"So, for how long have you worked with the Shekhawat Group after your graduation?" Suniti asked Sanyukta. They were in the kitchen getting ready to make lunch. "Oh no, I am not an employee per se, I joined them this Monday as a summer intern. I am studying in the 12th grade science stream, and Mum decided to send me there to keep me from getting into mischief. I can make a lot of trouble when idle, you see,  Mom is paranoid I'll start a gang of thugs!" Suniti laughed at her candour. "Don't you have to attend tuitions like other science students?" She was curious to know. "No, I have always managed alone, besides, Mom helps me with studies." Sanyukta replied.

"I knew you looked too young to be an employee. I was just thinking, you are so different from my daughter Tanvi who got married and moved to the US a year ago. I speak to her daily yet I miss her so much! My son Tushar is studying engineering in Manipal. My Tanvi is a quiet girl unlike you, and I am happy you decided to come along with the boys, I will have company for the day." Suniti showed Sanyukta the correct proportion of ingredients that were needed to be ground for the curries and instructed her helper to clean and marinate the fish for frying.

"We call this fish murdushi!" Sanyukta said, indicating towards the nagli or ladyfish. "Yes, they are known as kaney in Mangalore where I grew up. They are found in plenty in the estuaries here, a very clean fish with only a central bone so it is safe for kids too. Always use only freshly bought bedgi chillies and coriander seeds for fish curry!" Suniti informed her. "Will you add tirphal to the nagli ambat?" Sanyukta asked her. "We call it teppal, and no, it is only used for oily fish such as mackerel and sardines to offset their strong smell!" Suniti saw Sanyukta admiring the breadfruit tree in the back yard while she was listening to her.

"Do you like fried breadfruit chips?" She asked Sanyukta. "Yes, I love them very much, besides the tirphal in fish curry." Sanyukta had barely spoken those words when Suniti asked her gardener to get her a couple of breadfruits. "But Paachi, there is already so much fried fish for lunch!" Sanyukta protested. "I'll make chips with only a part of it; you can carry home the rest along with some teppal and dried mackerels. Karwari mackerels are reputed for being non-smelly. Ask Anju to make bangdya kismoor (mackerel relish) for you tomorrow!"Suniti smiled as she packed the things for her.

"Do you know my mother?" Sanyukta was surprised to hear her mother's name. "Arvind talks about his college days all the time. Harsh and Anju were the batch's favourite singers." Suniti stopped discreetly. "They don't sing anymore!" Sanyukta said softly. "I know; Anju is a very stoic person. She has prevailed over adversity. You are lucky to have a mother as strong as her. Make sure you do her proud! Children are enough to fill up any void in life, I wish my kids were nearby! Never mind, I have you with me today." Suniti spoke cheerfully as she showed Sanyukta how to make the curries. Soon the cooking was done, except for the fried fish, which would be made just before lunchtime.

Suniti offered Sanyukta some pej or rice gruel in a bowl. "Have some with me; the men will not be back so soon!" She told her, as she placed a set of accompaniments before her. There were mustard greens cooked with split Bengal gram, slivers of fresh coconut and some chilli lime pickle. "This is so simple yet delicious." Sanyukta remarked after tasting the food. "Any leafy green is great with pej. Yesterday I had made vali bhaji or Malabar spinach, you know it as Mayalu. The veggies are from our farm. Parboiled red rice is a must for the pej; it does not taste the same otherwise. Have some nishi!" Suniti poured stock from the gruel pot into Sanyukta's plate.

After they had eaten, they moved to the drawing room and Suniti brought out some family picture albums, showing Sanyukta a pictorial history, starting with her own wedding album. "You look so pretty as a bride here, and this is the same coral kashi thali kanthi you are wearing now as in these pictures!" Sanyukta said admiringly. "Yes, it is given to the bride during the wedding, and it is as important as the mangalsutra for us. By the way, what plans have you made for your education and wedding?" Suniti asked her.

"Well, nothing about a wedding, it is too far into the future. But I will write the Goa pre-medical CET, my performance in that and my Class 12 results will decide my further education. Oh, this album dates back to Uncle's college days!" Sanyukta remarked as they browsed through it. "Yes, and here are Anju and Harsh, singing at the final year inter-college fest and also at the annual day function!" Suniti added. Sanyukta smiled to see Anju and Harsh in their younger days, either her mother did not possess a single memento from that time or her father had destroyed them in his rage.

Just then Suniti's phone rang, it was Arvind who called to inform that they were on their way home. Suniti asked her helper to start frying the fish as Sanyukta continued to browse through pictures. "This is your daughter's wedding album!" She said. "Yes, the wedding took place last year in April. Here is a picture of the Shekhawat family!" Suniti pointed it out. Sanyukta noticed that Renuka looked regal as ever and the three men looked very dapper. "It is good that Randhir has taken after his father, he is as passionate and committed to his work as Harsh!" Suniti knew the family for a long time.

"But that makes him quite boring you know, all work and no play, whereas Parth is more fun to be around!" Sanyukta did not know why she said that on an impulse. "Trust me, I have been married for nearly two decades now, a girl needs to opt for a man who is committed rather than someone who is fun-loving. Nothing against Parth, he is a fine boy, but if Randhir did not take on a lion share of his father's responsibilities Parth would not be as carefree. He needs to learn from his brother." Suniti's words warmed the cockles of Sanyukta's heart but before she could respond the men were back from the factory visit.

As they freshened up Sanyukta helped Suniti and the helper to lay the table. Arvind offered them some cold beer but Randhir declined as they had to drive later and opted for tender coconut water instead. Sanyukta tried to look for signs of malaise in Randhir but he seemed cheerful. As they sat down to lunch they were overwhelmed by the flavours of the food. "Excellent lunch, Aunty, everything is just perfect, I could eat this all day!" Randhir complimented the hostess. "It is all in the freshness of the ingredients, and Sanyukta helped with everything!" Suniti replied modestly and Randhir grinned. "I can see that you managed to put her to good use." He said, with a side glance at Sanyukta.

"Well, she does have the potential to be an ideal wife some day!" Suniti and Arvind shared a knowing look while Sanyukta blushed, unwilling to look up or say a word. They continued to enjoy the fresh seafood meal accompanied with homegrown vegetables. They had eaten so much that they declined Suniti's offer of dessert, opting instead for some delicious  Musrad mangoes from the family orchard. Arvind had already put aside several dozen mangoes for them to carry home, with Sanyukta's bag kept separately. They chatted for some time, to settle their heavy lunch and then decided to start their journey homeward. Suniti handed Sanyukta the bag of breadfruit, teppal and dried mackerels.

She hugged her as the girl bowed spontaneously to touch both her and Arvind's feet. "Please bring her back again sometime Randhir, she makes for great company!" Randhir nodded, saying he would if possible. They said goodbye and were on their way home when Sanyukta asked Randhir to stop somewhere in town. "Now what do you want?" He asked. "I cannot leave here without enjoying the famous Gadbad ice cream!"She pleaded like a child. "Do you not get tired of eating all day?" He was amazed at how she always had room for more in her belly. "Do you want me to eat your brain instead, and don't forget, ice cream is healthier than drinking!" She won the argument.

As Parth and Sanyukta dug into their sundaes of many flavoured scoops of ice cream, jelly, nuts and fruit Randhir occupied himself with work on his phone, until a spoonful of ice cream was thrust in his face. "Have na, I don't want to get a tummy ache because you did not eat any!" She cajoled him until she had managed to feed him a couple of spoonfuls. "Why are you grinning like the Cheshire cat now?" Randhir asked to see her beaming and Parth burst out laughing. "Because you two shared a spoon, to her that is like having kissed you!" Parth winced as she kicked him hard from under the table.

"Both of you are nuts, let's get out of here now that your dessert is eaten." He was getting impatient to see her continuing to buy some mallige jasmine and Nandini Mysore pak. "What if you never bring me back again to Karwar? I have to help the local economy, besides I need to finish my spending money before Mom returns." When she was finally done, she slipped into the seat next to Randhir who was driving. "It is Parth's turn to sleep on the return journey!" She declared, winking at Parth. Randhir rolled his eyes as Parth actually drifted off to sleep while Sanyukta hummed softly. "I need to keep you awake na? If I keep my mouth shut you may drive us off the highway into the Zuari!" While he would not admit it to her, Randhir smiled to himself, glad to have the cute bundle of craziness sitting next to him on the long  journey back home.