Apulki Chapter 10 – Too Easy To Be True
- Hansa
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Recap Chapter 9: Isha’s nerve-wracking first meeting with Neerav’s parents goes completely off-script when both families bond instantly, and Yamini’s attempt to spark drama by mentioning dowry only makes things worse.
Gift, Fish and Sacrifice
Mrs Sharma reached into her bag and pulled out a gift-wrapped parcel.
“For you, son.”
Neerav’s eyes lit up. “Thank you.”
He tore the paper open. A non-stick wok gleamed back at him like a prized trophy.
Neerav looked genuinely moved. “Thank you so much, aunty. This is the bestest present ever.”
Mr Banerjee stared at the wok as if it had personally betrayed him.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine a time when a man would happily accept a wok as a gift,” he said gravely. “Kya din aa gaye hein.”
A servant entered with a trolley laden with snacks and Bengali sweets. Neerav jumped up immediately, helping serve everyone with the enthusiasm of someone who truly loved kitchenware.
Mrs Sharma picked up a sandesh and smiled blissfully. “I love these. I could live on them. Ishu, you were unnecessarily worrying about their non-veg and fish.”
“Oh, she was worried?” Mrs Banerjee asked, amused. “But why?”
“She thought you only eat fish,” Mrs Sharma explained.
Mrs Banerjee glanced at her husband. “Mr Banerjee does… but… he’ll leave it. Won’t you, Debo?”
Mr Banerjee, who had been too busy stuffing his face to follow the conversation, looked up sharply. “Leave what?”
“Stop eating fish.”
He stared at her as if she’d suggested giving up oxygen. “Have you lost it, woman? Why would I do that?”
She smiled sweetly. “You can’t give up something so small for a one-in-a-million daughter-in-law?”
Mr Banerjee looked at his wife. Then at Isha. Then slowly lowered his head.
“Okay.”
“Bu… but he can’t give up fish,” Isha blurted out in panic. “He loves it. Neerav told me he eats fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
“Don’t worry,” Mrs Banerjee said lightly. “Fish is nothing. He’ll walk through fire for his son’s happiness.”
Mrs Sharma beamed. “My daughter is very lucky to have in-laws like you.”
“Yeah yeah,” Isha muttered.
She leaned towards Yamini and hissed, “I can’t believe this. They’re saying yes to everything. They’ve nothing against our marriage. What kind of parents are these?”
Is This For Real
On the drive home, Mrs Sharma sighed dreamily. “My Ishu is going to sit on a gohdi. I’m so excited.”
“Mum,” Isha said patiently, “the groom sits on a horse. The bride sits in a doli.”
“That’s what I meant.”
“So you seriously have no problem with the Banerjees?” Isha asked. “None at all?”
“Not one,” Mrs Sharma said cheerfully. “They’re such nice people. Besides, your happiness is our happiness.”
From the driver’s seat, Mr Sharma chimed in, “Mr Banerjee and I are going for the KKR versus Mumbai Indians IPL match on Friday. I can’t wait.”
Isha looked at her parents – glowing, excited, thoroughly pleased, and sighed.
Mrs Sharma added thoughtfully, “Why did you say Neerav is short? He’s fine for an Indian. It’s not as if we need him to change the bulb every day.”
Isha pulled a face and stared out of the window.
The Wok Incident
Neerav stood in the kitchen, admiring the new wok as he cooked.
“Baba,” he said proudly, “this wok that saasu ma gave is so cool. See how gracefully the food glides.”
Mr Banerjee peered in from the doorway. “It’s food. Not a ballerina. By the way, have you seen my lungi?”
“Baba,” Neerav said firmly, “once I’m married, no more lungis.”
Mr Banerjee’s face crumpled. “I don’t get this. I can’t eat fish. I can’t wear a lungi. You’re the one getting married. Why am I getting handcuffed?”
He stormed off in a huff.
Elsewhere in Chimboli
Yamini and Akash stood in the corner of a movie set. Akash had heard a Bollywood director was shooting in Chimboli and had managed to arrange an audition for a small role for Yamini.
The shooting of the film Aag ke Sholay was underway.
“Who’s playing Veeru?” the director barked.
“Sir, me.”
“Shot ready?” he asked.
“Aag ke Sholay… Take 1!” The spot boy clapped the clapboard.
“Action!” said the director.
Veeru cleared his throat. “Sorry Sir, I’m not going to say inn kuton ke saamne matt naach. Let Jai or someone else say it.”
“What?” the director spluttered.
“Why this discrimination against dogs?” Veeru protested. “I’m a dog lover. I have four dogs. My entire family – daughter, wife, mother-in-law, all my in-laws, parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, friends – they will be sitting in the front row of the balcony to watch this film. And they know I love dogs. Meri izzat ka sawaal hai.”
Before the director could respond, a new actress in a white sari stepped forward, looked Veeru up and down, and said casually, “I’ll do it.”
“You'll do WHAT?” asked the bewildered director.
“I’ll say the lines. What’s the big deal?”
“Only that you’re a woman. A bahu. Thakur’s widowed bahu!”
“Whatever.”
She lit a cigarette, took a drag, and blew smoke with a haughty indifference.
“Where’s Gabbar?” the director shouted.
“He's been in the toilet all morning,” the spot boy said. “Must be something he ate last night.”
The director clutched his head. “Arrgh! Pack up.”
As he collapsed into a chair, Yamini and Akash approached cautiously.
“Sir,” the spot boy said, “the girl you wanted to meet for the role of Uloopi is here.”
“Ah yes. Portfolio?”
“Yes, sir,” Yamini said, handing it over.
The director flipped through the pages, unimpressed. “You call this a portfolio? With these pictures, you won’t even get the role of an extra in a C-grade comedy film.”
He flung the folder back at her.
“Get lost.”
Yamini stood frozen for a moment. Then she turned, grabbed Akash’s hand and marched off, her face smarting as though she had been slapped.
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Loved this chapter
Poor Mr Banerjee why is he being asked to gove up fish and lungi? 🤣
Waiting for the next chapter
This was a laughter riot 🤣
Mr banerjee giving up fish, woah! badi unchi cheeze hai ye give up krna!
And plus unchee vichar of Mrs bannerjee too lmaoo
Im sad for yammu
Btw especially that ishu mounted on horse 🤣
Ho ho wok and ballet dance. Hmm next time I will see if my kadhai does ballet dance . Oh dear lungi. Poor Banerjee papa. Can't do anything 😂😂😂
Oh sholay reference and thakur bahu new andaz😂😂. This was hilarious chapter