Murthy House: Nandini's room: 4:20 p.m:

Nyonika gets the better of her emotion and turns her face to the other side to hide it.

Nyonika: (Sadly) "Daughter-in-law and mother-in-law can never be friends. You will always compare me to your mother."

Nandini chuckles at her kiddishness. She can't even hide her disappointment. Only a clear-hearted person does this. Nandini nears her and places the packet on Nyonika's lap.

Nandini: (Amusedly) "Of course, I will because Amma's and your nature are totally different. But I promise I will never compare both of your love towards me. Maa, I know, no one can take a mother's place but that doesn't mean a mother-in-law can't love her Nuh (Daughter-in-law) like her own daughter. And I know how much you love girl child. Manik told me that before Dhruv's birth, you wished for a baby girl. But when Dhruv was born you fulfilled your wish by dressing him up with girl's clothes...he...he. Even Manik used to think that he has a baby sister for quite a long

Nandini's giggle spreads to Nyonika's lips too. She looks at Nandini from the corner of her eyes.

Nyonika: (Curiously) "Who taught you Punjabi?"

Nandini sits on a stool facing Nyonika's chair.

Nandini: (Giggles) "Duolingo. You know Maa, Manik always teases me by using Punjabi words. So, I thought to learn Punjabi. At least I should know when he is calling me stupid and when intelligent."

Nyonika strokes the packet that Nandini kept on her lap. A mischievous grin appears on her lips.

Nyonika: "To tubhi bulana use sarphira pagal teri Madrasi bhasha me. (Then call him crazy mad in your Madrasi language)"

Nandini: (Giggles) "I call him Pedda."

Nyonika: (With Wide eye) "Pedda! Matlab? (Means)"

Nandini covers her mouth to suppress her laughter.

Nandini: (Tee-hees) "Fool in Kannadiga...he...he. And I told him that it means handsome...he...he."

That's it. Nyonika splits her sides along with Nandini. Both Mom and Daughter-in-law duo guffaw for a few moments when Nyonika's eyes fall on the brown packet again. She looks at Nandini with a quizzical expression.

Nandini: (Mischievously) "Open it!"

With a deep frown and bewildered face, Nyonika opens the packet and gradually gapes in surprise. It is a beautiful golden Kanjivaram saree. Nyonika meets Nandini's smiling face.

Nandini: "That day I saw you selecting this saree in Simran's boutique. But somehow you refrain, maybe because of the price. But you know, Maa. Beteka shadime money shouldn't be a matter. So, I bought it for you."

Nandini winks at Nyonika with an impish grin. Nyonika leaps up from the stool, wraps the saree on her upper torso and strides towards the mirror. Her eyes are beaming with ecstasy.

Nyonika: "Simran ki bachhi paitish hazar mang rahi thi. (Simran was asking for 35k) Lut macha rakhhi hain kambakhat ne. (She is a marauder) Par tujhe aur achhese Hindi sikhni hogi, Nandu. (But you have to learn Hindi more properly, Nandu) Beteka Shadi nehi, beteki shadi. (It's not beteka shadi, it's beteki shadi) Gender pe dhyan de."

Nandini walks to Nyonika and hugs her from behind. Nyonika was observing herself gracefully in the mirror.

Nandini: "Okay! I will. Now, tell me how was the surprise?"

Nyonika looks at Nandini's beaming face through the mirror.

Nyonika: "Uske pahele yeh bata tere pass itne paise kahase aye? (First, you tell me, where did you get so much money? Tu to abhibhi student hain na? (You are still a student, right?)"

Nandini giggles at her enquiry. Who can say that Nyonika is not her real mother?

Nandini: "Relax, Maa! Last year I won a story-writing contest. And you know that I am a freelance content writer. So, I have my source of income."

Nyonika turns to Nandini and cups her face. Her eyes are soft.

Nyonika: "Mainu maaf karde. Maine Manik ka gussa tujh par nikala. (Excuse me, Dear! I was mad at Manik but I vented it out on you) Pata hain khote ne mainu kya kaha? (Do you know what that donkey told me?)"

Nyonika starts her plethora of complaints against her elder son. Nandini continues to listen to her. Sometimes, showing attention, care, and importance can help someone feel liberated. After a while, both Nyonika and Nandini realize that friendship does not solely depend on age but rather on compassion and comfort. As time passes, a faint knock is heard on the door. Nandini answers it, and there are Kauser and Rituja, both looking curious.

Kauser: "Nyo, beta chalna hain ki nehi? Manik ka teen bar call achuka hain. (Nyo, dear, should we go or not? Manik has already called thrice.)"

In reply, Nyonika makes an insolent face and comes out of the room. She is still holding the packet of the saree.

Nyonika: "Karne dijiye, Mummy! (Let him do) I was talking with my daughter."

And then she turns at Nandini and pecks her cheek.

Nyonika: "Jaldise ghar aaja. (Come home quickly)"

Both Kauser and Nyonika walk towards the living room. It's time to leave. Without understanding anything, Rituja raises her brow at Nandini and she giggles.

Nandini: "Pedda Manik. He...he."

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

Manik's bedroom: 1:15 a.m: A night before the Sangeet and Mehendi:

Manik is loitering on his bed and talking to Nandini on the phone. They have been dating for around one year but never felt so restless to meet each other till now. These days of wedding ceremonies are moving at a snail's pace. Manik places his head on the bolster and presses the mobile against his cheek.

Manik: "What spell did you cast on Mother India, Nandu? She just keeps praising you since she returned from your home. Nandu is like this, my nuh (Daughter-in-law) is like that. I went to her to say sorry and she said, tu to pedda hain. (You are stupid). She even learnt Kannadiga in one day! Holy cow! Anyway, what is your plan for tomorrow?"

Nandini rolls her eyes. Is this boy mad? Along with pedda, he should be called huccu (mad)too.

Nandini: (Sarcastically) "My plan is to travel to the Himalayas. Stupid! I will obviously be dancing at my Mehendi ceremony."

Manik: (Giggles) "Oye meri Patola! (Oh my girl) Akele akele nachegi? (Will you dance alone?)"

Nandini: "Of course not. I have so many friends, you know...girls, BOYS..."

She intentionally emphasises the word boys. She just loves teasing this boy. Manik frowns immediately and turns to come on his stomach.

Manik: (Determinedly) "Dare to dance with any other boy? Except for me and Dhruv. I don't want to break anyone's bones on my wedding days. Anyway, stop trying to make me feel jealous and listen to my plan. As our families have decided to celebrate the program jointly, it can be a lucky chance for us to spend some alone time."

Nandini: (scandalised) "Alone time! Hello, Mehendi and Sangeet are supposed to be celebrated in groups. With friends and family. It will be awkward to take a corner and chat with your partner. What will Amms, Appa and Nyo Maa think?"

Manik: "They won't think anything negative. Hum chat thodi na karenge! (We won't chat)"

Nandini: (Perplexedly) "Then?"

A mischievous smile peeps on Manik's lips. He again lies supine.

Manik: (Mysteriously) "Keep patience. Punjabise tera pala pada hain. (You are dealing with a Punjabi) Kuch dhamaka to banta hain, Sweetheart! (There should be some blast) Just wait and watch. It will be a memorable Sangeet."

Author's note: What is Manik going to do in their Mehendi and Sangeet? Well, we will see in the next chapter. Till then, keep reading.