with rolling eyes,

Rituja: "Ador...behave yourself."

Ador stares up and glares at Dhruv with his button eyes.

Ador: "Kui...kui...bhook. (Daant khiladi mujhe. Dekh lunga. You made me scolded. I will see you.)

He doesn't create any further problems for Dhruv and vanishes inside the house. Meanwhile, Kishori and Nandini also appear to welcome the guests.

Rituja: (Cordially) Come Nyonika. KauserJi come!"

As all of them step in, Nandini touches the feet of Nyonika and Kauser. Both hug her and plant kisses on her forehead.

Nyonika: "Jinta rahe. (May you live long)"

Kauser: "Khush raho. (Be happy)

Kishori : "Namaskara."

She welcomes them with folding hands.

Nyonika: "Namaste ji Namaste. Mainu to biswas hi nehi honda ki mainu puttar da viah ho ria hai. Khushi Khushi me maine Kanjivaram saree bhi pai li. (I can't even believe that my son is getting married. Out of happiness, I am even wearing a Kanjivaram saree)

In reaction, Kishori and Rituja raise their brows as every word turns Hebrew to them. Dhruv elbows Nyonika.

Dhruv: (Murmurs) "English, Mom English."

Nyonika: (With a naïve smile) "Ohhh...haan...haan. English...English. I said that I have worn a Kanjivaram."

Dhruv slaps his forehead in his mind. Before this language bar can create more confusion, Nandini ushers them into the living area. Vimesh also joins them and the discussion starts. After half an hour, all fix a date but for the venue, they start a video call with Shrikant. Shrikant suggests a banquet hall for reception in Hauz Khas area. Other marriage rituals will be held in Malhotra and Murthy houses. Both families will perform their individual rites. However, Kishori insists on Manik's attire on the date of marriage. According to her, it should be a traditional Vesti. Hearing this, Nyonika's first reaction comes.

Nyonika: (Surprised) "Beizzati? Haee...beizzati kaun pahen ta hain? Who to hum karte hain...dusre ka. (Insult? Who can wear an insult? We do insult...a person.)

Nandini and Dhruv cackle to hear that. Dhruv tries to rectify Nyonika's mistake when Nandini stops him by showing her hand. She scoots over to Nyonika and opens Google.

Nandini: "Aunty, see! This dress is called Vesti. Not beizzati. It's like a lungi. It is teamed up with shirts."

Nandini shows some images of the vesti to clear Nyonika's confusion. But perhaps she does a mistake. Seeing the attire, Nyonika becomes shocked.

Nyonika: (Puzzled) "This is beizzati...I mean vesti? Yeh to khul jayega. (It will loosen up). Manik ki vesti pahenke sach me beizzati ho jaegi. (Manik will be embarrassed to wear this cloth)"

The conversation, confusion and conflicts go on but Nandini doesn't realise that the clock has already stroke at 8 pm and she has called some other person too for a meeting. Let's see what chaos he creates amidst this already chaotic circumstance.

Author's note: This part will continue in the next chapter. Stay tuned for more gags.