Laurence School Munirka: Inside a class: 12:30 pm:

Harshad writes down the chemical equation on the blackboard and then turns back.

Harshad: "Anybody can balance the equation?"

He roams his eyes all around and fixes it on a student sitting on the backbench.

Harshad: "Akshat, come! Balance it. After that, I will show you all how we can make it easier."

He beckons the boy who unwillingly gets up and approaches the blackboard with as much as possible slow gait. Noticing this Harshad chuckles.

Harshad: (Mischievously) "What happened, Akshat? Do you need an auto to reach the board?"

The whole class guffaw at the situational joke. Akshat gets embarrassed and tries to cover the distance as soon as possible. However, his left shoe slips on the floor and he falls flat on his back. Harshad immediately nears him and lends his hand. The laughter increases in the class.

Harshad: (Giggles out) "Tch..Tch..Tch...forget it. I think you need to improve your body balance first. Go to your seat."

Akshat gets up and rubs his butt with a grateful smile.

Akshat: "Sir, ek Joke sunau? (Sir, can I crack a joke?)

Harshad widens his eyes with amusement. Students love him. He is not a stereotypical strict teacher. Instead, he believes that students should feel comfortable with their teacher. Friendliness can increase the willingness to learn in a learner.

Harshad: (Chuckles) "Okay, but in one condition. The joke should be related to Chemistry only. If you can make me laugh then I won't ask you any further questions. Is it okay?"

Akshat: (Brightly smile) "Okay, Sir. Sir, can you tell me if Oxygen and Magnesium get into a relationship, what will all call them?"

A mischievous smile peeps on Akshat's lips. Harshad frowns in confusion.

Harshad: (Confidently) "MgO?"

Akshat: (Brightly grins) "No, Sir. It's Oh My God. OMG. He...he..."

The whole class starts giggling which gradually spreads to Harshad's face.

Harshad: "Intelligent one. Now go to your seat and concentrate. Chemistry indeed can be interesting if we take it as fun. So, here the equation tells..."

He was about to right on the board when his mobile rings. He takes it out of his pocket. Nandini calling. His forehead lines with confusion. He faces the class unmindfully.

Harshad: "You all try to solve this. I am just coming."

He comes out of the classroom and stands in the corridor.

Harshad: (Anxiously) "Yes, Nandu? What happened? Is everything alright?"

Nandini's worried and anxious tone hits his eardrum.

Nandini: "Come as soon as possible. I think I will lose my mind."

Harshad: (Confusedly) "Wait..wait..wait...what happened? Why are you sounding so stressed? Did Amms again create a problem? Where is she?"

In response, Harshad hears a deep sigh from the other side of the line.

Nandini: "Right now, she is fighting with Manik's mother. But the thing is, both are not getting each other. One is shooting her Fittey muh (Stay away) and Khasmaa nu khao (A woman who eats her husband) and another is responding with Murkha mahile (Fool woman) and Sanskrtiyillada (Uncultured). The hostility and enthusiasm are at their peak. Thank God they at least don't have a translator in their mouth."

Nandini's words may sound funny but she is not sounding at all funny and Harshad can feel it. Right now, he is more curious about the situation of how these women met each other and locked their horns.

Harshad: "But how? I mean how they came face to face. I don't think they know each other? Nandu, please clear it. Are you all outside? Did they start the brawl over any silly matter in a marketplace? Uffff...this Amms..always remains in a warmonger mood and her outlook about Punjabis. Tell me where are you all? I am trying to reach as soon. Any mall, market or movie hall?"

Nandini: (In a hapless tone) "At our home, in our living room."

Harshad: (Shocked) "WHAT?..."

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

Malhotra House: Manik's room: Some time ago:

Manik was getting ready for his office when Nyonika enters removing the curtain. Her eyes have some mischief and determination.

Nyonika: (In a sugary tone) "Mannu...I want to ask something beta." (Son)

Manik looks at her mother while buckling the watch strap. The extra sweetness in her voice doesn't get unnoticed by him.

Manik: "Say, mother India. You don't need permission to ask."

Manik faces the mirror and starts combing. Nyonika nears and stands behind him. She snatches the comb and flips him to face her. Then she holds his chin by her left hand to keep his face steady while starts combing his hair. Manik's rolls his eyes at her.

Manik: "Why so much love, mother India? Dhruv is not at home?"

Nyonika: (In admonishing tone) "Chup reh! (Shut up) Main tenu payara nehi karda kaya." (Don't I love you)

Nyonika taps the comb on Manik's head. Manik squints his eyes.

Manik: "Ha tusi karde ho. (Yes, you do) But not like this, Mom. Tell me, what's cooking?"

After getting satisfied with her work on her son's hair, Nyonika keeps the comb on the dressing table.

Nyonika: "Chole (Chickpeas) is cooking and dare to leave without having breakfast."

Manik shrugs with a pout and grabs the laptop bag.

Manik: (In an ignorant tone) "Okay, if you don't want to disclose. I am leaving for the office and Dadi already packed my chole for lunch. So, cool down. Your son won't starve. Okay, bye."

He pecks Nyonika's cheek and is about to leave.

Nyonika: "Uha kuri kithe rahiti hai? (Where does that girl live?) Mainu milna hai." (I have to meet)

Manik immediately turns. His forehead is furrowed with lines.

Manik: (In a perplexed tone) "Mom, you really want to meet Nandini? That means you have no object for this relationship?"

Manik rushes at his mother and hugs her tightly.

Nyonika: (With fake annoyance) "Arree chor mainu. (Leave me) Don't get so excited. First, I will see her and then decide. Now give me her number. Let me talk to her first."

Nyonika frees herself from her son's bear hug. Manik cups her face and kisses her both cheeks with a loud muahh sound. And then he jots down the number on a sticky pad and tears it to stick it on the mirror.

Manik: (Enthusiastically) "Here it is. But don't call her now. She may be scared. Let me come in the evening. I will let you talk to her."

Nyonika: "Hmmm...as you wish. Huna tu ja." (Now, you go)

She pats Manik's back and he leaves after giving her another forehead kiss. Nyonika plucks the sticky note from the mirror and heads to her room. Her forehead is lined with worry. Entering her room, she closes the door and immediately grabs her mobile. She taps the number and after 3-4 rings, a sweet voice answers,

Sweet voice: "Hello..."

Nyonika: "Hello...can I talk to Ms Nandini Murthy?"

Sweet voice: "Nandini has forgot her mobile at home. May I know who you are?"

Nyonika: (Hesitantly) "I...I am her college friend. Ummm...whom am I talking to?"

Sweet voice: "I am her mother. Dear, can you come over here and collect her phone? Actually, we are tensed. She will be late today and without the phone, we won't be able to contact her...so...if you give it to her."

Nyonika: "Okay...what is her address?"

Rituja: "78/C R K Puram...New Delhi..11xxxx5. Thank you so much, Kanna. It will be a great help. Okay, I may not be at home but Nandini's Amms I mean grandmom will be there. You can collect the mobile from her. By the way, what is your name, dear?"

Nyonika: "Nyonika..."

And she immediately cuts the call while bites her tongue.

Nyonika: "Shit...nama dasne ki kya zarurat thi? (What was the need to tell the name) Koi na..pata to mila giya. (Never mind! I got the address) Huna main pura parivara nu mila sakada hu. (Now I can meet the whole family) Mannu ke Papa vi ihi cahuda hana." (Mannu's father wants this too)

She gets ready in a hurry and leaves. Nandini and Manik didn't even know what storm is going to come into their life.

Author's note: In the next more banters, confusion and problem will come in Manan's life. Stay tuned.😉😉