interrupted him.
‘Please don’t do things like that.’
‘Well, I didn’t. And it’s hurtful you think I would. I don’t need to pay you more to get your
love. Okay?’
‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Thanks then.’
‘Stop presuming things. I am trapped in a marriage. I don’t have answers. I wish things were
different,’ he said, his voice agitated. He paused and continued in a calmer voice, ‘But I love you.
That is why I am with you. I am proud of you. You deserve it. You deserve more.’
‘I am sorry,’ I said.
‘It’s fine,’ he said.
‘How was your bonus?’ I said.
‘I am not supposed to tell you that.’ He grinned.
‘You are also not supposed to do a lot of other things with me, mister,’ I said.
‘Three,’ he said.
‘Three what?’
‘Three bucks.’
‘Three million dollars?’ I said, my eyes round.
‘See, this is why I didn’t want to tell you. It sounds like a lot, I know.’
‘It is a lot. You made three fucking million dollars in bonus?’ I said.
Somehow, life has a way of making you feel inadequate about a 350,000-dollar bonus.
‘I told you. You deserve more. Dream bigger, girl.’ Neel winked at me.
‘You made so much money last year. You are a vice president. What else do you want career-wise?’
‘Mom, it’s not just career. I am not ready.’
I had surprised my parents. I had come home for the Chinese New Year four-day weekend in
Hong Kong. Aditi didi had also come over. Dad, Mom, Aditi didi and I visited India Gate. We took a
walk along the lawns. My mother walked with me. As always, she talked about her favourite topic.
‘You will never be fully ready. It is already hard to get a boy for you. You are too successful,
beta.’
‘Is there such a thing? Too successful?’
‘For girls there is. What to do?’
‘Let’s not start again, mom. I am only here for four days.’
‘What is the use? At least chat with a few good ones? I will find NRIs, okay?’
‘No, mom. I don’t want to.’
‘Do you have someone?’ mom said and looked at me. Her direct eye contact made me
uncomfortable.
I have someone, yes. Someone only five years younger than you, mom.
‘Not really.’
‘Not really means?’
‘No, I don’t.’
‘So? Don’t you need a man? Every woman does.’