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Scene 3

(Enter Mr Bhushan and Mr Rehman. Both look quite tired. Mr Rehman is a short stocky
man, balding, with a heavy moustache. He also has twinkling eyes and a slight paunch.)

Mr Bhushan (aside to the audience): Ah! Neelima came through after all! What a mouth-
watering aroma! Ramu has outdone himself!

Mr Rehman: (sits down) Ah…something smells really good. You’re a lucky man Bhushan,
what a wonderful cook your wife must be!

Mr Bhushan: (proudly) Well she is, no doubt, but she’s yet to come back from work today.
She’s a professor at the university, you see. This is the handiwork of our cook. He was
trained well by Neelima.

Mr Rehman: (approvingly) Ah. She runs a tight ship then. I wonder whether…

Rakesh walks in wearing an apron, holding a plate of piping hot snacks with assorted
dips in one hand, and a tray of sandwiches with French fries in the other. The plates are set
down by him and he smiles politely at Mr Rehman.

Rakesh: (holds out a hand) Hello sir, pleased to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from
Baba.

Mr Rehman: (gobsmacked, shakes Rakesh’s hand) Indeed…and are you Ramu?

Rakesh: (chuckles politely) Oh no! Ramu kaka couldn’t come in today. Please excuse me,
I’ll be right back!

Rakesh exits.

Mr Bhushan: (embarrassed) Sir,
my son…He…

Mr Rehman: (interrupting) No
need to say anything, Bhushan.
What an extraordinary young
man! So helpful and polite! You
must be very proud. Am I to take
it that he’s prepared all of this?

Mr Bhushan: Err, yes. He does

enjoy cooking.

handiwork: something that one has made or done
runs a tight ship: keeps a place very well organised and operating efficiently
piping hot: very hot (This phrase was used because when very hot food was served, the steam escaping from hot food
made sounds like musical pipes.)
assorted: various sorts that are put together
gobsmacked: to be so surprised that one cannot speak

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