No Mother-in-law, Please! - Chapter 12 - An Excerpt

                                               

                                                                          Excerpt

        “O.K. Yogi. I’m tired now. I’d like to have some rest now. Come Ravi. Let her also take rest. Maaji, you also have a nap.” Yogi could literally feel the coldness in Sharon’s voice. She was dismayed. How had she been so indiscreet? The words had just slipped out involuntarily. But didn’t that mean that it was at the back of her mind then? At all times too?

         Tea-time was a strained affair. Everyone tried to make small talk and failed miserably.

         “Pass the sugar.”

         “Here are the biscuits.”

         “Isn’t it too warm now?”

         Soon, there were no questions to ask and none to answer! Everyone’s mind was buzzing with questions though! Only one person had the answers. Yogita. She was pensive and subdued. She ate with downcast eyes and avoided eye-contact with the others.

         Sharon and Maaji looked at her with piercing eyes that seemed as though they’d bore a tunnel into her brain to wrench those answers. Ravi looked distant and disturbed. Why had Yogita said that? 

                                                                           End of the Excerpt

 The copyright of this novel belongs to Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

You could read the full novel for free at www.wattpad.com. Just login and enjoy your reading session! Do let the reviews flow! Thanks in anticipation. Priya

No Mother-in-law, Please! - Chapter 10 An Excerpt

     

                                                               Chapter 10 - An Excerpt

        Yogita didn’t open her eyes as the fever racked her being. She felt as weak as a limp rag doll. When she passed off into slumber, she didn’t know! When she awoke, she found a pleasant looking, rotund lady peering over her from behind round glasses. She was clad in a blue and green, art-silk sari with abstract prints all over. She was the Doctor.

         As Yogita struggled to sit upright, she beckoned her to remain in repose. She efficiently checked her pulse, B.P. and examined her throat and eyes.

        “I am prescribing some medicines for 2 days. Let me know how you feel, Yogita, and then we’ll decide.”

         So Sharon had told the Doctor her name while she was asleep, she mused. She looked intently at the Doctor. Could she cure her truly? Of her wild feelings? She could just physically cure her. But right then, that would do! She felt terrible. As if wrung through a washing machine! Had sleeping on the wet bed given her fever? She wanted to get well instantly. She had urgent work to do.

         “I’ll let you know Doctor. Thanks and sorry for the trouble,” she softly said, feeling her throat to be raw and her voice, slightly gruff. Then she closed her eyes, tired and drowsy.

                                                                        End of Excerpt

 The copyright of this novel belongs to Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

You could read the full novel for free at www.wattpad.com. Just login and enjoy your reading session! Do let the reviews flow! Thanks in anticipation. Priya

No Mother-in-law, Please! - Chapter 8 - An Excerpt

                                         

                                                               Chapter 8 - An Excerpt

          “You’re looking elegant Yogita. That color suits you!” he said, on seeing her. He was seated on the sofa in the living room when she entered with her pallu loosely draped over one shoulder, showing off the beautiful sari, like a professional model. She was slightly embarrassed when she saw that Maaji wasn’t there. Ravi had caught her preening like a proud peacock. What would he think?

           Gracefully, she accepted his compliment and asked shyly, “Oh thanks. Where is Maaji? I actually came to show her the sari. I think she could be in Sharon’s room. I’ll go and check….”

          As she fled, she couldn’t help noticing the amused look on Ravi’s handsome face. In fact, he was trying hard to keep from bursting out laughing! She had committed a faux pas. Sharon’s room! Wasn’t it his too? Their bedroom!

           Yogita was flushed a beetroot red and drenched in perspiration as she made her way towards that room. She stiffened when she neared it. She could hear Maaji and Sharon conversing.

                                                                        End of Excerpt

 The copyright of this novel belongs to Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

You could read the full novel for free at www.wattpad.com. Just login and enjoy your reading session! Do let the reviews flow! Thanks in anticipation. Priya

My MIL's Second Death Anniversary Today!

                                     

                                                         Dedication of the book:

                                                   No Mother-in-law, Please!

                                                                        By 

                                           Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan

             The copyright of this novel is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

Snaps of the New Year's Eve party at home!

This book is humbly dedicated to my mother-in-law, Prema Nathan. She is a simple, talented and god-fearing lady. After her husband’s early demise, she single-handedly and ably brought up her two children.

Among her noteworthy talents are singing, steno-typing, playing the violin, embroidery, tailoring and cooking.

She is a stickler for time and tidiness. She loves to regale us with mythological stories and anecdotes from her family’s history. At 90, she’s a bundle of energy, bustling about the house with élan.

Above all, she has a mind of her own and doesn’t hesitate to call a spade, a spade! 

Here’s wishing her a long, healthy and peaceful life!

                                                               

               FOREWORD

    One word that strikes unimaginable terror in a young bride’s heart is ‘mother-in-law’. It is not surprising, as a lady who is utmost loving and compassionate as a mother, often becomes a despicable ogre as soon as she becomes a mother-in-law! 

     The reasons could be several, such as a difference in opinions, points-of-view, temperaments and attitudes; ego, one-upmanship, bias, prejudice, greed, jealousy and hatred.

     Often, life after marriage becomes a continuous tussle between the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law, with the husband/son sandwiched helplessly between the two warring ladies. Each lady tries to exert her control over the man and the household and establish her supremacy.

     A lady, who has been tortured by her mother-in-law as a newly-wed bride, viciously and gleefully takes over the onerous mantle effortlessly, when she becomes a mother-in-law!

     No wonder then that many a young girl these days has a strict (often unspoken) rule when she decides to marry. ‘No mother-in-law, please!’ Obviously, she wants to live peacefully and happily with her husband, without the baggage of a nagging mother-in-law!

     But there are always exceptions to the rule!

 The copyright of this novel belongs to Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

You could read the full novel for free at www.wattpad.com. Just login and enjoy your reading session! Do let the reviews flow! Thanks in anticipation. Priya

                                                                **********

How time flies! It's two years since my mother-in-law, whom I used to call Amma, left us for her heavenly abode, leaving behind innumerable memories....

Enjoying games with my students...

Cooking delicious dishes for all of us...

Singing bhajans and hymns...

Narrating mythological tales and anecdotes...

Reminiscing about Ramesh's and Malini's childhood pranks...

Scolding us for our shenanigans...

Playing antakshari, scrabble and word games with us...

Accompanying us on trips...

Watching movies with us...

Endlessly watching Sun TV.... The SUN never set in our house then...

Sewing garments, curtains, etc. on her sewing machine and creating artistic hand-embroidery...

Taking the maidservant to task... And then giving her tips and yummy treats...

Meticulously maintaining household accounts...

Calling me Pyaari Bacchu and my hubby, Raameshu...

......

We pray that her soul rests in eternal peace! We also pray that she protects and guides us like our Guardian Angel!

No Mother-in-law, Please! - Chapter 6 - An Excerpt

                                             

                                                                               EXCERPT

           As soon as she called Yogita up, she got her answer. “Oh Sharon! I am so happy for you. I’m sure you both will make an ideal pair. Hearty congrats, dear!”

          “Yogi, we are going to have a whirlwind marriage. We will be married in a couple of days, at Vizag. Could you make it? I really want you by my side on this most special day of my life,” Sharon pleaded with her.

          “I’m so sorry Sharon! I’d have loved to be with you then, but I have back to back, client meetings lined up at my ad agency. The schedule is so busy that I just don’t dare take even a day off! You know what an ogre I have for my Boss! Grrr…” she burst out laughing.

          “I understand, Yogi. Maybe we could meet later.”

          “By the way, Sharon, have you met your would-be mother-in-law? I mean….”

                                                          End of excerpt 

 The copyright of this novel belongs to Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

You could read the full novel for free at www.wattpad.com. Just login and enjoy your reading session! Do let the reviews flow! Thanks in anticipation. Priya

No Mother-in-law, Please! - Chapter 4 - An Excerpt

                                                 

          In fifteen minutes, she was ready. As she appraised herself in the dressing-table’s mirror, she saw a slightly nervous, elegantly dressed girl looking back at her. Her calf-length navy-blue dress; with black sequins bordering the V-shaped neckline, short sleeves and hem; made her appear fairer than usual. 

          Her dark eyes enhanced with mascara and eye-liner, looked gorgeous. Her lips looked full, as the pale pink gloss shimmered tantalisingly on them. Though her front teeth protruded slightly, they made her lips part sensually. Her dark, shoulder-length hair was glossy and thick. It fell softly around her shoulders. As she slipped on her 2-inch platform heels and saw herself getting taller, in the mirror, she inhaled deeply. Not bad! She said inwardly. Now let’s see what that guy has to say!

         As she reached the door of her room, she turned back. She had forgotten her glasses. She grimaced as she put them on. One look into the mirror and she shuddered. Oh Hell! Now she looked like an old school teacher! She removed them. Again put them on. She could avoid wearing the glasses, but that would just not do! She’d stumble around…

         Just then, the door-bell rang. Trrng, Trnng.

         “I’ll get it Mom,” so saying, Sharon walked with bated breath to the door. With great trepidation, she opened it. A suave and slightly amused man was expectantly waiting outside. He swiftly appraised her, but very casually. He obviously didn’t want to embarrass her.

         “Well, won’t you call me in? By the way, I’m Ravi Saxena. And you are Sharon, right?” he asked in a well-modulated, deep voice. 

                                                     End of excerpt 

 The copyright of this novel belongs to Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

You could read the full novel for free at www.wattpad.com. Just login and enjoy your reading session! Do let the reviews flow! Thanks in anticipation. Priya