It has been more than a week from the dinner of the "ideal daughter-in-law incident" as Ira calls it. According to Ira, that incident was the proclamation of establishing Varsha at the seat of ideal daughter-in-law and opposing voices were suppressed.Varsha is treading carefully being cautious of her words and actions and taking care of house duties diligently. Although housework does not require her attention, Varsha likes to be involved in the food making and gardening work like her mother-in-law and grandma. She also believes that the feelings are important and thus food prepared with love and care is tastier than the one prepared by maids.
Varsha is being the ideal daughter-in-law she is and is making everyone in the family happy with few exceptions. Grandparents will shower her with their praises often and Ira follows her everywhere making things easy and fun for her. Just within one week, it has become as if nothing has happened. Probably because other than Varsha everyone is aware of eldest uncle"s personality and Varsha has easily forgotten due to her easygoing mentality.
On one Sunday, during breakfast grandpa looked to Varsha and said "Dear! Ira is studying in Pune University College in the third year of her graduation in commerce. I have asked someone to bring the form for you to enroll for graduation in commerce in the same college. You have Ira as well as Akash to help you with your studies. The form will be brought tomorrow and you can fill it and give your youngest uncle to submit."
Grandma looked toward Ira and said "You girl! Make sure you help your sister-in-law and do not let anyone bully her in college or I will beat you."
Ira laughed and said "Who will dare to do that? Grandma! You don"t know everyone thinks of me as lady don. I have learned from grandma, who can go against me. Hee hee hee."
"Stop being a hooligan and study more going forward. Don"t make your sister-in-law like yourself." Akash glared at her and said and it made Ira laugh more.
Ira smiled mischievously and asked "Brother! Are you worried about sister-in-law?" Even Varsha stopped eating for a moment and put her ears toward Akash to hear what he will say. It is rare for Akash to talk about her.
"No, I am more worried that someone will know that you are my sister. I have a reputation to maintain." Akash replied calmly.
Ira laughed and even Varsha could not stop from smiling. Although the answer of Akash is not what Varsha expected it was also not negative in any way. So, Varsha did not mind it much.
"What is the use of college? Isn"t she the best already? What if she becomes overqualified and surpa.s.ses elder brother?" Mocking voice of Arpit came after that. Arpit continued eating after saying it like it is nothing to make a negative remark to interrupt the placid environment on the breakfast table.
Everyone on the table looked toward Arpit and have different expressions. Grandpa and grandma looked and then just continued eating like it is not worth responding. Eldest uncle looked at his son Arpit and then grandpa and grandma and seeing no reaction from them he smiled and did not say anything. Ladies also continued eating and no one commented on this.
Ira looked toward everyone and seeing that no one is responding, she felt bad and angry at the same time. She looked toward Arpit who is looking provocatively toward her only, she could not control herself and she said "Elder brother won"t mind if someone in family surpa.s.ses him. I believe he will feel happier because the elder brother thinks about the whole family and not only himself. What elder brother hates most is having grudges and feeling compet.i.tive even without having any worthiness or competence."
Arpit mocked "Can she even make that? I just joked and you took it seriously."
"You are also not a topper student. Your study also seems like a joke to me. You should concentrate on learning how to earn money instead. Oh, I forgot. You are planning to use money which elder brother will earn later. Right?" Ira spat.
"Stop bickering and concentrate on food." Suddenly the stern voice of Akash came from beside Ira and Ira and Arpit both stopped. Ira pouted and looked at her elder brother and Arpit lowered his head and continued eating.
Ira is smiling because she felt like she won as Arpit did not get a chance to continue. Arpit is feeling discontent and eating begrudgingly because he did not get a chance to respond. He knows that if he responded after warning of Akash, elders will join and scold him more for not respecting his elder brother.
Ira looked toward Arpit and made the face and turned toward Varsha and said in her cheery voice while showing the samosa she is eating "Sister-in-law! This samosa you made today is really tasty. It really feels much better when someone makes things with love and care. We really can not feel the same taste outside."
Mother of Ira said in scolding voice "Isn"t it because of you that my daughter-in-law has to work extra to make samosa so early in the morning? Who does eat such oily and spicy food in the morning? You have to control that tongue of yours otherwise it will make you sick even if the dish is made with a lot of love."
"Ha ha ha. Everyone ignores this old man and gives a speech about health. Due to Ira, I get to eat something good sometime. No one is allowed to scold her. Once in a while is okay." Grandpa laughed and said. Grandpa stopped laughing due to the warning gaze of grandma which brought laughter from others.
Grandma is eating Paratha when she turned toward Varsha and said "Dear! Paratha you made is too hard to chew for this old lady"s teeth. When you knead the flour and make a dove, make sure you add few spoons of oil after water when you start kneading. It will make the Parathas and Chapatis tender to chew."
Varsha looked toward Grandma and looking at the adoring gaze of the old lady, she smiled and said: "Yes Grandma!"
Eldest uncle also added disapprovingly "This Paratha really is not good enough. Father and mother praised her so much that how good she is in taking care of the family. She is even making mistakes in cooking dishes which is the most basic thing. It is still not too late to correct the mistake."
Grandma looks toward her second son and reprimanded him "I did not point this for you to pick on her. I simply said because I wanted to have something to talk to her. I never heard you complaining about food before. So, stop complaining from going forward as well. Now eat."
"What about correcting the mistake? Which mistake is being referred to here? I don"t remember I made any." Now when everyone thought things have calmed down, stern voice of Grandpa came again.
Everyone looked toward grandpa who seems really angry. Grandpa continued "Looks like we need a serious discussion about few things. Let us talk and make few things clear."