The Aries Girl

Kullu Airport. Last week.

Wrapping up the tvc shoot in Manali, all of us were waiting in front of the check-in counter for it to open. We were flying to Chandigarh.

Early a.m ..7:00ish. Some sprawled on chairs snoozing, some lounging around ..some standing n chatting over a cuppa. 
Most of the unit - all actors (mom, Pavan Malhotra, Vikrant Massey, Ayesha Raza), the director, production, some of the agency and client.
It had been a good shoot, glorious weather ..and there was a lot of laughter in that corner of Bhuntar Airport.

Ma Merii, all bundled up in her Eskimo jacket ..feet propped up on a bag and nestling a glass of tea in her hands ..sat watching the TV screen on the wall opposite. Rapt attention. On screen - Zodiac forecast of the day.

Suddenly we hear her squeal.

Pointing to the TV screen, very excitedly -

‘मेष rashi ..Aries ..!! Keh rahey hain ki mujhey koi interesting milega!! Naya साथी. A new partner ..!!’

Pin drop silence.

Everyone turns to look at her. Eskimo hood ..chai ..an excited giggling 81-year old.

Err. A new partner??

Some laugh. Some fidget uncomfortably lest she pins them with a searching look.

I look away. Mom, I sigh.

The director is standing near where she is sitting.

‘Bete ..’ she addresses him.

‘Ma’am?’ ..he responds with a grin.

‘Mujhey phir दादा nahin milaa iss shoot mein ..’ ..she shakes her head. Mock-sad.
Her grudge mostly - naani banaatey hain to naana nahin dete, daadi banatey hain to dada nahin.

A huge guffaw all around.

Playing to the gallery??

My old girl here plays to an airport lobby too sometimes. Just saying.

#BijiDeKissey