Loud mouth

‘My goodness, look at that lady! Not only has she come alone to the restaurant but has ordered so many dishes! What a glutton!’ I shhhd...her immediately. ‘Be quiet, dear, what if she hears you?’ She tossed her head and replied brightly ‘Don’t worry auntie, this is Assam and we are speaking in Kannada.

Even if she hears, she can’t understand!’ I disagreed grimly. ‘Have they not taught you that it’s wrong to speak ill about others? Or is it ok for your generation to gossip and bad mouth people?’

The next moment we heard the lady in question speaking brightly in perfect Kannada and telling us it is alright and I should stop scolding the girl.’ I stay alone and cannot wait for someone to give me company when I am hungry, you see. But I did think a smart girl of your generation would find it cool to visit hotels alone?’ She was gone before we could react.

Neha was a little like that. Uttering wrong words at wrong times came naturally to her. Once, in a wedding where all people present were complimenting the radiant bride, she held a bouquet exclaiming ‘God, you look so awful!’ I butted in immediately  ‘She means awesome, you know… gets her words mixed up sometimes’. How were we to know that the bridegroom was unhappy over his bride’s hairstyle but she had gone ahead in spite of knowing that he disapproved of the way her hair was twisted into curls and lay scattered all over her back. We beat a hasty retreat without partaking the wedding feast.

Cut to another occasion. A book release from an up-coming author. She was the latest entrant and had a fan following of her own. Her looks, walk and talk made more news than her books. She was invited to all the happening events in town and made a pretty picture with her stylish couture and even more stylish quotes. It was rumored that she was dating a billionaire and he would be present at the launch. The release went off smoothly with the chief guest praising her to the skies, a few flash bulbs popping, some social butterflies tittering and a few like us clapping. It was followed by a reading from the book and tea.

Having purchased the obligatory copy, I nudged Neha to get it autographed. ‘Where is that guy, that rich one? The one who is supposed to have financed this book? Don’t tell me he has been so put off by this book that he has left her!’

I turned a deep red as the lady of our discussion turned towards us. Her smile and poise had me stumped at least momentarily.’Oh, she is still young. She doesn’t know her manners yet’ I stammered.

‘I don’t mind at all. Yes, he did finance my book but didn’t leave me. I left him as I found a millionaire!’ She extended her hand, grabbed the book and scribbled on the first page, “To the one who has to learn to keep her mouth shut!”