by Shilpa Suraj
“Oh God. Don’t call her that. I feel bad enough as it is.”
“All right. As for she who won’t be named, she had it coming. I met both of them last night, remember? You are so far out of his league, he isn’t even a speck on your horizon and she is just an insecure, unhappy troll. You should be careful though. If she ever tackles you, I doubt we could put you back together again. I’m speaking as a doctor and a concerned friend.”
Putting a hand to her mouth to muffle the laughter spilling out of her, Alisha gasped, “Please stop.”
Getting out of the car, he leaned in for a minute. “Stick with lime juice or something till I come back with the beer. I’ll fix you a drink which will make everything go away.”
She was still smiling when she waved him off and rang the doorbell. Suddenly, the noise levels inside seemed bearable.
---xxx---
Chapter 10
Trailing her finger through the condensation of her glass of Coke, Alisha watched the two families interact. In the last few days, they seemed to have merged quite seamlessly and were at this moment getting along like a house on fire. Covertly scanning the room, she saw Arav and Pooja standing in a corner near the bar and talking. Smiling, she watched Arav lean closer to whisper something into Pooja’s ear.
“It seems to be going well, doesn’t it?” Payal, Arav’s sister settled her very pregnant self into the sofa next to Alisha. Absently rubbing her stomach with one hand, she blew out a breath.
“Fingers crossed.” Wanting to say more, Alisha stopped when she saw Payal wince and press a hand to her stomach. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I think I’m going to give birth to a footballer though. This baby has decided to come into this world kicking. Do you want to see what that feels like?”
Before she could protest, Alisha found her hand being held against Payal’s stomach. Starting to feel foolish when nothing happened for a while, she was just about to withdraw her hand when she felt the flutter. Charmed, she spread her fingers to try and feel more. Taking in the delight on her face, Payal smiled gently, “It’s something else, isn’t it?”
When Alisha only nodded, she asked, “How many do you want to have?”
“Me? Oh! I don’t think I’ll be….”
Much to her relief, Vivaan’s voice cut off her stammering reply. “Shall I fix you that drink now?”
“No, thanks for the offer but I’m going to stick with Coke today.”
“Sure?” He asked but his attention was already diverted by his sister struggling to get out of the sofa. Hastily putting her glass down, Alisha stood to help him lift his sister to her feet.
“Sorry.” Ruefully, Payal waved away their hands. “I’ve turned into a whale with a weak bladder. Ignore me while I waddle to the bathroom.”
“She must be very close to her due date,” Alisha murmured. “Is her husband going to be here soon?”
“He’ll be here in another couple of days. He hasn’t been able to get time off from work.” Something in his carefully controlled tone had her looking at him sharply. Not wanting to intrude, she sat down again and picked up her glass.
Shaking himself out of whatever mood had suddenly gripped him, he came to sit next to her. “How is the happy couple doing?”
“They seem to be getting along like a house on fire. Has your brother said anything to you about whether things are going well or not?”
Amusement warming his eyes, he said, “You want dirt? You need to dish first.”
“Okay.” Crossing her legs, she leaned back. “Pooja seems to like him so far. She was excited about coming to lunch today so that can only mean that she was looking forward to seeing him. She thinks he’s attractive and she enjoyed her evening out with him especially the latter part of the evening. I think the dinner started off on an awkward note but things picked up between them later. Oh, and she likes the way he dresses.” Gesturing with her glass, she said, “It’s your turn now.”
“My turn?”
“Yes. Your turn. Tell me what Arav thinks.”
“Oh! My brother and I don’t have long intimate chats. He hasn’t said anything to me so far.”
“You said you would tell me what he thought if I told you what Pooja thought.” Outrage had her voice spiking. Noticing the glances they were getting from the others, she lowered her voice and whispered, “You’re a big fat liar. I’m never believing anything you say again.”
His eyes dancing, he leaned in closer to whisper back, “I never promised. I just said you have to dish first. Always read the fine print, sweetheart.”
“Don’t call me that!” she hissed.
“You prefer darling?”
“I prefer my name.” She would have continued her whispered tirade if not for her father’s voice calling out to her. Giving him one last furious glare, she rose and walked over to where the men were clustered around the bar. His soft laughter still ringing in her ears, she tried to focus on her father’s words.
“-Next Sunday.” Tuning in belatedly, she realized she’d missed the entire conversation swirling around her.
“I’m sorry, dad, what was that?” Ignoring the fact that Vivaan had come to stand near her uncle on the pretext of refilling his drink, she waited for her father to reply.
“I said we’re all going to go to our farmhouse next Sunday. We’ll have a picnic and spend the day there so keep your day free. Don’t make any programs with your friends. Vivaan, you too!”
“I wouldn’t dream of missing it, Uncle. Family always comes first with me,” the devil said, virtuously.
Trying to unclench her fingers from around her glass, Alisha took a deep breath. “Sure, Dad, I’ll definitely be there.”
“Alisha, there is something else I want to talk to you about.” Vivaan’s father, Brigadier Kapoor had an impressive moustache which bristled even more impressively when he talked.
Ignoring the way Vivaan was waggling his eyebrows at her from behind his father, she asked, “Yes, Uncle?”
“I shouldn’t be bringing this up with you directly. In fact, your parents have already said they will talk to you at home but, Sir, if you don’t mind?” Looking enquiringly at her father for permission to speak, the Brigadier waited.
Hesitating for a split second, her father slid his arm around her waist in silent support. Nodding, he signaled to Vivaan’s father to continue.
“My nephew, Arjun, is a software engineer. Nice boy, brilliant but very shy.”
Feeling an icy finger trail down her spine, Alisha stiffened. Her father gave her waist a slight warning squeeze to keep her silent.
“He’s thirty four years old. He was married once but unfortunately, his wife died a few years back. My wife and I have had a chance to get to know you and your family and we don’t think that he could ever find anyone better than you. I know things in your past have been hard, dear, but you just need to forget about all that and move on. Who knows? Maybe this is the chance for both Arjun and you to find happiness again? We’ll invite him also when we go to the farmhouse next Sunday and you can see if you like him. Don’t worry. There is absolutely no pressure. It is entirely up to the two of you.”
Beaming broadly, he looked at her father and uncle completely missing their forced smiles. When she managed to nod numbly in response to his enquiring look, he spread his arms wide. Grasping both her palms, he pulled her out from her father’s securing arm and into a bear hug. Her arms went around him reflexively. Looking over his shoulder, she saw her shock reflected in Vivaan’s eyes. All previous shenanigans forgotten, he looked completely blindsided.
Stumbling back when Vivaan’s father released her, she stepped on her father’s foot. Realising her stiletto was skewering his foot, she stepped to one side, almost tripping in her haste. Apologizing profusely, she checked that she hadn’t done any major damage. Her father’s reassurances seemed to come from very far away. By the time, she regained enough composure to look in his direction again, Vivaan was gone.
---xx
x---
Chapter 11
Lugging one of the baskets loaded with food out of the car, Alisha made her way into the farmhouse to find her mother. Depositing it on the dining room table, she skirted the people gathered around the table and went into the bedroom. Her mother was busy settling linen into a cupboard reminding her that she was stuck here overnight. Somehow the one day at the farmhouse had turned into a weekend trip. Shutting the bedroom door, she went over to where her mother stood.
“Mama, I need to talk to you.”
“Tell me.” Putting the last towel away, she turned to face her. Alisha’s heart sank as she took in her mother’s sparkling eyes and bright smile.
“Mama, about Arjun-“
“Isn’t he lovely? He seems like such a nice boy. He’s done his Masters in America. I’ve forgotten the name of the University, but someone was saying it’s a very good one. He seems like such a nice, polite boy and he’s so good looking. Didn’t you like him, Alisha?”
When Alisha continued to stare at her feet without reaction, she stopped talking. Her smile fading a bit, she reached out to take Alisha’s hand. Surprised at how clammy it was, she searched her daughter's expression for a clue to what she was thinking. Finding none, she waited for her to speak.
Trying to sort through the chaos in her head, Alisha waited a beat before asking, “Do I have to get married again, Mama?”
Frowning, her mother ran a hand down her hair. “It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if it was with the right person.”
“How would we know? We thought the last time we’d found the right person and look how well that turned out. Do we really need to take a chance again? I’m happy, Ma, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
“Are you?” Searching Alisha’s eyes and finding nothing but confusion, she thought for a moment before saying, “As a mother, I would love for you to be happily married and settled. I would know that when your father and I aren’t around anymore, there is someone for you. Having said that, I have complete confidence in you being able to take care of yourself.”
Taking a breath, she continued, “We just want you to be happy. If you are truly happy on your own, then fine but if you’re not, if there is even a small part of you that would like to have someone in your life, then I have to ask you to take a good hard look at Arjun because from whatever little I can see, he seems like a good fit for you, Alisha. He ticks a lot of the boxes you could list. He’s educated, has a good job, is good looking and from a good stable family.”
Smiling a little, she tilted Alisha’s face up before asking, “Do you not feel the squiggle? Is this all about not feeling that excitement or attraction or whatever it is?”
Closing her eyes, Alisha leaned her head on her mother’s shoulder “I don’t know, Ma. I definitely don’t feel it when I’m with him.”
“Have you ever felt it?”
A flash of Vivaan grinning at her as they chatted in the car had her jerking back and opening her eyes. Rubbing the heels of her palm into her eyes to try and scrub the image away, she stood. “No, no I haven’t. We should go join the others. They must be wondering where we are.”
“Alisha.” Her mother’s quiet voice had her stopping with her hand on the doorknob. “What are you not telling me? Do you want something or someone different?”
Looking over her shoulder, she smiled sadly, “What if what I want and what I can have are two different things?”
Perturbed, her mother moved closer to her to lay one hand on her shoulder. “No one can guarantee you a happy ending or a smooth path. Sometimes in life, you just have to roll the dice.”
A loud banging on the door interrupted any further confidences. In silent agreement they shelved the conversation for later and joined the riotous crowd outside.
---***---
“Cricket?”
“No, carrom.”
“What are you? Ninety?” Covering her face with his hand, Arav gave Pooja a gentle shove. “Let’s play something more exciting.”
Ignoring the debate raging around her, Alisha continued to help her mother chop tomatoes for the afternoon lunch. Acutely conscious of Vivaan’s eyes boring into her back, she kept her eyes on the chopping board.
“Let’s play something different.” Arjun’s quiet voice had the rest of the babble subsiding.
“Like what? Golf?” Arav stretched, exposing rather impressive abs. Lounging in shorts and a t-shirt, he looked like a poster boy for relaxation. Looking surreptitiously in Arjun’s direction, she took in his cargo shorts and collared shirt. A slightly more upscale version of Arav’s casual style. Alisha had to admit the three guys lounging on the mattresses thrown on the floor made for a very mouth-watering sight.
Well, Arav and Arjun were lounging; Vivaan looked like someone had stuck a poker up his butt as he sat in the corner with a book in his hand. He hadn’t changed out of his jeans yet and if the muscle jumping in his jaw was any indication, he probably wasn’t changing so he could leave at the first possible minute.
Adding weight to her theory, he kept glancing towards his mobile hopefully. As she watched, he picked it up and scowled at its blank non-responsive screen.
Turning her back on the group again, she continued mangling the tomatoes till her mother took the knife from her hand and told her to go check on the curry bubbling on the stove. Obediently picking up a wooden ladle, she moved towards the stove only to be accosted by Pooja.
“What are you doing?” she hissed, dragging Alisha into a corner near the fridge.
“Well, I was going to stir the-. Ouch.” Rubbing her arm where Pooja had pinched her, she glared. “What is your problem?”
“Why aren’t you sitting with us? You’re sticking to the oldies.”
Shaking Pooja’s hand off, Alisha moved towards the stove to stir the curry rather more vigorously than required. “I’m just helping the mothers out.”
“Not anymore, you’re not. Arav help me here.” Beckoning him over, Pooja removed the spoon from Alisha’s hand.
Finding herself outvoted, Alisha let them hustle her over to the mattresses. Handing the spoon over to her mother, she sat on the edge of the mattress. Rolling her eyes, Pooja tugged till she had her settled in the center of it. Ignoring the fact that her position had her in Arjun’s line of sight, she turned to Arav to ask, “So what game did you all decide on?”
“We’re just waiting for the driver to arrive with some equipment. This is going to be fun. What say, little brother?”
When he got only a grunt from Vivaan in response, he shrugged deciding to ignore his brother’s unexpected bad mood. “I’ve asked him to pick up a few of our friends as well. Make the teams bigger and more fun.”
“Are they staying the night? I’ll have to ask mom to arrange for more mattresses.” Starting to rise, Alisha found herself being pulled back down. Pooja was relentless when she had something on her mind.
“They aren’t.” Pooja kept a tight grip on Alisha’s hand, so she couldn’t escape. “They’re coming only for the day and bringing the gear with them.” Before Alisha could ask what this gear was, she continued, “Until then, let’s play something fun.”
Exchanging a conspiratorial grin with Arav, she dropped her little bombshell. “How about a combination of Truth or Dare and Spin the bottle?”
Feeling a trickle of apprehension, Alisha tried to pull her hand out of Pooja’s grasp. “Don’t be juvenile, Pooja. We’re not teenagers.”
“Chicken!” Vivaan’s softly voiced taunt had her turning to look at him fully for the first time that day. Putting his book aside, he leaned forward. “I’m in. Let’s start.”
“Sit Alisha. You’re not going to win this one.” Smiling easily, Arav got up to fetch a used beer bottle from the storeroom. Still staring at Vivaan and wondering what that strange glint in his eyes meant, Alisha sat back accepting defeat. When he raised one eyebrow in challenge, she felt her own back go up and she accepted whatever gauntlet he’d thrown down.
Arav
returned with the bottle which he placed in the centre of their loosely formed circle. “The rules are fairly simple, whoever the neck of the bottle is pointing at has to answer the question and the person the base is pointing to gets to ask. If you don’t want to answer truthfully, you can choose to attempt a dare.”
After a quick check that the parent section was out of earshot, he spun it quickly. Pooja let out a loud whoop when the base ended up in front of her and the neck pointed to Arav.
Rubbing her hands in glee, she asked, “What’s been your most embarrassing moment?”
Thinking for a moment, Arav said, “When I walked into a party with my pants unzipped.”
Cooking done, all the parents left the room to sit outside and chat giving the game ample opportunity to get more interesting. Dismissing Arav’s answer with a wave of her hand, Pooja launched into another one. “Tell us about your first kiss.”
“Uh huh! Only one question at a time.” Shaking his head, Arav reached over to spin the bottle again. When she saw the bottle point at her, Alisha looked up to see Arjun smiling at her. Straightening up a bit, she waited.
“What’s your favourite colour?”
Ignoring the boos that followed the question, Alisha smiled warmly at Arjun recognizing the out he’d given her. “Red.”
Leaning over, she spun the bottle quickly only to have it end up pointing at her again. Her quick glance at the direction its other end was pointing to had her guard going up as she waited for Vivaan to ask his question.
“Have you ever done something without thinking things through? Just done what you wanted and to hell with the consequences.”
When she didn’t answer immediately, he continued, “It doesn’t matter if it was the right or wrong decision. My question is, have you ever followed your heart without thinking about whether it was the right or wrong thing to do?”
Startled at the serious tone the game was taking, Arav sat up to interject only to stop when Alisha spoke up. “No. No, I haven’t.”
