Snapshots - Oberoi Family Edition

5. Viswaas and Vidya

(Translation of the title: Faith and Knowledge)

Gauri had just finished stocking the kitchen pantry with aam-papad, chat masala and lemons.

Her sister Anika was two months into her pregnancy and had understood that this was what Shivaay was talking about when he said pregnancy was romanticised. She had terrible morning sickness and nausea almost all day. The only thing that helped was aam-papad sprinkled with lemon juice and chaat masala, which she had been eating incessantly. Gauri took it upon herself to make sure the items were always fully stocked and easily accessible to her.

Gauri had always fulfilled all duties of all roles assigned to her. Daughter, wife, daughter-in-law, Sister-in-law. And the refound relationship of a sister and aunt-to-be. She balanced it all and gave it her best.

But unbeknownst to everyone, there was another role she had. Another duty she had to fulfill. She had been working on it for quite a long time but had to tell Omkara about it.

Honestly, it wasn't something he would have to worry about. In fact, she didn't need to tell him at all. But they had a track-record of misunderstandings and ensuing chaos when they would do something in secrecy. Hence, Gauri decided she would talk to him once he returned from his studio.

Gauri arranged Kadhi-Chawal in a tray with water, plates and utensils. She had heard that dinner in rooms, especially Kadhi-Chawal, was the best way to get Omkara talking or break some news to him.

As the clock struck 8, Omkara entered the room. Gauri went to him and welcomed him back with a hug. He reciprocated it before moving to the bed.

Om: Wow! Aaj dinner room mein kaise? Woh bhi mere favorite Kadhi-Chawal ke saath?
(Wow! How come we're having dinner in room today? And that too my favourite Kadhi-Chawal?)

Gauri: Sab bado ne jaldi khana kha liya tha. Woh Bhavya aur Rudy-bhaiya office se khaana kha ke aayenge. Jiji se kuch khaya nahi ja raha toh Bade Bhaiya khud unke liye kuch-kuch bana rahe hain. Is liye hum aapka khaana upar le aaye.

Om: *sitting down* Tumne khaana khaya?
(Did you eat?)

Gauri: Aap suru kijiye, hum bhi khaate hain.
(You begin, I'll eat as well.)

Om made Gauri sit beside him. He fed the first bite to her then ate himself. Soon, he was lost in the deliciousness of the food. Gauri was deciding between tempering the topic in, slowly build up to it with small talk or drop it out of the blue, then explain it. She thought and thought but as Om was half-way done with his meal, she went with the latter.

Gauri: *shuts her eyes and says in one go* Omkaraji hum dasvi ki board pareeksa dena chahte hain.
(Omkara I want to give the Grade 10 Board Examinations.)

Gauri opened one eye and saw Om had stopped, the spoon was filled with a morsel and his mouth was also open. She opened both eyes, blinked twice and added...

Gauri: English medium mein.
(In English medium.)

A sharp clattering noise was emitted when the spoon fell from Omkara's hand and hit the plate. But his hand was still contorted as though a spoon and his mouth was open.

Gauri: Omkaraji isse pehle aap soche humre sar par kaunsa naya bhoot sawaar ho gaya hain hum hi bata dete hain. Ee humra koi naya sauk nahi hain balki hum kaafi dino, yoon kahein mahino se ee baat soch rahe hain.
(Omkara before you think what is this new fetish of mine, into I'll clarify myself. It's not a craze but I've been thinking about it for quite a few days, a few months actually.)

Omkara closed his mouth, gulped once and then looked eagerly at Gauri, indicating her to continue.

Gauri: Kehne ko toh hum "Gauri Kumari Sarma, paanchvi paas from Bareilly" kehte hain. Aur hum ee baat bade garv se kehte the. Likin phir Mumbai aaye, is ghar ki bahu bane. Tab ehsaas hua ki... Ee kaafi nahi hain.
(I say that I'm "Gauri Kumari Sharma, 5th Standard Pass from Bareilly." And I used to say that with pride. But then I came to Mumbai, became the daughter-in-law of this house. Then I realised... it's not enough.)