Parvati's Woes

Parvati - Mohan's cousin - and her mother Laxmikuttyamma, is an example of how two harmless products when combined together can create a deadly output. Disclaimer: This example is protected under Copyrights Acts 2020 so please acquire the legal rights before quoting this for your board exam chemistry paper.

Few years back when Parvati came to Bangalore for her first day of joining a big IT company, Mohan and Manjulla too had accompanied them. Since the campus was huge, and no billboards for help on how to reach their destination, tension was building up.

"Oh we will be late, we will be late. Edi Parvati walk faster.", Laxmikuttyamma kept repeating every few seconds. Her tension was apparent in her voice.

"Aiyo ente Amme the reporting time is 9:30 am. We still have 15 minutes left", Parvati said in an exasperated tone, trying to keep up with Laxmikuttyamma, who was now almost running.

"Your generation doesn't understand the value of punctuality. If it were me I would have reported at 8:30 itself", Laxmikuttyamma replied angrily.

"And then do what. Swat flies?", Parvati shouted back.

"The point is if you are given a time, you should reach atleast 1 hour before the allotted time. Otherwise what would people think about you? Would they not think that her parents did not teach her discipline and punctuality. So indirectly my reputation is at stake here. So walk faster you lazy brat", Laxmi Aunty replied.

Parvati threw up her hands. She turned to Manjulla. "I give up. Somebody drive some sense into this lady. Please tell her this is not the 90s anymore. If I am late I will be blamed, not you", Parvati said

"Can't risk it. Walk faster. Its almost time". Nothing was going to stop Laxmikuttyamma from reaching on time.  

Somehow they managed to reach the reporting location on time. Parvati looked around. Barely 3 to 4 new joinees out of the 1000 odd expected were present. One lady, possibly the company HR, was interacting with them. Parvati turned to her mother and growled. 

"See what I meant!", Parvati shouted. Her leg was paining from all the fast walking and jogging and running she was made to do. 

Laxmikuttyamma was unmoved. "See, that company lady just looked at me when we arrived. I think she is going to give you a promotion today itself because you came on time. Then you will thank me", Laxmikuttyamma said with full confidence, smiling and waving her hands at the HR, who was wondering why a stranger was waving at her.

Parvati looked at Mohan and Manjulla with a She-Has-Lost-It look. Mohan and Manjulla tried hard not to make their giggles apparent to their Aunty.

Years passed by. Parvati got married to Ramesh who was working in the same company and now expecting their first child. Parvati was in constant touch with Manjulla for pregnancy related guidelines. 

"Chechi, can you come with me to the doctor for the next scan", Parvati asked Manjulla one day. Manjulla had come to see how Parvati was doing.

"Sure why not? But what happened to Laxmi aunty?", Manjulla asked. Laxmikuttyamma usually accompanied Parvati for her regular pregnancy related appointments with the doctor. Turning to face Laxmi Aunty Manjulla enquired, "All ok Aunty?". Laxmikuttyamma was brooding, but didn't reply.

"Aiyoo Chechi I told her not to come from next time. Didn't I tell you 2 days back that we were going to see a new Radiologist for my 3rd Trimester scan. When we arrived at her clinic the Radiologist looked at both of our tummies and was confused as to who between us was actually pregnant!!! Chechi it was so embarrassing", Parvati was hysterical recounting her ordeal.

"HAHAHAHA", Manjulla couldn't control her laughter.

"I told her she better reduce her tummy if she wants to accompany me for the next session", Parvati continued, giving her mother a stern look.

"You only go with her Manju. Current generation kids are embarrassed of their mummies and their tummies", Laxmi Aunty said, patting her stomach as if to console it.

"Sure aunty no problem I will go", Manjulla said with a smile.

Two days later Manjulla gets a call from Laxmi Aunty. 

"Manju, Parvati is crying like anything. I don't know what happened. Can you come over and talk to her? The scan results were expected to come today. I don't know whether this has anything to do with that. I don't have the strength to ask her", Laxmi Aunty's voice was filled with dread of the unknown news.

Manjulla rushed to Parvati's house. As she reached Parvati's house she saw Laxmi Aunty waiting for her at the gate. 

"Do something Manjulla, her cries are unbearable to see. I fear the worst", Laxmi Aunty was almost in tears.

"Don't worry Aunty, I will go talk to her. You take rest", Manjulla consoled her and went inside.

With a thumping heart, Manjulla enters Parvati's room. Just like Laxmi Aunty described, she was weeping uncontrollably. Her phone was lying down. Ramesh's photo was on it. 

"Oh no", Majulla thought, "Did something bad happen to Ramesh?".

Manjulla laid a hand on Parvati. "What happened Parvati? Is Ramesh alright?".

Parvati looks up and sees Manjulla. She starts weeping even more. "Hey its ok, I am here. Tell me what happened. Is Ramesh alright?", Manjulla asked with utmost dread and concern.

"Ramesh? Screw Ramesh. Deepika and Shahid are dead", Parvati cried out. With that the intensity of her cry went up a notch.

"Oh!", Manjulla replied, somewhat surprised. "Were they your friends? How did they die?", Manjulla asked

"Ranveer killed them Chechi, Ranveer killed them",Parvati said, in between her intense sobs.

"Who Ranveer?", Manjulla asked.

"Ranveer Singh kills both Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapur in Padmaavat Chechi". Manjulla looked too stunned to respond. Parvati continued. "Actually and technically Deepika did Sati, suicide etc etc, but then that was because Ranveer was going to capture her no? And he killed my beloved Shahid. I can't bear this Chechi. This is too much for me Chechi too much". there was no stopping Parvati's tears.

"Yeah I agree. This is too much", Manjulla said . She was too stunned to have any emotion on her face. "You were crying because Shahid Kapur and Deepika Padukone died in Padmaavat?", Manjulla asked, still hoping against hope that this was not why she wasted her day and came running.

"You too feel like crying no?You too cry chechi you too cry. Don't hold on to your emotions. In this pregnancy book chapter 2 page 8 paragraph 4 the author, Unnikuttan, says don't hold on to your emotions. Unnikuttan says if you let your emotions flow you will feel good. I feel soo good now Chechi", Parvati said, managing a smile between the cries.

Manjulla was boiling inside, but considering that Parvati was pregnant,  she just left the room without uttering any more word. Parvati continued letting her emotions flow.

As Manjulla came out, Laxmi Aunty came running. "Is Parvati alright?", she asked in anticipation.

"Nothing that a good kick in her butt wouldn't solve", Manjulla burst out, venting out her bottled up emotions - She would have made Unnikuttan proud. As Manjulla stomped out of the house in a puff she stopped midway, turned around and looking at Laxmi Aunty she shouted

"FOR GOD'S SAKE THROW AWAY THAT PREGNANCY BOOK !!!"

Saying this Manjulla walked out, muttering all the way "I will kill that idiot Unnikuttan". Laxmi Aunty was left wondering what the hell happened in that room.