STORM IN THE TEACUP

                 

Suseela is feeling disturbed a lot for quite some time. She tossed from side to side in her bed, unable to sleep. It is a multi storied apartment complex with some 30 residential flats. The noises from the next flat are continuing still. She could not bear it anymore and sat up with a jerk. Giridhar opened his eyes and looked at her.

"Are you listening? Look, how they are fighting since more than one hour!" She hissed.

"So, what shall we do? And what can we do? Let them fight. They will get tired and stop sooner or later." He closed his eyes again. She sensed that he is also unable to sleep and getting disturbed. 

"I will go and see what is the matter." Tying her dishevelled hair, she got down from the bed. He looked at her sharply. "Are you mad? Don't forget that it is their personal problem. It is not wise to knock at their door and poke your nose. Let them do whatever they feel like. We should not interfere in the affairs of the younger ones. It is always advisable to keep a safe distance from the youngsters of today."

She sat down and thought for a while. "Of course, it is their own business and we are outsiders. Still, when they are so fiercely fighting like cats and dogs, how can we just keep quiet? We also need some peace and quiet, don't we?" He nodded. "And Kiran? What about the poor kid? How frightened he must be feeling! Such a lovely and innocent boy!" She said with deep feeling but did not attempt to get up and rush. She knows what Giridhar said is true and correct. She realised her limits and hesitated 

He patted her hand understandingly. "I know, Suseela, I know how deeply you are moved. But still, I don't think we should interfere. Go to bed and try to sleep. Of course, I too feel they should not fight so late into the night disturbing peace loving people like us. But who can drive some sense into the pig heads?" He yawned and closed his eyes.

But Suseela could not sleep at all. What is wrong with the youth of today, she is unable to fathom. Satish and Nalini are well educated decent couple, had a love marriage some 6-7 years back. At times they are very lovey-dovey. But at times like now they are worse than bitter enemies shouting and bickering. Sometimes in calmer moments, Nalini does tell her about some of their arguments, though never eager for her advice. She needs only a patient listener, that too, occasionally, only when she is in a mood to talk. Most of the time the cause is so trivial and silly that Suseela wonders whether all that fighting is really necessary. She felt deep sympathy for little Kiran, their one and a half year old son. He is a cute and endearing boy. He too is fond of her and Giridhar. Very frequently when Nalini is out to run errands, Suseela looks after him and he never gave her any tough time. She sighed. 

Many times, like now, she feels like advising them on the need for restraint and patience. In fact once or twice in the past, when she attemped to, they hinted that it is none of her business. From then, she kept holding back. But she cannot comprehend the modern principles of privacy and cocooning attitude of people. What is wrong with confiding in others and seek sensible advice? Some experienced and well wishing elders in the family or neighbourhood can help the inexperienced youth to solve their problems and differences smoothly. But no, the present generation do not have that much confidence in people around them. If at all they feel any need, they prefer to go to the totally unknown counsellors and psychiatrists who are professionally trained and equipped and offer mechanical and impersonal solutions strictly according to the book. They do not value the wisdom and sanity of the older generations who observe them from close quarters and have a better perspective.

'Well, whatever they wish.' She yawned in reluctant acceptance. 'If only they do not disturb the mental peace of those around with their untimely yellings!' She was sure that the others in the apartments also must be feeling the same way.

The noise is still continuing and now the wailing voice of Kiran is also heard. She could not restrain herself anymore. She ran out and rang their bell with a firm intention of giving the warring couple a piece of her mind.

On hearing the bell, the voices stopped and after awhile, Nalini opened the door and frowned on seeing her. Suseela burst into a torrent of words. "Do you have any idea of the time now? It is almost midnight, and why don't you people take a break and continue in the morning? So that we all can have a peaceful night's sleep? Why do you make a spectacle of yourselves?"

Kiran on hearing her voice, started to come to her, scared and crying. But Satish caught hold of him and dragged him inside. Nalini just stared at her, chewing her lips. 

Suseela came home and climbed into bed. Giridhar looked at her and chuckled. "You don't leave anyone!" He said half admiringly.

Before she could reply, the bell rang just once as if the caller was hesitant to press it.

She opened the door and to her surprise, found Nalini with a tearful Kiran. "Sorry to disturb you, aunty, but this fellow.." that fellow received a light slap on the head for emphasis, "...is adamant that..."

The boy ran to her sobbing, "I will stay with you..." Suseela hugged him and nodded with a smile.

"Are you sure it will not be a trouble for you?" Nalini added apologetically.

"No, not at all, let him stay." She said wholeheartedly. 

"Don't mistake me, here is the milk bottle for him. As it is late in the night, I am not sure whether you are having any milk now.." She remembered how she chided her once before when she gave the milk bottle for Kiran while leaving him in her custody. 

Suseela just smiled and accepted it.

Kiran slept calmly, secure between the elder couple, who also had a sound sleep till morning. 

Next morning, Nalini entered hurriedly saying, "Sorry, aunty, got up very late." She went to Kiran who was having his cereal and kissed his cheek. He beamed happily.

Suseela smiled. "Come, sit here, Nalini, let him finish. I will get you a cup of coffee."

Nalini shook her head. "No, aunty, just now we had. I came for Kiran. Did he trouble you much  in the night?"

Giridhar, who was reading the newspaper, shot a warning look at Suseela. He is well aware of his wife's forthright manner of not mincing words and is apprehensive that she may comment about last night and invite some adverse reaction. In fact he already warned her a couple of times not to hurl any accusations at them. Suseela could sense his predicament and smiled reassuringly.

Nalini fidgeted for a while and said in a low tone. "Sorry, aunty, about last night. We didn't realise we were creating such a nuisance. In fact, what happened was... Do you remember, I told you about the feelers my earlier boss has been sending to me to join the company? Well, yesterday I thought I can give it a try. So I broached the topic with Satish..."

Satish was very encouraging initially. "Very good. You are wasting yourself all these days. They are still insisting on your comeback, even more than two years after you left the job! Really great! Then also I told you to continue till ninth month but you preferred to resign the moment your pregnancy is confirmed. Anyway I am also feeling bad about that. Now it is the ideal opportunity for you. Accept immediately. My mother will look after Kiran. Now that he is nearly two years, it will not be a problem for her."

Nalini shook her head. "No, Satish, I don't want to trouble her in this age. In fact, I left my job precisely for that reason only, not to trouble our seniors with our baby care. There is a new baby care centre nearby opened by one of my acquaintances recently. I heard good reports about the quality. It will be from 9-3. After that she can manage till I come home. That way she also will have some respite. What do you say?"

Satish sniggered. "Baby care centre? For such a small kid? Are you crazy? My mother and father will never resent or grumble. And you also know, she can take very good care of your boy, in fact better than the so called centre. My parents are not that type to shirk from responsibility. Never!" 

"Oh, yes, I know about your parents and their sense of responsibility very well. Is that why they refuse to live with us?" The moment she uttered those words, she bit her tongue. Deep in her heart, she knows very well it is a false accusation. It is always a sore topic with Satish. He could never reconcile with his parents' idea of living separately on their own. Though he respected and accepted their decision, he took it as a personal affront and feels guilty as well as deeply hurt for the state of affairs.

Satish glared at her. "What did you say? They, running away from responsibility? Listen, they chose to live separately for our sake only, to give us some bloody privacy and space, not for their comfort. How dare you talk like that? Was it not my mother who nursed you when you had a miscarriage before Kiran? And throughout your bed rest during your pregnancy? Was it not they who stood like rocks of support to you when Kiran had measles and you panicked and broke down? When did they fail us in our hour of need?"

Nalini kept mum for a while. "Still it is better to get him accustomed to the center. So that by the time he starts school next year, he will get used to the idea."

"What! School already? Do you know, I did not start school till I was five year old."

Nalini smirked. "But now the times have changed, dear. For that matter, my father joined school in sixth standard directly. Can you imagine the same now?"

Satish laughed and added in a sarcastic tone, "Sixth standard! Why, no wonder! It is obvious!"

Now Nalini became furious. "What do you mean now? What is wrong with my father? He had a Doctorate and retired as a Professor in a prestigious university."

Thus one thing led to another and the verbal slinging match continued. 

Nalini came out of her reverie with a jerk and told her briefly about what happened. "...When I told him that Kiran can be sent to a baby care centre when I join the office, he was furious and lost his temper. He said, my mother will look after him and I said we should not trouble our seniors. He spoke bitterly and I retaliated and it went on and on..." Nalini wiped her eyes.

Suseela sighed. What an immature behaviour! By both! She patted her shoulder but did not comment. 

Satish entered and sat by Giridhar. He was feeling guilty as well as repentant. "I am sorry. We should have controlled ourselves. Anyway let us be patient at least in future." 

Suseela said. "Good that you both are wiser now. Keep it up. Anyway, Satish, Nalini's suggestion of the baby care centre is not a bad idea. It will be good for Kiran too to get a chance to interact with kids of his own age. Don't just reject it outright. Think over ."

Nalini's face lit up. Satish nodded thoughtfully.

"Ok, Nalini, let us go now. Let them have some rest." Nalini got up. Suddenly she felt giddy and stumbled. Satish ran to her side and held her. She ran to the wash basin and threw up. He was worried. "Are you ok? Look, lack of sleep and all that tension! How all that is taking toll on you! You don't take proper care of your health." He chided with concern. Suseela offered her a glass of cold water and stared at her keenly. Their eyes met as Nalini looked at her shyly. "Is it... are you...?" Suseela gushed. Nalini nodded.

Giridhar understood and congratulated Satish. Slowly realisation dawned on him and he beamed. "You silly! Is it true? Why didn't you tell me? Let us go to the doctor for confirmation."

Nalini reached for her mobile. "First I have to tell my company rejecting their offer. Now there is no question of my joining for quite some time."

"So again you will have horrible morning sickness and confine to bed. Let us call your mother to come over. Let us give some respite to my mother this time."

Nalini looked at him sharply. "For your sweet information, I told you they are leaving for Atlanta on the day after tomorrow to visit their son and their newborn granddaughter. You never bother about them or their whereabouts."

Satish scratched his head and instead of hurling any nasty dig in reply, as per his habit, this time he wanted to make amends. "Sorry, sorry. I just forgot. But I wish they will be with us at least in time for your delivery."

Nalini gave him a surprised look at his unusual soft response.

Satish said lightheartedly, "So again my mother has to take care of you and also handle our little prince for quite some time." He looked at Suseela. "Are you willing, Mummy?"

Suseela just drew Nalini and Kiran closer. "Why not! But consider the idea of the baby care centre seriously. I cannot manage these two cranky babies all the time."

Satish sat at her feet and put his head on her lap. "Three, Mummy, including me!"

'It's all a storm in the teacup!' Giridhar smiled.