I shook my head.
‘Our relatives are here. The arrangements are all done. We can still end this drama, Radhika,’
Brijesh’s mother said. ‘Nobody will know. The marriage can still happen.’
‘No, aunty, I am sorry,’ I said.
‘What kind of a girl is this?’ Brijesh’s mother said.
‘I told you. I have a defective piece. My other daughter is golden. Such a nice, good bahu she
is,’ my mother said.
‘Enough, Aparna aunty,’ Brijesh said. Everyone in the room looked at him, surprised. ‘She
may regret her decision to marry me. It doesn’t make her defective.’
Through my tears I looked at Brijesh. Despite what I had done to him, Mr IT guy could still
actually stand up for me. It only made me feel worse.
‘And mom, she has made up her mind. We may not like it, but she has,’ Brijesh said.
‘But, beta, all arrangements are in place and everyone is here and.. .’ Brijesh’s mother said.
‘Mom, we can’t get married just because it is convenient,’ Brijesh said.
I gestured a thanks to Brijesh. He nodded. He handed me a box of tissues to wipe my tears.
His kindness, even at this moment, killed me.
‘All of you are still our guests,’ my father said with folded hands. ‘And from my daughter’s
side, I say sorry.’
I could not see my father grovel. I wanted to leave so I could cry freely.
‘Suraj will help you if you need anything. All your bills will be settled. Thank you,’ I said and
ran out of Brijesh’s room.
The Gulatis and Mehtas checked out of the Goa hotel at noon the next day. Both sets of families
avoided eye contact. Things had indeed changed from the sangeet night two days ago when people
could not take enough group selfies.
The Mumbai flight for the Gulatis left earlier than ours. They took their places inside the bus.
‘Brijesh, one second,’ I said, as he put on his backpack to leave the hotel lobby.
‘Yeah?’ he said, his voice curt.
‘Can we talk for two minutes?’
‘Really? Why?’ he said.
I kept quiet. He took a deep breath.
‘All right,’ he said. ‘But not here, in full view of everyone. Meet me on the beach in five.’
‘Thanks for supporting me in front of the elders yesterday,’ I said.
We walked on the Marriott beach one final time.
‘I don’t like raised voices, or insulting people, especially in public,’ Brijesh said.
‘You had every right to insult me too. You can now. We are not even in public.’