The CD played itself over three times before I reached the halfway mark. We
paused for dinner at ten. Uncle went to the kitchen and came back with tomato
rice in two plates.
‘You must be bored of South Indian food?’ he said.
‘No, I am used to it now. Feels like home food,’ I said.
‘Good,’ he said. He went to the display cabinet.
I had made it to the category of ‘good’ though still not ‘really good’ like
Harish, I thought.
‘The presentation is under control now. You want a drink?’ uncle said.
‘Sure,’ I said.
Uncle took out two glasses from the crockery rack in the display cabinet. He
told me to get a spoon and ice form the kitchen. He opened the bottle.
‘Five spoons for me is enough,’ he said as he made his drink. ‘How about
you?’
‘We don’t use spoon to measure alcohol,’ I said. I was a little agitated. One
week of working my ass off and still Harish was the ‘really good’ boy. Fuck you,
Harish, I am going to have your Chivas Regal. I poured the golden coloured liquid
four fingers thick.
‘What are you doing?’ he exclaimed.
‘Making myself a real drink. Cheers,’ I said and lifted my glass.
‘Actually, Radha stops me from having more,’ uncle said and took the bottle
from me. He tilted it and made his drink level with mine.
‘Cheers,’ he said, ‘and thank you. You IITians are very smart. What a
presentation you have made.’
‘You are welcome,’ I said.
We finished our dinner and first drink by ten-thirty. I brought the whisky bottle
next to the laptop. I poured a second drink for myself and offered it to uncle. He
didn’t decline. The song changed to Last Christmas.
nora
(Nora)
#1