Do Anjaane

Chapter 2

"Bhabhs! Aap humare liye chai nahi banaya?" (Bhabhs! You didn't make chai for us?) Twin voices came in through the corridor from the entrance. Two identical young men, about twenty years of age, walked in grumbling and rubbing the back of their heads. Behind them walked in their mother glaring at the back of their heads, and their younger sister, hand over her mouth and giggling at her brothers' condition. Yuvaan and Yugesh, twins, and Priya were Rishi Chachu and Aparna Chachi's children, or Raghuveer, Yagnik, and Akanksha's cousins.

"Maine abhi abhi tum dono bandaron ko chai pilaye aur khana khilaya, kyunki tum dono itne bhuke aur pyaase the, aur phir bhi ghar aakar Bhabhi ko pareshaan kar rahe hain." (I just fed you monkeys chai and snacks because you were soo hungry, but still you come home and bother your Bhabhi.) "Arey nahi Chachi, pareshaani ki koi baat nahi hain. Lekin bacche, itne baar chai peena bhi accha nahi hota sehat ke liye." (No Chachi, it's no bother. But kids, it's not good for your health to drink so much chai.) Yuv and Yug pouted but carried their shopping bags upstairs. The four of them had gone shopping for gifts as well as supplies for the party. "Bhabhs, aap mere liye ek hot chocolate bana sakte hain? Cafe mein kuch acche mithe nahi the, toh maine kuch liye nahi, aur bhook lag rahi hain. Mein fresh hokar aati hoon." (Bhabhs, can you make me a hot chocolate? There weren't any good sweets at the café, so I didn't get anything, and now I'm hungry. I'll just freshen up and come.)

Vaidehi nodded and Priya bounded up the stairs behind Aparna, but as she rose to go the kitchen, Chandrika stopped her. "Main banati hoon, tum baith ke aaram karo." (I'll make it, you sit and relax.) "Nahi Maa, main banaungi na. Bas choti si kam hain, main karlungi, aap baithiye aur party ki planning kariye." (No Maa, I'll make it. It's no bother, you all sit and plan for the party.) Chandrika reluctantly nodded and sat back down. While Vaidehi was heating the milk, Aparna entered the kitchen. "Main un theenon ko acche se class lungi ki tumhe zyaada pareshaan na kar. Bhabhi aa gayi ghar mein matlab har do minute 'Bhabhi yeh chahiye, Bhabhi who chahiye' karte rehte hain. Uss bandaron ko yeh samajh mein nahi aata ki tum kitni thak jaogi sab ki kaam kar kar ke. Idhar de, main chocolate ko chop kardungi." (These three are going to get a strong scolding not to bother you. Now that you've joined the family it's 'Bhabhi, I want this, Bhabhi, I want that' every two minutes. Those monkeys don't understand how tired you get doing everyone's work. Here, give it to me, I'll chop the chocolate.)

Vaidehi slid over the cutting board and smiled at Chachi's concern. "Aap fikar mat kariye Chachi, mujhe yeh sab karne mein koi problem nahi. Main issiliye nahi karti hoon kyunki main badi bahu hoon, yah yeh mera kaam hain. Main issiliye karti hoon kyunki pehle, mujhe khana banana aur ghar ke kaam karna acche lagte hain. Bachpan se aadat tha, sukoon milti hain. Aur doosri baat, mujhe aap sab ke liye yeh sab karna bohot accha lagta hain. Mera love language samajh lijiye." (Don't worry Chachi, I don't have any problem doing all this. I don't do this because I'm the elder daughter-in-law, or because it's my duty. I do it because I like cooking and cleaning and housework. It's been a habit since childhood, and I find peace in it. I also like doing things for you all, consider it my love language.)

As Vaidehi stirred the chocolate into the milk, Aparna stroked her hair. "Kitni pyaari bacchi mili hain hume. In bandaron ko choodo, yeh Raghuveer bhi koi kam nahi. Maine aur Bhabhi ne dekha, kitni baar tumhe akela chhod ke jaata hain woh. Itni pyaari biwi hain, aur phir bhi woh kaam ka japan karta rehta hain. Ghar aane do usse, aise kaan kichwayenge hum ki woh bhool nahi paaye." (What a lovely daughter-in-law we have. Forget these idiots, Raghuveer is no better than them. Bhabhi and I see how often he leaves you alone. He has such a lovely wife and is still only obsessed with work. Let him come home today, I'll scold him so badly he won't ever forget.) "Chachi, lag rahi hain aaj aap kuch zyaada hi garam hain." (Chachi, looks like you're on a roll today.) Vaidehi teased Aparna for her continuous ranting.

Chandrika walked in and patted Aparna on the shoulder. "Aparna bilkul sahi keh rahi hain. Honeymoon ko chhod, uss buddhu ne tumhe date tak par nahi lekar gaya. On your sixth monthiversary, you both will go on a date, and then we will have a party at home, and that's final. Baaki sab preparations hogaye hain, aur hum sab manage karlenge, tum chinta mat kar Vaidehi." (Aparna is absolutely right. Forget about your honeymoon, that idiot hasn't even taken you on a date. On your sixth monthiversary, you both will go on a date, and then we will have a party at home, and that's final. The rest of the preparations are done, and we'll manage them together, you don't worry about anything, Vaidehi.) "Jaisa aap kahe, Maa." (Whatever you say, Maa.) "Bhabhi, taiyyar hain?" (Bhabhi, is it ready?) Priya skipped into the kitchen and hugged Vaidehi around the waist. "Haan meri karghosh, taiyyar hain." (Yes, my rabbit, it's ready.)

She handed over the mug of hot chocolate and Priya did a happy dance after taking a sip. Aparna crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at her daughter. "Phir se Bhabhi ko pareshaan mat kar, khud banana seekhlo. Tere bhaiyon ko bol bol ke thak chuki hoon main, ab tum bhi shuru hogayi?" (Don't trouble your Bhabhi again, learn to make it yourself. I'm tired of telling your brothers again and again, now you don't start, too.) Priya pouted and looked at her Bhabhi with puppy eyes. "Par Mumma, Bhabhi mujhe chote cheezein banana sikha rahi thi, aur maine ab hot chocolate banana sikh liya, par late ho rahi thi issiliye Bhabhi ko bataiya." (But Mumma, Bhabhi's been teaching me the simple things, and now I know how to make hot chocolate, but it was getting late, so I asked Bhabhi.) "Haan Chachi, bohot acchi se seekh rahi hain yeh. Aur aap chinta mat kariya, mere paas plan hain. Bohot jaldi baaki sab bhi khana banana seekhne ke liye taiyyaar ho jayenge." (Yes Chachi, she's a great student. And don't worry, I have a plan. Soon, everyone else will be ready to learn, too.) Aparna sighed dramatically. "Agar tum aisa kar sakti ho beta, toh joh chahe maang lo, mein de dungi." (If you can do that, dear, then I will give you whatever you ask for.)