Apulki Chapter 15 - Dreams, Decisions and Dinner Menus
- Hansa
- Mar 17
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 18
Recap Chapter 14: In the aftermath of Mrs Banerjee’s heart attack, hospital humour masks deeper fears. Back home, her warmth and wedding talk intensify Isha’s guilt, while Yamini’s excitement about finally meeting Sunil Waghmare contrasts sharply with Isha’s growing confusion about her engagement.
The Butter Theory of Love
Neerav had taken over the girls’ kitchen as if it were a battlefield and he its decorated general.
One hand stirred something dangerously rich in a wok. The other rolled out dough with suspicious confidence. The oven beeped obediently under his command. Flour dusted the back of his hands and streaked across his apron like war paint. He whistled as though MasterChef India were already engraving his name on a trophy.
Yamini walked in and peeped into the wok.
“OMG! Such a lot of butter. You trying to kill us or what?”
Neerav didn’t even look up.
“Your healthy cooking’s not going to get me selected in MasterChef.”
“Whatever. But there’s no way I’m eating that. I’m meeting Sunil next week. I can’t afford to bloat up.”
He ignored her and tasted his creation.
“Yummy. I feel like kissing the hand that’s stirred up this mind-blowing dish.”
He dramatically lifted both hands and planted exaggerated kisses on them.
“Muah. Muah. Muah.”
Then he looked at Yamini with open disdain.
She sniffed.
“Huh. Whatever.”
And flounced out.
The Extra Coach
In the living-cum-dining room, Isha sat at the desk, typing furiously on the computer.
“Wassup, Ishu?” Neerav asked, wandering in.
“Applying for that job I told you about.”
On the floor, Akash sat cross-legged, leafing through engagement photographs with the intensity of a historian examining ancient manuscripts.
Neerav plonked himself down beside him.
“Engagement pictures? Lemme see.”
He flipped through a few.
“Buddy… was it Ishu and my engagement or Yammu’s? All the pictures are of her.”
Akash didn’t even deny it. He had a dreamy, faraway expression.
“What could I do? She was looking so beautiful.”
Neerav raised an eyebrow.
“Have you told her?”
“No. She hasn’t seen them yet.”
“Not that. Have you told her you love her?”
“Shhh!”
Akash darted a swift glance toward the bedroom door.
“Are you mad? She loves Sunil. Sunil loves Mohini. I don’t want to be an extra coach in this lovers’ train.”
Neerav frowned. “Who’s Mohini?”
Akash gave him a look. “You haven’t heard? There’s talk… something brewing between Waghmare and his co-actor.”
"Ah,” Neerav nodded slowly. “That Mohini. I thought you meant another of Yammu’s friends. Like Bejal.” He grinned. “And that’s why you’ve arranged for her to meet Sunil Waghmare on the sets?”
Akash chuckled. “She’ll be so happy to see him, I’m bound to be sprinkled with some of that happiness.”
“What?”
“Never mind.”
Neerav shook his head. “Waise, you two make a nice couple. You dream all day with your eyes shut. And she with them open.”
Hand-Me-Downs and High Drama
A few days later, on the Banerjee terrace, wedding diplomacy was in full swing.
The terrace was lush with potted plants and polite conversation. Tea was poured. Snacks were passed. Servants retreated discreetly.
Mrs Sharma stirred her tea and looked around appreciatively.
“What a lovely terrace garden you have.”
“That’s all you can have when you live in an apartment,” Mrs Banerjee said lightly. “I envy you your garden.”
“So Mr Sharma’s in a meeting?” Mr Banerjee asked.
“Yes. I tagged along with him to Chimboli just to see you.”
“I’m glad you did. I wanted to go over some wedding details.”
Mrs Sharma beamed. “Let’s have a big fat grand wedding. After all, Ishu’s our only child.”
“True,” Mrs Banerjee nodded. “God knows when we’ll get another chance. By the time our grandchildren get married, we might have already popped off.”
“Ishu,” Neerav said thoughtfully, “we better make sure our firstborn is a boy.”
Isha blinked. “We better what?”
Mr Banerjee frowned. “Why? What’s wrong with girls?”
“Yes,” Mrs Banerjee added sharply. “How is my daughter-in-law inferior to you?”
“Chill, Ma,” Neerav said. “You’re always ready to pull out a dagger like Ma Durga. All I was saying was, if the first one is a boy, the second child can wear his hand-me-downs. But if the first one is a girl and the second is a boy, he can’t. I was just being practical and you guys pounce on me. Isshh.”
“Come here, son,” Mrs Sharma said warmly. “Your parents don’t know your worth. You come and stay with me.”
“Finally,” Neerav declared, hugging her, “someone in this world appreciates me.”
Isha rolled her eyes.
“How are you feeling now?” Mrs Sharma asked Mrs Banerjee.
“She spent the morning deciding what to wear for her 60th birthday party,” Mr Banerjee replied. “And a good part of the afternoon pouncing on me. It can only mean she’s 100% fit.”
“Not a party. It's going to be a small affair,” Mrs Banerjee said calmly. “Just five-six close friends... Isha, the dinner is your responsibility. You decide the menu and the caterers.”
“Me? But... ”
“Of course she’ll take care of it,” Mrs Sharma cut in. “Yes, Ishu?”
“Uh huh… Actually, I’d better leave now.”
“What happened?” Neerav asked.
“That job I applied for? I need to post my CV today.”
“But I thought you already have a good job?” Mr Banerjee said.
“This cane furniture shop is just TP.”
“TP?” he repeated. “Toilet paper?”
Neerav covered his face. “Time pass, baba. Time pass.”
“I’m a furniture designer,” Isha said. “It’s my dream to work for a multinational.”
“Then you must apply,” Mrs Banerjee said firmly. “Follow your dreams.”
Mr Banerjee looked at his son. “Learn something from her. Playing with pots and pans all day long.”
Neerav sighed as though deeply misunderstood by society.
Favouritest Daughter-in-Law
In the car that evening, as traffic crawled along, Mrs Sharma seemed unusually satisfied.
“Did you see how your in-laws sprang to your defence when Neerav said your first baby should be a boy?”
“I know,” Isha muttered. “Bongs are so melodramatic.”
“Your mother-in-law is so sensible. And my mother-in-law? Her hobby was finding fault with everything I did.”
Isha stared at her hands.
“And this menu responsibility she’s given you? This is your chance to impress. To get her on your side.”
“But she’s already on my side.”
“If you manage to please her that day, you will become her favouritest daughter-in-law.”
“I am her only daughter-in-law.”
“But really,” Mrs Sharma sighed happily. “I’m so glad you’re marrying into such a lovely family. I better go to Ganpati temple tomorrow to thank him.”
The car stopped.
Isha hugged her mother tightly.
“Give my love to dad.”
“I will. Take care, beta.”
Isha stepped out and watched the car drive away.
I’m so glad you’re marrying into such a lovely family.
The words lingered.
She turned and walked toward her building, lost in thought.
Meanwhile in Mumbai, a sharply dressed assistant director ushered Yamini into a room on a posh movie set.
“Please be seated. He’s shooting in the adjoining room. He’ll see you when the shot is over.”
Yamini nodded and sat down.
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Missed a chapter? Click on the links below:
Chapter 10 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-10
Chapter 11 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-11
Chapter 12 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-12
Chapter 13 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-13
Chapter 14 - https://www.hansawriter.com/post/apulki-chapter-14
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Keep smiling friends. Life is beautiful. Cherish each moment.
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Wow Hasa .. amazing 🤩 loved it very much and always the end keeps me eager for the next episode .. you write so damn well and you exactly know how to make the reader dream and visualize through your writing ✍️..
😍
Loved the dramatic narration of neerav's cooking scene. I liked to see neerav and yamini dual interaction. I might be wrong but there has not been many so this was interesting.
Neer has habit of dropping bombs casually, that i must say.
I feel bad about isha, hope she clears her dilemma soon.
Aww i loved the terrace scene, they are so wholesome 💖
Who's Mohini? Weren't Akash and Yamini already dating? Or did I miss something huge?
Wonder what's going to happen next....
Ho ho these Banerjee and sharma family are from some different planet.
Neerav long plans on baby
His cooking skills are awesome
So Ishu still going ahead with wedding
And yamini looks like she may get jhatkas
I guess next chapter Mr waghmare personal appearance coming
I m saying hansa u have still kept suspense in this comic story. Well done. Looking forward to next chapter